A primary school friendship book with every child already in it
A primary school friendship book (the German Freundebuch) is usually a single book that travels from child to child until it is full, with each child filling in a page. A Flashbook turns that around: every child in the class gets their own double-page spread with two photos and their answers, and every family that orders gets the same printed book with the whole class already in it. A book costs €24.90 including design, printing and shipping, €22.90 with 3 or more classes in one order and €19.90 with 5 or more. Once all the answers and payments are in, the books arrive within 5 to 7 working days.
The book, the questionnaire and our WhatsApp support are in German. Other languages and shipping to other countries on request.
How is it different from a shop-bought friendship book?
A classic friendship book, or school friends book, belongs to one child. It goes round the class, every child fills in a page, and in the end one child has a full book. In a Flashbook the whole class is in it from the start: the parents fill in the questionnaire once on their phone, and every child who has a book ordered gets the whole book with everyone else in it.
So a Flashbook is not a friendship book to fill in and pass round; it is the friendship book of the whole class. There is still room to write by hand: the book has at least 4 blank double-page spreads for friends from the after-school club, a sports club or the neighbourhood, plus two spreads for signatures and messages. The paper is 170 g/m², and you write in it with a ballpoint pen.
What goes into the class friendship book?
Every child has a double-page spread with two photos, their name, signature and four short details with icons. The questions can be adapted. For a primary school class, these work well:
- What they call me at home
- My favourite playground game
- Something I can teach you
- The animal I'd love to have
- What I like about our class
- What I wish you when you read this book
It is best to leave out questions about best friends, so that no child feels left out. More questions for every age are collected in the guide Friendship book questions.
What else is in the book besides the children's pages
All the children are together on the cover: their photos are cut out and arranged into one cover picture, on a background you choose. Inside you also get the class photo, awards such as “Best game idea” or “Best at cheering people up”, and a double-page spread for special moments, such as the school trip or the summer fair. You choose the title on the hardcover yourselves, for example “Freundebuch der 2a” (class 2a's friendship book).
How do you get a primary school friendship book?
One parent or the class teacher takes care of it, and all the other families only need their phone.
- Sending an enquiry takes 2 minutes. Then the link arrives on WhatsApp.
- You share the link in the class parents' group chat. Each family answers the questions in about 5 minutes and uploads two photos of their child. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, an overview of who is still missing arrives on WhatsApp.
- Once all the answers are in and all the books are paid for, we design and print. The books reach you 5 to 7 working days later.
The children's photos and answers are only used for the book. What you should know about this is under Children's photos and data protection.
When does a friendship book fit at primary school?
In the first year. Children and parents are only just getting to know each other. With the book, everyone can see who is in the class and what the others like to play.
At Christmas. A class memory book as a gift for every family that orders one. Ideas and the timetable for it are in the guide Christmas gifts for the class.
At the end of primary school. Usually after the fourth year, the primary school leavers' book is the right fit, with questions about saying goodbye and the new school.
At a Volksschule. Classes in Austria can order too, and shipping there is included in the price.
Before school. For younger brothers and sisters there is the nursery memory book.
How much does a class friendship book cost?
The price is per book, with design, printing and shipping to Germany and Austria included. If several classes at your school order together, it gets cheaper for everyone.
- 1 to 2 classes
- €24.90
- from 3 classes
- €22.90
- from 5 classes
- €19.90
The minimum order is 10 books. Each family pays for itself by payment link, or one person pays for everyone by invoice (14 days), so nobody has to pay upfront for others. Because every book is designed individually, orders cannot be cancelled.
Frequently asked questions about the primary school friendship book
Can the children write in the book themselves?
Yes, on the blank spreads and the pages for signatures and messages, with a ballpoint pen. The questionnaire for each child's own spread is filled in by the parents.
Our child can hardly write yet. Does it still work?
Yes. The child talks and the parents type the answers on their phone. In the first year especially, that often makes the answers particularly funny.
Can the class teacher have a double-page spread too?
Yes. She answers the same questions as the children and counts towards the 8 to 42 people in the book. Children love finding out what their teacher says to “The animal I'd love to have”.
What if not every family orders a book?
That's no problem. Every child can be in the book, even if their family doesn't buy one. The minimum order is 10 books, and printing starts as soon as everyone who ordered has paid.
Is the book personalised?
Yes. Every double-page spread belongs to one child, with their name, photos and answers. The cover shows all the children in one shared cover picture, with your own title.
You might also like
- Primary school leavers' book
The book for saying goodbye after the fourth year.
- School yearbook
A look back at the school year, one book for every class.
- Nursery memory book
The whole nursery group in one book.
- Friendship book questions
Ideas for children, teenagers and adults.
- Teacher leaving book
The class's thank-you when the teacher leaves.