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How to Find a Friend
A rabbit and a squirrel are alone and lonely, each wishing for a friend. Obviously they'd be perfect friends for each other. But as they go through their day, they keep missing each other, each totally oblivious to the other's presence. When they finally—and literally—bump into each other, each has found a friend at last. Young children will enjoy being smarter and more observant than these silly characters and will also rejoice at their success.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published April 11, 2017
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22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
August 11, 2017
2.5 Stars
”What if I’m all alone in the whole wide wood?”
Rabbit and Squirrel are lonely and hoping to a friend. They both look, look, and look, but they just keep missing each other. One is up, while the other is down. One is on land, while the other is at sea. Will Squirrel and Rabbit finally meet and find a friend? Maybe the two little bugs can help. Only time and fate can say.
I adored the serendipity-ness of this sweet hearted story. Young readers will have fun pointing out the misses and almosts and connections between Rabbit and Squirrel along the way. They are right there on the page together, but just out of reach or sight of each other. I loved that! I mean how many times does that happen to us in life? If I had taken a different train, I wouldn’t have bumped into you or him or her. I love how the pieces of a day fit together sometimes in a meant-to-be way. This book introduces that feeling to kids.
But here’s the BUT….The artwork was really distracting to me. The rusty red and flat blue and orange colors clashed on the page and in my head. I wish the green from the cover was in the pages. I think it would have balanced the color design for me. And the shapes felt almost cold and stripped of any identity. The trees and shrubs were all flat and uniform. Sadly the pictures were very uninspiring.
A sweet story about finding friends in this world. I just wish the art warmed my heart as much as the words. Check it out at your local Library.
August 22, 2021
Read again for my 365 Kids Book challenge. You can see all the books on their own shelf.
Gustavo was rather more instructional. Despite the title, this is more a meet cute. It is cute, I like the art okay. But "just keep walking around oblivious until you literally run into someone and that person will be your friend" isn't really helpful, is it? Or maybe it is. Maybe proximity is all kids need. Maybe it's only bigger kids and adults who need real advice.
Library copy
Gustavo was rather more instructional. Despite the title, this is more a meet cute. It is cute, I like the art okay. But "just keep walking around oblivious until you literally run into someone and that person will be your friend" isn't really helpful, is it? Or maybe it is. Maybe proximity is all kids need. Maybe it's only bigger kids and adults who need real advice.
Library copy
March 31, 2020
A cute little picture book that shows two critters both looking for a friend and completely missing the other. Helpful little bugs are trying to get them together and interject commentary. This story shows that sometimes we are so busy wanting something to be exactly one way that we miss the things we could have if we just look around us.
Find this title in the SWAN catalog!
Find this title in the SWAN catalog!
August 29, 2017
I would have liked this book a lot better without the weird worms who said they were bugs at the end (but didn't really look like bugs, either.) Their commentary was weird--who were they talking to? Me? The squirrel and rabbit? I enjoyed the illustrations and probably would have enjoyed the story had those worm-bugs not been there.
February 23, 2018
Squirrel and rabbit move to a new place, but never see each other. They keep just missing each other. They think they are all alone. Then one day the literally run into each other and become friends. Sometimes you just look in the wrong places for a friend. Keep your eyes open and friends will appear.
August 22, 2021
Featured in a grandma reads session.
Keeping your eyes open and your heart flexible is part of the equation in this little book . .because your next bestie is probably right around wherever you are! Stay aware and ready to have the best friend you ever have!
A sweet message, and this one, too, was read to me rather than the other way round.
Keeping your eyes open and your heart flexible is part of the equation in this little book . .because your next bestie is probably right around wherever you are! Stay aware and ready to have the best friend you ever have!
A sweet message, and this one, too, was read to me rather than the other way round.
October 28, 2016
Lots of fun. Lovely colours and beautiful pictures. A really sweet story which little ones will get into pantomime style with the whole he's behind you aspect which could make it a dab interactive story for those learning to read.
March 17, 2018
This is a humorous book written and illustrated by Maria S. Costa. It depicts how two animals, Rabbit and Squirrel, who have just moved in to their respective new homes, wish to make new friends however humorously keep missing each other.
The front cover depicts both Rabbit and Squirrel and hints what the story will be about with both characters completing tasks which has resulted in them facing and looking in opposite directions.
The end papers add to the honour with the first end papers depicting a map showing lots of different places, for example ‘golf course’ and ‘park’ with the last end papers depicting the route both Rabbit and Squirrel took where they managed to not bump on to each other although being physically close.
Rabbit is coloured completely red and Squirrel is illustrated completely blue. This is the same throughout the book however when eventually their paths cross Rabbit is wearing blue roller skates and Squirrel is riding a red skateboard. This could suggest the eventual overlap of their lives and the result of this - close friendship.
This can be read either independently or be read with a child. It is useful as includes the important message that if you are looking for a friend this may not happen straight away - sometimes it is when you are not actively seeking that you come across an individual who you can befriend.
The front cover depicts both Rabbit and Squirrel and hints what the story will be about with both characters completing tasks which has resulted in them facing and looking in opposite directions.
The end papers add to the honour with the first end papers depicting a map showing lots of different places, for example ‘golf course’ and ‘park’ with the last end papers depicting the route both Rabbit and Squirrel took where they managed to not bump on to each other although being physically close.
Rabbit is coloured completely red and Squirrel is illustrated completely blue. This is the same throughout the book however when eventually their paths cross Rabbit is wearing blue roller skates and Squirrel is riding a red skateboard. This could suggest the eventual overlap of their lives and the result of this - close friendship.
This can be read either independently or be read with a child. It is useful as includes the important message that if you are looking for a friend this may not happen straight away - sometimes it is when you are not actively seeking that you come across an individual who you can befriend.
October 9, 2021
How to Find a Friend is one of those books that really surprised me. It looked like a good book but the way this book cleverly shows that you're not alone and can always find a friend in such a unique way makes it a brilliant read.
The book is about two characters, squirrel and rabbit, who are looking for a friend as they are feeling lonely in life but somehow they keep missing each other. The way the story is told is great to show the children that there's always someone around to help and be there for you even when you feel alone.
The best part about this book is the illustrations. With each page we get to see squirrel and rabbit going about their days but if we're on rabbits page there will be a line picture of squirrel in the background and the same for squirrel with rabbit. This is a clever and unique way to show that they are not alone whilst also sticking to each characters perception of the situation. The children loved looking for rabbit/squirrel on each page as well as the worms that can see what's going on.
We really enjoyed this story and it has a lovely ending, I'm sure you can guess but I'll not spoil it! This is a great story of friendship that is so different from any other story we've read before, I'd highly recommend it and I'm sure we'll be reading it again in the future.
The book is about two characters, squirrel and rabbit, who are looking for a friend as they are feeling lonely in life but somehow they keep missing each other. The way the story is told is great to show the children that there's always someone around to help and be there for you even when you feel alone.
The best part about this book is the illustrations. With each page we get to see squirrel and rabbit going about their days but if we're on rabbits page there will be a line picture of squirrel in the background and the same for squirrel with rabbit. This is a clever and unique way to show that they are not alone whilst also sticking to each characters perception of the situation. The children loved looking for rabbit/squirrel on each page as well as the worms that can see what's going on.
We really enjoyed this story and it has a lovely ending, I'm sure you can guess but I'll not spoil it! This is a great story of friendship that is so different from any other story we've read before, I'd highly recommend it and I'm sure we'll be reading it again in the future.
December 5, 2017
The dramatic irony in this picture book about unlikely friendship was very cute. The rabbit and squirrel both believe that they will never find a friend and continue to comically miss each other while walking around, until they finally run into each other. With themes such as friendship and hard work, this is a book perfect for a read-aloud for young ones.
March 13, 2018
This is a wonderful book that illustrates how students can become friends with people who are different from them. Costa illustrates that despite the rabbit and squirrel living near one another, they did not seem to “notice” the others’ existence, and I feel as though this can be true in a classroom just because one student looks different compared to their neighbor.
August 7, 2018
Squirrel and Rabbit have no clue about each other’s existence even though they both live in the same woods. As Squirrel and Rabbit independently search for a friend, they miss meeting until they finally, literally, crash into each other and become great friends. Love the page with Squirrel skateboarding home with a stack of books: “At least I have my books for company.”
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September 15, 2023It talks about a squirrel and rabbit looking for friends, but they can't find anyone even though they are right in front of each other. Two insects are with them along the way to help them find one another. This book could be a great first day of school book and talk about friends and how to make new friends.
June 10, 2017
Really smart color-coded illustrations depending on whether Squirrel or Rabbit is talking, and sweet message. Kids can also have fun following the 'peanut gallery' commentary of the red and blue worms.
June 24, 2017
A squirrel and a rabbit both search for friendship in the forest and keep missing each other. Meanwhile two bugs try to help them find each other. Cute but speech bubbles and two storyline sat once make it one on one or preschool.
September 6, 2017
A funny book about 2 woodland animals each seeking a friend, however they just can't seem to find one! If they each would only look about.
The illustrations have a unique pallet of colors which actually work well for this story.
The illustrations have a unique pallet of colors which actually work well for this story.
October 9, 2017
Great example to show irony, and young readers will enjoy the almost encounters.
Check out the map and how it's different in the back than the front!
Colorful characters and predominance of orange, blue, & sienna against white background.
Check out the map and how it's different in the back than the front!
Colorful characters and predominance of orange, blue, & sienna against white background.
March 28, 2022
Super cute book with the idea that maybe your next new friend is closer than you think. Kids will love to look for the worms in the illustrations. Great book for the beginning of the year in school. New friends are all around us.
May 6, 2017
I didn't really read much of the book (I have read so many today and I am running out of time). I love the color scheme in the illustrations!
May 10, 2017
Would be 4 stars without the peanut gallery bug characters. Trust that children are smart enough to see the near misses of the would-be friends without the annoying commentary.
August 24, 2017
A cute story that preschoolers will love to read! The art is fun and leaves more to be discovered.
October 10, 2017
A collision of unappealing artwork, multiple storylines, doltish characters, and busybody bugs.
January 5, 2018
Loved this story of a squirrel and rabbit who find the friend they have been longing for in the style of linocuts.
August 2, 2018
Funny book about finding a friend. Love the snail...
April 10, 2019
Children's. Friendship book.
October 22, 2019
Just ok. The cover looks fun and colorful, but the story didn't seem that special to me. I didn't like the worms/bugs on the bottom of the pages - I think it would have flowed better without them.
July 26, 2025
A squirrel and a rabbit are both hoping to find a new friend. I really liked how the characters were sometimes outlines in the background, but I felt that the worms really detracted from the story.
December 3, 2017
I think this book is a perfect illustration of what it's like trying to find a new friend when you move to a new town. The little caterpillars are funny, and the artwork is vibrant and makes the story fun to read.
July 18, 2017
This cute book is about two new animals in the forest who can't find a friend, then they finally find each other. Love the worms in the book who keep offering advice.
November 12, 2025
11/12/25: Little Magnolia & Pediatrust - JB
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews