Buddy's New Buddy

by Christina Geist, Tim Bowers (Illustrator)

The newest picture book in the New York Times bestselling Buddy series is about being yourself through-and-through while going back to school and trying to make new buddies!

After Buddy's best friend moves away, he doesn't know what to do: Who will he high five at school? Who will he play robo chargers with at lunch? Who will be his field trip partner?

Buddy feels he has nothing in common with anyone.... Until a new student shows up who might just be a buddy in the making! And best of all: Buddy can be completely himself with her.

This third book in New York Times bestselling author Christina Geist's heartwarming and humorous series explores evergreen social-emotional themes like authenticity and friendship-building--right in time for back-to-school season.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, School

40 pages, Hardcover

First published July 12, 2022

Reviews

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Christina Geistand artist Tim Bowers are at it again, teaming up to write a fabulously entertaining-and-helpful picture book.

GREAT ADVICE HERE ON HOW TO MAKE A NEW FRIEND...

I am so thrilled to review this awesome book and maybe help spread the word.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Buddy's best friend moves across town, he worries if he will be able to find and make a new friend who has the same interests as he does. When he arrives at school, things seem hopeless until he meets a new class mate, and they hit if off.

[A. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my jam. I haven't read others in the series but the names (sister = Lady; teacher = Mr. Teacher) were jarring and this didn't bring much new to the 'my best friend moved away' genre.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Featuring digital illustrations created with Photoshop, this picture book might help some youngsters deal with the challenges associated with friendship. After Buddy's best friend moves across town, Buddy feels lost and lonely. After all, the two of them shared many pastimes and had so much in common. Although he knows that he can see his friend occasionally, he takes small comfort in that since it won't be every day. His big sister, Lady, suggests that he find someone else at school with whom he shares interests. At first, there is no one, but after Buddy meets Sunny, a transfer student, and gets to know her, he realizes that she just might fit the bill. As it turns out, the two share many interests and characteristics, and Buddy no longer feels so lonely. While I enjoyed the story and find it relatable to many youngsters, the letter that the two write to their teacher seemed a bit awkward and unnecessary. Surely, Mr. Teacher would have noticed that the two were connecting and would have assigned them as partners for the field trip. This is the third title in the Buddy series. Surely, many students will see themselves in Buddy and take comfort in the realization that a new friend might be just around the corner. Plus, the story gives a nod to the wisdom of older siblings.

[Zibby Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Buddy's friend moves across town, Buddy doesn't know what to do. After all, across town might as well be all the way across the world when you're a small person. We see Buddy looking out the window at the moving van across the street as his best buddy leaves. Now, Buddy is sad. He has no friends and feels like he won't make any new friends. But soon, he meets Sunny, and Buddy realizes that new friends are just as good as old ones. A great back-to-school book.

This book is about being yourself when you return to school and try making new friends. His very helpful big sister, Lady, and we see a wonderful sibling relationship. She even sketches a drawing of all the things Buddy might have in common with someone, his favorite cookies, karate, or the game he likes to play, Robo Chargers. The illustrations are excellent.

To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://www.momsdonthavetimetoreadboo...

[Read Ribbet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geist's latest book after Buddy' Bedtime Battery is Buddy's New Buddy. This easily relatable story tells what Buddy needed to do after his best friend moves across town. With strategic help from his sister, Buddy discovers that he and the new student have a lot in common. Buddy befriends Sunny and his worries about who will be his buddy on the field trip are resolved. This is a good classroom book to have when readers share similar concerns. The book includes a letter that the new buddies write to their teacher to model how to use writing as a request.

[Anabella (anabellasbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a cute story for children to motivate them to find new more real friends and searching them but the little things they have in common and not their differences.

Loved the illustrations that are full painted.

Thanks to @penguinrandomhouse for the book copy 😍

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sister is named Lady and teach is named Mr. Teacher? Strange and very unoriginal. This reminds me of a parent trying to come up with a story on the spot for their kid at bedtime.

[SamSamSam · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was actually pretty good. Something about the sister being called "Lady" really rubbed me wrong.

[Jesse Jester · Rating 2 out of 5]

The concept is right, but the execution is a little off. My preschoolers didn't seem terribly interested in how it played out. I think this book would read better for kids in the middle grades.