Books Make Good Friends

K-Gr 2–An introvert at heart, Lotti, a pale-skinned girl with cropped yellow hair and round glasses, prefers the company of books to people. As the playground wallflower, fictional friends entertain Lotti while she keenly observes classmates from afar. Even interacting with her mom, dad, and little brother can be overwhelming. However, a family forest hike proves pivotal when Lotti’s mom gives her the book The Wondrous Workings of Planet Earth. Devouring its contents, Lotti begins to notice that the fascinating plants and animals from the pages of her book surround her in the forest. Suddenly, reading for escapism transforms into reading for connection with the world around her. As Lotti’s curiosity piques, she wonders if stories can also help her foster relationships with the people in her life. Mount’s ambitious picture book is part story, part journal, and part reader’s advisory. The first-person narrative supported with journal-like side commentary conjures memories of Marissa Moss’s "Amelia’s Notebook" series. Book spine art offers an abundance of recommended titles for a range of reading levels. Many are aimed at middle grade audiences instead of the picture book audience. Though evergreen titles are incorporated into Lotti’s recommendations, there is a risk that the book will become dated. Mixed media illustrations rendered using gouache, ink, gel pens, and digital effects feel a bit rigid, but are vibrantly colored and expand on the text with extensive visual information.