In our book, The Missing Valentine, the main character, Nia, finds herself in a tricky situation. It’s Valentine’s Day, the "Great Exchange" has begun, and she realizes she doesn't have a card for her best friend, Rina.

But instead of panicking, Nia realizes something important. A store-bought card with a superhero on it is nice, but it doesn't tell the real story of their friendship. So, she grabs a blank notebook and becomes an Author. She writes a book that captures their best memories, creating a gift that feels like a hug.

This year, why not encourage your child to do the same? Here is a step-by-step guide to help them write their very own "Book of Us" for a best friend, sibling, or parent.

What You Need:

• Several sheets of paper folded in half (stapled to make a booklet)
• Markers, pencils, or crayons
• A little bit of quiet time

Chapter 1: The Trust Moment In the story, Nia writes about the day they met on the playground, when Rina helped her hang upside down on the monkey bars.

• Prompt for your child: Write about a time your friend helped you be brave. Did they help you learn a new game? Did they hold your hand when you were scared?

Chapter 2: The Big Adventure Nia writes about their class trip to the Aquarium, where they saw a scary "River Dragon" and got splashed by playful dolphins.

• Prompt for your child: Write about a fun place you went together. Was it a park? A museum? Or maybe just a really fun day in the backyard?

Chapter 3: The Cheerleader Moment Nia writes about how she cheered for Rina during her neighborhood cookie sale because true friends support each other's dreams.

• Prompt for your child: What is your friend really good at? Drawing? Running? Telling jokes? Write about a time you watched them do something great.

Chapter 4: The Small Tradition Finally, Nia writes about "Friday Lunch," the twenty minutes a week they get to sit together in the cafeteria.

• Prompt for your child: What is a simple thing you love doing together? Maybe it’s walking to the bus stop or sharing a snack.

The Moral Remind your child of the lesson Nia learned: The best Valentines aren't just things you buy. They are kindness, shared every day. By writing these stories down, they are telling their friend, "I remember."

Happy writing!