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The Friendship Adventure - Meet the Author!
Welcome back to Kids Ask, Authors Answer, a joyful video series where children’s curiosity meets author creativity! Each episode brings together real kids and children’s book authors for a read-aloud followed by spontaneous, unscripted Q&A sessions.
The twist? The authors never see the questions ahead of time, so every answer is genuine, often funny, and always full of heart.
In this episode, hosts Amy Doslich and Samantha (Sam) Howard-Els read The Friendship Adventure by Carole G. Barton, the first book in the Bruno's Friendship Chronicles series. This heartwarming chapter book follows Bruno, a mouse determined to make a new friend. Along the way, he encounters unexpected challenges, explores mysterious places, and learns valuable lessons about friendship, courage, inclusion, and perseverance.
Perfect for classrooms and children navigating friendships of their own, this episode sparks meaningful conversations about social-emotional learning, confidence, belonging, and what it means to be a good friend.
Amy Doslich is the author and illustrator behind the beloved Hannah Banana and Mary Berry series, a collection inspired by her two daughters. Her stories are known for their warmth, humor, and family-centered adventures.
Samantha Howard-Els brings her own sparkle as the creator of the Mungo series and Tiny Boo, books that mix kindness, curiosity, and Halloween fun.
This time they're joined by Carole G. Barton, author of the Bruno's Friendship Chronicles series. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience as a speech therapist, Carole creates stories that thoughtfully explore friendship, communication, neurodiversity, social anxiety, and the unique ways children experience the world around them.
In this episode, Carole shares the inspiration behind Bruno's character, reveals how a real cave in England helped shape the story, explains why friendship is such an important theme in her books, and answers kids' questions ranging from making friends to whether Wookey Hole is a real place. Her warm, insightful responses offer a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the writing process!
The Real-World Magic of Wookey Hole
One of the most captivating elements of The Friendship Adventure is the setting. Many young readers wonder: "Are these caves real?" The answer is a resounding yes. Wookey Hole is a genuine historical and geological site in England, famous for its stunning limestone caverns.
Barton describes the location as "absolutely beautiful" and encourages families to explore it. For those who can't visit England in person, she recommends virtual tours to see the actual cave systems that inspired Bruno's journey. During her visit, she took the standard walking tour, listening to guides explain the different formations. However, she also observed "cavers" in full gear exploring the deeper, more rugged sections, which is a detail that adds a layer of authenticity to the world-building in her series.
A quirky but true detail from the books involves the "cheese rooms" found in the caves. In the story, Bruno follows his nose toward a wall that hides rows of huge barrels of cheese. This isn't just a fantasy trope; aging cheese in caves is a traditional practice. Barton explains that the real-life Wookey Hole cheese is kept in specialized cave chambers, where the environment helps it develop.
The author admits she is a massive fan of the local Wookey Hole cheese. She even suggests trying it in a "rare bit", which is a classic British version of a grilled cheese sandwich.
Addressing Sensory Needs and Anxiety
Perhaps the most impactful aspect of Barton’s work is her representation of sensory tools and the struggles of being a "shy kid." As a speech therapist, she understands that many children process the world differently.
In the book, Bruno uses a weighted blanket, a tool that many neurodivergent children use in real life. Barton explains that for students who feel overwhelmed, a weighted blanket acts like a "hug," providing deep pressure that calms the nervous system and helps the body feel relaxed. It is treated not as a toy, but as a "tool," much like a pencil is a tool for writing.
The author also incorporates "thinking stones" and other fidget tools into her narratives. These objects have different textures, some rough, some smooth, which Bruno uses to stay grounded. Barton shared that she uses these same tools in her therapy sessions, often encouraging children to rub a pencil or a specific stone when they feel stressed. She even wears a compass and a bumpy bracelet herself, serving as personal calming objects during high-pressure moments like interviews.
Overcoming Shyness and Finding Friendship
Barton’s stories are deeply personal. When asked if she ever struggled to make friends, she candidly admitted to being the "shy kid" who sat in the back of the classroom, hoping never to be called on. She recalls the painful feeling of hearing other kids laughing and talking while feeling unable to join in.
This empathy for the "outsider" is why she chose specific animals for her story:
The Hedgehog: Chosen because they are iconic in the English countryside, but also for their "spikes." A hedgehog offers a perfect blend of cuteness and a natural defense mechanism, providing a humorous yet touching metaphor for characters who might be a bit "prickly" or guarded.
Lady the Mouse: Introduced in Chapter 3, Lady becomes a pillar of Bruno’s social world. Barton notes that as a speech therapist, she loved writing the scenes where Bruno tries to navigate communication and social cues with his new friend.
Hidden Secrets and Future Adventures
Every author leaves "Easter eggs" in their work. For Barton, some of the most special secrets are the real people she snuck into the pages. Bill, the tour guide in the book, was inspired by a real guide she met. Just as she was finalizing the story, she saw his name tag and knew it was meant to be. Furthermore, she included her own grandchildren as characters in the book. They were the two children who visit the caves with their mother.
The story doesn’t end with the first book. Because Bruno "wanted to do more," Barton has already released the second installment, Red the Dragon. This sequel tackles the concept of reputations and bullying. Everyone in the story believes the legend that Red the Dragon is a bully, but the book challenges readers to look beneath the surface and discover the truth for themselves.
To conclude her thoughts on friendship, Barton reflected on her first "best friend", her older sister. Despite living on opposite ends of the United States (one in Florida and one in Washington State), they remain incredibly close. This personal history reinforces the message in her books: friendship isn't about physical proximity or being the loudest person in the room; it’s about connection, shared history, and the simple kindness of a smile.
Through Bruno’s Friendship Chronicles, Carole G. Barton has created more than just a series of children's stories. She has created a roadmap for children to understand their emotions, embrace their sensory needs, and navigate the sometimes-scary world of making friends, all while exploring the cool, cheese-filled depths of an English cave.
Want to Grab a Copy of The Friendship Adventure?
You can find it here*: https://amzn.to/4v3sECL
Watch them here: Kids Ask Authors Answer Interviews!
You can also find Amy and Sam’s books here:
Amy Doslich – Hannah Banana and Mary Berry series*: https://amzn.to/4eLoZ3G
Samantha Howard-Els – Mungo series & Tiny Boo*: https://amzn.to/3CBx9OF
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