Friends

This is simply an exquisite picture book. Cave’s text is touching and heart-felt, whilst Maland’s wonderful illustrations capture the essence of what it is to find – and keep – a friend. Text and illustration are in perfect harmony as they highlight the small moments, which loom large in a child’s life. Cave’s economy with words is particularly powerful. ‘Once I was slow, I couldn’t catch up. You waited for me.’

The book shows how friends wait, share, comfort and care for each other, because, as the final page simply sums up, ‘That’s what friends do.’ I would run out of superlatives in trying to do this book justice. Buy it and give yourself a real treat.