This Book Is My Best
Friend by Robin Robinson. PICTURE BOOK. Simon & Schuster Books for
Young Readers, 2023. $19. 978665906814
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) –ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL
Two young kids reach for the same book on display in a public library,
claiming it is their best friend. A back-and-forth ensues as first one child
and then the other explains why they like the book and why they should be the
one to get it. As they offer other books to each other in exchange, some
information is shared about their home life through the illustrations. One
child, whose mom is shown in a hospital bed, likes the robot and adventure of
the book while the other child, who lives in a loud multigenerational home with
baby twins, is more attracted to the quietness of the mouse character. Despite
these differences, they both are lonely and rely on this book for comfort. Voicing
their opinions about this beloved book and sharing clues about what they need
and what scares them, lead to a realization that maybe a person can have more
than one best friend.
The children are portrayed in such a way that they could be perceived as either girls or boys. Their
names are revealed only on the front jacket flap. The entire story is told
through speech bubbles of their conversation, the font switching between two styles
for each speaker. Bonding with other people over the love of the same book is one
of the warmest joys of being a reader and this story illustrates just how wonderful
this can be – at any age. Additionally, teachers could use this book as an example
for how to work through differences or conflicting desires.
--Reviewer: P.K. Foster, MLS, elementary
school teacher-librarian
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