Walter Had a Best Friend. Deborah Underwood. Illustrated by Sergia Ruzzier. 2022. [October 18] 40 pages. [Source: Library]
First sentence: Walter had a best friend named Xavier. They hiked up the hill together. They painted pictures together. They were quiet together. Walter and Xavier were best friends.
Premise/plot: Walter and Xavier WERE best friends. This is the story of how their friendship slowly, quietly, un-dramatically ended. It is the story of how Walter mourned the loss of that friendship. Yet how Walter...slowly but surely...healed from that loss and continued on with his life.
My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved, crazy-loved this book. I think it's a book for all ages. I think kids do have friends-drama. Without a fail, almost at any age-and-stage, friends drama can (and does) happen. It can be heart-crushing to watch little ones lose "best" friends and usually for no discernible "real" reason. So I do think this one is definitely kid-appropriate. But it's also relatable for any age. It doesn't shy away from the sadness. But it also is so full of hope and resilience.
© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers
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