Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, (also know as “Dr. Friendtastic,”) is an author, psychologist, and mom of four, based in Princeton, NJ. H work focuses on parenting and children’s feelings and friendships. Her newest books for children are Moody Moody Cars (for ages 4-8), Growing Friendships: A Kid’s Guide to Making and Keeping Friends (for ages 6-12), and Growing Feelings: A Kids’ Guide to Dealing With Emotions About Friends and Other Kids (for ages 6-12). She has also written or co-authored four books for parents: Kid Confidence, Smart Parenting for Smart Kids, What’s My Child Thinking?, and The Unwritten Rules of Friendship.
Dr. Kennedy-Moore is the creator of a 5-minute, weekly podcast for children (ages 5-13) about making and keeping friends, called Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic. Each episode features an audio recording of a question about friendship from a child plus a practical and thought-provoking answer.
She is also the professor for The Great Courses/Wondrium audio-video course for parents, Raising Emotionally and Socially Healthy Kids. Her blog, Growing Friendships, on PsychologyToday.com, has over 5 million views.
Dr. Kennedy-Moore has been a featured guest on Live with Kelly and Ryan and other national television and radio shows and is frequently quoted in major magazines and newspapers, including The New York Times and The Washington Post. In her clinical psychology practice, she works with adults, children, and families (NJ License #35SI00425400).
Subjects
children, child development, children’s mental health, social and emotional learning, SEL, social skills, friends, friendship, children’s friendships, making and keeping friends, emotional intelligence, emotions, feelings, parenting, parents, moms, mothers, mental health, psychology, psychologist, child psychologist, anxiety, depression, ADHD, social anxiety,
Skills
Book Credits
Kennedy-Moore, E. & McLaughlin, C. (July 2023). Growing Feelings: A Kids’ Guide to Dealing With Emotions About Friends and Other Kids. Beyond Words (for ages 6-12)
Kennedy-Moore, E. & McLaughlin, C. (2023). Growing Feelings: A Kids’ Guide to Dealing with Emotions about Friends and Other Kids. Beyond Words (for ages 6-12)
Kennedy-Moore, E. & Furman, M. (2022). Moody Moody Cars. Magination Press (for ages 4-8)
Kennedy-Moore, E. & Carey, T. (2019). What’s My Child Thinking? Practical Child Psychology for Modern Parents, Ages 3-7. New York, NY: Dorling Kindersley. (for parents)
Kennedy-Moore, E. (2019). Kid Confidence: Help Your Child Make Friends, Build Resilience, and Develop Real Self-Esteem. New Harbinger. (for parents).
Kennedy-Moore, E. & McLaughlin, C. (2017). Growing Friendships: A Kids’ Guide to Making & Keeping Friends. Beyond Words / Simon & Schuster (for ages 6-12)
Kennedy-Moore, E. & Lowenthal M. S. (2011). Smart Parenting for Smart Kids: Nurturing Your Child’s True Potential. Jossey-Bass / Wiley. (for parents)
Kennedy-Moore, E. (2005). What About Me? 12 Ways to Get Your Parents’ Attention Without Hitting Your Sister. Parenting Press. (for ages 3-6)
Elman, N. M. & Kennedy-Moore, E. (2003). The Unwritten Rules of Friendship: Simple Strategies to Help Your Child Make Friends. Little, Brown. (for parents)
Kennedy-Moore, E., & Watson, J. C. (1999). Expressing Emotion: Myths, Realities, and Therapeutic Strategies. Guilford Press. (for mental health professionals)
As author, unless indicated otherwise.
(for ages 6-12)
Kids’ biggest feelings often come up about friends. This entertaining and empowering book features relatable cartoons, practical, research-based coping strategies, plus silly commentary from a cat and dog who have their own (questionable) ideas about what might help,
“This warm, wise, accessible book belongs in the hands of every elementary-school aged child.” — Lisa Damour, PhD, author of Untangled, Under Pressure, and The Emotional Lives of Teenagers
Read
(for ages 4–8)
Cars have feelings! Or at least some look like they do. This rhyming picture book, classic automobiles express a range of feelings, from anger to excitement, to help kids learn to recognize, understand, and communicate about emotions.
“Not since Inside Out has a story about feelings felt so innovative.”
— Parents Magazine
(for ages 6-12)
A funny and useful guide to help children navigate the social world. Filled with cartoons and research-based tips.
“The secret playbook you’ll wish you’d had when you were growing up.”
— Diane Debrovner, executive editor, Parents magazine
(for parents)
Real self-esteem isn’t about loving ourselves. It’s about being able to let go of the question “Am I good enough?” by connecting with something bigger than ourselves. Addresses challenges such as: feeling friendless, giving up easily, overreacting to criticism, or being different.
“This one is a game changer.”
— Dawn Huebner, PhD, author, Outsmarting Worry
(for parents)
An in-depth look at the social and emotional skills children need to become capable and caring people. Chapters include: Tempering Perfectionism; Building Connection; Finding Joy.
“A literal Godsend. Parents will find great wisdom in its pages.”
— Stephen R. Covey, author, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
(for parents)
Describes the friendship strengths and struggles of typical children, such as The Shy Child, The Little Adult, and The Short-Fused Child.
“Colorfully written and practical.”
— Library Journal
5-minute weekly podcast for children (ages 5-13) about making and keeping friends. Available on all major podcast platforms and at https://DrFriendtastic.com/podcast. (Jan 2023 to present)
