Friendship Day Books

As the fat sun looms in the air above Abbott Avenue, Renée and Kishi, with tempers as sizzling as this summer day, vow that they will never be friends again. They spend their afternoon sneaking peaks at each other, searching for a glimmer of an apology or a hint of regret, yet knowing neither would raise a white flag of defeat on this "never-speak-to-her-again-even-if-she-was-the-last-person-on-earth" day. Suddenly, a chant, visually winding around the pages' illustrations, begins to echo in the distance. Renée and Kishi emerge from their solitary playgrounds and follow the Siren-like sounds of "humming ropes" that seem to kiss the air. Soon, the pangs of the day are erased with a few hops of double dutch and the sweet taste of a shared blue ice pop. This lyrical story awakens the senses with a harmonious blend of engaging text and cut paper and found-object collage, sending the reader on an everyday journey with everyday magic. The illustrations' hues seem to melt off the page, saturating the reader's thoughts with a simmering brew of intrigue and dizzying chaos. While the collages may appear an arresting whirlwind of activity, the energy provided through this medium enhances the innocence of the text, allowing the words to capture the beauty of each moment of the story. This subtle message, emphasizing the challenges of friendship and forgiveness, is sure to please children of every age.

When friends have a falling out, no one ends up happy. This is the case whether the friends are four, fourteen, or forty. There are roughly seven hundred million picture books about such break-ups too. Some of these are good. Most of these are not. Now in the case of "Hot Day on Abbott Avenue", the book is excellent. Well written. Illustrated with something akin to aplomb. And it's a story that kids can relate to. Friends break-up every day. How they get back together is the important lesson to be learned.

It's hot. Sticky, nasty, "too hot to even flutter a fan" hot. And what happens when the temperature rises? So do tempers too. In the case of Kishi and Renee, we first meet them as they keep a careful distance from one another. These former best friends who used to be so close have quarreled. It seems the ice cream man came through and Kishi went and bought the last blue ice pop when she KNEW that it was Renee's favorite. Kishi points out that it's her favorite too, but there's no agreeing between these two. For them, this is a never-going-to-be-friends-again day. Period. It's only when they find themselves lured to a tempting double dutch game down the street and meet up with a restocked ice cream man that these two can put aside their differences and become best friends again.

Now author Karen English has written a nice story. It's not going to knock your socks off, and it's not quite as good as her amazing, "Speak To Me (And I Will Listen Between the Lines)" which also came out in 2004. Still, it's a good story about healing rifts. Javaka Steptoe is the wonder behind this book's visually entrancing format. Using a combination of the most delicate cut papers alongside found-object collage, the story becomes an engrossing read simply because it's such a wonder to page through. Renee and Kishi's neighbor Miss Johnson is decked out in pale transparent yellow slacks and a crinkly realistic pink crepe paper shirt that must've taken Steptoe days to get exactly right. When Kishi aims a water hose straight up to jump through, the water is a string of pink curly streamers going haywire into the sky. There's a real sense of movement and energy to these pictures. Static paper never seemed so vibrant.

Certainly this kind of illustration is not going to be to everybody's taste. But for those who're interested, "Hot Day on Abbott Avenue" is a beautifully illustrated well-written romp. A great tale with great characters that kids everywhere will understand and identify with.

It's a steaming summer day, the sun beating down on the sidewalk, too hot to even flutter a fan. Kishi sits alone on her front porch; Renee sprawls on the grass, looking for four-leaf clovers. Although best friends, neither girl will speak to one another on this sweltering summer morning, even when Mrs. Johnson asks them to help with her crossword puzzle, or when Mr. Paul invites them to weed his flower bed. Later, one girl plays with the hose, pretending she's under a waterfall, the other plays hopscotch, still alone. It seems the girls have had a falling out over which one got the last blue popsicle that morning, leaving the other with none.

Both girls are stubborn, determined not to give in, until they hear the seductive thump of a jump rope hitting the ground, the chant of neighborhood friends, "Miss Mary Mack, Mack, Mack..." Neither can resist. Soon find they are turning the ropes for Double Dutch, everyone jumping for all they're worth. When the ice cream truck comes around for the second time on this sizzling summer day, all the neighborhood kids run to buy blue popsicles. Kishi and Renee find themselves in the same predicament as in the morning, only this time they have learned their lesson, splitting the popsicle, one-half for each. Now it is a "feeling-good-about-being-best-friends-again-day".

The images that accompany the story are quite remarkable, paper collages cleverly arranged to form the figures, layered for dimension, with bright colors, all of it creating a sense of streets baking in the summer sun, two girls bored without a best friend to pass the time with, but unwilling to bridge the gap. This is a great lesson in coming-together-after-a-fight and learning to share. Beautifully written and illustrated. Luan Gaines/ 2005.

this book is totally great!omigosh!i luv this book.its about this girl that liks a cute guy.and dah girls totally into him dah first time they met.but dah boy seems to be hanging out wif a girly girl.so she thinks he only liks girly girls and starts being one herself.and im not going to spoil dah ending for ya.find it out yourself! =]

My neice loves this book. One of her friends read the book thrice in one week. This book is full of humor, growing up and finding your own path.

Nicolette Spicer, or Nick, has always been a tomboy, and wasn't ashamed of it. She was proud of the way she dressed and carried herself and she was proud at how well she did at basketball. But Nick's feelings about herself begin to change when she literally bumps into Ben, the new guy at school. Who knew he could be so cute up close?

Now Nick begins to crush on Ben, but there seems to be one little problem. It looks like Ben only goes for the types of girls who are completely into the way they look and the latest fashions. Girls like Hannah, who just so happens to also be on the basketball team -- but who is also pretty, Nick's enemy, and definitely the one Ben would go out with. Nick knows nothing about fashion and hasn't really cared about the way she looks, but she's determined to have Ben notice her girly side, and hopefully have him choose her over Hannah.

The only way Nick can accomplish this is to get a makeover, and she needs one quick so she can make her big debut as a girly girl at Hannah's party, which Ben will just so happen to be attending. But will this makeover be totally beneficial in helping Nick to get Ben? Or will it just make her feel even worse about herself?

Words just can't describe how hilarious and entertaining HOW TO BE A GIRLY GIRL IN JUST TEN DAYS was. Lisa Papademetriou shows us that sometimes being yourself is more worth it and definitely less time-consuming than a makeover. This is the perfect quick read for anyone who just wants to sit back and relax.

Reviewed by: Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen

In this fun and cheery book, Kipper awakens to find that it has snowed outside. Grabbing his scarf, he heads outside to explore the new-fallen snow. Soon, he's making tracks and snow dogs all across the garden. He ventures to Big Hill, where he finds his friend Tiger. Tiger is dressed in silly clothes that the snow sticks to. Kipper shows his snow dog game to Tiger, but Tiger is unable to get up, and soon he's rolling head over heels down the hill. Instead of being scared, Tiger enjoys this activity very much. Tiger and Kipper spend the rest of their day rolling down the hill, and they build a huge snow dog at the bottom.

This is an excellent book for preschool children. The story is very fun, and the pictures are bright and colorful. My children are big fans of the Kipper television show, and this is one of their favorite books to hear when going to bed. I highly recommend this fun book. Your children will enjoy watching Tiger and Kipper play in the snow.

I enjoyed this book very much. This book reminded me of all the fun times my friends and I had when we were younger. I liked this book also, because of the things that Kipper, and Tiger do together, they make their own fun. Even though Tiger dos not like the silly woolly snow suit, they make it funny. I liked when they were rolling down the hill, then how they used all the snow to make a dog.
Kipper and Tiger will always find ways to have fun. This great variety of books as well as the television series, and movies that have been made, Kipper is vey popular. I would recommend this book for children ages 2-8, because I think anyone can enjoy this book.

We discovered Kipper by way of the Nick Jr. TV show, and were very glad to find how very well done the Kipper books are. This simple but very pleasing tale of Kipper and Tiger enjoying the snow really is a popular one in our house. They love hearing about the dogs rolling down the hill, Tiger being sure the snow will be gone soon, and the dogs making their version of snow animals. Recently when we got a good sized snow, both of my boys acted out a lot of what they had heard in this book in the real snow!

WOW - wonderful story about children's relationships, starting in a new school, and best friends. My daughter is a very picky reader, but this was her all-time favorite.

Hey! This is the greatest book! I HIGHLY suggest it! It is great for kids that are starting a new school or just a leisurely book!
It taught me to give everbody a chance!!!

Shy Lizzie (called Lizard by the class bully) has trouble adjusting to her new school. The popular kids like her, but she doesn't especially like them. She is terrified of Ivana with her wild hair and outspoken ways, but after the two of them become journal buddies she starts to like her. Now she has a problem. If she hangs out with the class outcast, will the other kids still like her? This book is both funny and touching. My only quibble is that I wish the illustrator had included a picture of Lizzie's bad hair day.

It's a simple chapter book about a girl going to a new school. I'm reading it to my 3rd grade ESL class and they love it. They can relate to it very well and it opens up a lot of good conversation about different feelings.

"Pa Lia's First Day" is a great beginning-of-the-year story for primary students. This is particularly true if you are lucky enough to have Hmong students. My class, which is usually about half Hmong, always gets excited that the book has a Hmong name in it and one of the main characters is Hmong. Why? Because it is extremely unusual. By the time they reach me, they've read many books with quite traditional names, but often have never read a book that has a name similar to their name.

Besides, and equally important, it's a great book to start the year off with. The story is about being new in the school and how Pa Lia feels about her situation.

Great book!

On her first day in a new school Pa Lia couldn't find her classroom, was knocked down by a bully, and got into trouble for passing notes. She felt alone and was afraid she wouldn't make new friends. My E.S.L. students really related to Pa Lia's feelings of being alone. This book makes an outstanding focal point for a thematic unit on friendship or on feelings. It provides a springboard for class discussions on how it feels to be the new student in a class . The figurative language in this book is especially beautiful and was well illustrated by author/illustrator Michelle Edwards.

yu can tell by dah cover that its about love.so its valentines day and dah girl recieves a red flower from her best guy friend.that means he loves her!nd worse,her best girl friend loves dah guy.is it called a triangle love or what??turns out to be great.

Valentine's Day is almost here, meaning candy, flowers, and plenty of drama. The best presents (besides the ones from your friends and loved ones) are the ones from a secret admirer.

When you get a present from a secret admirer, your first thought is: Who could have sent me this? Your biggest wish is that it is from the really hot and really popular person; your biggest nightmare would be if it was from your best friend who you only have feelings of friendship for.

Unfortunately for Annabel, this is exactly her problem. At first she was ecstatic to have a carnation at her locker, since it could just possibly be from her biggest crush, Jude. Then she found out it was from her best friend, Sam.

What's a girl to do? Annabel just can't believe that the girl Sam has been crushing on was her and not her best friend, Phoebe, who actually likes him. How could she possibly let him down easily?

So now it is up to Annabel to resolve disaster, while making sure no one gets hurt. But Annabel still needs to find a date to the Skate Party, and since Jude doesn't seem a likely possibility at all, can she find a guy who is just as cute, and maybe even cuter?

Mixed messages, over-analyzing, crazy love triangles. Who knew seventh grade could be so entertaining?

Reviewed by: Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen

If the cover of this book doesn't bring out your inner girly-girl, then nothing will. It's super pink and super cute, and so is the story itself. It's Valentine's Day!, and Anabel and her best friend Phoebe are ready to discover true love in the 7th grade. The schools' Spirit Week takes place the same week as Valentine's, and the girls are super excited to wear fun outfits, participate in cool activities, and give/receive Valentine wishes. The girls' friendship is tested when they fall for the same boy - or do they? There's a cute twist that keeps the story interesting. Very cute story, with fun characters and a love-ly outcome!

This is a great read aloud book with lots of opportunities for discussion about types of dogs, learning to count, etc. The illustrations are hilarious. I love it!

Far from the treacly offerings we have come to expect and dread during the holiday season, this book in fact reminds me in many ways of the early work of Alice and Martin Provensen. It's for kids, but the level of detail and thought Ms. Conahan puts into every drawing will hold the interest of older children and the adults who invariably will be reading it over and over again. We look forward to her next effort with great anticipation.

From Kirkus Reviews: "Conahan reworks the well-known words to the traditional Christmas carol to feature a canine crowd ... Children who like to find all the items in each category on a page will enjoy counting up the canines, each illustrated with flair in watercolor and ink. The new words to the old song provide a catchy alternative for musically inclined dog lovers, and there's a marmalade cat on every page to keep the cat lovers happy as well."

From School Library Journal: "On the first day of Christmas, my best friend gave to me a pug puppy under the tree. Each subsequent day there is an increase both in the number of mutts and breeds, and in the comical mayhem that ensues.... Children will love poring over all the lively and outrageous cartoon watercolors and will enjoy discovering the golden tabby that appears on every page. This tale is best for sharing one-on-one or reading independently because of the detailed art and side story line presented in bubbles as conversation among the three friends. Sure to be popular. - M.W."

Article from the Portland Oregonian newspaper: http://www.oregonlive.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/living/113270731517410.xml&coll=7

My 11 yr. old granddaughter has this whole series and loves all of them. Good books for 10-12 year old girls who want something light and fun.

Abby Hayes go to Paris with her family. Her parents allow Eva and Isabel to go alone with Abby in Paris. But when they visit the Eiffel Tower, Abby decides to stay down. Then some surprising things happen! I won't spoil it for you so read the book to find out!

I'm twelve years old, and I still love Abby Hayes!

To talk of the book, I think this was a great Abby Hayes book. The rich details of Paris are enjoyable, and the adventures exciting. Abby,most of the time, was wise about the choices she made when facing important decisions.

My only complaint is the lies made by Abby and her sisters, but mostly her sisters. Her sisters were,overall, irresponsible, and covered it up.

But, I think that no Abby fan could pass this one by. It is still a very worthy, satisfying Abby Hayes book, despite some flaws in the characters. But, hey, don't we all have flaws, anyway?

It shows how you can count on really good friends. Great book.

I thought this was a very good book! It showed real life, as all the rockett books do. i recomend it to girls ages 9-14. the computer games are great too.

This Rockett's World book was a bit lame in the storyline department, but it was funny to see all of the characters reactions to the puppy and how they tried to keep it a secret. Nicoles drama queen sequence was unesscessary but interesting. I thought the fact you got to know more about Rockett's home life [or her sister Juno] was a fresh approach to the Rockett series. The storyline may've been a bit little kiddish but the book is not too bad.

This is a totally cool book - one of the best Rockett books yet! New girl Rocket Movado is stage manager for the Whisting Pines High School talent show. This book is cool because it's a journey through Rockett's mind, sharing her experiences and viewing her decisions and their outcomes. One little decision from Rockett can chnage everything.

Although its shorter then the other 5 Rockett books this book deals with Rockett trying to organize the WPJH talent show after making some poor choices. Find out who helps her and if the talent show is a total flop or a great show! Who does what? Who ends up in the show? And how does Rockett solve everyones problems? Find all of this out in this awesome Rocketts World adventure!

"Who's Running This Show", was a great book in Lauren DAys' Rockett's World series. Its MY 3d most fav! It talks about Rockett who's totally new at this school Whistling Pines! She has to make lots of decision and every step she makes could change the WHOLE story. In tHis particular one, Rockett gets to be stage manager of the class talent show, but being in charge means making alot of choices that may or may not hurt her friends feelings.And now Rockett's not really sure if she wants the job! I like Rockett the best, but in this book she wasn't all that...well, herself, to me it sounded as if it got really confusing and everything changed. But it still was a great book and u should read it!