Don't Need Friends is about a cantankerous rat who decides he doesn't need friends after his best friend moves away. I happen to like this book a lot, but a funny thing happens when my friends read it. They always say, "It sounds just like you!" Needless to say, I find this comment very disturbing. The main character is a rat, for crying out loud. What, exactly, are my friends trying to tell me?

Another curious comment I get when I tell people the title of my book is, "But Carolyn, children do need friends." I guess they think I've written a how-to book on how not to have friends. I like to look at them with my best fake surprised expression and say "Oh, really? You think so?" I mean honestly, that's what they get for saying such a dumb thing.

I must mumble at times, because other people actually think I'm saying that the title is "Don't Eat Friends," which, now that I think of it, is a darn good idea for my next picture book.
I think the best part of this book are the illustrations. Lynn Munsinger is simply the most wonderful children's book illustrator in the world, as far as I'm concerned. I love the expressions she draws on her characters' faces.

Don't Need Friends is my favorite book I've ever written. It's also my husband's favorite. In fact, I dedicated it to him, The King Rat.

To listen to a podcast about Don't Need Friends go to:
http://www.justonemorebook.com/index.php?s=Carolyn+Crimi