Julia Cook, a former school counselor and teacher, has written many books on behavior and health for children. Her Building Relationships series of 9 storybooks helps kids develop healthy relationships with their peers, parents, and teachers. Julia regularly presents in schools across the country and delivers keynote addresses at national education and counseling conferences. She has received the Association for Educational Publishers Distinguished Achievement Award, and her books have been honored by the National Parenting Center and Mom's Choice Awards.

K. D. Smith is an author, speaker and consultant from New York, New York

"The second edition of Making Friends Is an Art is an inspirational friendship tale that follows a colored pencil named Brown who is on a quest to discover his unique friendship talent. Brown receives repeated encouragement and affirmation about how special he is, and reading this was especially delightful for me as a woman of color. It was refreshing to see Brown celebrated and encouraged to be himself as he demonstrated empathy and kindness to all the other colors in the box. These revisions illustrate deliberate, compassionate strides to acknowledge and uplift every child who hears or reads this story. Thank you, Julia, for listening and growing alongside your reading community. I am proud to add the second edition of&mnsp;Making Friends Is an Art to my school counselor collection!" - Meecheeca McNeal, M.S.Ed, Professional School Counselor

"When it comes to emotional health, friendships are very important to children. A lack of friends can have a devastating effect on all of us, but especially a child. Children who struggle with making and keeping friends often experience mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. They are also more likely to get into trouble and drop out of school.

This second edition of Making Friends Is an Art! is an inspirational friendship tale that follows a coloring pencil named Brown." - Cristen Casados, blogger @ The Naptime Reviewer

"Humans are a social species. A lack of friends can have a devastating effect on all of us, but especially a child. Children who struggle with making and keeping friends often experience mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. They are also more likely to get into trouble and drop out of school.

This second edition of "Making Friends Is an Art!" is an inspirational friendship tale that follows a coloring pencil named Brown. Multi-talented Brown is the luckiest pencil in the box! In this story, Brown learns that in order to make and keep friends, he needs to know how to be a good friend.

Brown must find a way to share his many talents with others. At first, that seems hard, but soon Brown realizes that to be a good friend, all he has to do is be himself! And to share all his special talents, like listening to others, being trustworthy, honest, and kind, and to have fun.

Included are tips for parents, counselors, and educators to help kids recognize their talents and be true to themselves -- making this new second edition of "Making Friends Is An Art!" and especially and unreservedly recommended addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library Life Skills picture book collections for children ages 4-8." - Midwest Book Review