Walter had a best friend

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Title:

Walter had a best friend

Author:

Underwood, Deborah, author.

Ruzzier, Sergio, 1966- illustrator.

Summary:

Walter and Xavier are best friends. They do everything together! But then…quietly…slowly…Xavier becomes best friends with someone else. Walter goes from feeling hurt and left out to feeling confused and angry to feeling just plain lonely. Until one morning he wakes up feeling a tiny bit hopeful. That day, while out for a hike by himself, he meets Ollie. Could this be the beginning of a new friendship? -- Amazon.

Audience:

Ages 0-8. Beach Lane Books.

Grades K-1. Beach Lane Books.

Edition:

First edition.

Physical Description:

40 unnumbered pages : color illustrations ; 28 cm.

Genre:

Picture books.

Subject Term:

Friendship -- Juvenile fiction.

Best friends -- Juvenile fiction.

Animals -- Juvenile fiction.

Author(s):

Ruzzier, Sergio, 1966-

Publisher:

Beach Lane Books,

Publication Date:

2022

ISBN:

9781534477001

Publication Information:

New York : Beach Lane Books, [2022]

Award Note:

A Junior Library Guild selection.

Call Number:

P UNDERWOOD

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode	Collection	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
33607003649202	New Picture Books	UNDERWOOD	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

From the bestselling author of The Quiet Book comes an honest and touching new picture book about the ups and downs of friendship.

Walter and Xavier are best friends. They do everything together! But then...quietly...slowly...Xavier becomes best friends with someone else. Walter goes from feeling hurt and left out to feeling confused and angry to feeling just plain lonely. Until one morning he wakes up feeling a tiny bit hopeful. That day, while out for a hike by himself, he meets Ollie. Could this be the beginning of a new friendship?

Sometimes best friends aren't forever, and that's okay. Because there might be a new pal waiting just around the corner.

Author Notes

Deborah Underwood grew up in Walla Walla, Washington. Her father was a math professor and her mother taught English. After college, she became a street musician, then she worked in an office typing memos for accountants. During her breaks she would write screenplays. She finally decided to write for kids. Deborah also started writing nonfiction at the suggestion of her publisher.

Her children's titles include: The Quiet Book, The Christmas Quiet Book, A Balloon for Isabel, Sugar Plum Ballerinas, and The Loud Book. Her nonfiction titles include: Mexico or Bust, Animal Secrets, 101 Ways to Save the Planet and Ballroom Dancing. In 2014 her title, Here Comes The Easter Cat, made The New York Times Best Seller List.

(Bowker Author Biography)

Reviews (1)

Publisher's Weekly Review

The basic pathway of this emotionally significant story by Underwood (Every Little Letter) will be familiar to anyone who has loved, and lost, a dear companion. Walter, a rodent, and Xavier, who appears to be a green-footed fowl, are best friends, hiking and painting and boating together, until one day, after Xavier and a newcomer bond, "they weren't." Though Xavier and hedgehog Penelope are friendly to Walter, even extending an invitation to a ballgame, "it wasn't the same," and Walter has many empty hours to fill. Ruzzier (No! Said Custard the Squirrel) creates a warm-hued landscape in which appealing animal characters experiencing recognizable emotions move among delightfully strange natural wonders. As Walter's world changes, his whole body sags--even his tail. Far from bouncing back quickly, Walter sustains a period of real mourning before things improve. The creators pay careful attention to this stage of his experience, giving it direct, powerful words (" 'I hate Xavier,' Walter said to his mirror. But really, he didn't") before revealing what's on the other side. Reprising the words quietly and slowly around the story's illustrated phases, the creators paint a realistic portrait of painful change and a hopeful vision of moving on. Ages up to 8. Author's agent: Erin Murphy, Erin Murphy Literary. Illustrator's agent: Jennifer Laughran, Andrea Brown Literary. (Oct.)