Maya and Marley and the New Friend

This is the second book about Maya and Marley and follows Maya & Marley and the Great Big Tidy Up. In this new story, the two are excited to be attending the Grove Adventure Playground community lunch. It’s their job to welcome guests to the event and they quickly spot one young arrival who looks pretty unhappy. Kazuki is shy and quiet, what can Maya and Marley do to make their new friend feel at home? The story is full of scenes that young children will recognise and be keen to talk about, and contains reassuring messages about shyness and making friends, plus most importantly, about thinking through things and working things out. These messages will be recognisable to little children and they will find them useful in their everyday lives. A set of notes at the back contain tips for adults on ways to support children welcoming new people. The busy scenes at the adventure playground are very appealing too – look out for goats Lou and Chou – and there’s a sense of community in the words and pictures that will make this a firm favourite.

Read our Q&A interview with Laura Henry-Allain.