Book 522: Will You Carry Me?

Will You Carry Me?, by Helen van Rossum, illustrated by Peter van Harmelen, Kane/Miller Publishing, 2005.

I bought this book about ten years ago -- before I became a mommy, or even knew that I was becoming a mommy -- because I saw the artwork featured in an exhibition of children's book illustrations.  I wasn't disappointed in the story then; in fact, I donated the book to the library where I was working as a children's librarian.  Fast-forward ten years, and my own son picked this book out (on his own) from another library.  And it is still good.

Book 521: Who Will Be My Friends

Who Will Be My Friends, by Syd Hoff, HarperCollins, 1960.

It is very difficult for a shy child, an extreme introvert, to move to a new town and have to start making friends all over again.  I should know -- I was one.  Even so, I don't quite relate to the boy in this book.  You can't stay on the sidelines and expect to make friends, some effort is needed.  My son, who has moved to a new town, but who is not especially introverted, cannot relate to the boy in the book even less than I could.

The illustrations, however, are absolutely faultless, and the story -- such as it is -- is cute.