The Blessings of Friendship Treasury

by Mary Engelbreit

Overview

The Blessings of Friendship, created by New York Times bestselling author and artist Mary Engelbreit, is a playful and poignant treasury of poetry, Bible verses, and quotes that celebrate the joy of friendship. Children will learn from timeless sayings and poems what it means to be a friend—helping, encouraging, listening, sharing with, and loving one another. Colorful and whimsical illustrations bring these words to life, as children learn the value of friendship. Verses from the Bible give us instruction on putting others above ourselves, loving each other, and being kind to one another. This book will make you smile with each turn of the page, remembering old friends and new friends alike.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780310745099
Publisher:	Zonderkidz
Publication date:	08/05/2014
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	8.60(w) x 11.20(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Mary Engelbreit grew up studying the illustrations in the vintage storybooks of her mother’s own childhood, and she developed a unique style that harkens back to those simpler times. Mary’s distinctive images have made her a celebrity to millions, who eagerly snap up gift items, calendars, books, fabrics, and more. Mary’s dearest wish has always been to illustrate for children. Her New York Times bestselling The Night Before Christmas is already part of the holiday tradition for families across the country.

Editorial Reviews

09/01/2014
K-Gr 2—This treasury includes poems, famous quotes, and proverbs about friendship. Engelbreit's vintage, sewing-sampler illustration style lends itself well to this collection's theme, but not its intended audience. While each page could stand alone as framed artwork for fans of saccharine, flower-filled fodder, the work lacks appeal for picture book readers. Children will lose interest without anything more than the friendship theme tying the pages together. The quotes are from famous literary figures or the Bible or are listed as anonymous and likely will not resonate with young readers. For instance, a quote attributed to George Eliot reads, "Animals are such agreeable friends—they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms." School and public library collections will want to use their limited resources on more enticing collections.—Jenna Boles, Greene County Public Library, Beavercreek, OH

School Library Journal

2014-05-28
A collection of short poems and quotations about friendship is illustrated by Engelbreit in her immediately recognizable style with sweetly smiling children, decorated borders and fanciful flowers.The quotations include brief thoughts on friendship from literary giants such as Shakespeare, Longfellow, Thoreau and Yeats, as well as several anonymous but familiar sayings, such as “The only way to have a friend is to be one.” Contemporary selections include Shel Silverstein’s “Hug o’ War” and the text to the old camp song, “Make New Friends.” Several Bible verses pertaining to love and friendship are also included. Many pages are full-sized illustrations with the quotation worked into the picture, while other pages include several short quotes with spot illustrations or decorated initial capitals. Though most of the cherubs depicted are white, children of multiple ethnicities are included in some illustrations, and one picture shows a little girl walking alongside her friend, who uses a wheelchair. Though the collection doesn’t really explore any new territory and Engelbreit’s worldview is determinedly cheerful, this will appeal to the artist’s legions of fans and is an obvious choice for the gift market.The cheerful, nostalgic flavor of Engelbreit’s illustrations may be more appealing to adults than to children, but the quotations express worthy values to pass along to the young. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews