Mary Anastasiou (text) and Sam Loman (illustrator), The art of making friends, Five Mile, June 2023, 32 pp., RRP $24,99 (hbk), ISBN 9781922857903
Thoughtful and engaging, The Art of Making Friends touches on all thing’s friendship – imaginary and real. This seemingly simple story hits at the very heart of forming relationships, whether you are five or fifty.
Now here’s a little secret and something you should know
If you really want to make a friend, it’s your heart you’ll need to show.
Themes of friendship, courage and sharing are celebrated and all the challenges with making friends are sensitively covered. The illustrations by Sam Loman inspire plenty of art and craft for readers.
A slightly disappointing typographical error in the story and contributors’ section makes my heart sink, especially with the painstaking work that has gone into the charming illustrations. Nevertheless, it is delightful to read and will readily capture the attention of kindergartners embarking on their friendship journeys.
Mary Anastasiou is the author of the I want to be… series and recently released Jimmy Bottoms.
Reviewed by Shelley Stephens
