Hello, Friend!: questions to ask and activities to try
One enthusiastic little girl has decided a little boy is her best friend. Hello, Friend! is a warm, funny story about friendship, kindness and noticing what the other person wants too.
What age is it for? Hello, Friend! is best for ages 3–6. Good for: Making friends, and noticing what the other person wants.
Hello, Friend! (Rebecca Cobb)
- Age
- 3-6
- Best for
- Making friends, and noticing what the other person wants
Read it and look closely at the boy's face on each page: the pictures tell a different story from the words. Ask your child how he might be feeling. It's a gentle way into talking about empathy.
What it helps with
- Making friends at nursery or school
- Noticing how a friend feels
- Kindness and sharing
- Friendships where you like different things
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “What did the girl share with the boy?”
- “Did the boy like the sandwich?”
- “How can you tell how the boy is feeling?”
- “Were they good friends by the end?”
- “How do you know what a friend likes?”
- “How do you make a new friend?”
5-minute activities to try together
Face detective
Look at the pictures again and guess how the boy feels on each page from his face alone.
Ask a friend
Practise asking “What would you like to play?” and listening to the answer, with a toy or a grown-up.
Free printables: Hello, Friend! worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
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If your child liked this, try
A Splendid Friend, Indeed (Suzanne Bloom)
- Best for
- Making friends with someone very different from you
- Age
- 2-5
Big Box Little Box (Caryl Hart and Edward Underwood)
- Best for
- Opposites, rhyme and an unexpected friend
- Age
- 2-5
Pumpkin Soup (Helen Cooper)
- Best for
- Sharing jobs, falling out and making up with friends
- Age
- 3-7
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.