The Friendly Book

As a child, this was one of my favorite books. I loved Margaret Wise Brown's simple singsong verse and Garth Williams' gentle, amusing illustrations. Over half a century and it stands the test of time and toddler. As a library assistant I just read it at storytime and all the little wigglers were kept at attention. As a grandmother I'd like to get new copies for all the new little people in my life. Alas, it's out of print. I'll order the used ones, but let's bring back this classic.

Kids even as young as first grade, can use this as a model for writing their OWN book. I LIKE....is the bones, and the lists and loosely rhymed examples are the flesh. And no matter whether a kid wants to write about cars or cuttlefish, they ought to end up with I LIKE PEOPLE...to keep the friendly book pattern intact.

I LOVED this book as a child. The pictures by Garth Williams are so lovingly rendered. I can recall each image with amazing detail (obviously I poured over this book often!).Since it's been out of print, I would search used book stores - pawing through their inevitable stack of old Golden Books. I found one several years ago in college that I promptly sent to my then toddler sister. I continued to look for another copy to keep for my own children someday. Alas, to no avail.Last year a treasury of Garth Williams illustrated books was released, and I promptly bought a copy for my 1-year old daughter. I'm thrilled that the original book has been re-released - better for small hands. I strongly recommend this book for young children (birth & up). You will not be disappointed!

The Friendly Book is the reprint of a "Big Little Golden Book" classic written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Garth Williams. Of special note is the way the alliterative, repetitive, and entertaining text of The Friendly Book is so useful in helping children ages 2 to 5 to simultaneously built vocabulary and reading skills. Also very highly recommended are two other newly reprinted Gold Books classics: K. & B. Jackson and Gustaf Tenggren's The Saggy Baggy Elephant (0375-825908, ...) and Tibor Gergely's The Great Big Fire Engine (0307103218,...).