"There is no Jessica", said Ruthie's parents. But Ruthie knows there is. She eats with Jessica, plays with her, and reads their favorite books toge...
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Oct 12, 2011
Lindsay
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I read this book with my second graders and they really enjoyed it, but thought the text was really simple and predictable. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing, but I wouldn't recommend using this text to promote critical discussion. On a different note, many of the kids could relate to the idea of having no one at home to play with and also had an imaginary friend or pet of some kind that they created to keep them company. The illustrations in this story were small and used talking bubbles
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Oct 11, 2011
Meghan
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"Ruthie Simms didn't haqve a dog. She didn't have a cat, or a brother, or a sister. But Jessica was the next best thing." Jessica by Kevin Henkes is a very sweet story about a little girl, Ruthie, and her imaginary friend Jessica. They do everything together and are the very best of friends. Ruthie's parents keep telling her that Jessica isn't real, but she knows the Jessica is. On Ruthies first day of Kindergarten, her parents tell her that Jessica probably shouldn't go with h
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Oct 20, 2009
Josiah
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This is a wholeheartedly wonderful book. Jessica is written with perfectly clear understanding of the fears and reflexive comfort producers of young ones, and this deep understanding sympathetically spreads through the heart of the reader like the sunshine on a perfectly warm day. Every last bit of this short picture book is done as well as it possibly could have been done, in my view, and I can only be amazed by the beautiful skills of Kevin Henkes. Ruthie and Jessica are the awesomest charact
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Oct 11, 2011
Tiffany
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Jessica by Kevin Henkes was a sweet book about a girl that has an imaginary friend. It actually reminded me a lot of my sister and her imaginary friend, Katie, that she had when she was little.
I could connect this book to Kevin Henkes other books because of the pattern throughout the book, the way the text and illustrations were set up, and the captions that were written from the main character. The style of the end pages also looked like some of Henkes' other work. When the charact More...
I could connect this book to Kevin Henkes other books because of the pattern throughout the book, the way the text and illustrations were set up, and the captions that were written from the main character. The style of the end pages also looked like some of Henkes' other work. When the charact More...
Jul 19, 2010
Lisa
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This book is another winner from Henkes. The illustrations are very cute, and although nothing super special, fit the story so well. The pictures being tiny make them extra fun. The story about a girl named Ruthie who has an imaginary friend named Jessica, is one that children will relate to, even if they’ve never had any imaginary friends. Lonely only children will no pets will especially understand Ruthie. I love how Ruthie’s beliefs and feelings are taken seriously and also how Ruthie, when h
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Nov 10, 2010
Katherine
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I love books about imaginary friends! I always look for great books with the main theme being an imaginary friend and I cant ever find anyones that I really enjoy. I think I enjoyed this one because I really felt like a little child who has an imaginary friend wrote this to tell their story! The book is short and sweet but has a lot of great pictures and side notes about what the child is thinking! It is a great lesson to be learned and children can really relate to it. It is also a great con
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Oct 04, 2011
Katie
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Jessica is a story about a young girl who has an imaginary friend named Jessica. She does every thing Jessica. Her parents kept telling her Jessica wasn't real and wanted her to leave Jessica home when she went to school for her first time. Jessica went anyway. While at school the girl met a real girl named Jessica and they became good friends.
The book has small pictures before the title page and throughout the book of funny, classic moments every child had when they had an imagi More...
The book has small pictures before the title page and throughout the book of funny, classic moments every child had when they had an imagi More...
Jan 21, 2012
Abbey
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Jessica is a very cute book. The second graders find it easy to relate to and they get very excited when they figure out that Kevin Henkes is the same author that wrote Lily's Purple Plastic Purse. There are often students in my classroom with the name Jessica, so it is always fun to do a character/person comparison between the character in the story, and the students in our classroom. I won't say it has a overwhelming amount of instructional value, but it is great for characterization and a sto
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Nov 07, 2011
Cheryl in CC NV
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Another charmer from Henkes, with a quibble, again. Owen's lovey was a blankie, remember? And the solution wouldn't have worked if it were a stuffed animal.... Well, Ruthie has a stroke of good luck, too. If the book hadn't had the special ending, I don't know if Ruthie's parents would have ever realized that it's OK for her to enjoy an imaginary friend. Personally, I wish I were imaginative to have a friend nobody else could see!
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Mar 12, 2011
Kelley
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Jesscia tells the wonderful story of Ruthie and her imaginary friend, Jessica. She goes everywhere with Ruthie, including her first day of school. Although Ruthie's parents insist "there is no Jessica!" Ruthie takes Jessica to school to hold her hand and make her feel better when she is sad. BUT when Ruthie is asked to be partners with another girl in her class, she is overjoyed to make a real friend. And, her name is Jessica. A lot of kids have imaginary friends to keep them company a
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Nov 24, 2011
David
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Jessica by Kevin Henkes is a story about a girl named Ruthie who has an imaginary friend named Jessica. Ruthie's parents try to tell Ruthie that her friend is not real, but Ruthie will not be persuaded. When Ruthie goes to school, however, something surprising happens to change things.
The text is short, sweet and entertaining. The ending is emotionally satisfying.
Watercolor paints and a black pen were used for the pictures. The illustrations match the text perfectly, and, More...
The text is short, sweet and entertaining. The ending is emotionally satisfying.
Watercolor paints and a black pen were used for the pictures. The illustrations match the text perfectly, and, More...
May 07, 2011
Katie
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Read at Family Story Time on 3/14/11: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/201...
Overall, what I love about this book is its unique way of tackling an experience so many kids have - believing in, and eventually abandoning imaginary friends. I absolutely loved the fact that Ruthie makes a real friend at school whose name is Jessica. I had an imaginary friend in childhood whose name - Lena Farina - appeared in the obituaries when I was in high school, so I'm especially intrigued by the n More...
Overall, what I love about this book is its unique way of tackling an experience so many kids have - believing in, and eventually abandoning imaginary friends. I absolutely loved the fact that Ruthie makes a real friend at school whose name is Jessica. I had an imaginary friend in childhood whose name - Lena Farina - appeared in the obituaries when I was in high school, so I'm especially intrigued by the n More...
Feb 24, 2011
Sheniece
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This is an awesome book to read to young children because a lot of them have an imaginary friend. I remember having one when I was little. This book could be used to explain to children that we all have imaginations about the things we haven't experienced or have until the real thing comes along like Ruthie's real friend at the end of the story. Use this to encourage students to use their imagination in creative writing and have them make something real out of something they once imagined.
Jul 01, 2011
This is a cute book about a little girl named Ruthie and her imaginary friend. I would incorporate this book in my classroom at any available opportunity. It would prompt a great discussion about what things are pretend (or imaginary) and what things are real. I share a lot of people's feeling that Ruthie's parents could have been more understanding, but I also feel like that story line allows for a lot of discussion about feelings. Sweet book!
Mar 27, 2011
Winta
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This is such a sweet book about a little girl who did everything with her imaginary friend. Her parents always tell her there's no Jessica (her imaginary friend) but she still believes it. In her first day of school, Ruthie, the little girl meets someone who wants to be her partner. And what do you know- the little girl's name is Jessica. I Love this book because the first and last page are the same way (with a different meaning the second time ;)!
Jan 10, 2012
Gala
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I enjoyed reading this book. On the cover I thought the book was about the little girl in the picture. To my surprise Jessica was a made up individual that Ruthie in the picture imagined.This story can help parents and child and maybe the teacher have patience with this imaginary person that is a part of a child's life. I believe in make believe and maybe a teacher can use this imagination to create or have child to create writing of stories.
Aug 23, 2010
Brenda
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A very cute book about a little girl named Ruthie and her imaginary friend. I really loved how some of the illustrations were three little pictures per page depicting all of the fun things that Ruthie does with her imaginary friend Jessica. There are important lessons in the benefits of pretend play and fostering a child’s imagination. For Ruthie, her imaginary friend seemed to fill the spot until a real friend came along.
Jul 14, 2010
Kathryn
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Another treat from the genius that is Henkes! This time, we feature a human girl (as opposed to his usual mice!) and her imaginary friend. As ever, the story is told with great sensitivity to a child's feelings, never making fun of the child for needing an imaginary friend, but gently showing how sometimes that need can be outgrown or filled in another way.
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Sep 15, 2011
Kelly
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Jessica is a children's picture book that tells a story of an imaginary friend named Jessica. Kevin Henkes uses amazing illustrations to go along with the story. Ruthie's parents don't believe she has an imaginary friend named Jessica, until she goes to school and actually meets a girl named Jessica. This would be a great book to read to preschool children.
Oct 17, 2011
Jane
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This book allows students to start a great school day by making good friends in a classroom instead of bring their old friends (dolls, toys, imaginative things, etc.). Sometimes it is so hard for young children to get rid of their own home toys. However, this book will help them to understand it is better to have real good friends than old toys.
Sep 07, 2011
Lorna
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Ruthie's friend Jessica is always by her side, which is wonderful for Ruthie. Except . . . she's an imaginary friend. As she is starting school, her parents inform her that she must leave Jessica behind. How will Ruthie ever cope? Not sure if I agree with the "forbid" the imaginary friend stance that the parents take. Might be tough for kids to read who do have imaginary friends. Geared towards Pre-K to Grade 1.
Mar 20, 2011
Hye
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Another great book by Kevin Henkes! This book would be excellent for children who is nervous about going to kindergarten. They can make great new friends and it is okay. I loved how the girl's name that Ruthie met was Jessica. What a great coincidence! It also shows nice an example of good friendship.
Jun 08, 2011
Gloria
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As a child I had an imaginary duck friend. His name was Popos. He went with me everywhere and this book brought back memories of me and Popos. I remember pulling an imaginary string and using it to walk him. Then, when I started school I met new people and they became my new friends.
Mar 24, 2011
Elizabeth S
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What a fun book. I was (and still am) a little worried about when Ruthie blames Jessica for Ruthie's accidents, for example. I haven't had that from my children yet, and I don't see any need to give them ideas. :) I did very much enjoy the sweet and satisfying ending. Very nice.
Oct 11, 2010
Linnea
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Again, Kevin Henkes enters into the world of a child's imagination - as he does so well. This story is about Ruthie's imaginary friend Jessica. Jessica is best friend and shares life with her until she goes to school... The ending is a fun surprise for Ruthie and the reader!
Sep 23, 2011
Olivia
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The book would be good to read to class as a mystery book to find out if Jessica is real or not. It can be used to demonstrate connections and coincidences- between imaginary and real Jessica.
It teaches repetition in certain parts of the the book.
It teaches repetition in certain parts of the the book.
Apr 24, 2011
Alyce
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Jessica is a cute story about a girl who does everything with her imaginary friend. At the end of the story Ruthie actually meets a new friend and guess what her name is? Overall i liked this story and would recommend it to elementary school students.
Oct 12, 2010
Shannan
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I read Henkes' books to my son and was surprised that I didn'y have this book in his collection. He is an only child too. I was sad that there waa no hint that she kept her imaginary friend. Everyone should keep their imaginary friends.
Nov 20, 2009
Such a cute book! I love his books! It's a grreat book for kids with large imaginations. This is also great for kids who don't think they can make friends. Jessica has an imaginary friend and then learns she can makes a real friend.
Nov 15, 2011
Bethann
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This was a fun book. Ruthie has a pretend friend Jessica, which her parents do not like. When Ruthie goes to Kindergarten she actually meets a friend named Jessica and that makes her extremely happy.
