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A Splendid Friend, Indeed (Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book (Awards)) Review
User Submitted A Splendid Friend, Indeed (Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book (Awards)) ReviewsMarch 28, 2007 Oh dear... the cover illustration... At the risk of sounding needlessly lewd, we declined to stock this title in the bookshop because the goose on the cover looks less like a goose and more like part of the bear's anatomy, lending itself to a very vulgar interpretation. It probably should have been better thought out. February 2, 2007 Instant Classic The cover illustration right away drew me in. This is a very sweet little board book and very worthy of the Seuss honor. The illustrations appear to be chalk, which is not a very common medium in children's illustration, with all the clicks of a computer available to us these days. The illustrations are very textured and vivid and invite close scrutiny as the characters come alive. Having several younger siblings I have lived the story in the book countless times. The Bear is in the midst of some quiet Bear time, reading etc. And the Goose is ready to chat, ready to spend some time with someone else, not really paying attention to how the Bear is trying to brush him off. However, even the Bear can't brush off the very sweet note the Goose gives him. Its a lovely story about friendship, its worth buying for the illustrations alone however. January 4, 2007 A Splendid Book, Indeed Lots of lively discussion resulted after reading this sweet story to a group of kindergartners. The illustrations are bright, simple and reveal most of the story's plot and emotions. Students were able to read this book along with me after just one read. Teachers and parents will enjoy the reaction to this book when sharing it with youngsters. October 20, 2006 Splendid, indeed The opening pages of this book are wordless but the incredible texture of the polar bear's fur stretches across two pages and begs to be touched. The fur is rendered in pastels or chalk and the tips of the hairs have a green algae tinge to them just like polar bears I have seen at the zoo. Duck is enthusiastically trying to gain the bear's attention by claiming to enjoy all the things Bear enjoys like reading and writing. Bear is not amused nor interested until Duck writes him a letter from the heart. They become splendid friends. The simple language is embellished by the comical expressions of Bear and Duck. There is a easy warmth to this story that underscores the importance of not making snap judgements about new people we meet. September 19, 2006 I thought the book was amazing This is a friendly and kind book indeed. It was about a friendly goose nice, energized and inquisitive, and a polar bear, irritable and grouchy. Interestingly enough, the goose is making the polar bear annoyed and grumpy like a lion, because the goose is asking too many questions while bear is reading, writing, and thinking. Goose goes to get a snack and writes a friendship letter. He comes back with the letter and reads it to bear who is overjoyed because the letter is so loving. In the end, they shared feelings and were happy. I would rate this book a five star book because you can really learn how to be a good friend!!!! Reviewed by: Amanda September 19, 2006 I Loved this Story by Ellerie A Splendid Friend Indeed was a surprising book about a selfish, ignorant bear and a duck. Later, they became great friends. At the beginning, the duck was annoying to the bear, even though the duck was actually trying to be friendly. At the end of the story the bear, a grumpy old lion, figured out what the friendly duck was trying to do. The book also had happy parts. The bear was extremely happy at the end because duck said, "You are my splendid friend indeed." The illustrations, colorful and bright, struck my imagination. They helped me to see the story, like when the bear felt happy. The illustrations helped me see how happy he was. I rate this book 5 stars for 3-6 year olds and 3 stars for 6 years and up, not including boys. The book was splendid for me. Kids 6 and up would not like the book because it was too short for them, but I loved it, because it had few words that meant a lot. August 12, 2006 Very Nice Book This was a delightful book for my child, some larger words for 5 year olds, but with the help of Mom or Dad, children can read most words and understand the wonderful plot. June 30, 2006 Fascinating! This is a fascinating book. It is simple, with limited but powerful words. The illustration is also very attractive, especially with the blue background. I am impressed how Bloom can express a friendship between the bear and the goose in only a few words, and yet, it is a very common relationship like me and my daughter. She is the 'goose' and I'm the 'bear' without knowing until we read this book. Whenever I read, she wants to read. Whenever I write, she wants to write. I guess kids are just like that. This is the book I highly recommend! March 3, 2006 Differences don't get in the way of a splendid friendship The big, quiet bear isn't too sure about this wacky, quacky duck. Bear just wants to read and write and think while Duck wants to talk about reading and writing and thinking. Duck shows Bear how differences don't have to get in the way of a splendid friendship. Bright blocks of colors and short, simple sentences make this book a good addition to the read-aloud list. 2006 Geisel Honor Book March 3, 2006 In word and indeed Finding a book as perfect in its simplicity as, "A Splendid Friend, Indeed" is near-impossible. I should know. As a children's librarian I often have to contest with countless anxious parents who want a picture book for their kids to read, with simple words, and a simple plot. But it has to be interesting too. And beautiful to look at. And touching, they definitely want something touching. All told there are perhaps four or five books in the English language that fit such strict criteria and remain readable. Now Suzanne Bloom's book may join their ranks. Though passed over for a Caldecott (a fact that had my fellow children's librarians wrenching out their hair in clumps) the book did garner a prestigious Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book Award. Just the same, I am of the opinion that "A Splendid Friend, Indeed" deserves a lot more press and fanfare. So here I am, blaring out the news for all to hear: COME ONE, COME ALL, TO WITNESS A PIECE OF PICTURE BOOK PERFECTION! I can't say it any plainer than that. A polar bear is reading a book when a white duck travels down his back for a chat. The duck is deeply inquisitive. He'd love to know exactly what the polar bear is up to. The dialogue is something along the lines of, "What are you doing? Are you reading? I like to read. Do you want to hear me read?". The bear grows increasingly frustrated with the encounter and annoyed with this relentlessly cheery pest. After a bit the duck comes back with a snack he has made and a note he has written. The note reads, "I like you. Indeed I do. You are my splendid friend". The polar bear is deeply touched by the note and by the end the two are hugging alongside the words, "You are my splendid friend. My splendid friend, indeed". Then they settle down to tea and cookies. The story is, on one level, a kind of take on sibling rivalry. Older siblings with overly enthusiastic young `uns tagging along will identify with the polar bear's longing to just be left alone by his number one fan. On another level, however, this is about dealing with someone who likes you almost too much. It's about handling people who let their emotions fly free of any and all inhibitions. At no point does the duck ever catch the polar bear's book-over-the-ears-type hints. Good thing too. When the bear stops to listen to the duck's letter he is strangely touched. What is so very remarkable about the book is for all its cuteness (and it is really very adorable) the book is not treacly or saccharine. This isn't "cute" in the way a Precious Moments figurine is cute. It's cute because it strikes a real emotional cord AND happens to be lovely to look at and read at the same time. The art is actually a draw in and of itself. The first image we have of the duck is of him walking down a white, furry hill of sorts. It is, of course, the polar bear's back and does nothing to improve his mood right off the bat. All the illustrations in this book have been done in pastels and Bloom wields her colors with a highly skilled hand. The fur of the polar doesn't just look like something you could stick your hand into and feel, it also contains specks of greens and blues and purples. There's a great deal of subtlety to the book's seemingly simple images. Against the blue background the polar bear and duck are carefully outlined in colors that separate them from the deepening sky. Read the book three or four times and you begin to notice tiny details. For example, when the polar bear melts and hugs the duck at the end, the background changes from blue to a subtle reddish-purple. Without becoming cartoonish, the book is consistently interesting to the very very young and those old wise people helping them to read. Tis a visual feast. In many ways, "A Splendid Friend, Indeed" conjures up that old classic Mirra Ginsburg book, "The Chick and the Duckling". There are also similarities to "Ginger" by Charlotte Voake. But while these two books are sweet enough in their own way, Bloom's story packs a particularly strong emotional punch. If you've an early reader or a child who's ready for the most basic of tales, consider this a must-have purchase for their personal library. A sure-fire knock-out book. For more A Splendid Friend, Indeed (Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book (Awards)) reviews click here.
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