Sofie Finds a Best Friend follows a hopeful squirrel whose search for a tea party companion becomes a tender lesson in kindness, resilience, and trusting that the right friend may still be waiting. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

We wanted children to understand that it’s completely normal — and meaningful — to have just one or a few close friends. Friendships don’t have to be large in number to be special and fulfilling.

Why was it important that the other animals say no kindly rather than hurtfully?

We wanted to model for children how to communicate honestly while still being kind and respectful. Saying “no” with empathy is an important social skill that helps build healthy relationships.

How did you approach writing about rejection in a way young children could understand?

We used the repetitive structure of the story to help children recognize and understand the different reasons the characters were unable to become friends. This approach makes a complex emotion feel more approachable and relatable for young readers.

What conversations do you hope families and classrooms have after reading the book?

We hope the story encourages meaningful conversations about patience, perseverance, and friendship. We also hope it helps children develop the language and confidence to both give and receive rejection with kindness and understanding.

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