{"product_id":"when-friends-dont-pick-me-lena-brightwood-9798277818510","title":"When Friends Don't Pick Me: Friendship Feelings and Finding Your Brave Voice","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhen Friends Don't Pick Me\u003c\/b\u003e is a gentle, heart-squeezing \u003cb\u003echildren's book about feelings, friendship, and being left out\u003c\/b\u003e. Perfect for ages 5-8, this \u003cb\u003esocial emotional learning picture book\u003c\/b\u003e helps kids put words and pictures to those big \"friendship feelings\" that show up on the playground.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRiley really wants to play Sky Dragons. But the game keeps going without them, and the words \"maybe later\" start to feel like \"we don't want you at all.\" As Riley's chest gets tight and their tummy gets twisty, a crew of scribbly feeling-friends appears: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHurt\u003c\/b\u003e - a soft blue teardrop who shows up when it feels like nobody picked you\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eJealousy\u003c\/b\u003e - a green wiggle who watches the fun you're not in... yet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAnger\u003c\/b\u003e - a spiky red spark with lots of big ideas about stomping and shouting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCourage\u003c\/b\u003e - a tiny yellow star with a cape, small but willing to help you try again\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith the help of these \"friendship feelings,\" a kind teacher, and a few simple tools, Riley learns how to: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eNotice what's happening in their body\u003c\/b\u003e (tight chest, twisty tummy, hot face)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eName their emotions\u003c\/b\u003e - left out, sad, mad, jealous\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eUse self-kind talk\u003c\/b\u003e instead of blaming themselves\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAsk a trusted grown-up for help\u003c\/b\u003e when feelings get too big\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eShare honestly\u003c\/b\u003e how it felt to be left out\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eTry again in friendships\u003c\/b\u003e when it feels safe\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis story is ideal if you're looking for a: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eChildren's book about feelings and emotions\u003c\/b\u003e (hurt, jealousy, anger, courage)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003eKids' book about being left out, excluded, or not picked\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003eSocial emotional learning (SEL) book for kids ages 5-8\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFriendship book for the classroom\u003c\/b\u003e - perfect for circle time and class meetings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eEmotional regulation tool\u003c\/b\u003e to practice \"cookie-breath in, bubble-breath out\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBack-to-school read-aloud\u003c\/b\u003e about kindness, inclusion, and brave voices\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat makes this book stand out?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eRelatable, realistic scenario: \u003c\/b\u003e a simple playground game that doesn't seem to have room for one more - something nearly every child has felt.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eConcrete, body-based language: \u003c\/b\u003e kids learn to link \"big emotions\" with body sensations, a key step in emotional literacy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eMixed-media artwork: \u003c\/b\u003e a blend of real textures and scribbly doodle-style characters that make feelings look visible, separate, and less scary.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eClear friendship steps at the end: \u003c\/b\u003e a kid-friendly reflection page summarizing what to do \"when friends don't pick me.\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eEmpowering, not shaming: \u003c\/b\u003e no one is the \"bad guy\" - the book shows that kids can forget to notice others and still repair, apologize, and try again.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePerfect for: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eParents supporting kids who feel \u003ci\u003eleft out, excluded, or unseen\u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTeachers and school counselors building a \u003cb\u003esocial emotional learning library\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTherapists and play therapists working with \u003cb\u003ebig feelings and friendship struggles\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKindergarten-Grade 2 classrooms, small groups, and worry\/anxiety groups\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHomeschool families looking for a \u003cb\u003efeelings and friendship curriculum anchor\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eBy the last page, children see that: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTheir \u003cb\u003efeelings are real\u003c\/b\u003e and make sense\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey can get support from a \u003cb\u003etrusted grown-up\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTheir \u003cb\u003evoice matters\u003c\/b\u003e in friendships\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCourage\u003c\/b\u003e doesn't mean not being scared - it means taking one small, kind step anyway\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhen Friends Don't Pick Me\u003c\/b\u003e is a reassuring, conversation-starting \u003cb\u003epicture book about big emotions, friendship, and brave communication\u003c\/b\u003e-a must-have for any shelf of books about feelings and inclusion.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Lena Brightwood\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798277818510\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Independently Published\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 12\/07\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 40\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.19lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.10d","brand":"Lena Brightwood","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48014400585983,"sku":"9798277818510","price":11.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_5f4dbb43-2777-496d-9f19-8addafc6c53a.jpg?v=1767748186","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/when-friends-dont-pick-me-lena-brightwood-9798277818510","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}