Compensation was provided by Candlewick Press. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of Candlewick Press.
“Will you be my friend?” This sweet little dark-haired girl asked my daughter Ivy on her first day of Kindergarten last year. Ivy was 5 and very shy, also very quiet. While she loved making new friends. Her timid demeanor would never allow her to walk up to another child and ask to be friends, especially on the first day of school.
Ivy is in the first grade now and she recently started reading like a big kid. To celebrate Ivy’s accomplishment I decided on a very special book. A book entitled Will You Be My Friend.
Candlewick Press.
Today friends, I am thrilled to be able to bring you this blog with the help of my friends from Candlewick Press. This is my second time (read the first here) working with them, and I am ecstatic. Candlewick Press is an independent publisher for children’s books of all ages. Located in Somerville, Massachusetts Candlewick Press has been sharing their books with all of us for over 30 years. Their award-winning authors such as Meg Medina, M.T Anderson and so many more have created books for some of our little ones’ most favorite stories. And we can’t forget their popular well-known titles like Judy Moody, Where’s Waldo, Guess How Much I Love You? and of course, Will You Be My friend?
Guess How Much I Love You.
Will You Be My Friend?, written by Sam McBratney and illustrated by Anita Jeram, is a sequel to the popular book Guess How Much I Love You? Guess How Much I Love You? has been one of my daughters’ bedtime faves since they were both born. Though it was originally published in 1994 when I was just 4 years old myself the age of my youngest daughter now, the modern classic has continued to touch hearts everywhere.
Will You Be My Friend.
Now in the brand new sequel Will You Be My Friend? our favorite tiny hare is back and he is ready for an all new adventure. In this story young nutbrown hare decides to have some fun exploring alone as his dad is a little busy. While exploring the hare meets a friend and the two of them have a playful time together.
I gifted this to Ivy for two reasons. One, because she accomplished something big like reading. And two, this brought me back to that special moment on her first day of school. The story is a loving one that reflects on how a little one becomes independent by exploring and meeting a new friend. It also reflects on the storyline of a busy parent. That is one in which I can relate to especially with the kids being home schooled this year and also working from home myself. Ivy loved the bold, colorful yet airy illustrations of the two young hares as did her mom!
At the end of the day, this sequel did not disappoint. I would totally recommend it to any parent for their child. Oh yeah, and P.S if you’re wondering what Ivy said to that sweet little dark-haired girl from the beginning of our blog who asked to be her friend. She definitely said yes, and those two little girls are still friends to this day.
To learn more about Will You Be My Friend or Candlewick Press be sure to click here.
