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When You Meet My Friend: A book about making friends at school
32 pages, Hardcover
Published May 5, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 28, 2026
The illustrations are charming, and I loved the unique perspective of the story being told from the dog’s point of view. It offers gentle, practical suggestions for making new friends at school, making it both thoughtful and sweet. It’s a heartwarming read that encourages kindness and connection.
I was blessed with an ARC. Thank you NetGalley and Tiger Tales. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
I was blessed with an ARC. Thank you NetGalley and Tiger Tales. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.
June 3, 2026
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central
A little boy starts at a new school, and is a little apprehensive. A voice over asks the students in his class to look out for him in specific ways. It's hard to know where everything is, so new classmates should help him find where to hang his coat. It's helpful to be welcoming and to make him feel at home. Including a new student in activities makes everyone happy, and introducing him to others widens his circle of friends. Ask others to play and work together, since this is a great way to make new friends. The old friend also asks that the little boy is reminded that after school is over, the two can be together again, since the old friend is... the little boy's dog!
Aside from the happy surprise ending, this is a helpful book to teach young children how to interact with others. For years, it seems like it was assumed that children just knew instrictively how to make friends; I can't think of any books like this when I was young! My own children struggled to make friends a little, since they were quiet and shy, but it seems like the need for instruction on how to make and support friendships is growing. I loved that the classmates were friendly and helpful, and provided good examples for the little boy of how he should act.
There are lots of fun activities in the classroom, and the pastel illustrations are comforting. There are lots of good details, like flower gardens, music classes, and books to be read, that make school seem like an exciting place. The classmates show a range of skin tones and body types.
I plan on reading my grandson a LOT of books about being at school so that when he finally is able to go, he will be looking forward to the experience. It's also a good idea to start teaching children how to conduct positive friendships early with books like this as well as Brozo and Deas' The Buddy Bench, Bush and Friedman's The Little Book of Friendship, Bailey and Song's A Friend for Henry, or Brooks and Ferrero's A Book About Friends.
A little boy starts at a new school, and is a little apprehensive. A voice over asks the students in his class to look out for him in specific ways. It's hard to know where everything is, so new classmates should help him find where to hang his coat. It's helpful to be welcoming and to make him feel at home. Including a new student in activities makes everyone happy, and introducing him to others widens his circle of friends. Ask others to play and work together, since this is a great way to make new friends. The old friend also asks that the little boy is reminded that after school is over, the two can be together again, since the old friend is... the little boy's dog!
Aside from the happy surprise ending, this is a helpful book to teach young children how to interact with others. For years, it seems like it was assumed that children just knew instrictively how to make friends; I can't think of any books like this when I was young! My own children struggled to make friends a little, since they were quiet and shy, but it seems like the need for instruction on how to make and support friendships is growing. I loved that the classmates were friendly and helpful, and provided good examples for the little boy of how he should act.
There are lots of fun activities in the classroom, and the pastel illustrations are comforting. There are lots of good details, like flower gardens, music classes, and books to be read, that make school seem like an exciting place. The classmates show a range of skin tones and body types.
I plan on reading my grandson a LOT of books about being at school so that when he finally is able to go, he will be looking forward to the experience. It's also a good idea to start teaching children how to conduct positive friendships early with books like this as well as Brozo and Deas' The Buddy Bench, Bush and Friedman's The Little Book of Friendship, Bailey and Song's A Friend for Henry, or Brooks and Ferrero's A Book About Friends.
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July 12, 2026See my full review here: https://yabookscentral.com/when-you-m...
WHEN YOU MEET MY FRIEND is a sweet picture book about kindness and friendship. A little boy is new at school, and the text asks that when the other kids meet him that they help to show him around, include him in their activities, and generally be kind to him. At the end, we get to see that the narrator of the book is the boy's dog.
What I loved: This is such a sweet way to introduce kindness and inclusion for young readers. Everyone they meet is cared for by someone else, and they can choose to reach out with kindness and friendship to welcome them into their school/group. This is a great message for young readers, and it would work especially well when there might be a new student in class.
The rhyming text rolls smoothly off the tongue and makes for a pleasing read when shared aloud. It has a great rhythm and will make for a read that children will want to share again and again. The illustrations are lovely with lots of detail and a focus on how children can help new friends to feel comfortable. The pages turn quickly with the brief text on each page, but there is plenty to visually explore throughout as well.
Final verdict: WHEN YOU MEET MY FRIEND is a lovely picture book with an important message of kindness and inclusion that is perfect for young readers!
Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
WHEN YOU MEET MY FRIEND is a sweet picture book about kindness and friendship. A little boy is new at school, and the text asks that when the other kids meet him that they help to show him around, include him in their activities, and generally be kind to him. At the end, we get to see that the narrator of the book is the boy's dog.
What I loved: This is such a sweet way to introduce kindness and inclusion for young readers. Everyone they meet is cared for by someone else, and they can choose to reach out with kindness and friendship to welcome them into their school/group. This is a great message for young readers, and it would work especially well when there might be a new student in class.
The rhyming text rolls smoothly off the tongue and makes for a pleasing read when shared aloud. It has a great rhythm and will make for a read that children will want to share again and again. The illustrations are lovely with lots of detail and a focus on how children can help new friends to feel comfortable. The pages turn quickly with the brief text on each page, but there is plenty to visually explore throughout as well.
Final verdict: WHEN YOU MEET MY FRIEND is a lovely picture book with an important message of kindness and inclusion that is perfect for young readers!
Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a sweet one to read together—especially with a little one getting excited about starting school.
I read this with my 4-year-old who’s about to start, and it honestly felt like the perfect fit. The story follows a little boy on his first day, feeling unsure, and all the small ways the other kids make him feel welcome. It’s gentle, reassuring, and exactly the kind of message you want them going in with.
My 4-year-old really connected with it—especially the idea that other kids will help you and include you. You could tell it made starting school feel a little less scary and a lot more exciting.
My 8-year-old thought it was cute, which feels right. It’s definitely geared toward younger kids, but still sweet enough for older ones to enjoy in a lighter way.
The writing flows really nicely for reading out loud, and it naturally opens up conversations about kindness and being a good friend—without feeling heavy-handed.
And the ending adds just enough heart to make it memorable.
A comforting, feel-good story that’s perfect for kids heading into their first day of school—and the grown-ups reading it with them.
I read this with my 4-year-old who’s about to start, and it honestly felt like the perfect fit. The story follows a little boy on his first day, feeling unsure, and all the small ways the other kids make him feel welcome. It’s gentle, reassuring, and exactly the kind of message you want them going in with.
My 4-year-old really connected with it—especially the idea that other kids will help you and include you. You could tell it made starting school feel a little less scary and a lot more exciting.
My 8-year-old thought it was cute, which feels right. It’s definitely geared toward younger kids, but still sweet enough for older ones to enjoy in a lighter way.
The writing flows really nicely for reading out loud, and it naturally opens up conversations about kindness and being a good friend—without feeling heavy-handed.
And the ending adds just enough heart to make it memorable.
A comforting, feel-good story that’s perfect for kids heading into their first day of school—and the grown-ups reading it with them.
May 31, 2026
This first-day-of-school story is written from the point-of-view of a child's dog. The dog knows a surprising amount about what school is like, and throughout the story, he talks as if he's speaking to the child's classmates, wanting them to be welcoming and helpful. The dog uses they/them pronouns for the child.
When the child and the dog are reunited at the end of the day, the story treats it like a plot twist that the dog was the one narrating the whole time, but I thought it was obvious from the cover and the story set-up.
The dog wanting everyone to be nice to the dog's human friend is a cute concept for teaching about kindness, but I thought it was a little odd, and I struggled to suspend disbelief. I guess I would have liked it better if the story had shown the dog hearing all about the school day afterwards, instead of the dog anticipating all the details of the day as they were happening.
I received a temporary digital copy through NetGalley, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
When the child and the dog are reunited at the end of the day, the story treats it like a plot twist that the dog was the one narrating the whole time, but I thought it was obvious from the cover and the story set-up.
The dog wanting everyone to be nice to the dog's human friend is a cute concept for teaching about kindness, but I thought it was a little odd, and I struggled to suspend disbelief. I guess I would have liked it better if the story had shown the dog hearing all about the school day afterwards, instead of the dog anticipating all the details of the day as they were happening.
I received a temporary digital copy through NetGalley, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The first day of school can be frightening, particularly when the pupil is alone and doesn't know anyone. But this picture book presents a positive depiction of that experience with the unknown [until the final pages] narrator encouraging others to be kind to the new boy at school. As the rhyming text and illustrations demonstrate, others at school can show him the ropes, introduce him to others, and include him in games and activities. Finally, at the close of the school day, it's clear who has been worrying about the boy and waiting for him. Youngsters will appreciate this deep bond, perhaps being reminded of their own animal friends. I also liked how the final endpapers highlight and explain some of the typical experiences at school, including attendance, snack time, story time, and packing up. Share this one with a potential first grader or kindergartener to assuage their fears about the unknown.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2026
If you have a little one who is nervous about their first day of school, this book is a must-have. Mark Sperring’s lyrical, rhyming text perfectly captures that feeling of being "a little lost" in a new place and transforms it into a beautiful story of belonging.
The story follows a young boy as he navigates his first day, and it’s wonderful to see the ripple effect of kindness as his classmates show him where to hang his coat or save him a seat at lunch. Marisa Morea’s vibrant, warm illustrations make every page feel welcoming, and the "tail-wagging" surprise ending is absolutely joyful. It’s a gentle reminder to kids that they are never truly alone and that a friend is always just a "happy wave" away.
The story follows a young boy as he navigates his first day, and it’s wonderful to see the ripple effect of kindness as his classmates show him where to hang his coat or save him a seat at lunch. Marisa Morea’s vibrant, warm illustrations make every page feel welcoming, and the "tail-wagging" surprise ending is absolutely joyful. It’s a gentle reminder to kids that they are never truly alone and that a friend is always just a "happy wave" away.
May 17, 2026
When You Meet My Friend: A Book About Making Friends At School is a heartfelt, encouraging, and kind read! This book is beautifully narrated by a mystery friend who is wishing many special moments to someone they love dearly. The narrorator asks that others show kindness and have a spirit of invitingness to others at school by giving examples of ways to be inclusive. I teared up once I saw this precious narrorator!
July 17, 2026
What a wonderful story. It rhymes, it has a cadence, and it flow supremely. The illustrations match the story fantastically. And when you find out who’s telling the story it just warms your heart even more. This is a great book about making friends for the first day of school or transfer student, etc.
May 11, 2026
This book was so sweet. I loved how the new boy in school got to feel included, and the fact that the dog is telling the story makes it so much better. A great little book for any child that starts a new school. Highly recomend!
Thank you to netGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Thank you to netGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
July 30, 2026
I thought this one was so cute and had such a fun concept. It’s great for kids who may be nervous starting school.
Told through the POV of a dog, it’s all the reasons why their friend is great and going to do great starting school.
Told through the POV of a dog, it’s all the reasons why their friend is great and going to do great starting school.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews