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How to become more assertive with your friends

When your loved ones put you in a sticky situation, it can be hard to stand up for yourself. If you’re not the confrontational type then here are some tips to become more assertive and get what you want guilt-free

by Fiona Day |
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How to become more assertive with your friends

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Sure, it's a children's book about piglets and spiders - but Charlotte's Web is one of the best stories ever written. Join incy-wincy Charlotte in her quest to save her pal Wilbur from the usual fate of nice fat little pigs… but be warned - you'll need a big box of tissues for the end.£5.99, Waterstones4 of 37

Sure, it's a children's book about piglets and spiders - but Charlotte's Web is one of the best stories ever written. Join incy-wincy Charlotte in her quest to save her pal Wilbur from the usual fate of nice fat little pigs… but be warned - you'll need a big box of tissues for the end.£5.99, Waterstones

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An absolute whizzpopper of a book, Roald Dahl's magical tale of The BFG is one that continues to enchant children and adults years after it was written. What would YOU do if you were kidnapped by a giant in the middle of the night? That's what Sophie has to decide in this heartwarming and hilarious tale- and, boy, does she do something amazing!£5.99, Waterstones5 of 37

An absolute whizzpopper of a book, Roald Dahl's magical tale of The BFG is one that continues to enchant children and adults years after it was written. What would YOU do if you were kidnapped by a giant in the middle of the night? That's what Sophie has to decide in this heartwarming and hilarious tale- and, boy, does she do something amazing!£5.99, Waterstones

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One of the best - and most famous - book series' of all time, we doubt there's a single muggle out there that doesn't know the story of Harry Potter! Hop aboard the Hogwarts Express with him in the book that started it all and take a trip to Dumbledore's school of witchcraft and wizardry. Think exciting Quidditch matches throughout the school year, trolls in the bathroom, unicorns in the forest, dark wizards lurking in the shadows, inspirational teachers and more than a few life lessons about the value of friendship. Win!£5.99, Waterstones6 of 37

One of the best - and most famous - book series' of all time, we doubt there's a single muggle out there that doesn't know the story of Harry Potter! Hop aboard the Hogwarts Express with him in the book that started it all and take a trip to Dumbledore's school of witchcraft and wizardry. Think exciting Quidditch matches throughout the school year, trolls in the bathroom, unicorns in the forest, dark wizards lurking in the shadows, inspirational teachers and more than a few life lessons about the value of friendship. Win!£5.99, Waterstones

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Brainy, brilliant and brave, Matilda is the little girl we all wanted to be growing up - even if it meant enduring the Trunchbull at Crunchem Hall Primary School. Think magic, humour, inspiration and a dash of mystery. And, as with any Dahl story, there's an inspirational message for children everywhere: you can do it! £5.99, Waterstones7 of 37

Brainy, brilliant and brave, Matilda is the little girl we all wanted to be growing up - even if it meant enduring the Trunchbull at Crunchem Hall Primary School. Think magic, humour, inspiration and a dash of mystery. And, as with any Dahl story, there's an inspirational message for children everywhere: you can do it! £5.99, Waterstones

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Who doesn't want to spend a delicious reading session eating their way through chocolate cake, ice-cream, a pickle, Swiss cheese, salami, a lollipop, cherry pie, a sausage, a cupcake and a slice of watermelon? Exactly. There's a reason this has consistently been voted the best children's book of all time, trust us.£5.99, Waterstones8 of 37

Who doesn't want to spend a delicious reading session eating their way through chocolate cake, ice-cream, a pickle, Swiss cheese, salami, a lollipop, cherry pie, a sausage, a cupcake and a slice of watermelon? Exactly. There's a reason this has consistently been voted the best children's book of all time, trust us.£5.99, Waterstones

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Children absolutely love climbing trees - even more so when they know the magical tree they're scrambling up could transport them to The Land Of Toys, The Land Of Goodies or The Land Of Parties! Enid Blyton at her best, why not join Moonface, Silky, the Saucepan Man and co for a truly magical adventure during story time tonight?£5.99, Waterstones9 of 37

Children absolutely love climbing trees - even more so when they know the magical tree they're scrambling up could transport them to The Land Of Toys, The Land Of Goodies or The Land Of Parties! Enid Blyton at her best, why not join Moonface, Silky, the Saucepan Man and co for a truly magical adventure during story time tonight?£5.99, Waterstones

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One night Max puts on his wolf suit and makes mischief of one kind and another, so his mother calls him 'Wild Thing' and sends him to bed without his supper. Cue Max heading off on an adventure to live in a faraway land with all the REAL wild things - but will he be able to stay away from the person who loves him best of all?£5.99, Waterstones10 of 37

One night Max puts on his wolf suit and makes mischief of one kind and another, so his mother calls him 'Wild Thing' and sends him to bed without his supper. Cue Max heading off on an adventure to live in a faraway land with all the REAL wild things - but will he be able to stay away from the person who loves him best of all?£5.99, Waterstones

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Four adventurous siblings u2014 Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie u2014 step through a wardrobe door and into the land of Narnia, a land frozen in eternal winter and enslaved by the power of the White Witch. But, when almost all hope is lost, the return of the Great Lion, Aslan, signals a great changeu2026 and a great sacrifice.This book made us check every single wardrobe very thoroughly for the rest of our lives. Fact.£5.99, Waterstones11 of 37

Four adventurous siblings — Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie — step through a wardrobe door and into the land of Narnia, a land frozen in eternal winter and enslaved by the power of the White Witch. But, when almost all hope is lost, the return of the Great Lion, Aslan, signals a great change… and a great sacrifice.This book made us check every single wardrobe very thoroughly for the rest of our lives. Fact.£5.99, Waterstones

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A mouse took a stroll through the deep dark wood.A fox saw the mouse and the mouse looked good."If you haven't read The Gruffalo with your little ones yet, stop everything; it's time to go for a walk in the woods with a quick-thinking mouse, stat!£5.99, Waterstones12 of 37

"A mouse took a stroll through the deep dark wood.A fox saw the mouse and the mouse looked good."If you haven't read The Gruffalo with your little ones yet, stop everything; it's time to go for a walk in the woods with a quick-thinking mouse, stat!£5.99, Waterstones

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Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely travelling further than the pantry of his hobbit-hole in Bag End. Cue the disruptive arrival of the wizard Gandalf and a gaggle of dwarves, who spirit little Bilbo off to raid the treasure hoard of Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragonu2026What's not to love?£5.99, Waterstones13 of 37

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely travelling further than the pantry of his hobbit-hole in Bag End. Cue the disruptive arrival of the wizard Gandalf and a gaggle of dwarves, who spirit little Bilbo off to raid the treasure hoard of Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon…What's not to love?£5.99, Waterstones

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The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? Cue a big furry, stripy tiger - the most extraordinary teatime guest of all - and a story beloved by children everywhere.£5.99, Waterstones14 of 37

The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? Cue a big furry, stripy tiger - the most extraordinary teatime guest of all - and a story beloved by children everywhere.£5.99, Waterstones

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Mole, Rat, Badger and the exasperating Toad take the helm in this gorgeous series of adventures, which takes you all over the countryside, on riverboats and in motor cars. Plus it's perfect for children and grown ups alike, so we reckon you'll love to read it aloud to your little ones! £11.99, Waterstones15 of 37

Mole, Rat, Badger and the exasperating Toad take the helm in this gorgeous series of adventures, which takes you all over the countryside, on riverboats and in motor cars. Plus it's perfect for children and grown ups alike, so we reckon you'll love to read it aloud to your little ones! £11.99, Waterstones

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Mankind must put a stop to the dreadful destruction by the Iron Man and set a trap for him, but he cannot be kept down. But then, when a terrible monster from outer space threatens to lay waste to the planet, it is the Iron Man who finds a way to save the world.Separated into five nights of bedtime reading, the classic story of The Iron Man is one your children will absolutely love.£5.99, Waterstones16 of 37

Mankind must put a stop to the dreadful destruction by the Iron Man and set a trap for him, but he cannot be kept down. But then, when a terrible monster from outer space threatens to lay waste to the planet, it is the Iron Man who finds a way to save the world.Separated into five nights of bedtime reading, the classic story of The Iron Man is one your children will absolutely love.£5.99, Waterstones

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I felt rotten today. It's my mother's fault for singing 'My Way' at two o'clock in the morning at the top of the stairs. Just my luck to have a mother like her. There is a chance my parents could be alcoholics. Next year I could be in a children's home."This painfully honest diary, penned by teenager Adrian Mole, offers an utterly hilarious peek into adolescent life. You'll be hooting with laughter in no timeu2026£5.99, Waterstones17 of 37

"I felt rotten today. It's my mother's fault for singing 'My Way' at two o'clock in the morning at the top of the stairs. Just my luck to have a mother like her. There is a chance my parents could be alcoholics. Next year I could be in a children's home."This painfully honest diary, penned by teenager Adrian Mole, offers an utterly hilarious peek into adolescent life. You'll be hooting with laughter in no time…£5.99, Waterstones

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This endlessly wise and utterly enchanting book has changed the world forever for its readers, teaching us - through meeting a small boy from a distant planet - all about the secret of what is really important in life. We don't want to ruin it for you, so just trust us on this one; it's well worth the read.£1.99, Waterstones18 of 37

This endlessly wise and utterly enchanting book has changed the world forever for its readers, teaching us - through meeting a small boy from a distant planet - all about the secret of what is really important in life. We don't want to ruin it for you, so just trust us on this one; it's well worth the read.£1.99, Waterstones

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If we had to pick just one of The Famous Five books (and it's a big ask), we'd choose the very first one; Five On A Treasure Island. You'll join Julian, Dick, Anne, tomboy George and her beloved dog Timmy as they search for the missing treasure of a shipwreck off Kirrin Island. But, as they collect clues, they soon realise they're not the only ones on the trail - will they get to the loot first?£5.99, Waterstones19 of 37

If we had to pick just one of The Famous Five books (and it's a big ask), we'd choose the very first one; Five On A Treasure Island. You'll join Julian, Dick, Anne, tomboy George and her beloved dog Timmy as they search for the missing treasure of a shipwreck off Kirrin Island. But, as they collect clues, they soon realise they're not the only ones on the trail - will they get to the loot first?£5.99, Waterstones

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Pippi Longstocking is nine years old and lives all by herself with a horse, a monkey, and a big suitcase full of gold coins. No wonder so many generations of children have fallen in love with the naughty little redhead, who refuses to behave as the grown-ups think she ought to - she's utterly inspiring!£5.99, Waterstones20 of 37

Pippi Longstocking is nine years old and lives all by herself with a horse, a monkey, and a big suitcase full of gold coins. No wonder so many generations of children have fallen in love with the naughty little redhead, who refuses to behave as the grown-ups think she ought to - she's utterly inspiring!£5.99, Waterstones

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As warm and funny as he was almost 90 years ago, "bear of very little brains" Winnie The Pooh is truly one of the world's classic children's characters. Think timeless tales about friendship, wonderful adventures in the Hundred-Acre Wood and gorgeous illustrations your little ones will fall in love with. Perfection.£5.99, Waterstones21 of 37

As warm and funny as he was almost 90 years ago, "bear of very little brains" Winnie The Pooh is truly one of the world's classic children's characters. Think timeless tales about friendship, wonderful adventures in the Hundred-Acre Wood and gorgeous illustrations your little ones will fall in love with. Perfection.£5.99, Waterstones

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When a pack of wolves find a baby boy in the jungle, they anger the greedy tiger Shere Khan by refusing to surrender it to his jaws, and rear the man-cub as one of their own. But when little Mowgli grows up, the pack can no longer defend him. He must learn the secret of fire, and with the help of his friends Bagheera the panther and Baloo the bear, he faces his nemesis at last. An absolute classic.£5.99, Waterstones22 of 37

When a pack of wolves find a baby boy in the jungle, they anger the greedy tiger Shere Khan by refusing to surrender it to his jaws, and rear the man-cub as one of their own. But when little Mowgli grows up, the pack can no longer defend him. He must learn the secret of fire, and with the help of his friends Bagheera the panther and Baloo the bear, he faces his nemesis at last. An absolute classic.£5.99, Waterstones

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Spoiled, contrary and horribly lonely, we weren't too sure we were going to like little Mary Lennox when we first met her. But, when a friendly robin helps her find the key to a secret garden hidden in the grounds of Misselthwaite Manor, everything changesu2026£5.99, Waterstones23 of 37

Spoiled, contrary and horribly lonely, we weren't too sure we were going to like little Mary Lennox when we first met her. But, when a friendly robin helps her find the key to a secret garden hidden in the grounds of Misselthwaite Manor, everything changes…£5.99, Waterstones

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All the best stories start with 'Once upon a timeu2026', don't they? This class collection will introduce your children to princes who've been turned into frogs, ferocious beasts, beautiful princesses, wicked stepmothers, birds made of gold, heroic princes and happily-ever-afters. What could be better?£5.99, Waterstones24 of 37

All the best stories start with 'Once upon a time…', don't they? This class collection will introduce your children to princes who've been turned into frogs, ferocious beasts, beautiful princesses, wicked stepmothers, birds made of gold, heroic princes and happily-ever-afters. What could be better?£5.99, Waterstones

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Who could fail to fall in love with the mischievous Peter Rabbit? Join him as he sneaks into Mr McGregor's vegetable garden for a breathtaking adventure - and help him find his way home to his disapproving mummy.£4.79, Waterstones25 of 37

Who could fail to fall in love with the mischievous Peter Rabbit? Join him as he sneaks into Mr McGregor's vegetable garden for a breathtaking adventure - and help him find his way home to his disapproving mummy.£4.79, Waterstones

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Lyra Belacqua is a very normal little girl - but the destiny that awaits her in the frozen lands of the Arctic, where witches and ice-bears fight, will transform her into one of the most inspirational literary heroines ever. She fights for survival, she fights for justice, she fights for what she believes in - and she won't let anything or anyone stand in her way. begin the trilogy with Northern Lights and you'll want to keep reading right through until the very endu2026£5.99, Waterstones26 of 37

Lyra Belacqua is a very normal little girl - but the destiny that awaits her in the frozen lands of the Arctic, where witches and ice-bears fight, will transform her into one of the most inspirational literary heroines ever. She fights for survival, she fights for justice, she fights for what she believes in - and she won't let anything or anyone stand in her way. begin the trilogy with Northern Lights and you'll want to keep reading right through until the very end…£5.99, Waterstones

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When the Cat in the Hat steps in on the mat, Sally, her brother and lucky readers are in for a roller-coaster ride of havoc and mayhem! Dr Seuss's tale of the coolest, hippest cat in history is perfect for little ones to tackle on their own - although, when the story's this good, we have a feeling you'll want to borrow it when they've finishedu2026£5.99, Waterstones27 of 37

When the Cat in the Hat steps in on the mat, Sally, her brother and lucky readers are in for a roller-coaster ride of havoc and mayhem! Dr Seuss's tale of the coolest, hippest cat in history is perfect for little ones to tackle on their own - although, when the story's this good, we have a feeling you'll want to borrow it when they've finished…£5.99, Waterstones

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My naughty little sister is stubborn and greedy and full of mischief. She tries to cut off the cat's tail, she eats all the trifle at Harry's party and plenty more besides - how much trouble can one little sitter be? Cheeky, touching and funny, these best-selling books are perfect for little (and big) girls with siblings of their own.£5.99, Waterstones28 of 37

My naughty little sister is stubborn and greedy and full of mischief. She tries to cut off the cat's tail, she eats all the trifle at Harry's party and plenty more besides - how much trouble can one little sitter be? Cheeky, touching and funny, these best-selling books are perfect for little (and big) girls with siblings of their own.£5.99, Waterstones

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'Something is about to happen,' he told himself. 'Something peculiar is about to happen at any moment.'When an enormous escaped rhinoceros gobbles up James' parents and he's packed off to live with his two awful aunts, he thinks his life is over. But then something miraculous happens - and it comes in the form of an absolutely enormous peach! What could be scrummier?£6.39, Waterstones29 of 37

'Something is about to happen,' he told himself. 'Something peculiar is about to happen at any moment.'When an enormous escaped rhinoceros gobbles up James' parents and he's packed off to live with his two awful aunts, he thinks his life is over. But then something miraculous happens - and it comes in the form of an absolutely enormous peach! What could be scrummier?£6.39, Waterstones

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The road to the City of Emeralds is paved with yellow brick," said the Witch, "so you cannot miss it. When you get to Oz do not be afraid of him, but tell your story and ask him to help you"u25a1Skipping down the yellow-brick road with Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion should be breezier than the tornado that dropped her over the rainbow, but, with the Wicked Witch desperate to get her hands on Dorothy's sparkly red shoes, life is sure to become a little difficult.An absolute must-read for bookworms of all ages.£5.99, Waterstones30 of 37

"The road to the City of Emeralds is paved with yellow brick," said the Witch, "so you cannot miss it. When you get to Oz do not be afraid of him, but tell your story and ask him to help you"□Skipping down the yellow-brick road with Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion should be breezier than the tornado that dropped her over the rainbow, but, with the Wicked Witch desperate to get her hands on Dorothy's sparkly red shoes, life is sure to become a little difficult.An absolute must-read for bookworms of all ages.£5.99, Waterstones

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This is not a fairy tale. This is about real witches." u25a1Witches really are a detestable breed. They disguise themselves as lovely ladies, when secretly they want to squish and squelch all the wretched children they despise. Luckily one boy and his grandmother know how to recognize these vile creatures, but can they get rid of them for good?u25a1Be warned - this one can get a little scary at times...u25a1£5.99, Waterstones31 of 37

"This is not a fairy tale. This is about real witches." □Witches really are a detestable breed. They disguise themselves as lovely ladies, when secretly they want to squish and squelch all the wretched children they despise. Luckily one boy and his grandmother know how to recognize these vile creatures, but can they get rid of them for good?□Be warned - this one can get a little scary at times...□£5.99, Waterstones

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We absolutely LOVE all of David Walliams' rip-roaringly funny books, but this has to be our absolute favourite. Maybe it's because his first ever one, eh? All about one football-loving boy's fondness for wearing fabulous dresses, it challenges perception and reminds us that we absolutely don't have to conform - ever. Check it out if you haven't already!32 of 37

We absolutely LOVE all of David Walliams' rip-roaringly funny books, but this has to be our absolute favourite. Maybe it's because his first ever one, eh? All about one football-loving boy's fondness for wearing fabulous dresses, it challenges perception and reminds us that we absolutely don't have to conform - ever. Check it out if you haven't already!

We absolutely LOVE all of David Walliams' rip-roaringly funny books, but this has to be our absolute favourite. Maybe it's because his first ever one, eh? All about one football-loving boy's fondness for wearing fabulous dresses, it challenges perception and reminds us that we absolutely don't have to conform - ever

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