You Can Be a Friend

by Tony Dungy, Lauren Dungy, Ron Mazellan (Illustrator)

This will be the second title in Lauren and Tony Dungy’s series of children’s books which feature great stories that remind kids of the importance of family, friends, confidence, determination—and believing that anything is possible if you dream big. In this story, Jade has been planning to have her birthday party at a water park, but her new friend, Hannah, is in a wheelchair. Now Jade has a decision to make: Is it more important to keep the celebration where she planned, or to make sure all of her friends will have fun? Parents and their children will love reading and discussing this beautiful book, which celebrates the talents and strengths we all have, no matter our physical ability.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Friendship, Fiction

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 4, 2011

About the author

Tony Dungy is a #1 New York Times bestselling author whose books include Quiet Strength, Uncommon,The Mentor Leader and Uncommon Marriage. He led the Indianapolis Colts to Super Bowl victory on February 4, 2007, the first such win for an African American head coach. Dungy established another NFL first by becoming the first head coach to lead his teams to the playoffs for ten consecutive years.

Dungy joined the Colts in 2002 after serving as the most successful head coach in Tampa Bay Buccaneers' history. He has also held assistant coaching positions with the University of Minnesota, Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Minnesota Vikings. Before becoming a coach, Dungy played three seasons in the NFL.

Dungy has been involved in a wide variety of charitable organizations, including All Pro Dad, Abe Brown Ministries, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Athletes in Action, Mentors for Life, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Boys & Girls Clubs. He also works with Basket of Hope, Impact for Living, the Black Coaches Association National Convention, Indiana Black Expo, the United Way of Central Indiana, and the American Diabetes Association.

He retired from coaching in 2009 and now serves as a studio analyst for NBC's Football Night in America. He and his wife, Lauren, are the parents of ten children.

Connect with Tony at his website (www.coachdungy.com, his blog,Facebook, and Twitter,

Reviews

[Riley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are gorgeous, and the overall message is a good one. However, the text chunks are a little unwieldy and it's just a little too gee-golly-gosh didactic for my tastes.

[Stacey B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

read for my diverse children's literature class

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter uses a wheelchair.
This is one of the best books for kids about disabilities. I bought 2 copies.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Usually I am less than impressed with message books, and while this one isn't perfect (too long & wordy; message drives the story), there are some things that I liked about it. I like the multicultural characters; the illustrations have real life & movement to them; part of the story takes place at a library simply because the family goes there all the time; and there's a great older brother and both the mom and dad are very present.

What I liked best, though, was that the daughter is allowed to make her own decision about how to be a good friend to her new neighbor, who uses a wheelchair. She isn't told what she needs to do; instead, she is asked a question: "Is it more important to have fun at your party, or to be with your friends?" She is shown taking time to think about it and struggling to find the right answer, but eventually asks to change the location of her birthday party from the water park to the zoo, where her new friend can participate more fully. Great answer, and how rewarding for children to see another child develop a solution by herself.

NB: Christian content: A Bible passage in the front matter; a mention of God in the text; and a mention of God in an afterword.

[Ryley Christian]

This book is about befriending someone with a disability from the perspective of a little girl. The narrator, Jade, hesitantly befriends her new neighbor, Hannah, who is in a wheelchair. After they begin playing together, Jade realizes that Hannah is a lot of fun and begins to wonder if she should change her birthday party plans so that Hannah can go, too.

The authors, Tony and Lauren Dungy, address a child's familiar reaction to people with disabilities (ex. "Jade says, "Mom, do I have to be Hannah's friend? She can't do any of the things that my friends and I do,") but then portray how alike two children can be when disregarding their physical appearance (ex. "They played games, shared secrets, and giggled.") Although neither of the authors have disabilities, I appreciate the numerous children's organizations they are involved in such as the Boys & Girls Club of America and Big Brothers & Big Sisters of America. Also, the colorful, hand-painted illustrations by Ron Mazellan capture the listener's attention while the story is being read.

As a teacher, I would use this story to teach acceptance and the importance of befriending someone for their inner beauty. Also, I would use this book to expose my students to physical disabilities.

[Cierra Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can be a friend by tony and Lauren Dungy is a picture book for children ages four to seven.
This book was on the #1 New York Bestselling Author, NAACP and Christopher award. You can be a friend features an inspirational message about the importance of family and the matter of the heart. Self-esteem and friendship were two major lessons in this story. The main character Jade planned her birthday party at a waterpark before she met her new neighbors. She became close friends with her neighbor’s daughter Hanna, who happens to be in a wheel chair. Due to Hanna being disabled, Jade decided to change the location of her party to a place where all of her friends were able to enjoy themselves and have fun. Jade demonstrated unselfishness by ensuring all of her friends enjoyed themselves at her birthday party.
I rated the book five stars. The book illustrated compassion. Although Hanna was disabled, Jade ensured she treated Hanna with the same amount of respect as anyone else. I would utilize this book to teach my students how to have compassion for everyone regardless of ability or disability.

[Drew]

•Brief summary
Jade is the only girl around in the neighborhood, so when a new family moves in she is excited to meet the new girl. When she meets Hannah she isn't so excited anymore because Hannah is in a wheel chair. She learn that no matter if the someone is in a wheel chair or not they can be a lot of fun.
•Audience
Good book for Kindergarten to 2nd grade.
•Appeal
Its a good about something every child wants to do, make new friends. It starts with freeze game something that lot of children love to play. It has great pictures and is a good African American book to appeal to all your students.
•Implementation
I would use this book to help children understand we are all different and that is okay. Just because someone is different from you does not make them any less fun. This is a good book to also help a classroom understand if someone in class has a wheel chair.Great book for diversity in classrooms.

Dungy, T., Dungy, L., & Mazellan, R. (2011). You can be a friend. New York: Little Simon Inspirations.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

When the Dungy kids see a new family move into their neighborhood, they can't wait to make new friends. Jade especially is excited because one of the new neighbors is a girl. But she worries about whether Hannah is in a wheelchair. "How much fun could it be to know her?" she asks herself. Over the next weeks, though, Jade and Hannah become fast friends, and Jade realizes that while Hannah can't do everything she can do, there are plenty of things she CAN do. As the day for her birthday nears, she struggles with her party plans since she doubts that Hannah would enjoy going to a waterpark. The book contains positive messages about acceptance and choice and highlights a loving family. There may be a bit much text for some readers, but the story is sure to engage most. The illustrations match the text nicely, showing active kids and parents.

[Angie Kohout · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot: Jade has been planning to have her birthday party at a water park, but her new friend, Hannah, is in a wheelchair. Now Jade has a decision to make: Is it more important to keep the celebration where she planned, or to make sure all of her friends will have fun? Parents and their children will love reading and discussing this beautiful book, which celebrates the talents and strengths we all have, no matter our physical ability.

Setting: United States, Present Day

Characters: Jade, Hannah, Mom, Dad.

Point-of view: Third person.

Theme: Friendship, religious tone as well.

Style: No particular style

[Alison Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this isn't particularly about a person who has special needs, it is about people who do not have special needs accepting those who have special needs. It is a book about a friend who considers her friend's feelings and limitations while trying to decide to invite her to her birthday party and where to have her birthday party. It shows the importance of friendship and acceptance of her disability. I would recommend this book to advanced first graders, second and third graders. The genre of the book is realistic fiction, but I think it is based on a true story.

[Logan Bland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very good. This is a very family oriented book regarding a little girl that's in a wheelchair. Her family moves in by the Dungy family, and the Dungy sister is not sure she wants to be friends with the girl in the wheelchair because she won't be able to do what the other girl likes. I would teach a lesson about being friends with others and not judging without knowing someone first. I would also talk about finding things you have in common instead of just assuming you won't have anything in common with someone.

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dungy, former NFL coach and his wife wrote this book which is heavily slanted to his Christian values-based message. That is not a bad thing at all and the book delivers a positive moral--don't judge people by appearances and love thy neighbor. It is a feel-good story with no subtlety or high literary craft, just a message to share like most "celebrity" authors. I grabbed it off the shelf and notice it has never been checked out--not one kids pick on their own.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is very cute, with a great lesson in inclusion and diversity. However, it was ruined for me a bit on the last page, which discussed how we should accept everyone because that is what God wants us to do. Kids would have gotten the message without this page, and it runs the risk of alienating readers who are not religious. Also, can't we teach kids that they should be good people just because it's the right thing to do? You don't need religion to be a good person.

[Kaitlyn Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a great book to read to younger students who are having trouble with making friends or finding friends. I like how there were three to begin with and then there were four. Odd numbers are always tricky but these three made it work until someone new came along. This teaches children that you can be friends with anyone and everyone if you are willing to take that first step and meet someone new.

[Emily Whip · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shows us that anyone can be friends. It does not matter what we look like or if we have a disability. Every person should feel valued in this life and appreciated. Anyone can be friends! This could be a book that you read aloud to students to show that within the classroom we all can be friends to one another and treat each other kindly.

[Shantia Redd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book teaches children how to accept others without discriminating against physical differences. It also teaches them that they may miss the oppurtunity to gain a meaningful friendship by judging someone based on appearance.

[Darcie Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little story with a nice show of the weird things you find going through your head when you're experiencing new things and trying to make good decisions about people and things. Though I do think the title is a bit preachy.

[LP Reads]

Picture book recommended by Books That Heal Kids for ages 4-9.
http://booksthathealkids.blogspot.com...

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy)]

A positive message about friendship and a positive message about the abilities of a child with a disability. Somewhat wordy in style.

[Mary Lee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didactic.

[Donalyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a new family moves into the neighborhood, Jade learns how to be a good friend in spite of challenges. I thought the message of this book was a fine one, but the writing wasn't that strong.

[Kaalomai]

entertaining and even a bit juicy. nice depth too for a YA novel.

[Kristin Sprague · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know this author, previous coach of Indianapolis Colts.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for children who are new in a class or a neighborhood.

[Rebecca Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

• Summary: Jade and her siblings are excited when a new family with two children moves into their neighborhood. They quickly discover, however, that one of their new playmates, Hannah, is handicapped and must use a wheelchair to get around. At first, this is discouraging to Jade because she does not know how she will be able to do the normal things she enjoys with other children and still include Hannah. Additionally, Jade has been planning her waterpark birthday party for months but she does not know whether she should include her new friend Hannah or not in fear of leaving her out. In the end, Jade is able to make compromises and sacrifices that allow her and Hannah to play together; she also changes her birthday plans so that she can include all of her friends, including Hannah, and still have a good time.
• Theme: It is more important to be a good friend to everyone than to make a selfish decision. Although someone may look or act different, it does mean that they have a weird character or should be mistreated. Including and making sure everyone is comfortable is a big sacrifice to make, but can benefit and making for great friendships in the long run.
• Rating: 5 stars
• Personal Response: I really enjoyed this book for multiple reasons. First of all, it touches on the subject of handicaps and disabilities. It teaches children how to be inclusive in those types of situations and that maybe being a better friend is better than being selfish. Another reason I really enjoyed this book was because of the illustrations of the children. One family appears to have African American complexities while another family shows more Caucasian complexities. This is a great way to show children that looking different, being from a different race, or even having a disability does not mean they should be excluded.
• Recommendation: I would recommend this book for 7-10 year olds. It is a great way to address differences and disabilities and how to be inclusive so that everyone can participate. It also teaches that sometimes being a good friend is more important than being selfish.

[Grace VanKirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jade has 3 brothers and she really wants a girl to be her friend. She is in luck! While playing freeze tag, her family notices a moving truck. The family makes cookies and delivers them to the neighbors, who have 2 daughters. One is younger than Jade and one is in a wheelchair. Jade's excitement soon turns to anxiety. She doesn't know if she should be friends with Hannah because she is in a wheelchair. However, her parents convince her to give Hannah a chance and they become fast friends. Jade even decides to switch the location of her birthday party to allow Hannah to feel included.

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars because it was realistic. It is normal that children would have hesitations about being friends with someone who is different than them. The Dungy's handled this predicament in a positive and respectful way. Hannah is not defined by her disability. She even teaches Jade how to bowl properly. I would read this book to a class because it shows them that being friends with different people can be a positive thing.

[Maeve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jade and her brothers are excited when a new family moves in. They introduce themselves and meet Hannah Snells, a girl Jade's age. Hannah uses a wheelchair...which makes Jade feel uncomfortable. But after a conversation with Jade's parents about differences and what makes a true friend, Jade and Hannah quickly become best friends.

The story was very didactic, but the message is important (and there's not a lot of representation of people in wheelchairs).

[Eric Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a well written children's book with a heartwarming message about inclusivity. The illustrations are incredibly well done and only add to the message of the story. This is an amazing book for elementary students as it allows for the topic of inclusivity to be brought up and discussed with children who may not have been introduced to the idea.

[Megan Clavenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect story for reminding students that we can be friends with everyone, and disabilities shouldn't stop that! I'd love to read this to my class or have it in my class library for them to read on their own.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for preschool and elementary ages!