Writing about Friends

Jennifer K. Mann's debut picture book, Two Speckled Eggs, is one she both wrote and illustrated. This lovely, quirky book shows that friendship can come from unexpected places. And speaking of friendship, I'm lucky that Jennifer is my friend and critique partner. 

Ginger wants to invite all the girls in her class to her birthday party—except Lyla Browning. "Lyla Browning was weird: she smelled like old leaves, she didn't talk much, and she even brought a tarantula in a pickle jar for Show-and-Tell." 

But Mom says Ginger has to invite all the girls, or none of them. Lyla arrives at the party early and brings a plain, brown box. The other girls show up, and the party begins! But it’s not the fun party Ginger expected. 

The other girls create chaos, wreck the party games, and don’t like Ginger's silver-and-gold birthday cake. 

Meanwhile, Lyla is exploring the house with her magnifying glass. When a ladybug lands on Ginger’s nose, she laughs. Lyla does, too. And when Ginger opens Lyla’s gift in the plain, brown box, it’s something special that none of the other girls would have thought of. 

Have you found a friend in an unexpected way? Or do you have a special friend? Write about him or her. How and where did you meet? What does your friend like to do? What do you share? 

Remember to include details. Did your friend bring a tarantula to Show-and-Tell? Or was there something else that made you think, I like this person! 

Two Speckled Eggs shows how being a little bit different can lead to wonderful things. It also celebrates friendship. 

Which special friend will you write about? 

Best Friends

Do you have a best friend?

Are there times when you do, and times when you don't? That happens to all of us.

Sometimes we move and lose touch with our best friend. Sometimes our interests change. Your best friend spends most of her time playing hockey, and your new passion is chess. 

Sometimes one of us finds a new best friend. That can hurt. No matter what happens, it's good to talk to someone about it. 

What makes a best friend "best?" 

Write down 5 characteristics that are important to you in a best friend. 

Here's my list:

1. Listens to me. 

2. Laughs at most of the same things. 

3. Likes to do some of the same activities I do--but not all. Even best friends need time apart.

4. Shows kindness to other people and to animals.

5. Surprises me--just when I think I know my best friend really well. 

How about you? In your opinion, what makes a best friend "best?"

A Letter to a Friend

Happy Valentine's Day!

To me, Valentine's Day is all about friendship. It's fun to make and exchange Valentines. But the fun doesn't have to stop after February 14th.

The time around Valentine's Day (or V-Day as I like to call it) is a great time to write a letter to a friend. Your letter doesn't have to be "mushy." You can simply list the reasons you like your friend.

Your friend could be the person who sits next to you at school, your neighbor down the block, your mom or dad, or even your dog or cat.

Let's say you want to write a letter to your dog. How about this?

Dear Dart,

I'm glad you're my dog. Here's why you are a great friend:

1. You always listen.

2. You don't hog all the space on the bed.

3. You love to run and so do I.

4. You wag your tail when I read to you.

5. You warm up my feet when I'm watching TV.

I hope you'll be my friend for a long, long time.

Your friend, Me

Try writing your own letter to a friend. When you're done, you can give the letter to your friend, but only if you want to. Just writing down what you like about a person (or animal) is a good way to remember how lucky you are to have a friend.