Review Detail

FRIENDS is a celebration of friendship in all its iterations. Told through a poetic form about all the friends who come and go in our lives, be they near or far, the story talks about all the ways that friends may manifest and the ways that friendships may change.

What I loved: The illustrations are absolutely lovely and capture all the beauty of friendship as well as the many types and changes friendships will go through. The children shown are diverse throughout, and the story manages to capture a detailed glimpse into different friendships, such as old friends who are meeting in the park or missed friendships of the children on subway and platform in the same special jacket. The text is simple but poetic throughout and will likely inspire discussion amongst young children of the different friendships they have seen and known.

Importantly, the book also discusses the other sides of friendship in light terms, when it can be tougher to be separated by distance or a disagreement. Some friendships come and go, and they remain important to us for however long we have them. While it does not dwell on either side, the book does acknowledge all the different elements that make friendship so special.

Final verdict: Overall, FRIENDS is a simple but lovely picture book that celebrates friendship in all its magical forms. Recommend for preschool and young elementary school readers.