The Five Rules of Friendship (Jess Sanders, illus César Barceló, Affirm)

The Five Rules of Friendship by Jess Sanders (Life Lessons for Little Ones: You Are Enough) is a thoughtful and engaging picture book exploring friendship, for readers aged 5+. Sanders structures the book around five essential rules for healthy friendships: respect for boundaries, active listening, kindness, equality and standing up for others. Each rule is explained simply, with relatable examples, such as asking for consent before hugging or being kind by inviting someone to join a game. I love how Sanders takes care in explaining that not every friendship will be perfect or last forever, and that’s okay. I can’t think of a childhood book that shared these insights and themes when I was a young reader; it’s great that such books are more readily available in today’s market. Visually, the book is a delight. Illustrator César Barceló has created a bright, cheerful and inclusive world, depicting a diverse range of children engaging in various activities and reinforcing the message that friendship can transcend differences in cultures, abilities and interests. The Five Rules of Friendship is an excellent resource for children and caregivers, and is perfect for children starting to understand social relationships in their school and community.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Nominated for Bookseller of the Year (2023), Emma Pei Yin is also a freelance writer and reviewer. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Category: Friday Unlocked reviews Reviews