Making friends can be easy for some and very difficult for others. It can cause anxiety but it also be a source of much joy. This book dives into how to make friends and where you can make friends. It takes confidence in yourself to have courage to make friends. As parents, we should be building that confidence up. A confidence that is kind and full of courage. A great resource for families.

A special thank you to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

This is such a great read for parents to littles! It encourages your young kiddos to ube brave and seek out friendships. It also encourages them to love themselves and to view themselves as a kind friend. This book is a great read that my young kids enjoy.

Special thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Emily Ley's You'll Always Have a Friend: What to Do When the Lonelies Come is a cute book that encourages kids of all ages to be themselves and be friends to others. I loved the message of the book and that it reinforces that the way we were created was not a mistake. Emily Ley's You'll Always Have a Friend: What to Do When the Lonelies Come is a good book to read at any time. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book. My review is also on Goodreads.

Though this book has a good message that often times when we're looking for a friend we have to first be a friend, I was a little disappointed that there wasn't more of a Christian message...based on the title and the author, I was expecting more of a message about God always being there for us, but there was no overt mention of God at all.

My 8 and 10 year old boys appreciated the book though and one said it was comforting. It was a good conversation starter about friendship and feelings.

I also appreciated the beautiful illustrations, with inclusion of children with special needs!

*I received a free copy of this book from Tommy Nelson in exchange for my honest review

This is a beautifully illustrated book that encourages children to be themselves, be kind to others, and that they are not alone in feeling lonely.

It explores good advice of reading books, making new friends by being confident or joining a team, and talking to a trusted adult for wisdom.

This book has a part where the author encourages the reader to be his or her own friend. And to “be exactly who you are.” While it’s important to raise confidence in children, our job as parents is to remind children of their identity in Christ. Having “friends” in books and in yourself doesn’t solve the feeling of loneliness when left out of friendship circles. They can be soothing techniques, but not an antidote for making new friends. I felt like this book followed the secular message of “be your own best friend” and it didn’t hit quite right, especially when this is for younger readers.

A truly powerful and moving book for little ones. Unfortunately in our world our children who feel left out and alone find it so hard to fit in, be included and be understood. I was this way in school and I can’t imagine having to face it in this world now. This wonderful book shows children that they ARE seen and heard. They learn that there are so many ways to find a friend and give ideas on how.Even if the person is a different age or likes different things, there is always someone we can find to talk to. It also shows it is okay no matter what, you are awesome. The book shows how important inclusion is and understanding feelings. I love the beautiful illustrations. They are as powerful as the story, including a diverse range of characters that will show children that everyone is a part of this story. The story emphasizes being exactly who you are and that every single person matters. I love the confidence that this story encourages. I wish I had a story like this when I was younger. It is a great story to read as a family or to share in an early childhood classroom or elementary school. This also makes a wonderful gift to share with someone you know who might feel alone. We received this as an ebook ARC but had to add to our home collection. You will treasure it too.

You'll Always Have a Friend
What to Do When the Lonelies Come
by Emily Ley
Pub DateJun 04 2024
Thomas Nelson: CHILDREN'S |Tommy Nelson
Children's Nonfiction


Tommy Nelson's Children Nonfiction sent me a copy of You'll Always Have a Friend to review:



Think of a world where you always have a place at the table, where you always have someone to talk to. Emily Ley's reassuring and empowering book gives kids the confidence and tools to overcome loneliness by showing that they always have a place.


Feeling left out, overlooked, and unseen is something we all experience. When you're a kid on the playground, a kid sitting alone in the school cafeteria, or a new teammate, this problem can be so much harder to face.



Ensure your children that they are seen. And they are *awesome*! Everybody has felt lonely or left out at some point and there are lots of ways to always have a friend. Featuring vibrant illustrations of a diverse cast of characters, You'll Always Have a Friend will inspire children to make friends and to be friends to others.

Children from infancy to age eight will love this book!This beautifully illustrated book reminds us of the beauty of friendship...



Five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

This book is really cute and the illustrations are very well done. The book is encouraging to kids about finding friends. I appreciate that when Emily Ley mentions talking to adults it's "trusted grownups" not just anyone.

*I received this digital advanced reader copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my review.

With lyrical rhyme scheme and sensational dream-like illustrations, "You'll Always Have a Friend" reminds Little Ones that they are wanted, loved, and worthy of friendship. This book equips children with mindsets and practical tools for exploring multiple ways of making friends, and also spurs them to consider how they can be a good friend to others. What a lovely way for parents and teachers to encourage the children in their lives to connect, play, grow, and have fun with the community they create around them. This book would make the perfect gift for before summer camps and the Back-to-School season. . . .or any time you think your child could use some encouragement and story-time snuggles.

{Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my gifted e-copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.} This book was very sweet and written on such an important subject. So many kids are dealing with loneliness–probably safe to say all, at least at some point! Picture books on things like this are essential. I loved the illustrations and the poetic words of encouragement and hope. The only thing was that, coming from a Christian publisher, it felt like this book missed a huge opportunity to point children to a Friend who will always be faithful to them: Jesus!

“It’s true, you’ll always have a friend. Just keep on being you.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In this delightful, empowering, and sweet picture book and poetry, author Emily Ley weaves ideas and encouragement into simple yet beautiful words. I absolutely loved it, and anyone feeling lonely or unsure about friends should really check this out.

The illustration is also so picturesque and I really relished it. They matched the book so well and are so light hearted and sweet.

And, I can’t ask for more. The ideas are wonderful, from speaking out, animals and pets, to books.

“Some friends pop up in places
you never thought to look!
You might find brand-new buddies
in the pages of a book.

“There may be knights and princesses
or dragons to discover.
You can join in their adventures
by reading from cover to cover.”

Most importantly, I fully agree with the ideas and encouragements in this book of merely thirty pages. I will reread it again and again, since sometimes we all feel a bit lonely… And we need ideas! But we will always have a friend. And these words will bring our thoughts together. In the end, just keep on being you! Although it may be common sense, this book deserves the stars.

Because sometimes, we all need a reminder.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tommy Nelson for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The second picture book by the wonderful Emily Ley is a sweet nod to kids who worry or have problems with friendship. She reminds kids of how friendship starts (with courage and a simple hello), of other forms of friendship (like books and animals), that trusted adults can be turned to when friendships become hard, and even the importance of self love. While book is rhyming, you may stumble a bit here and there because the rhyme isn’t 100% BUT that is being picky honestly. The watercolor illustrations are beautiful and the message is so incredibly needed for kids ages 4 - lower middle school

I love how this book opens with questions and quickly validates anyone who has felt alone (all of us!). The lyrical rhymes and beautiful illustrations make the tips for finding friends that much more enjoyable. This book also affirms that kids were "made without mistakes," and though I didn't see a mention of God, there are definitely lovely opportunities for families of faith to remind kids that God wants to be their closest friend.

Thank you to Tommy Nelson for providing a digital ARC. Of course, all opinions are my own.

Such a cute book! I love the illustrations and the message that it sends out to you, no matter young or old. It is a inspirational and uplifting book!

You'll Always Have a Friend is a sweet book giving children encouragement to build friendships even if it is intimidating. The illustrations are so beautiful and include a variety of appearances.

Perfect for children entering a new school year or children who are nervous to make friends.

I received an ARC from Thomas Nelson: CHILDREN'S | Tommy Nelson via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received an electronic ARC from Thomas Nelson: CHILDREN'S through NetGalley.
Affirming story that emphasizes everyone feels lonely and alone at times. Ley show readers various situations they will connect with and acknowledges their feelings while offering encouragement for them to try reaching out. She also reminds readers of the flip side to make sure they reach out and are friendly when they see someone by themselves. The artwork captures the ideas the text shares. A great book for families during school years.

I found it very hard to rate children's books so everything is a 5 star read for me!!
The beautiful message about the friendship and the fear of being lovely as beautiful portraited in this book.
I really loved this book, the illustrations are so beautiful and captivating that I found myself smiling through every page I read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson: Children's publishing for an advanced read copy of this book.

You'll Always Have a Friend is a sweet little book for young children that helps them to remember that even though you may feel lonely sometimes, there are many ways to seek out friendship. This book helps children understand that everyone feels lonely at different times and encourages children to reach out in kindness to others. It gives lots of examples of ways that children can meet and make friends with the reminder that sometimes friends don't need to be just like us.

This book would make an great addition to elementary school classroom and serve as a resource for a school counselor, social worker or children/family counselor.

This is a great children’s book that teaches children how to be a friend and therefore, make friends. I love the way the author gave some actionable ideas for children to try and acknowledged that it can be scary to make new friends. I also loved the nod to being your own friend. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous too. Well done!

Beautifully illustrated, You'll Always Have a Friend, acknowledges that sometimes loneliness happens for children.
Whether it's finding a friend on the playground or looking for a group of friends at lunchtime, these illustrations demonstrate not only what it feels like to be lonely in a crowd but also how to seek out someone who looks in need of a friend.
It is an inclusive representation of what communities look like around the world, not only representing children of different cultural backgrounds but also representing children who have supportive devices such as hearing aids and wheelchair users.
This book would be a beautiful addition to a family bookshelf, a meaningful gift for a child in your life and a great selection for your school or local library.