A Better Best Friend - by Olivier Tallec (Hardcover)

About the Book

"In this funny picture book exploring a forever childhood question about friendship, squirrel and a mushroom explore the forest through the seasons, show each other special trees, build snow mushrooms, share the good times and bad which become good bad times alongside a friend. Then spring arrives, and so does a new friend. And then another. This raises a profound question for an overthinking squirrel: should we have just one best friend?"--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

A feel-good picture book about best friendship told with dry comedy and an open ending--squirrel and mushroom are best friends until another best friend comes to play.

This morning when I was out walking, I found a best friend. At least I think so. It certainly looks a lot like it! He really has a best friend kind of face.

In this funny picture book exploring a forever childhood question about friendship, squirrel and a mushroom explore the forest through the seasons, show each other special trees, build snow mushrooms, share the good times and bad--which become good bad times alongside a friend.

Then spring arrives, and so does a new friend. And then another. This raises a profound question for an overthinking squirrel: should we have just one best friend?

"This book is adorable!"--starred, Youth Services Book Review

Review Quotes

"Tallec's charming, child-friendly story captures an ever-present concern of many readers, young and old, and offers an open ending that invites discussion. An outstanding read-aloud for adults and children, bursting with humor and warmth."--School Library Journal

-- (4/1/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"Demonstrates the value of a best friend--or two."--starred, Foreword Reviews

-- (1/19/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"Through a distinctive first-person narrative voice that sometimes verges on stream of consciousness, this book explores the question of what makes a best friend and whether it's possible to have more than one. . . The characters' simply drawn faces are evocative, their expressions rendered humorously hyperbolic through their stylized cartoon-like eyes."--The Horn Book Magazine

-- (3/1/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"Tallec's illustrations reflect the quietly amusing quality of the text while giving each character a distinctive look and creating a beautiful forest backdrop with stately trees, filtered light, and seasonal changes of colors. The idea of finding a friend will resonate with many children, and Squirrel's first-person narrative reads aloud well."--Booklist

-- (12/19/2023 12:00:00 AM)