Buddy’s New Buddy

K-Gr 2–This third book featuring Buddy tackles losing a friend and the path to finding a new one. When Buddy’s best friend moves across town, he is sad. He knows they can visit, but it won’t be the same. Buddy worries about having long, lonely days at school or on an upcoming field trip to the natural history museum. Buddy’s sister tells him that to find a new friend he just needs to find someone with common interests, but he doesn’t have any luck until a new student arrives from across town. When Buddy asks Sunny to be his field trip buddy, their friendship is sealed. Bower’s crisp, digital illustrations ground Geist’s expansive text and give it life. A cheerful mix of animated spreads and panels with plenty of color, expression, and energy are instantly engaging. The characters range in skin color from white to dark brown. Buddy is white with blonde hair, and Sunny is Black with tight curls.