Every child wants a friend, needs a friend.  Here are two picture books which take up the challenge of friendship from two different viewpoints.

The first one, Lenny and Tweek, poses the question:  What is a friend? Lenny comes up with a great definition; “a friend is someone you can be with and never get bored.  You can even argue, but you stay friends.”

And so, with an idea of what sort of friend each of them is searching for, Lenny and Tweek both set out to find that elusive friend.  None appear, so Lenny and Tweek fill the waiting time together with games; they play dig for treasure, hide and seek and gaze at the clouds.  But they still go home disappointed that neither of them has found that friend. 

On the last page we are given the obvious answer to their problem.  A special fold out page captures the essence and truth of friendship in a natural way.

Lenny and Tweek is glorious in its illustrations of the mouse and bird and their wonderful caravan homes- truly a child’s dream bedroom.

The second book Mouse, Mole and the Falling Star, tackles friendship from a different angle.  Mouse and Mole are already friends but jeopardize that friendship when they witness a falling star and want to be the first to have a wish.  They become devious and competitive but suddenly realize that the best wish a falling star can bring is reconciliation between friends.

Both picture books have great truths to impart, but do so in a fun, individual, creative style.

Young children will enjoy the stories for sheer enjoyment- there’s nothing like a quest whether it be for a friend or the elusive falling star.

Review by Lorraine Marwood

© 2002 Lorraine Marwood