Wednesday, July 8, 2020

Will You Be Friends With Me? A Board Book Review and Giveaway

Kathleen Long Bostrom's newest book, Will You Be Friends With Me? (Hachette Book Group) has come out just in time for International Friendship Day. This simple board book with inviting illustrations has a powerful message: children will look different and have different preferences--but they can still be friends. 


REVIEW





From the opening of the book: 

I wake early, you sleep late.
My hair's curly, yours is straight.
I say, "Now!"
You say, "Wait?"
Will you be friends with me?


The book shows children in a variety of play, school, and sports settings. Throughout the text, children point out differences between themselves with the narrator asking the recurring question, "Will you be friends with me?"



In the middle of the book, the narrator observes that working together is better than being alone:

Let's play leapfrog.
Jump up high!
Maybe we will touch the sky.
We can do it if we try!

The theme, "It's okay to be different from one another" is clearly shown:

I like morning.
You like night.
We're just different
That's all right.

The concluding spread celebrates diversity and friendship.




The illustrations by Jo de Ruiter are cheery and friendly. Young readers will see themselves in the activities depicted. 

Will You Be Friends With Me? will be a useful resource in the Pre-K classroom as well as a fun book for families to read together. 


GIVEAWAY

If you are interested in winning this book, leave me a comment by 6 PM on July 10. If you are new to my blog, make sure you leave your email address also. 

18 comments:

Susan said...

Looks like a cute book! I'd love a chance to win it!

Carol Baldwin said...

You start the list, Susan!

Debbie Allmand said...

Carol what a delightful book. I have two nieces expecting at this time. Would love this a Christmas gift.

Grannyjo said...

I love this book about friendship and the differences between people
!

Carol Baldwin said...

You’re both in, Debbie and jo Lyn!

Danielle H. said...

Yes, please enter me for a chance to win this adorable book with an important message. I'd love to read it and share it with others. Thank you for the chance!

Cathy Stefanec Ogren said...

I love the theme of diversity and friendship!

Jana Leah B said...

This story looks & sounds sweet.
turtle6422 at gmail dot com

Carol Baldwin said...

You're in, Jana Leah! Carol

Young Authors Program said...

Very cute book! The rhyme sounds fun and the theme is very timely.

Connie Porter Saunders said...

Sounds like another winner! Thanks for sharing.
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks for leaving comments, Dorothy and Connie. You're in!

Barbara Younger said...

Love that the book celebrates the differences between people. It's taken me years to really get that differences are one of the major joys of friendship. Now when it comes to marriage...

Carol Baldwin said...

Yes, marriage is a different story. But great application of this principle, Barbara!

Kathy and Greg said...

Thank you, Carol, for your review and for giving so many wonderful people the chance for a free copy! I'm happy to connect with any of you readers and grateful for your support. The book ended up coming out at just the right time and I look forward to how people find ways to use it and most of all, how my precious youngest readers enjoy it. Special shout out to Jo de Ruiter for her illustrations which added so much depth, and for all the wonderful people at WorthyKids who did a great job getting this book out into the world!

Joan Y. Edwards said...

Dear Carol,
Such a fun book! In these times, friends are very important. Lovely illustrations, too.
Great asset to anyone's library! You are a great friend.

Never Give Up
Joan

Carol Baldwin said...

They are indeed, Joan! Thanks for taking the time to comment on my blog.

Joan Y. Edwards said...

Dear Carol,
You are very welcome.

Never Give Up
Joan

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