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๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท South Korea /Culture & Society

The best way to make friends? Be a good friend!

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • A children's book explores the nature of friendship and how to be a good friend.
  • It suggests that friendship can form between people of different ages, backgrounds, and even species.
  • The book emphasizes that the best way to gain friends is by being a good friend oneself.

A children's book titled "A Friend is a Friend, a Friend!" by Sara O'Leary and Qin Leng offers a heartwarming perspective on friendship, suggesting that the most effective way to make friends is by simply being a good one. The story begins with a child reluctant to go to kindergarten due to two boisterous friends, but this sentiment quickly shifts to eagerness to play with them later in the day.

The book illustrates that friendship transcends conventional boundaries. It highlights that friends don't need to be the same age or share the same language. Even someone who was a boy last year and is a girl this year remains a friend. The narrative extends this idea, proposing that children of parents who were friends can also become friends, suggesting a generational continuity of connection.

Through these diverse examples, the book conveys a clear message: genuine connection and shared experiences are the foundations of friendship. It encourages young readers to consider not just who their friends are, but also the kind of friend they themselves are becoming. The book prompts parents to reflect on their role in nurturing their children's friendships and guiding them to be positive influences on others.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.