Review Detail

WHEN YOU MEET MY FRIEND is a sweet picture book about kindness and friendship. A little boy is new at school, and the text asks that when the other kids meet him that they help to show him around, include him in their activities, and generally be kind to him. At the end, we get to see that the narrator of the book is the boy's dog.

What I loved: This is such a sweet way to introduce kindness and inclusion for young readers. Everyone they meet is cared for by someone else, and they can choose to reach out with kindness and friendship to welcome them into their school/group. This is a great message for young readers, and it would work especially well when there might be a new student in class.

The rhyming text rolls smoothly off the tongue and makes for a pleasing read when shared aloud. It has a great rhythm and will make for a read that children will want to share again and again. The illustrations are lovely with lots of detail and a focus on how children can help new friends to feel comfortable. The pages turn quickly with the brief text on each page, but there is plenty to visually explore throughout as well.

Final verdict: WHEN YOU MEET MY FRIEND is a lovely picture book with an important message of kindness and inclusion that is perfect for young readers!