Barba, Ale. When Your Elephant Comes To Play. illus. by Ale Barba. 32p. Philomel. Apr. 2016. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780399163128. 

PreS-Gr 1–Friendship, tolerance, and diversity are at the heart of this lively picture book. On Wednesdays, a boy’s friend Prudence, an elephant, comes to play. Readers see how certain situations are difficult to maneuver with an elephant in the house, including jumping on one’s bed or eating warm chocolate cake. However, the child revels in the companionship and shows that elephants do give wonderful hugs. The last page of the story gives a preview of another friend, who is coming to play on Thursday. On a deeper level, this book shows that it is sometimes necessary to be patient with friends, no matter their differences or how hard it can be to accommodate special needs. The main theme is that love and friendship are ultimately the most important things. The text is rich with new words for building vocabulary, and the illustrations are simple, if a bit abstract. They are still fun and help to move the story. VERDICT A tender addition about differences and friendship that young children should enjoy.–Shannan Hicks, J.S. Clark Elementary School Library, LA

Farish, Terry. Joseph’s Big Ride. illus. by Ken Daley. 32p. Annick. Apr. 2016. Tr $17.95. ISBN 9781554518067. 

K-Gr 2–Joseph has made a long journey from a refugee camp in Kenya to America. After traveling with his mother, he finds himself in a place he doesn’t understand. Surrounded by a new world, Joseph tries to find familiar things and friendly faces. He discovers both when a girl he later nicknames “Whoosh” flies by on her bicycle, her dark skin matching his but her long, curly hair dominating the view. “Are you going to my school?” Whoosh calls. She points, and he sees a building that’s long like a river. But his mind is on the bike. He will go to school, he decides, because the bike is going there. This sweet and simple tale shows that even when you are transported to a different world, some things never change. Farish captures the normalcy of the day in a life of a refugee child. The narrative, which focuses on building a friendship, is paired with Daley’s vibrant illustrations, which depict just how fast the minds, and bikes, of young children can go. VERDICT An ideal addition to most collections, especially those that want to highlight topics of friendship, inclusion, and an immigrant perspective.–Megan Egbert, Meridian Library District, ID

Portis, Antoinette. Best Frints in the Whole Universe. illus. by Antoinette Portis. 40p. Roaring Brook/Neal Porter Bks. Jul. 2016. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781626721364. 

K-Gr 2–Employing eye-catching imagery and space lingo that will have children and their adults giggling, Portis emphasizes that friendship can be tricky yet rewarding. Yelfred and Omek, residents of the planet Boborp, have been pals (or “frints”) since they were young. Though these two buddies love to engage in a variety of activities together (they give out “blurfday” gifts, play games such as “eye ball in the peedle pit”—which consists of flinging an eyeball through a sea of gaping maws—and eat “yunch”), they are quick to anger (which never happens on Earth, the author wryly points out). Yelfred and Omek’s interactions do turn a bit rough (harsh words are exchanged, and a tail is gnawed off), but “frintship” prevails in the end. Portis has crafted a witty and energetic work that will appeal to children’s sense of fun. There’s a Tim Burton–esque feel to the zany, dramatic illustrations—Yelfred and Omek are spherical creatures with antennae, tails, clawlike arms and legs, and pointy “teef”)—but also an adorable factor that will endear them to readers. Saturated colors, textured backgrounds, and a pared-down design, full of thick outlines and simple shapes, are ideal for the title’s intended audience. These easily vexed alien pals capture the emotional ups and downs that children experience, and Portis’s creative take adds a fun twist on a well-trod topic. VERDICT Those seeking materials on friendship, especially for storytimes, should add this wonderfully wacky take on the subject.–Mahnaz Dar, School Library Journal

Stinson, Kathy. Harry and Walter. illus. by Qin Leng. 32p. Annick. Mar. 2016. Tr $18.95. ISBN 9781554518029. 

PreS-Gr 1–Harry and Walter live next door to each other and are best buds. They play croquet, garden tomatoes, jump in autumn leaves, and make paper airplanes. The only unusual aspect of their friendship is that Harry is four and Walter is 92. When Harry has to move away, he is heartbroken and lonely in his new house without his pal. Luckily, two years later Walter moves into an apartment building up the street and the pair resume their friendship. Leng’s airy cartoony illustrations are slightly reminiscent of James Stevenson’s, their dynamic black outlines deftly capturing the gamut of emotions of the duo’s bond. VERDICT A sweet and tender story that shows age difference is no detriment to true friendship. A good choice to share with a small group or for one-on-one enjoyment.–Yelena Alekseyeva-Popova, formerly at Chappaqua Library, NY

These reviews were published in the School Library Journal  May 2016 issue.