That's What Friends Are for

I have loved this book ever since I was a child! After years of searching for it for my own children I was ecstatic to finally find it was reprinted. My kids now love it & I have just ordered a few copies to give to family & friends.

"That's What Friends Are For" is a picture book written by Florence Parry Heide and Sylvia Van Clief, with illustrations by Holly Meade. In "That's What Friends Are For," an elephant named Theodore hurt his leg and can't walk. This is a big problem for him, as he was going to go meet his cousin, but he can't do that if he can't walk. He decides to ask his friends for help and his friends have plenty of ideas for help --- they give him advice! Whether or not any of this advice is helpful is another matter. For example, his friend who's a crab tells him that if his leg was hurt, he would cut it off and grow a new one. But Theodore can't grow a new leg. In the end, Theodore's friends discover the perfect way to help him. The illustrations are sweet and pleasing. The characters look kind of like stuffed animals. A compelling tale about friendship.

Out of my 15,000+ personal library of children's literature, it ranks in the top five and has for over 30 years. It used predictability and repitition - before they were "developmentally appropriate" for engaging young readers! I share it with all age levels from kindergarten to senior citizens - because that's what friends are for!

This has been one of my most favorite books since I was a young person. I have used it to teach in church and in college. It carries such a wonderful and timeless lesson - the joy of service. A must for any collection.