A Splendid Friend, Indeed, by Suzanne Bloom

Bloom, Suzanne. A Splendid Friend, Indeed. Boyds Mills Press, 2005. 32 pages. $8.95, ISBN 978-1590784884

AGE LEVEL
1 and 2 year-olds

GENRE
Picture book

REVIEW

As Bear is reading a book, Goose starts climbing his huge body.  He ends up at Bear's head, where he asks, “What are you doing?  Are you reading?”  Goose can’t help himself, as his favorite pasttime is chatting.  Bear prefers solitary silent activities such as reading books, writing, and thinking, and is at first annoyed by Goose’s questions, although he tolerates them.  However, when Goose writes a note to Bear, referring to him as “my splendid friend,” Bear is touched and joyful.  Due to its few words per page, engaging multi-shade blue and white illustrations, and the irresistible character of Goose, this book is very highly recommended for 1 and 2 year-olds.  This is a wonderfully humorous look at the theme of friendship.