From the creator of the all-time classic VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR comes a sweetly resonant story about the power of friendship.
When a best friend moves away, it can be painful for the child who is left behind. But the spunky boy in this upbeat story makes up his mind to find his missing playmate. Young readers will cheer on the boy as he braves currents, climbs mountains, and dashes through rain before, finally, reuniting with his friend. A story alive with love and perseverance, brightened with vibrant art and Eric Carle's trademark fostering of imagination.
This deeply personal story for Eric is dedicated to his longtime wife, Bobbie, and it is their bond that inspired the book. For anyone who has ever scaled mountains to be with the one he loves, or for anyone who has simply known the love and joy of a great friendship, this book will strike a resonant chord.
“This story of love and determination is illustrated with Carle's extraordinary signature artwork. For anyone who would cross rivers and scale mountains for a beloved friend, this warmhearted story will create an emotional response. Young readers will learn the value of friendship and its many challenges.” —School Library Journal
“Often dynamic and quite beautiful, these colorful illustrations of the river, the meadow, and so on are abstract in style and show up well from a distance. A picture-book tribute to the strength of childhood friendships.” —Booklist
"The images are beautiful and evocative." —Publishers Weekly
- Heartwarming tale by beloved author
- Encourage friendship, loyalty and love
- Learn colors, weather conditions, terrain
- Help children work through emotions of parting friends
- Classic illustrations by Eric Carle
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful.
Usually Love Eric Carle... just not "Friends"
By MC
We love Eric Carle books.... this one was not as expected. Since we just moved I purchased 2 of theses books, one for my daughter and one to send to her "best friend". My daughter is almost 3. The book is really geared more towards adults and what adults will endure to make a relationship last. I debated keeping the books to give with wedding presents etc. Ultimately returned the items because they were just not what I expected and my daughter was not interested.
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful.Disappointment
By CPM
I completely agree with the previous reviewer. I had been awaiting this book, as I pre-ordered it months ago. Very disappointed after reading it when it arrived today. Even my 3-yr-old son was like "huh?" at the end of the book. Not only was the story strange, but the "abstract" pages were a big disappointment compared to Carle's illustrations we've come to know and love. I am a big EC fan, but this book seemed like it was created in 5 minutes and was more of an "inside joke" with his wife, for whom the book is dedicated. I wish I had something better to say, but I just don't. I am going to a wedding this weekend and I am so grateful to the previous reviewer for suggesting giving it as a wedding gift!
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful.Disappointed
By Modi
My 4 year old granddaughter recently moved and I preordered this to cheer her up because she was missing her friends. While she has friends who are boys and girls, the idea of finding your long lost friend and marrying him was not what I was looking for to cheer up a 4 year old girl. I love Eric Carle's illustrations but these were uninteresting. The book gave me the feeling that it was done quickly with very little imagination or inspiration. I plan to return it.
