Children - Social Studies, Children - Fiction & Literature

You Can Be a Friend

Name: You Can Be a Friend
Author: Tony Dungy
ISBN: 9781416997719

by Tony Dungy

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Overview

A new children’s book written by parents extraordinaire Tony and Lauren Dungy! You Can Be a Friend is the first title in Tony and Lauren Dungy’s series of children’s books which feature inspirational stories that remind kids of the importance of family, friends, and self-confidence. 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 her party where she planned, or to make sure all her friends have fun? Tony and Lauren Dungy present this subtly beautiful story, which will help any parent explain that having limitations can never limit the boundaries of friendship.

Synopsis

About the Author, Tony Dungy

Lauren Dungy and her husband Tony Dungy are active members of a number of family, faith, and community-based organizations, including All Pro Dad, iMom, Fellowship of Chrstian Athletes, Mentors for Life, Family First, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, and the Boys and Girls Club of America. Tony is a former NFL player and retired head coach of the 2006 Superbowl Champions, the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League.

Tony Dungy and his wife Lauren Dungy are active members of a number of family, faith, and community-based organizations, including All Pro Dad, iMom, Fellowship of Chrstian Athletes, Mentors for Life, Family First, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, and the Boys and Girls Club of America. Tony is a former NFL player and retired head coach of the 2006 Superbowl Champions, the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League.

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Editorials

Publishers Weekly

Dungy (You Can Do It!) teams up with his wife for a story about friendship that stars the Dungy family itself. Daughter Jade is excited when new neighbors move in next door, especially because it looks like a girl her age is part of the family; even before meeting her, Jade plans to invite the newcomer to her birthday party at a water park. But when the Dungys bring cookies to greet their neighbors, Jade sees that the girl, Hannah, is confined to a wheelchair. Jade later shares her concerns with her parents ("o I have to be Hannah's friend? She can't do any of the things that my friends and I do"), and her mother assures her that, "God made everyone, and we are all special in His eyes." After getting to know Hannah, Jade quickly befriends her, but she's still concerned that Hannah would be left out at the water park. Mazellan's lively, sun-soaked paintings realistically depict Jade's uncertainty in navigating a new social situation. Jade's independent decision to change her original plans for a greater good lends credence to this message-driven offering. Ages 4–7. (Jan.)

School Library Journal

Gr 1–4—Jade likes to play with her brothers but is pleased when a new girl moves in next door. Hannah is her age and uses a wheelchair to get around. As they become friends, Jade wonders whether to invite Hannah to her birthday party at the water park. To better include her, Jade asks her parents to move the party to the zoo instead. Most pages have several paragraphs of text and realistic paintings of a close-knit, African-American family. The final page includes a note from the authors ("Jade's parents helped her to get to know Hannah because that's what God wants us to do. He loves everyone, and He wants us to love everyone, too.")—Julie R. Ranelli, Queen Anne's County Free Library, Stevensville, MD