Who Needs Friends?

by Jia Liu, Jia Liu (Illustrator)

Overview

The story of a little owl who’s ready to make his first friends—but it’s going to take some practice!

Little Merlin the owl is so eager to make friends and tell them all about himself, that he neglects to think about what they want. After a few false starts with no success, he decides he will give up—after all, who really needs friends? Fortunately, though, Merlin then meets someone who is good at making friends. Who shows him that friendship is a fun give-and-take. Young children experiencing the ups and downs of first friendships will relate to Merlin’s plight and enjoy his funny friend-making tips—and even grown-ups will appreciate the gentle reminders to “share your worms” and “listen as much as you squawk!”

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781984813695
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	06/13/2023
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Jia Liu (jia-liu.com) has illustrated numerous picture books, including Bugs in Danger (by Mark Kurlansky), Bedtime for Beasties (by Leslie Staub), Terrific Tongues! (by Maria Gianferrari), the Arithmechicks series (by Ann Marie Stephens), and the What Shapes Our Earth? series (by Nadia Higgins). Who Needs Friends? is her first book as both author and illustrator. She works with many different media and enjoys bringing playfulness and humor into her work. She also teaches art at the Maryland Institute College of Art and Towson University.

Editorial Reviews

Will arouse empathy and is worth sharing with youngsters spreading their own wings and feeling uncertain about developing social relationships. The guide to making friends at the end of the book will reassure children as well. The illustrations, rendered in ink, colored pencil, and digital collage, are bright, lively, and expressive; Merlin is a feisty character. Whoo needs friends? Tips from this owl protagonist may help children learn how to make them.” —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2023-03-29
Even a wise owl has plenty to learn.

Merlin the owl searches for potential friends in the woods. Attempting to join several flocks of birds, i.e., butting into their conversations without invitation, the owl brags brazenly (“I tell the best stories!”). The others don’t give a hoot and fly away. Alone, Merlin proclaims, “I DON’T NEED FRIENDS!” and tries to make a case for why friends are a drawback: They’re noisy, Merlin dislikes sharing, and flying alone affords “true freedom.” Of course, friends do provide comfort in a rainstorm…and rain brings out “juicy worms.” Said worms set the stage for a friendship story in which Merlin discovers that niceties such as helping, offering compliments, taking an interest in others, and even telling a joke can help forge bonds with others. This cute, gently humorous tale’s ending feels rushed and doesn’t add anything new to the crowded field of making-friends stories. However, it will arouse empathy and is worth sharing with youngsters spreading their own wings and feeling uncertain about developing social relationships. The guide to making friends at the end of the book will reassure children as well. The illustrations, rendered in ink, colored pencil, and digital collage, are bright, lively, and expressive; Merlin is a feisty character. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Whoo needs friends? Tips from this owl protagonist may help children learn how to make them. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews