With a Little Help from My Friends

August 19, 2019
In this picture book adaptation of the popular Beatles song, two shrinking violets find friendship through a shared tune. Once connected, they are inseparable, forming a bond through simple seasonal activities—ice skating (“I get by with a little help from my friends”), for example, and flying kites (“I get high with a little help from my friends”). When faced with the difficult news that one friend is moving, the children, one black and one white, are devastated (“Are you sad because you’re on your own?”). The pining friends keep their companionship strong via phone calls, letters, and an eventual reunion in a dreamy, illuminated tree house. Cole’s largely black-and-white illustrations are rendered with scratchy ink lines and occasional splashes of color. A sweet, songful ode to lasting friendships. Ages 4–8.

September 15, 2019
The lyrics of the classic Beatles song accompany an illustrated story in Cole's (Spot & Dot, 2019) latest creation. Two children sit near the front of their school bus, on opposite sides of the aisle, looking wistfully out their respective windows, while the crowd of kids in the back of the bus chat and laugh together. As the children exit the school bus, the two hang back from the crowd. At lunch, they notice each other; at recess, the blond, white child plays a guitar while the puffy-haired, darker-hued child watches, smiling. By the next spread, they are singing together in a bedroom and have developed a warm friendship. But soon, the blond child must move away, and each is alone again. They manage their loneliness with letters and phone calls, and, finally, they prepare for what becomes a spectacular visit. Most of the world is drawn in black and white, with touches of color to highlight the main characters and their connection; blue skies dominate the final spreads. Cole's detailed style effectively creates a busy world in which individuals seek the comfort of friendship. The lyrics only loosely connect to the pictures, and parts of the text may seem obscure to children unfamiliar with the song. Adult readers will likely be happy to share the classic with children, though, and the visual story is strong enough to carry at least a full reading. The authors' names will sell it, but it's the pictures that sing. (Picture book. 4-8)

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November 1, 2019

PreS-Gr 2-A young girl heads off to school alone with her guitar, but soon makes a new friend in this picture book adaptation of the classic Beatles song of the same title. The girls quickly form a lasting friendship until one moves away. Although they miss each other, the two continue to maintain their friendship through letters, phone calls, and shared artwork, and eventually have the opportunity to reconnect in person. All of this is clearly told through Cole's endearing line illustrations, and in fact could have been presented as a wordless picture book. However, the classic Beatles lyrics effectively enhance the story. VERDICT This is a lovely friendship tale that will be enjoyed by both young readers who already have best friends and those hoping to find a best friend of their own. Recommended for general purchase.-Jessica Marie, Salem Public Library, OR

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