How to Find a Friend, written by Maria S. Costa, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Student Reviewer: Ellie F.
Summary: The story begins with a squirrel and a rabbit both having just moved into a new
“neighborhood”, which is really a forest. Both animals are lonely and seeking friends. They seemingly go about their day to day routines all alone, oblivious to the fact that they both are residents of the wood and seeking friendship. With the help of two little local worms, will the two mammals ever find and befriend each other?

Straight Talk for Librarians: The story dives into themes of loneliness on a surface level and also the hardships of making new friends. At first glance the readers might not see the themes and lessons this book teaches. Everyone has experienced loss of friends and loneliness and sometimes just getting a simple lesson on how to make friends is helpful. By putting oneself out there they can take charge of their own lives and make friends. In terms of the illustrations, the drawings are in shades of blue and red, representing each character. The colored pencil style drawings are very warm and cartoon-like that feel like home. The color choices are fitting. The elements of the book include motif of the worms. The worms are used to portray our conscience helping to motivate us to find friends and out oneself out there. Emotions of sadness are exaggerated to make the reader know it is ok to be sad but there is always something to make us feel better. Readers won’t be able to contain themselves when they figure out what is going on before the characters do. Overall the book is a good purchase for libraries. Finding friends and putting oneself out there is vital to making connections with others. It is a good read aloud and also a good choice for independent reading. It would go well with a book display on friendship. It will be a fun find for readers who are partial to squirrels and rabbits.