What makes someone a friend?
Is it sharing popcorn? Keeping secrets? Saying “no” when something feels wrong?
In “What Is a Friend?”, children are guided through the many dimensions of friendship: trust, loyalty, kindness, courage, boundaries, and acceptance of differences. Rather than prescribing behavior, the book asks thoughtful questions that encourage young readers to reflect on their own experiences.
Through relatable scenarios, dealing with bullying, navigating group dynamics, learning to say “no,” handling conflict, and embracing diversity, children learn that friendship is not about perfection, popularity, or sameness. It is about respect, empathy, and mutual growth.
The book also explores:
The internationally bestselling What Is? series empowers children ages 4–8 to explore complex emotional and social questions in a clear, respectful, and age-appropriate way.
Rather than offering simple answers, each book invites children to think, ask, and reflect. Through direct questions and real-life scenarios, the series opens a safe space for dialogue between children, parents, teachers, and caregivers.
With 16 titles translated into 18 languages, the series has demonstrated strong global appeal and cross-cultural relevance. It is currently being considered for a major animated television adaptation.
Core Themes Include:
Diversity • Bullying • Nonviolence • Financial Literacy • Self-Esteem • Grief and Loss • Responsibility • Tolerance • Fairness • Conflict Resolution • Respect
The books are widely used in classrooms and homes to support:
International Flexibility
While the original illustrations were created to engage young readers with bright and accessible imagery, the author fully welcomes publishers who prefer to commission new illustrations tailored to their own artistic direction and market expectations — a model successfully implemented in several international editions.
