Instead of showing the characters against grand vistas and views, the illustrations are hyper-focused on these “fuzzy friends” trying to navigate the perils that can come with new friends.Īn aspect of the characters that really stands out to me is their expressions. Like the previous books in the series, this is very much a character study with minimal backgrounds and as-needed props.

The story is simple, and the illustrations complement that simplicity well. Adult readers, in particular, will appreciate the lesson on friendship and inclusion.įriendship and empathy are at the heart of Anna Kang and Christopher Weyant’s endearing We Are (Not) Friends, which tells the story of three friends who each feel left out at some point or another during their playdate. While I’m still a bit more taken by You Are (Not) Small, this latest book is a worthy addition to the series and will likely please many readers, big AND small alike. Part of the fun, as well, is the delightful sound effects such as WHUMP, ERGG, OOPH, and BONK that dovetail with Weyant’s comedic visuals. The sparse text doesn’t get in the way of telling an important, vital story that showcases how friends–old and new–can get along if the idea of what friendship means is re-examined and re-imagined. What’s the left-out fellow to do when the other two are having fun without them? Whether it’s playing at being dinosaur hunters or pretending to build a car, someone is on the outs each time. So many of the fun things this new trio of “friends” wants to try are best suited for two, such as a dancing duet.

See where this is going? Welcome to the world of playdate–and friendship–politics. The two of them are engaged in a terrific playdate with a cool trunk of fun stuff, and suddenly a new (blue) pal arrives, asking: “Can I play with you?” We Are (Not) Friends is the fourth book in the You Are (Not) Small series, and the same fuzzy pals we’ve come to know from the other titles are here again with a new problem. Van Cleave (#1 Friend at Only Picture Books) and Ringling College of Art and Design Illustration Professor (and OPB superfriend) John Herzog.

You Are (Not) Small by Anna Kang