Too Close Friends

by Shen Roddie, Sally Anne Lambert (Illustrations)

Best friends Pig and Hippo see more of each other than they want when the hedge between their homes is trimmed down, allowing Pig to witness Hippo chewing on his sixteen toenails, and Hippo to see Pig trying to squeeze into a tutu.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1998

Reviews

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, everybody has something they need to do in private. That is the lesson to learn in this book. Plus, it doesn't have to be a disgusting thing, it could be that someone just wants to spend some quiet time by themselves. A very cute book and I think kids would really like it. The illustrations are adorable and very colorful.

[Kaylynn Johnsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, Pig and Hippo were too close. Sometimes you do need a little distance, time apart, and privacy.

[Ryan Treaster · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun book to read and teaches a lesson involving friendship and privacy. Once the views are easily seen, both the pig and hippo see things that disgust them about the other but eventually learn to make up at the end.

Reading Level- Early
Curricular Use- Read aloud or independent reading
Social issues- friendship and privacy
literary elements- alliteration

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent example of the adage, "good fences make good neighbors". This is a cute story about too good friends who end up learning more than they want about each other when their hedge is trimmed.

Fun illustrations.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great laugh I had! Must read. Real life anticipations and dissapointments. There is truely a thin line between love and hate. This book shows friends don't stay mad for long.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

the kids found it hard to differentiate between the two characters for some reason and got confused... plus they didn't know what a hedge was

[Mona Al-kazemi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful story about friendship and the need for privacy in order for the friendship to continue. Loved the illustrations, as well.

[Brandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

-pre-k students
-everyone does things differently
-acceptance of all no matter what

[Yvonne O'Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

My version published a year earlier was titled “Best of Friends”. I loved this story!! So hilarious what each of them got up to in the privacy of their own home. A good lesson to not be nosy and just enjoy things at face value!