Tag Archives: friendship fiction

Snowy Owl Rescue

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Written by Heidi E.Y. Stemple and Illustrated by Natasha Donovan

Michael is on his way to the soccer field for some solo practice, when he is nearly hit by something. Jet, the “bird nerd” sister of a fellow soccer player, is nearby and explains that it is a snowy owl. They have a wealth of knowledge about birds and shares with Michael, who finds himself growing interested in this magnificent creature. When he goes back to the field the next day, the field is overrun by birders, who want to see this bird themselves. Jet gets his attention and asks for help to take the owl, who is now looking very ill in a cardboard box, to a bird rehab center some distance away. They sneak past the crowds and enlist the help of another young bird enthusiast, who loans them a motorized bike. Through a snow storm and dark woods, they manage to deliver the sick owl to the vet at the rehab center. Their parents find them there and the owl is saved. The story ends with the owl release and Jet and Michael successfully reaching out to the school principal about the dangers of rat poison, which poisoned the rat that the owl ate and was, in turn, poisoned as well.

This satisfying story packs a lot into 135 pages and does so very seamlessly. Characters are realistic and their interactions make sense. Jet comes through as younger, stubborn and passionate about birds and conservation while Michael is focused on soccer and following the rules, struggling at times with their trajectory but slowly building a great deal of empathy and respect for Jet’s ideals and gaining an insight into the world around him. The writing moves us through the story at a good pace and the black and white illustrations are a nice addition without overpowering the words. Add this to your collection for those readers that enjoy animal stories with a good dose of adventure along the way.

The Museum of Willa and Wade

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written by Judith Henderson and illustrated by Sara Sarhangpour

Willa the ostrich and Wade the penguin discover a shiny golden button on the ground and proceed to gather more treasures (a rock, toy dinosaur, artwork by Wade) for a museum (a box). They are so excited about their collection that they invite the other animals to their museum (Museum of Willa and Wade – MOWW). The Grand Opening of MOWW was a success, especially the snacks. And, would it be possible to borrow a rocket ship for the MOWW? Hmmmm..

This simple story of enthusiastic friends, imagination and a few treasures is wonderful. Add in the bright and bold illustrations and you have a winning combination. Readers will enjoy this book and look forward to Book #3 in the Willa and Wade series. Hopefully, we won’t have to wait too long! Recommended.

Elvis & Romeo Visit the Vet

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by David Soman and Jacky Davis

Elvis and Romeo are back in another sweet adventure. This time, Elvis is not excited at all about a visit to the vet. Romeo tries to encourage him by telling him all the good things that happen there, including making sure he’s well and checking his eyes. It isn’t until Romeo mentions the treat at the end that Elvis decides the vet office will be a fine place to visit!

This early reader is perfect in its combination of spare text and sweet, silly illustrations of two doggie friends. The story is short and somewhat predictable, making it a nice choice for young readers.

Elvis & Romeo Go to Dog School

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by David Soman and Jacky Davis

Doggie pals Elvis and Romeo head to dog school to learn some new tricks. While Elvis is open to the idea, Romeo experiences some anxiety when the lesson is about catching a ball. Elvis does a great job of working through it with Romeo and gives him concrete steps to follow. Ultimately, Romeo is successful and enjoys dog school with his good friend.

Simple text accompanies digitally rendered illustrations that are sweet and expressive. Young readers will cheer for these newfound canine friends and eagerly await the next adventure. Recommended.

Central Park Ghost

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Written by Ellen Potter and illustrated by Sara Cristofori

Cordelia and Isaac receive a message via carrier pigeon from their friend, Fenton (a rat), asking for their help in Central Park Zoo. A mysterious creature is scaring the animals. This time, the sea lions saw the scary creature with glowing white eyes and the with pointy ears and a bushy tail. Cordelia offers to catch it. They meet Viola, the Central Park Zoo groundskeeper , and tell her all about it. She solves part of the mystery by telling them that the sea lions must have seen a coyote, the same one that has been spotted all around Central Park. She also shares that it is lonely, because it doesn’t have a pack. Cordelia and Isaac vow to help. They want to question other animals and decide to enlist Fenton’s help asking the dogs in Central Park if they know anything. After all, Fenton know s how to speak dog language. Princess Cha-Cha leads them to the coyote’s den after Fenton helps her dodge her owner by being chased by other dogs. They locate the coyote, named Ghost, and decide that the best way to help him find his pack is to take him to Viola. How to do that? Dress him up in Princess Cha-Cha’s spaghetti and meatball outfit and join a parade with dogs and baseball players. All goes well until the dogs realize that Ghost is a coyote and things get a dicey. Cordelia asks the dogs (through Fenton) to help Ghost find his pack – first, by protecting him from an approaching dog catcher. The dogs rally round Ghost and chase the dog catcher away and the parade resumes. Cordelia, Isaac, Fenton and Ghost finally make their way to Viola, who promises to help Ghost and plans to take him to a wildlife rehabilitation center where he can get the help he needs.

Cordelia, Isaac and Fenton end the day in the tree house in Central Park for a sleepover. Shakespeare, the squirrel, tucks them in and Cordelia thinks about her next adventures, knowing that wherever they take her, she’ll always come home to Central Park and the Squirrel that raised her.

This sweet story is the third in a series, Squirlish, about an intriguing young girl that lives in Central Park, knows squirrel language and helps her animal friends whenever they ask. This is a great book for younger readers that are moving into chapter books that are a little longer. Black and white illustrations are scattered throughout the story and chapters are short. Kids will love that Cordelia is not only a friend to animals, she can also speak to some of them! How cool is that? Add this to your library. It won’t stay on the shelves very long. Highly recommended.

Bear Feels Sad

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Written by Karma Wilson and illustrated by Jane Chapman

Bear is SAD! All of his friends are off doing other activities, like digging holes and writing poetry and he is alone and lonely. He eats a snack. But, just doesn’t taste the same without friends. He builds a fort and it isn’t fun either. Bear decides to take a walk to pass the long, dreary hours and discovers a field filled with lovely flowers. He find the perfect flower for Mouse and then picks a bouquet of flowers for his friends. He doesn’t feel quite as sad as he walks home to his den with his flowers. Bear hears his friends as he nears his den and they are there to give him gifts from their day. He hands out their flowers and they listen to Raven’s poem. And, Bear is GLAD to be with his friends.

Karma Wilson is the author of several books about Bear and his friends and each rhyming story is more lovely than the one before it. These woodland creatures care for each other and share a wonderful, friendship. This story is a testament to that friendship. The rich, bright colors of the accompanying illustrations are perfect and convey Bear’s melancholy to happiness shift in a natural way. Add this to your library collection!

Bookie y Cookie

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by Blanca Gómez

Bookie and Cookie are best friends with very different tastes. Bookie loves books and is surrounded by books at his home. Cookie loves cooking and baking and his home is shown with a kitchen and table central to the illustration. They always hang out at Cookie’s and Bookie suggests they change and go to his place. Cookie doesn’t want to do something different and a disagreement occurs. Both parties end up alone and unhappy in their own spaces. Bookie bakes some cookies and they come together at his home for a snack. Then, they read together at Cookie’s home. They work out their differences and their friendship is preserved.

Text is spare and conveys the main points of the story succinctly. Illustrations are colorful with lots of white space, which provides a clean background for the story. Emotions are clearly noted as the characters’ relationship becomes strained with even a few tears. Their happiness at the resolution of their disagreement is also shown. Characters are diverse. Reviewed copy in Spanish as translated by the author. Recommended.

Wake Up, Moon!

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By Lita Judge

After a winter storm, Squirrel awakens his friends for a fun romp in the new snow. Squirrel, along with Fox, Owl and Bear, take advantage of the clear moonlit night and play together. They slide and glide and build a snowy bear. They smile and laugh and play some more. Finally, the friends become drowsy and return to their woodland homes to sleep, cozily snuggling in for a well-deserved snooze.

The text is simple and rhythmic and the watercolor/colored pencil illustrations add personality and fun to the animal friends at play. Their friendship is noted and their exuberance is clear. Such a lovely book! Recommended.

Giant Parsnip Soup

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by Daniela Sosa

Two friends discover a giant parsnip and think of all kinds of wonderful things to make – a rocket? A slide? A car? They decide on parsnip soup. The rest of this counting story includes the ingredients and growing group of friends that enjoy the soup at the end.

This lovely book is simply written and filled with colorful collage illustrations. Characters are diverse and text is accessible. Share this story with your younger students, who will delight in the active group of chefs that create a shared soup. Recommended.

Monster Hands

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written by Karen Kane and Jonaz McMillan; illustrated by Dion MBD

Milo reads some bedtime stories and makes the mistake of reading one about a monster under the bed. Now, he’s POSITIVE there’s a monster under his bed! He knows what to do. He reaches out to Mel, his friend across the street. Placing their flashlights under their hands, they sign to each other. Milo explains his dilemma about the monster under his bead and Mel gives advice and suggestions. Finally, they team up to make hand shadow monsters together to scare away any would-be monster that might be lurking under Milo’s bed. Phew! Such a relief! The story ends with Milo and Mel sharing a signed hug, because monster hands can also give hugs.

This sweet story incorporates ASL in a very natural way as part of the story as Milo and Mel work out how to chase away those monsters. Children will enjoy a story about a situation that might be all too familiar to them – seriously, who hasn’t had a monster under their bed at one time or another? The illustrations are bold and seamlessly incorporate signs along the way. Add this to your collection as it will be a hit. Highly recommended.