Coaching and Leadership Services
Coaching and Leadership Services
Book
"Rodney Makes a Friend"
By George S. Everly, Jr. PhD; Gina Brelesky; & Andrea N. Everly
Although living through this time of COVID-19 has been scary and stressful it has also allowed us to show our amazing strength and resiliency. Science tells us that human connection and a strong social support group is the best predictor of human resilience. So, as we huddle together, in person or virtually, with the children we love, take this opportunity to build the skills that foster resilience.
Rodney Makes a Friend focuses on the skills children need to make friends, helping them to build their support network. Listen to the book together and take time to discuss the questions that are sprinkled throughout the book.
Help the children you love to understand what it means to be resilient and that they are absolutely capable of being strong, resilient humans!
Why a Children's Book?
I am passionate about building resilience in children!
Much of my career has been spent coaching adults in the areas of social and emotional intelligence. Over the years I have found myself saying, “I wish we taught these skills to children.” By building resilience in children we not only prepare them to handle the many trials and tribulations they face as young people, we also build a solid foundation for the skills they need to be resilient adults.
Who is This Book For?
When writing this book we thought it would be best suited for 5-8 year old children. But we were wrong! We have heard from so many parents and teachers who have used Rodney Makes a Friend with children ranging in age from 4 to 10! Check out a few of the testimonials below to see how others are incorporating Rodney Makes a Friend into their homes and classrooms.
Access the video book for free!
Share your email for access to watch the exclusive video version of Rodney Makes a Friend! This version features a voiceover that reads the book and flips the pages so you and your child can follow along.
Overview
“Does my child have someone to eat lunch with?” This is the type of question that tugs at our heartstrings as we inherently understand the vital importance of friendship in our lives. As adults that care deeply about the children in our lives, we understand, and the research supports that stress can be a major problem for young children.
Learning how to be resilient from a young age is an essential life skill and one of the most powerful ways to increase resilience is through forming friendships. Through Rodney Makes a Friend, children will experience the story of how a shy and lonely rabbit makes friends by learning the secret of The Golden Rule of Friendship. The Golden Rule of Friendship not only fosters friendships, it may actually help build social intelligence through the practice of "perspective taking."
About the Book
Pediatricians and child psychologists agree that stress can be a major problem for even young children. It seems learning how to be resilient, even at a young age, could be an essential life skill. Research has shown that one of the most powerful ways to increase resilience is through the support of others, such as forming friendships.
This book, Rodney Makes a Friend, tells the story of how a shy and lonely rabbit makes friends by learning the secret of The Golden Rule of Friendship. The Golden Rule of Friendship not only fosters friendships, it may actually help build social intelligence through the practice of "perspective taking." Perspective taking is when we try to view the world as others see it, think about it, and feel it.
Through perspective taking, the child learns to become more "other-oriented," not just self-absorbed. Social intelligence is believed to be an important predictor of success in life. The Practice of Rodney's Golden Rule of Friendship may foster social intelligence and change the way a child views the world.
About my Co-Authors
Dr. George S. Everly, Jr. is one of the world's leading experts on the psychology of human resilience. A clinical psychologist, he is on the faculties of The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Dr. Everly is the author of over 15 books and has given invited lectures in 30 countries on six continents.
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Andrea Everly is a writer, actress, and artist. She studies creative writing at Harvard University.
Testimonials
“My son and I read this book together. It’s a great fable about teaching kids and adults alike to never give up. My son learned about the “Golden Rule” to treat others like they want to be treated and has been able to apply that in his every day life. This book has so many insights on keeping a growth mindset, an important lesson to learn when you are young and a great reminder for us all."
-Janet Little
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“My kids and I love the story of Rodney The Rabbit. They love the story, characters, and vibrant colors in the book. I love all that and the lessons of resilience he and his friends teach! Thank you for this book that’s the total package: entertaining and character-building."
-Adair Cates, Mother of Joy and Coral
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"My [four-year old] students enjoyed the book. They were engaged in the story and put into practice what they learned. Thanks for sharing!"
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-Miss Ari, Teacher, Baldwin Park, CA
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"We are doing a school-wide Character Building/Anti-Bullying month and we are incorporating Rodney Makes a Friend into our activities!"
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-Mrs. DeNigris, Second-Grade Teacher, Orange County, NY​
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"My fourth graders loved this book! It was a perfect read for them at this age. There are wonderful talking points which led to some great conversations!"
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-Mrs. James, Fourth-Grade Teacher, Baldwin Park, CA
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Additional Resources
Advanced Psychological First Aid (PFA)
By George S. Everly, Jr. Ph.D., ABPP
"I introduced readers to the concept of psychological first aid (PFA) as a means of assisting friends, family, co-workers, and even complete strangers who might be in an acute state of distress or crisis. It can also be thought of as a means of fostering resilience in others."