Gift Books: Friends and Friendship

Friendships are among the most special and treasured of relationships and t; friends have a very special bond that can be stronger can any other. There’s a lot more to the sentiment of BFF than just hype. Why not set up a friendship corner with gift books and other gift items honoring friends and friendship. Here are a few gift book suggestions to get you started:

Friends on a Rotten Day by Hazel Dixon-Cooper explores the astrology of friendship. Readers can explore who are their compatible friends according to their astrological signs. It points out what particular signs bring what special qualities to the friend relationship It also offers gift suggestions for friends according to their sun signs, ways to relate in different situations and how to identify “frenenemies” or phony friends. There is much more too. $12.95. Softcover. Weiser Books, Newburyport, MA. (800) 423-7087. 

Friend or Frenemy by Andrea Lavinthal and Jessica Rozler is a guide to the friends that you need and the ones that you don’t. This light-hearted guide is to help the 20- and 30-somethings who are into social networking to distinguish who their real friends are. While technology has changed the way friendships are made, the qualities that distinguish a true friendship have not changed. The book outlines  the differences between casual acquaintances and true friends, how to nurture friendships as well as identify “frenemies” or false friends, and much more. 256 pp. $14.95.  Harper Paperbacks, New York.

What are Friends For? by Marsha Karzmer is an inspirational tribute that celebrates all that friends mean to each other. It is filled with.an assembly of special phrases that describe the special qualities of friendship. $14.95. Conari Press, Newburyport, MA. (800) 423-7087.

Da Crockydile Book o’Frendsheep is a gift book by cartoonist Steven Pastis based on his popular syndicated cartoon strip Pearls Before Swine. This book takes a humorous approach to friendship by offering a look at the dynamics between Pastis’ dumb and hungry crocodiles and their vigilant Zebra neighbors. It’s another way to enjoy Pastis’ quirky humorous approach to life. Paperback,6”x6”; 88pp. $9.95. Andrews McMeel, Kansas City, MO. (816) 932-6700.

The Nature of Friendship by Maryjo Koch combines watercolor illustrations of bird, insect and marine life with inspirational messages with insight on the dynamics of friendship. It makes a beautiful sentiment for one friend to present to another. Hardover, 6”x6”, 80 pp. $9.99. Andrews McMeel, Kansas City, MO. (800) 851-8923. 

Amigas Forever! By Luis Fitch, while focused on the Hispanic market, has crossover appeal because friendship is a universal theme. This sweet little gift tome offers inspirational quotes about friendship in both Spanish and English about all aspects of friendship. The artwork illustrating the book adds to the Latino flavor. 4½”x4½”. Hardcover. $9.99. Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, OR. (877) 307-0662.

Also from Harvest House is The Friendship Garden by Lori Siebert. In this sweet little tome, Siebert likens a friendship to a garden, something that must be cultivated and nurtured to grow and thrive. The book combines Siebert’s whimsical garden art with a collection of classic quotes and favorite verses. Harcover, 4½”x4 ½”. $9.99. Harvest House, Eugene, OR. (877) 307-0662.

For the tween set, Just Between Friends: How to Keep Things Totally Secret is a fun collection of ways to protect and share special information between friends. There are secret codes and symbols and a special decoder rings for deciphering special messages. Also included is an invisible ink pen for those most secret of secret messages to share. For ages 8 and up. $16.95. Klutz, Palo Alto, CA. (800) 737-4123

Klutz also offers My Really Good Friends by Me! a Build-a-Book guided memory book for tweens that contains all the stuff any kid needs to make a unique book about their friends. This wire-o–bound book has tear-out pages with how-to instructions and inspiration for creating a special record of memorable times. Comes with craft supplies to spark the creative process. For ages 6 and up.  $12.95. Klutz, Palo Alto, CA. (800) 737-4123.