Reviews for My new friend is so fun!
Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Can Gerald and Piggie's friendship withstand the friendly overtures of Brian Bat?When Snake informs Gerald that Piggie is playing with Brian Bat, he is at first complacent. Brian is "nice," he observes; Snake concursafter all, he says, "Brian is my Best Friend!" Their mutual reflection that Piggie and Brian "must be having a super-duper fun time!" turns, however, to paranoia when they realize that if their best pals "are having that much fun together, then / maybe they do not need us" (that last is printed in teeny-tiny, utterly demoralized type). Gerald and Snake dash/slither to put an end to the fun. Their fears are confirmed when the two new buddies tell them they have "been playing BEST FRIEND GAMES!"which, it turns out, means making drawings of their respective best friends, Gerald and Snake. Awww. While the buildup to the friends' confrontation is characteristically funny, there's a certain feeling of anticlimax to the story's resolution. How many young children, when playing with a new friend, are likely to spend their time thinking of the friends that they are not playing with? This is unfortunate, as the emotions that Gerald and Snake experience are realistic and profound, deserving of more than a platitudinous, unrealistic response.Everything that readers have come to love about the Elephant Piggie books is presentmasterful pacing, easy-to-follow, color-coded speech bubbles, hilarious body languageexcept an emotionally satisfying ending. (Early reader. 6-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
School Library Journal
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
PreS-Gr 1-What is friendship? Gerald reveals his pessimistic thoughts when he explores the "what ifs" as Snake tells him about their best friends' blissful discovery of each other. All is joy at first-Piggie and Brian Bat are perfect playmates, and the really fun time becomes a super-fun time. Unfortunately, Gerald becomes convinced that he and Snake are losing their best friends, and the resulting insecurities crowd out all positive thoughts: "'We must do something! We must tell them to stop having fun!'" Piggie and Brian are even playing BEST FRIEND GAMES! Speech bubbles; clearly drawn, simple line drawings; and easily visible facial expressions all provide clues to the inner thoughts of these pals. Gerald worries, while Piggie channels his adventurous side and forges ahead. Another forte for the unlikely pair-text repetition and diversity of font emphasize an overblown situation with a simple solution that demonstrates trusted friendships are not easily erased. A must-buy for "Elephant & Piggie" fans.-Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano ISD, TX (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.
Gerald runs into Snake, and the two engage in casual conversation. As it happens, Piggie (Gerald's best friend, you remember) is hanging out with Brian Bat, Snake's best friend. At first, Gerald and Snake are pleased that such nice creatures are having fun, but in no time, the two work themselves up into a (rather typical) lather, worrying that Piggie and Brian will become best friends with each other, leaving Gerald and Snake behind. Of course, such worry is folly all the while, Piggie and Brian are extolling the virtues of their current besties and the story ends with everyone's social circle enhanced. All of the requisite Elephant and Piggie elements are here, with expressive type size, colored word balloons (which now include green and brown in addition to the traditional gray and pink), apoplectic bedlam, and warm resolution. Elephant and Piggie's many friends will welcome these two new characters into the fold.--Barthelmess, Thom Copyright 2010 Booklist
Horn Book
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Gerald and Snake realize their best friends, Piggie and Brian Bat respectively, are playing together for the first time. This leads Gerald and Snake to worry that their friends won't need them anymore, but their fears are allayed in the heartwarming ending. Willems's animated illustration style captures each lovable character's emotions and his series continues to tackle universal friendship scenarios. (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
