Freckleface Strawberry: Best Friends Forever
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Freckleface Strawberry: Best Friends Forever is the third of Julianne Moore's Freckleface series. It can stand alone, but will make even more sense after reading the first two books. The issue here is whether a girl and boy can be best friends, even when they share many things in common. And, do they have to share everything to be best friends? Also, though it's not really a big issue in the book, Windy Pants Patrick has two moms. Parents should be prepared to explain that to kids who ask.
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What's the Story?
FRECKLEFACE STRAWBERRY: BEST FRIENDS FOREVER is about the friendship that develops between Freckleface Strawberry and Windy Pants Patrick after the dodgeball incident of the second book in this series. The two unlikely friends find they share so many things in common, especially because they feel so different from the other kids. However, the other girls think Freckleface should play with girls, not boys. And the boys feel Windy Pants should play with the boys. The duo tries it both ways, and discovers the friendship they share is a special one after all.
Is It Any Good?
Kids will love this latest Freckleface adventure, and grown-ups certainly will enjoy reading it aloud to them. It's a cute, funny story that carries another very positive message about learning to respect and tolerate each other's differences, even value them. Julianne Moore's narrative is entertaining and sweet, LeUyen Pham's illustrations are playfully expressive, and an important lesson is gently nudged along to the end.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what makes someone your best friend, especially a best friend forever. How about friend duos you've read about in books like Frog and Toad, Bink and Gollie, or Ivy and Bean? How are these sets of friends the same? How are they different?
Illustrations are an important part of any picture book. The same purple monster from previous Freckleface books shows up again here, this time with Windy Pants Patrick. What does he stand for?
What do you think about the idea that boys should play with boys, and girls with girls?
Book Details
- Author: Julianne Moore
- Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Friendship, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
- Publication date: September 13, 2011
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 8
- Number of pages: 40
- Available on: Paperback, Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
Our Editors Recommend
-
Frog and Toad Are Friends
Engaging stories spotlight charming, relatable characters.
-
Bink & Gollie
Friendship flourishes in fun graphic novel for younger set.
-
Ivy + Bean, Book 1
Friendship tale a sure hit with kids starting chapter books.
For kids who love picture books and strong female characters
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