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18th out of 60 books
—
46 voters
The Friend
From the beloved husband-and-wife team of The Gardener, a Caldecott Honor Book
Annabelle Bernadette Clementine Dodd
Was a good little girl, though decidedly odd.
Belle lived every day as if she were grown --
She thought she could do everything all on her own.
Lucky for Belle, she has a friend at home, a caregiver named Beatrice Smith -- Bea -- who keeps a close eye on her so sh...more
Annabelle Bernadette Clementine Dodd
Was a good little girl, though decidedly odd.
Belle lived every day as if she were grown --
She thought she could do everything all on her own.
Lucky for Belle, she has a friend at home, a caregiver named Beatrice Smith -- Bea -- who keeps a close eye on her so sh...more
Hardcover, 48 pages
Published
August 11th 2004
by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
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After reading the dedication and seeing the photo in the locket at the end of the book, this is obviously a biographical account.
I really liked this book. The illustrations are spectacular and the rhyming story with a good amount of repetition is engaging. But, I felt very sad for the little girl and very angry for both the little girl and her woman caregiver/housekeeper. Maybe this is meant to be a lovingly told, happy story, but it bugged me that a (probably underpaid) paid caregiver is the pa...more
I really liked this book. The illustrations are spectacular and the rhyming story with a good amount of repetition is engaging. But, I felt very sad for the little girl and very angry for both the little girl and her woman caregiver/housekeeper. Maybe this is meant to be a lovingly told, happy story, but it bugged me that a (probably underpaid) paid caregiver is the pa...more
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With gorgeous watercolor illustrations and a heartfelt and lyrical narrative, this is a touching tribute to a woman who saved the life of a child, both literally and figuratively. Part dedication, part social commentary, this story shows how parenting is more than contributing sperm and egg to make a baby. How being a constant presence in a child's life is more important than what money can buy. And it also speaks to the tremendous pressures of single parenting - how a willful child and a moment...more
Such a wonderful little girl is Annabelle Bernadette Clementine Dodd is and her wonderful friend Beatrice Smith, the maid. A true story of the effect people have on our lives....
A lovely, enchanting story of Belle and her best friend Bea. Although Belle is a child, and Bea is the family's housekeeper, they share a special bond. With a mother too busy, and a father often away, Belle and Bea are a team which lovingly and carefully completes their chores so they can journey down to the sea each day hand-in-hand. When near disaster strikes, Bea is comforted by the caring of Belle.
A loving portrayal of a connection between two people which is stronger than the traditional fa...more
A loving portrayal of a connection between two people which is stronger than the traditional fa...more
The illustrations in this book make it clear that the main character, Belle, is a very rich, and very lonely; a girl who is left alone all day with only the housekeeper, Bea, to provide companionship. The two form a loving duo, doing chores and walking to the sea together every day, until the day that Belle decides to take off by herself, perhaps leaving Bea unable to save her. At first I wasn't sure what to make of this book, it felt quite stereotypical, the African American housekeeper, the sp...more
Friendship is an enormous issue in elementary school...kids form cliques and do their best to fit in and feel like they belong. Opportunities to have dialogues about what true friendship means are few and far between. This book is the perfect opportunity. The Friend will show children what a good friend is and how valuable friendship can be. Tears came to my eyes at the end of this story and I don't doubt that you'll be touched by this semi-autobiographical tale as well.
This heartwarming tribute by the author to her childhood nanny is filled with tenderness. She dedicates the book "to all the people across the world who have saved the lives of children by paying attention when others did not--but especially to Ola Beatrice Smith". David Small's sensitive illustrations capture the daily tedium, the patient moments, and the heroism perfectly.
Too long to share in a library story time, this book needs to be enjoyed at home.
Too long to share in a library story time, this book needs to be enjoyed at home.
Jul 13, 2012
Carrie Gelson
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
family,
friendship,
intergenerational-relationship,
kindness,
lyrical,
picture-books,
favorites
Absolutely stunning. What beautiful friendship and love exist between little Belle and her devoted housekeeper Bea. Reminds us that spending time with a child is everything even when doing the most mundane chores. Connection, warmth, love . . . Found this book at the library and now want my own copy. The combination of Sarah Stewart and David Small continues to astound me.
A bittersweet and gorgeously illustrated story about a young girl with parents too busy to care who has a wonderful housekeeper/nanny who is is her best friend. Day after day they do chores and spend time at the ocean - Bea event takes Belle to her church on Sunday.
I loved this look at how a child is looked after by the family's housekeeper. I'd say nanny, but she was in charge of the house too. It's a great look at how those relationships last a lifetime.
I loved the body of this book - and Small's illustrations are as vibrant as ever - but the ending is so jarring and abrupt, that paired with the dedication I felt unnerved by the whole thing.
A delightful book written in verse about true friendship from the incomparable Sarah Stewart and her husband David Small. I cried at the end.
Stewart has slightly flawed rhyming again, as she did in The Librarian. But it's still a touching story and a worthwhile read. I love Stewart and Small's collaborations.
Beautiful illustrations and a tender tale. Pick it up! You'll be glad you did!
Enchanting and gorgeous picture book! Loved it!
My students loved it!
30 months - very well written and illustrated. Author and illustrator are able to convey more than just word and pictures in this one, it doesn't hurt that it was written from the heart. Maybe even a true story? I would read this one over and over.
Oct 08, 2008
Panagiota
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anybody who needs a friend
Shelves:
picture-books
CIP: With Mom too busy and Dad away much of the time, Belle finds companionship with a housekeeper who after each day's work takes Belle "hand in hand" to the beach.
My notes: The illustrations and storyline are very excellent. It tells of a little girl whose parents are never home and her only friend is the housekeeper. At the beach the girl almost drowns, but Bea saves her. Then the last page is of Belle when she is older remembering her good friend Bea.
Audio CD
My notes: The illustrations and storyline are very excellent. It tells of a little girl whose parents are never home and her only friend is the housekeeper. At the beach the girl almost drowns, but Bea saves her. Then the last page is of Belle when she is older remembering her good friend Bea.
Audio CD
Wow, what a wonderfully, sweet story that took a huge risk with Belle at the end. It felt like such a big, dramatic moment in the midst of a story that maybe didn't need such a moment. But, upon reflection, I like that risk, like the big drama that appears out of nowhere, the desperate hug that follows.
I love this author! This book is a little more mature and serious at the end than her others. The Library is one of my all-time favorite children's books. I used to have long hair, and I told my students I was the main character. :)
Jun 16, 2013
Laura Crawford
marked it as to-read
May 26, 2013
Jennifer
added it
May 16, 2013
Yinzadi
marked it as to-read
Apr 20, 2013
Sharon
marked it as to-read
Apr 15, 2013
Jocie
marked it as to-read
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![The Friend [With Paperback Book] (Audio CD)](http://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nocover/60x80.png)
![The Friend [With Hardcover Book] (Audio CD)](http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348982933s/14484964.jpg)
Wife of famed illustrator, David Small, Sarah Stewart has written a number of children's books. She grew up in Texas, and lives in Michigan with her husband.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/sarahs...
More about Sarah Stewart...
http://us.macmillan.com/author/sarahs...
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