Friendship

Benjamin Dove

As an adult, Benjamin Dove looks back on a childhood summer that changed his life forever. A summer when his new friend Roland, seemingly descended from the knights of the past, encouraged him to stand up for himself and for those he loves. It was a summer when he and his friends formed the Order of the Red Dragon that gave them a sense of identity and purpose in their turbulent world; a summer when innocent childhood games were torn apart by an almost inevitable tragedy. Benjamin Dove is a brilliantly conceived work of fiction, tinged with both light and dark humor. Disturbing themes are explored, from bullying to child abuse to rivalry, yet there is always a sense of a child’s unbreakable spirit. Published to acclaim in 1992, Benjamin Dove has won several book awards, including the International Board on Books for Young People Award (the IBBY), The Icelandic Children’s Book Award, and the Reykjavik City Children’s Book Award. It has also been made into a feature length film of the same name, that went on to win awards at eight international film festivals. Benjamin Dove is a timeless story that explores such perennial and poignant themes that it is sure to become a modern-day classic. The New York Times calls it a “best-selling, distinguished children’s book.”

Candyfloss

When her mother plans to move to Australia with her new husband and baby, Floss must decide whether her loyalties lie with her mother or her father, while at the same time, her best friend begins to make fun of her and reject her.

Cherry and Olive

Cherry Sullivan prefers reading books to playing with the other children in her class. They make fun of her for being plump, and they are not nearly as entertaining as the adventures she reads about. Though she’s shy and keeps to herself, Cherry secretly longs for a friend. When she discovers a stray dog at her father’s animal shelter that is also plump and shy (and a bit wrinkly), she names her Olive and they become fast friends. Cherry finds the courage within herself to stand up for the dog and protect her—something she has not been able to do for herself. nbsp;nbsp; Beautifully illustrated, this touching story is sure to strike a chord with all who have ever felt a little lonely and yearned for a friend.

Friends

Happy was an international hit that showed off Mies van Hout’s uncanny ability to convey feelings with her vibrant illustrations.

With Friends she goes one step further and shows emotional interactions. Just as she made the fish of Happy uniquely hers, here she uses monsters to show different situations–they cuddle, laugh, play, but they also fight, tease and more–making the images recognizable for little monsters of all ages.

Cinderella

cinderellaCinderella longs to go to the prince’s dance. Can her friends the birds help her find true love? The Brothers’ Grimm version of this classic fairy tale is brought to life with gentle, colorful illustrations…and a little extra sparkle. –back cover.

That Night’s Train

A young motherless girl becomes friends with a teacher/writer who weaves the story of their friendship into her novel. A moving book about promises and the nature of stories.

See the review at WOW Review, Volume VI, Issue 3

Billy The Goat’s Big Breakfast

Nat the Cat is making a delicious breakfast for her friends to share, but a bit of her homemade bread dough is missing! Billy the Goat was too hungry to wait and now his tummy has started to swell …Jez Alborough’s signature rhyme and humor make this gentle cautionary tale a tasty treat!

Pip and Posy: The Bedtime Frog

When Posy goes to stay at Pip’s house, they have lots of fun together before bedtime. But just as they switch out the light, disaster strikes: Posy realizes that she has forgotten her favorite frog toy. Desperate to help his distraught friend, Pip offers Posy a range of different toys to substitute for her frog, but none of them will do. It is only when Pip gives Posy his very favorite pig toy that Posy is comforted and the friends can get a good night’s sleep at last.