READ WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:
About "Making New Friends"
· "'Making New Friends' beautifully addresses this challenge, which is a common challenge for children of mobile families. Young readers will find it interesting and it should spark lots of imagination. I highly recommend it." Cheryl McCann, Editor, Review Books (www.review-books.com , May 1, 2005). Click here to go right to our review.
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· A big brown box holds all sorts of possibilities for an imaginative child. TJ's box becomes a hide-out for his spy game then it becomes a friend who helps him make friends in his new neighborhood. Browny Big Box even becomes a model airplane for TJ to impress the new boys and gain confidence. TJ's parents buy him a real model airplane. The story is upbeat including the ending when Browny is shipped to a new home where he will help other children. I'm eager to read more about Browny's adventures. I highly recommend this book. Betsy B. Lee , Learning Abilities Books
· "I found this story touching and I could feel TJ's loneliness in his new home. I think this book could help children of any age to use their imaginations and entertain themselves instead of moping over things that are inevitable." Linda Spiker, Community News Editor, Wytheville Enterprise - VA.
· “The Big Brown Box is a lifesaver. What a wonderful way to teach children valuable lessons, while also having them actively use their imagination. Reference: Making New Friends - In the world of military life, kids moving is simply a part of life. Browny helps ease the anxiety by providing kids and outlet to share their fears about their new location. I also love thefactual maps. This is a great book for any military child. I look forward to more in the series”. - Tara E Crooks, Host Army Wife Talk Radio
· On behalf of myself and the other board members of CFK(Corvettes For Kids), allow me to say thank you! You, David, Helen, Scott, Browny and all of the members of the Corvette Forum were wonderful with their help and support during the show. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it! You really helped add to the success of the show. Browny is adorable and a great sport to have endured that heat . . . all of you were! Thank you, thank you, thank you for everything! We couldn't have had a successful show if it weren't for caring people like yourselves. Bernadette, CFK
· "I've read it ["Making New Friends"] to the class several times and they have thoroughlyenjoyed it. It is the perfect story to share with the kindergarten students when they come to visit first grade." Ms. A. Brueck, First Grade Teacher.
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· Just wanted to take a moment to say how wonderful your book "Making New Friends" is. My son & I read it tonight after purchasing it at the Corvette for kids show today. I was so excited about the web page. It is awesome. I'm hoping we could possibly have you come to Gilbertsville Elementary School. I'm looking forward to discussing this with our HSA president and my son’s 2nd grade teacher. Good-luck and we look forward to your success! L . Heck, Parent
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· "What a great book! I highly recommend reading it, especially if you have children or grandchildren and are anticipating a relocation in your future."
Diane Isbell, Pennsylvania.
· "I couldn't believe my 3 year old sat still through the entire story. This book completely held his attention." Lynn Hirsham, Pennsylvania.
· "It is heartwarming and timely in this day and age. I am looking forward to reading the next Browny Adventure." Mary Lou Payton, M.Ed.
· “An imaginative and instructive story. Browny is the beginning of a friendship that will charm children of all ages!" BAB, Retired Elementary School Teacher.
· "I wish I had a book like this when we moved with our children." T Vanderslice, Parent.
· "Anyone who has ever played with a box can relate to this." S. McKnight, Parent.
AMAZON PATRONS GIVE MAKING NEW FRIENDS 5 STARS
Building Self-Confidece, August 26, 2005Reviewer: / Southeast AsiaTravel (USA) - See all my reviews
"Making New Friends" helps a child build self-confidence and make new friends. T. J. like many children is unsure how the children in the new neighborhood will like him. Browny shows him he'll have no problem making friends. The maps and facts of each state Browny moves is a wonderful bonus.
The story of a young boy named TJ who has just moved into a new residence with his family , October 14, 2005
Reviewer: / Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews
We live in a highly mobile society. It's perhaps hardest on the children who are moved from school to school and are repeatedly faced with the necessity of losing old friends and making new ones every time the family relocates. Making New Friends is the story of a young boy named TJ who has just moved into a new residence with his family and is hesitant about going out to meet the kids in his new neighborhood. Then while playing with one of the boxes that his family's possessions had been moved in, TJ is surprised with it comes to life and starts to talk to him. Browny helps TJ to develop the self-confidence to make new friends, and TJ comes to realize that is okay to miss his old friends -- and to remember the good times they shared. Recommended for both school and community library picturebook collections, Making New Friends is brilliantly co-authored by Jacqueline Blumenstock and David Pools at a third grade reading level, while Colleen Madden's gentle illustrations are thoroughly age appropriate for young readers ages 4 to 10.
This is great., June 18, 2005
Reviewer: / Melea Rizzo Buckham (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews
This is a simple story that triggers the imagination to go to work for you, where "out of the box" is a good thing.
It's excellently written, wonderfully illustrated and is thought capturing in a way that will enable one to take the concept of using one's imagination to use it in a way that should enable one to jump the hurdle of making new friends. And, who's concept is simple enough that it's adaptable to apply to other hurdles in life.
The balance of this series should be just as great.
Highly recommend, June 14, 2005
I highly recommend this book for children 3 years and up. My son is 3 years old and loves this book!! He wants me to read it to him every night. To my surprise and amazement, from the very first time I read this book to him, he sits and listen to the whole book.
Lynn Marie Hirshman, Douglassville, Pa
Making New Friends, May 5, 2005
Reviewer: / Bob "RCP19446" (Lansdale, PA) - See all my reviewsRarely does a children's book combine a charming character, a good story and a geography lesson as successfully as Making New Friends.
Children of any age can relate to the anxiety of moving to a new neighborhood. The character Browny Big Box reassures and inspires TJ to make new friends and helps him realize that imagination can help overcome the uncertainty of a new situation.
Beautifully illustrated, the book is just the right length to hold a young reader's interest. The "Did you know?" pages at the front and back of the book offer a few simple facts about the locations that Browny Big Box visits.
As a parent, it's refreshing to find a book that stimulates your child's imagination. The real prize, however, is the lesson he or she will learn about making new friends.
The Big Brown BOX makes the news!
Reading Eagle, Lifestyle - July 15, 2005Boyertown Area Times - July 7, 2005
Southern Berks News - July 6, 2005
Board Converter News - June 27, 2005
Packaging On-line - June 25, 2005 / Reporter - October 6, 2004
Wytheville Enterprise - May 17, 2005 / Southern Berks News - Sept. 24, 2003
Times Herald of Norristown - May, 2005 / Pottstown Mercury - December 18, 2003