Review Detail

‘Book Buddies: Marco Polo Brave Explorer’ by Cynthia Lord, illustrated by Stephanie Graegin, tells the story of Marco Polo, a retired Christmas ornament with dreams of being a great explorer. The problem is that he’s very tiny, and when it is decided that he will no longer be an ornament, but rather a Book Buddy in the library, no one wants to check him out, because all of their parents worry that his small size will cause him to get lost easily.

Soon enough, along comes Seth, a young boy who is about to go to his first sleepover and wants something to keep his company. He sets his sights on Marco Polo, and the mouse is more than excited to go on such an adventure! The problem is that Seth doesn’t want anyone to know he’s bringing Marco Polo because he thinks they might make fun of him for needing a “buddy,” so he keeps him hidden. Problems arise when his friend’s cat finds Marco Polo and takes him to his hiding spot and Marco Polo has to find his way back to Seth.

Whether a kid or a book buddy, the characters in this book show that everyone has a fear of something, and being true to oneself and brave about one’s insecurities can go a long way in finding other people who share similar concerns or can at the very least be there for their friends while someone is dealing with them. Friendship and kindness are two of the most important ways to conquer one’s fears, and this book makes sure that these character traits are ever present.