Clink

Picture book, 32 pages. Clink, an out-dated robot, almost gives up ever finding a forever home. Published in 2011 by Balzer & Bray/Harperteen.

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You've Got a Friend in Me

Charming! The book's physical end-papers will give you an idea of  the charm and whimsy in Clink's story: humorous blueprints for building at home a model of a robot who can burn toast while playing music at the same time!

But the heart of the story is Clink's commitment to finding the right friend and home - Clink is an out-dated robot who cannot clean, play baseball, cut hair or make chocolate chip cookies. It will take a special person to appreciate his unique toast burning, music making, dancing program.

Friends who appreciate and understand our gifts and foibles are priceless.

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Ideas for Making it Real

Recently, Little Guy told his Mama that she would be his most favorite friend except she was his Mom!  Children understand friends - those people who we like to be around and who like to be around us.

While they understand what a friend is, learning to be a good friend takes time, opportunity and an occasional assist:

• Unstructured, but regular play time together shows children that it takes time to learn what a friend likes and doesn't like.
  
• Allowing kiddos to work through conflict, assisting only where necessary, helps them to understand friendship is never conflict-free and can even be stronger when resolved appropriately.
  
• Practicing positive words about our friends and identifying their good qualities develops the idea that friendship is about being better together (and catches the gossip-bug before it grows into a real pest.)

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