Parents' Guide to

Confessions of an Imaginary Friend: A Memoir by Jacques Papier

By Jan Carr, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Whimsical, breezy faux memoir told by an imaginary friend.

Book Michelle Cuevas Contemporary Fiction 2015
Confessions of an Imaginary Friend: A Memoir by Jacques Papier Poster Image

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age 6+

Based on 1 parent review

Steve R.
Steve R. Parent of 6 and 11-year-old
March 13, 2020
age 6+

I absolutely love this book!

This book is probably best for children 8 or over, but it is so enjoyable and contains such good messages about belonging and connection that it will probably resonate with younger kids as well. I have read it to both my boys at different ages, the youngest being six at the time, and they both loved it. It is a very clever and whimsical book but also delves into questions of who we really are and what to our connections with one another mean, with a tender moment at the end that has left me choked up (in a good way) each of the three times I've read the book.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

CONFESSIONS OF AN IMAGINARY FRIEND: A MEMOIR BY JACQUES PAPIER is a tale told by a character who's a figment of a girl's imagination. At first he thinks he's her twin and therefore real, so when evidence to the contrary starts accumulating, he's baffled. When Jacques finally understands, he gets upset, meets other imaginary friends at a meeting called Imaginaries Anonymous, and is assigned to work as an imaginary friend for a series of other kids, embarking on an emotional journey.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1):
Kids say: Not yet rated

There's lots to love in this highly fanciful, sometimes adult and sophisticated book narrated by an imaginary friend who struggles with the realization that he's not real. Jacques feels invisible and unseen -- because he is! Jacques' emotional journey takes him through friendships with other imaginary friends and stints working as an imaginary friend for several kids.

There are references throughout that are beyond the experience of middle-grade readers: anonymous support group meetings, accountants, defibrillators, bucket lists, and various abstractions -- for instance, a pancake shaped like a Mozart symphony. But kids will relate to the feeling of being unseen, of being last to be picked for the kickball team, and ignored at the lunch table. The premise is exceedingly clever, and the abundant whimsy and breezy humor add to the fun of viewing life through the eyes of someone who's imaginary.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about feeling invisible or unnoticed. What makes you feel invisible? What makes you feel noticed?

  • Have you ever had an imaginary friend? Where do you think imaginary friends go when kids don't need them anymore?

  • What kinds of imaginary friends can you think up? Can you draw sketches of them the way the author did?

Book Details

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