Will You Be My Friend?

Artist Lauren Radke's children's book Will You Be My Friend? introduces Frog and his friends, colorful characters she has enjoyed creating for years. The endearing characters share their message of friendship, and the many different aspects of being friends with someone. Frog learns his friends might not look anything like him and that is okay. He also learns that it is alright to have just one or two special friends as not everyone has a large circle of friends. Examples of being a good friend are shared from listening and sharing, to helping and hugging. The book concludes with suggesting being a friend to others and sharing your happiness of having someone as a friend. All friendships are different from the next one, and it is important for children to realize this.

The simple, colorfully illustrated book is the second in a series of kindness, friendship, and acceptance. The charming, cheerful characters gently implement the facets of friendship. Having raised four boys and regularly surrounded by preschool grandchildren, Lauren knows the importance and necessity of regular reminders. Everyone can benefit from these suggestions while reading Will You Be My Friend? to their little ones, reinforcing the message. Being nice was always a Radke rule and she regularly quoted "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." What better way to be a friend and have a friend than by being a nice person? The amiable Frog, Mouse and Ladybug characters have existed for years and inspiring the development of the characters into simple stories with simple messages are her young grandchildren.