Back-to-school season is all about fresh starts and new connections, and one local mom has created something that helps kids do just that. My Friends and I is an interactive friendship book designed to be passed from child to child, with each person filling out fun prompts, drawing pictures, or pasting photos.
With questions like “What’s your favorite food?” or “What do you want to be when you grow up?” the book invites kids to share little pieces of themselves. By the time it circles back to its owner, it’s become a keepsake full of memories, laughter, and personality.
How it works
The first pages are for the child who owns the book, and then the fun begins. Friends, classmates, cousins, teachers, and even grandparents each get their own section. The hardcover book includes space for one child plus 39 friends, with plenty of room for doodles, photos, and stories. Once the book makes its way back, it holds a colorful mix of voices all in one place.
Parents say it feels like a modern-day yearbook, only more personal. Some kids use it to break the ice at school or camp, while others bring it along to family gatherings, sports practices, or even vacations.
A local idea with big heart
The book was created by Jonestown mom of two, Birgit Sund, who was inspired by the German Freundebuch, or friendship book. She wanted to give Central Texas kids the same opportunity to capture childhood connections in a simple, fun way.
“My Friends and I is more than just a book,” Sund said. “It’s a chance for kids to really get to know one another and to have a keepsake they’ll look back on for years.”
Where to find it
My Friends and I is available locally in shops around Leander, Cedar Park, Liberty Hill, and more. You can also order it online, and right now Scoop readers can get 20% off with promo code SCOOP through September 30.
It’s a small idea with big heart, and the kind of keepsake that turns childhood friendships into something kids will treasure forever.
