When Squirrel is out walking, usually all he finds are pine cones. But today he found a friend. Pock is a mushroom. Of course, squirrel says, you can have lots of friends, but a BEST friend is different. He thinks that is what Pock will be. It takes a while for them to say anything, but it isn’t long before our squirrel is racing around showing Pock his favourite things. The tree he likes most, the tall grass and the puddles that reflect the sunlight.
As the seasons change, they watch the autumn leaves then the snowflakes fall. Then as spring arrives so does a new friend, Moo. A fly.
It takes them a while to say anything but Moo shows them places they’ve
never seen before, with new puddles that also reflect the sunlight, but the clouds too.
Maybe Moo is a better BEST friend? But wait, now here’s Gunther! Our overthinking squirrel wonders how many best friends he can have.
Better Best Friend is a joyous book that is a treasure. The illustrations just so warm and instantly connect you with all the emotions that our particular squirrel has, and Tallec even manages to give our quiet mushroom a wonderful expression.
A broad smile was across my face the whole way through this book.
Reviewed by Emily Ross
Age Guide 3+
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Olivier Tallec is an illustrator based in Paris, France.
He was born in Brittany, France. After graduating from the École Supérieure d’ArtsAppliqués Duperré in Paris, he travelled extensively and now lives and works in Paris.
He hasillustrated over 60 books for children, along with his work as both author and illustrator.
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