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Friends Stick Together
Key Features Description Levi, a loudmouth tickbird annoys Rupert, a rhino of refinement in this buoyant read-aloud about acceptance. Levi, a loudmouth tickbird annoys Rupert, a rhino of refinement in this buoyant read-aloud about acceptance. Standards RL.K.3. With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story. RL.K.3. With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story. Product Details Item #: NTS830555 9781338305555 Paperback Book 40 Pre-K - 1 Lexile® AD580L Guided Reading GR Level L DRA 20 - 24 ACR 2.4 Key Features Item #: NTS830555 9781338305555 Paperback Book 40 Pre-K - 1 Lexile® AD580L Guided Reading GR Level L DRA 20 - 24 ACR 2.4
Paperback
Published January 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
February 1, 2019
Rupert was a quiet rhinoceros with refined tastes. He liked reading dictionaries, listening to Beethoven and eating cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off. Levi was a loud tickbird with a taste for corny jokes and a penchant for making armpit farts. When Levi lands on Rupert and won't be dislodged, the rhino is at first embarrassed and upset. But when he finally tells Levi to take a hike, the little bird's observation that he thought Rupert needed a friend has the rhino reconsidering...
Author/illustrator Hannah E. Harrison uses the classic "odd couple who become friends" story to explore the idea of symbiosis in Friends Stick Together. She includes two definitions of the word symbiosis, at the beginning and the end of her tale, and the subtle differences between the two definitions mirror the changes that occur in the story, as Rupert realizes he really does want a friend. I enjoyed Harrison's entertaining narrative, and appreciated the fact that she has Levi use some big words at the end, as this will emphasize to young children that having a more brash personality, or enjoying more "low-brow" things, is not tied in any way to a lack of intelligence (a classic classist idea, that is often still quite prevalent). I also appreciated the illustrations, which are cute, and often quite humorous. Recommended to anyone looking for new picture-books about friendship, or children's stories that indirectly explore the idea of symbiosis.
Author/illustrator Hannah E. Harrison uses the classic "odd couple who become friends" story to explore the idea of symbiosis in Friends Stick Together. She includes two definitions of the word symbiosis, at the beginning and the end of her tale, and the subtle differences between the two definitions mirror the changes that occur in the story, as Rupert realizes he really does want a friend. I enjoyed Harrison's entertaining narrative, and appreciated the fact that she has Levi use some big words at the end, as this will emphasize to young children that having a more brash personality, or enjoying more "low-brow" things, is not tied in any way to a lack of intelligence (a classic classist idea, that is often still quite prevalent). I also appreciated the illustrations, which are cute, and often quite humorous. Recommended to anyone looking for new picture-books about friendship, or children's stories that indirectly explore the idea of symbiosis.
October 24, 2019
First, I LOVE the art in this book. Second, I love the vocabulary. I love the plot. I love the friendship. I love the conversations canny teachers can lead the students toward using this book.
July 22, 2018
Rupert the rhinoceros is befriended, much to his chagrin, by Levi the bird. The two do not have much in common and Rupert finds Levi rather annoying. However, once he snaps at Levi and Levi leaves him alone, Rupert realizes he's lonely and life isn't as good without Levi. The text is rhyming and there are a lot of fun sounds to make and side notes to read to make the book even more enjoyable. Should be a fun read aloud and great in a friendship unit or to talk about getting along.
April 26, 2018
If I said I didn’t immediately buy this book I would be lying. :-) So. So. Cute.
July 1, 2018
Awwwwwwww. The illustrations are adorable and the story is funny.
September 6, 2018
I was lucky to be with Angie Hull for her #ClassroomBookaDay reading and this was her book today! So cute and a little vocabulary boost!
October 13, 2022
Loved this picture book about friendship.
April 2, 2026
Anokh, Age 5: Um, they were best friends just like me and JR
September 7, 2018
A story of the quintessential odd couple. Where a cultured, impeccably dressed rhino, complete with a bow tie and sweater, is confronted with a persistent, rude, bedraggled tickbird.
Even though, predictably they become friends, the ending is satisfying. Hannah's illustrations are loaded with treasures and humor and I love the rich vocabulary she uses throughout the book.
Subtly placed within the greater message of friendship and acceptance of others lies the scientific nugget of the symbiotic relationship between rhinos and tickbirds. Tucked into the end pages, there are two definitions of "sym-bi-o-sis," which track the development of Rupert & Levi's friendship.
Overall this is a great book about starting friendships, especially some unlikely ones, with a bit of science and language arts (vocabulary and dictionary usage) thrown in.
Even though, predictably they become friends, the ending is satisfying. Hannah's illustrations are loaded with treasures and humor and I love the rich vocabulary she uses throughout the book.
Subtly placed within the greater message of friendship and acceptance of others lies the scientific nugget of the symbiotic relationship between rhinos and tickbirds. Tucked into the end pages, there are two definitions of "sym-bi-o-sis," which track the development of Rupert & Levi's friendship.
Overall this is a great book about starting friendships, especially some unlikely ones, with a bit of science and language arts (vocabulary and dictionary usage) thrown in.
May 21, 2020
Hannah E. Harrison tells the tale of a rhino and a tickbird. Rupert the rhino is annoyed by Levi the tickbird, but Rupert later discovers that he misses Levi and decides that he wants them to be friends after all.
While both characters are likable, this book does not quite hit the target for which it is aiming. Many of Rupert's classmates have tastes and interests similar to his, yet he has trouble making friends. He doesn't complain about being tick-ridden and itchy before Levi appears. It does seem likely that the two can be friends despite their differences in taste and personality--it happens in reality--but this book just does not quite strike an authentic chord.
Harrison's illustrations, however, are wonderful. Rendered in acrylic paint on Bristol board, they are true to the text. The personality of each of the characters is accurately depicted, and the variation of sizes adds emphasis to both the illustrations and the text. Children will feel all of Rupert's emotions as they engage with Harrison's art throughout the story.
Libraries and readers are likely to find this title forgettable, and would be better off choosing Tammi Sauer's But the Bear Came Back.
While both characters are likable, this book does not quite hit the target for which it is aiming. Many of Rupert's classmates have tastes and interests similar to his, yet he has trouble making friends. He doesn't complain about being tick-ridden and itchy before Levi appears. It does seem likely that the two can be friends despite their differences in taste and personality--it happens in reality--but this book just does not quite strike an authentic chord.
Harrison's illustrations, however, are wonderful. Rendered in acrylic paint on Bristol board, they are true to the text. The personality of each of the characters is accurately depicted, and the variation of sizes adds emphasis to both the illustrations and the text. Children will feel all of Rupert's emotions as they engage with Harrison's art throughout the story.
Libraries and readers are likely to find this title forgettable, and would be better off choosing Tammi Sauer's But the Bear Came Back.
August 6, 2018
Rupert likes reading, classical music and eating cucumber sandwiches. Levi likes corny jokes, armpit farts and popping wheelies. Is it possible that they could ever have a symbiotic relationship? After all, Rupert is a rhino and Levi is a tickbird. “He just showed up on day, and sat on my nose, and now I’m stuck with him.” symbiosis: 1. A close association of animals or plants of a different species that is often, but not always, of mutual benefit.
Rupert can only take so much of Levi’s embarrassing antics and then tries to get rid of him, finally telling Levi directly that he wants to be alone. “Sorry, Rupert. I just thought you looked like you could use a friend.” But after Levi leaves, things aren’t the same. It seems that Levi was right and Rupert did need a friend. So, he seeks out Levi to apologize. symbiosis: 2. The relationship between two different kinds of living things that live together and depend on each other.
Adorable illustrations and an important message. A definite addition to my library.
Rupert can only take so much of Levi’s embarrassing antics and then tries to get rid of him, finally telling Levi directly that he wants to be alone. “Sorry, Rupert. I just thought you looked like you could use a friend.” But after Levi leaves, things aren’t the same. It seems that Levi was right and Rupert did need a friend. So, he seeks out Levi to apologize. symbiosis: 2. The relationship between two different kinds of living things that live together and depend on each other.
Adorable illustrations and an important message. A definite addition to my library.
March 22, 2018
My review: From my adult eyes, this is one of the better children's books. First of all, it is beautifully illustrated and the animal paintings are really wonderful. I've noticed the high quality pictures in all of Hannah's books. The story itself has a great message-- while there may be things that annoy us in our friends, if they are good friends, it's important to keep those friends even if we don't realize it at the time. While Levi, the bird, seems like an atypical friend, he is loyal, and literally sticks to Levi as a tick bird. Plus, he helps Rupert by keeping those itchy ticks off of him! Some of the definitions and ideas were over Olivia's head and I think will be for other toddlers, but this book will definitely grow with them.
My Toddler's review: My favorite character is the bird. He's silly. It's important to be a good friend. My favorite page is where Rupert spins around and throws up in the garbage can.
My Toddler's review: My favorite character is the bird. He's silly. It's important to be a good friend. My favorite page is where Rupert spins around and throws up in the garbage can.
August 3, 2018
Summary
Rupert is a rhinoceros of refined sensibilities. Levi, the new tickbird in class, is not. He burps the alphabet, tells corny jokes, and does really embarrassing air guitar solos. Worse, he lands right on Rupert and is determined to be Rupert's symbiotic best pal! Rupert wants him gone. But when Levi finally does bug off, Rupert finds the peace and quiet a little boring. It turns out, Rupert could really use a friend like Levi. This sweet and moving friendship story shares an important message of acceptance for every reader-whether they're a Rupert or a Levi.
Subject: Best friends -- Juvenile fiction.
Friendship -- Juvenile fiction.
Individuality -- Juvenile fiction.
Birds -- Juvenile fiction.
Rhinoceroses -- Juvenile fiction.
Notes
Hannah Harrison is an award-winning illustrator whose first book, Extraordinary Jane , received three starred reviews and was a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year. She lives with her family in Oklahoma.
Rupert is a rhinoceros of refined sensibilities. Levi, the new tickbird in class, is not. He burps the alphabet, tells corny jokes, and does really embarrassing air guitar solos. Worse, he lands right on Rupert and is determined to be Rupert's symbiotic best pal! Rupert wants him gone. But when Levi finally does bug off, Rupert finds the peace and quiet a little boring. It turns out, Rupert could really use a friend like Levi. This sweet and moving friendship story shares an important message of acceptance for every reader-whether they're a Rupert or a Levi.
Subject: Best friends -- Juvenile fiction.
Friendship -- Juvenile fiction.
Individuality -- Juvenile fiction.
Birds -- Juvenile fiction.
Rhinoceroses -- Juvenile fiction.
Notes
Hannah Harrison is an award-winning illustrator whose first book, Extraordinary Jane , received three starred reviews and was a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year. She lives with her family in Oklahoma.
April 25, 2018
Harrison, Hannah E. Friends Stick Together, illustrated by Hannah E. Harrison. PICTURE BOOK. Dial Books (Penguin Random House), 2018. $16. 9780399186653.
Rupert is a literature and music loving Rhino. When a newcomer, Levi, comes to class, he sidles up to Rupert and attaches himself to him. The refined Rupert does not appreciate Levi’s brashness and asks him to leave. Rupert learns a valuable lesson at this point.
Hannah Harrison uses two definitions of symbiosis to tell the beautifully illustrated story about unlikely friendships and the symbiotic relationships in the universe. A delightful read for any age.
EL(K-3) - ESSENTIAL. MOMMAC
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
Rupert is a literature and music loving Rhino. When a newcomer, Levi, comes to class, he sidles up to Rupert and attaches himself to him. The refined Rupert does not appreciate Levi’s brashness and asks him to leave. Rupert learns a valuable lesson at this point.
Hannah Harrison uses two definitions of symbiosis to tell the beautifully illustrated story about unlikely friendships and the symbiotic relationships in the universe. A delightful read for any age.
EL(K-3) - ESSENTIAL. MOMMAC
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
February 4, 2026
When a kid quotes a book back to you, you know it was a hit.
That's what happened after reading this friend story to our five-year-old grand. Certain lines have been coming up over and over.
Like this one from lunch (Rupert the Rhino with his friend Levi the Tickbird):
"Yummy! Tastes like chicken!"
"Just kidding, tastes like tick!"
This book is hilarious! So many great sound effects for Levi's antics. He is a character. Rupert feels a bit overwhelmed, but then gets to experience life without Levi. It is very itchy! 🦏
Don't worry. There's a happy ending.🤗
With a humorous story and Hannah E. Harrison's gorgeously detailed illustrations, you can believe this will be a hit with your preschool friends, too.😂
That's what happened after reading this friend story to our five-year-old grand. Certain lines have been coming up over and over.
Like this one from lunch (Rupert the Rhino with his friend Levi the Tickbird):
"Yummy! Tastes like chicken!"
"Just kidding, tastes like tick!"
This book is hilarious! So many great sound effects for Levi's antics. He is a character. Rupert feels a bit overwhelmed, but then gets to experience life without Levi. It is very itchy! 🦏
Don't worry. There's a happy ending.🤗
With a humorous story and Hannah E. Harrison's gorgeously detailed illustrations, you can believe this will be a hit with your preschool friends, too.😂
June 29, 2021
The page that reveals why a tickbird is named that is hilarious. It's an old theme about complementary personalities making for better friends, but the art makes me smile so big* and the vocabulary word at the end makes it well worth reading. And there are other fun details, like the knock-knock joke. Also I liked the less familiar animals. Do you know any other books about a tickbird? I have a vague memory of a rhino showing up in a few jungle themed books, but not as the main character....
*despite the fact that I normally do not like animals depicted as wearing clothes.
*despite the fact that I normally do not like animals depicted as wearing clothes.
May 14, 2018
Rupert is a dictionary reading, classical music playing, crustless bread eating rhino who also happens to be a little slow and clumsy. When a joke telling, armpit farting, air guitar playing tickbird arrives at school and attaches himself to Rupert, a symbiotic relationship is formed. Rupert is embarrassed by Levi's antics and tells him they cannot be friends. However, Rupert quickly realizes that he kind of misses that annoying little tickbird and goes to Levi's house to apologize. Looks like a symbiotic relationship benefits everyone involved.
January 21, 2019
Hanna E. Harrison's beautiful illustrations will enchant readers, young and old. Rupert is a finicky and particular rhinoceros who has a "tick-bird" named Levi for a friend. They couldn't be more different. The jokes, the expressions, the Shakespeare references and yes, even the farts and burps will entertain the youngest readers! As an elementary school librarian, I am delighted to see these animal characters in a music class, at recess playing dodgeball, in gym class and even using a dictionary! So many curriculum connections in just one book! Bravo!
May 6, 2018
Friendships come in unusual places. Rhino discovers this at school when he meets a bird who has decided to be his friend. They are very different - classical and rock music for one, and Rhino decides to get rid of this bird.
He realizes he misses him and finds him to apologize. Together, they find compromises and ways to get along.
Love the author provided definitions at the beginning and end of the book.
He realizes he misses him and finds him to apologize. Together, they find compromises and ways to get along.
Love the author provided definitions at the beginning and end of the book.
June 13, 2018
Not sure how I feel about this one. I like the concept and the illustrations are great, but the wording of the story itself doesn't really appeal to me. I know that the point is to use big, unfamiliar words, because Rupert likes reading the dictionary, but I'm not sure how it would go over with kids, and it seems a little annoying and obnoxious to me. Meh. 6+
August 26, 2018
Friends Stick Together is such a perfect beginning of year story for back to school. We meet Rupert, the rhino who meets Levi, a tickbird who attaches himself to Levi everyday, all day. Levi wears out his welcome and Rupert soon realizes that he might have been mistaken in asking Levi to leave him alone. A very special story about friendship!
September 14, 2018
Hilarious! Superbly crafted illustrations of two most unlikely friends who learn the meaning of friendship and the definition of symbiosis through laugh-out-loud-to-the-point-of-tears situations. Everyone knows that rhinos are bibliophiles, but who knew that tickbirds have such a wicked sense of humor?
December 29, 2018
Distance and decades do not weaken the bond between them. Unexpected circumstances do not deter these individuals. Strength, courage and good fortune are offered in the face of weakness, fear and adversity. They tend to place others first and themselves second.
Friends appear when they are least expected and most needed. They know us better than we know ourselves. In the following three volumes published in 2018, friends come in all shapes and sizes.
Friends Stick Together (Dial Books for Young Readers, April 10, 2018) written and illustrated by Hannah E. Harrison (Extraordinary Jane and Bernice Gets Carried Away) is a classic case of the attraction of opposites. What's one to do when another wishes you would disappear? You don't give up.
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
Friends appear when they are least expected and most needed. They know us better than we know ourselves. In the following three volumes published in 2018, friends come in all shapes and sizes.
Friends Stick Together (Dial Books for Young Readers, April 10, 2018) written and illustrated by Hannah E. Harrison (Extraordinary Jane and Bernice Gets Carried Away) is a classic case of the attraction of opposites. What's one to do when another wishes you would disappear? You don't give up.
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
September 1, 2019
The illustrations are adorable and the first thing I loved about this book. Rupert a young rhino finds he has a tickbird, Levi, for a friend. Levi is about opposite quiet and refined Rupert. But when he tells Levi he doesn't want to be friends anymore will he miss more than Levi eating his ticks and save him from scratching? A cute story about finding and appreciating friends.
February 11, 2020
Great idea to use two animals that in the wild really need each other but here they are in a comical relationship but the message still comes through. Great big words for little children so an opportunity to learn something new. I was once told by an agent that extraordinaire was too big a word for a picture book - in this book you have many more than that and it's a good thing!
June 26, 2021
You've read this before. Boisterous new friend irritates protagonist. Protagonist lashes out. Friend disappears. Protagonist misses them.
I like the setup of this. The rhino and the tickbird as friends. The odd-couple setup, with the rhino being straight-laced and the tickbird being out there. And the art is pretty good. But I would havd liked a less generic story.
I like the setup of this. The rhino and the tickbird as friends. The odd-couple setup, with the rhino being straight-laced and the tickbird being out there. And the art is pretty good. But I would havd liked a less generic story.
January 25, 2022
The art's great, the story generic at best. The big words will I think just confuse kids young enough to enjoy the goofy bits. (Anyone feel like it's a questionable ongoing theme to have a 'friend' who ignores boundaries then be missed and begged back? It just strikes me as off, like all the hug books that ignore consent and make only mean people not want hugs...)
February 18, 2022
A wonderful story with amazing illustrations! The kids loved it! The story follows Rupert, the rhinoceros, who is quiet and refined and the new kid Levi, the tickbird, who is very loud and silly. Levi picks Rupert right away as his friend but does Rupert really want Levi as his friend? No spoilers. I highly recommend this book to kids of all ages.
April 13, 2023
This book is great for teaching children about friendships and why they are so important. It follows two animals, a rhinoceros and a tickbird, who are complete opposites. Rupert the rhino gets upset with how loud and noisy Levi the tickbird is, and once he tells Levi, Levi becomes upset. However, once Rupert realizes Levi was super fun, they make amends and become friends again!
April 27, 2023
Another wonderful book by Hannah E. Harrison about friendship! I especially loved the use of the dictionary entry for friendship in the story and added dictionary entry for symbiosis. Blending fun storytelling with non-fiction!
The characters were wonderfully created and the story was fun! I would love to add this to a storytime in the future.
The characters were wonderfully created and the story was fun! I would love to add this to a storytime in the future.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews