Besties

Two penguins, one large, one small, hop over the rocks at their beach. Little Blue kicks off a game of Guess What?

When Big Blue takes too long to guess, and Little Blue can’t wait a moment longer, he blurts the answer… But this answer just brings more questions. All of them about – Best Friends.

Space

The tide is out when Little Blue decides to take a swim. He finds the perfect spot on the sand in the sunshine to wait.

When Big Blue arrives and chooses not to sit next to Little Blue, he is surprised and a little confused. But Big Blue just wants a little time alone. Little Blue listens, trying not to be hurt, until Big Blue is ready to join him.

Fred

Little Blue has learnt about ‘Me Time’ so leaves Big Blue when she is sitting quietly on the beach one day. He decides to make a new friend, asking a nearby rock to play. Naming it Fred, Little Blue explains the beach around him and introduces Fred to his other friends. Later, they go swimming together, but Fred doesn’t come back.

When Big Blue joins Little Blue, she explains that Fred is still a friend, even if he isn’t with Little Blue all the time.

Friendships can be as simple as sharing a slide in a playground, to doing everything together all the time. But it can also be a confusing process for children. Making friends comes easily for some, and is daunting for others. Keeping friends can also seem baffling.

Raymond McGrath has brought three friendship conundrums to the page in full colour, with humour and sensitivity. 

Besties – Can you have more than one Best-best-bestest Best Friend? 

Space – If a friend wants to be on their own, does that mean they don’t like you anymore?

Fred – Can you have a friend just for a day?

Set out in a graphic novel format with plenty of full page illustrated spreads among each story, the reader can enjoy these penguin’s quiet, undisturbed beach setting, as they spend time together. At the end of each story is a Fun Friend Fact – simply explaining a concept of friendship that Little Blue has just learnt.

Perfect for early primary school and all the puzzles and problems new friendships may bring, this is the first book in the series.

Author / Illustrator – Raymond McGrath

Age – 5+

(2023, Scholastic NZ, NZ, New Zealand, Aotearoa, Animals, Little Blue Penguins, NZ, Animals, Friendship, Series, Humour, Beach, Making New Friends, Alone time, Me Time, Best Friends)