55 Friends [Hardcover]

Abbie Zabar (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

A cumulative rhyming text, featuring clever wordplay and striking illustrations, starts from one squirmy worm in the land of Save-the Day and builds up to fifty-five friends who live in that land.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Zabar (Alphabet Soup) dips into a trove of tricks-from alliteration and rhyme to fold-out pages and flowery lettering-in this imaginative counting primer. Groups of creatures illustrate the numerals one through 10, which, when added together, equal 55 and give the book its title. As readers meet "3 bees busy buzzing," "2 shoe-flies in bow ties" and so on, a "Twelve Days of Christmas"-style countdown takes place, with the first-and last-named character "one worm, squirmy but firm." Much of the artistry lies in the handwritten text, decoratively calligraphed in black ink with curlicues and flourishes. The tom cats, gnats, etc., are sparks of color on white negative space: the "5 butter-colored flutter-byes" have collaged fragments of butter-stick wrappers for wings; to reveal the fourth of the "4 nevermore dinosaurs," each page of one spread opens outward. Zabar's only awkward move is to try to link the menagerie-the members of which have never interacted-via a single closing phrase, "Because friends won't all look alike, thank you!" As a plea for harmony, this book doesn't add up; as a lesson in numbers, however, it's a charmer. Ages 3-7.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3-Zabar's whimsical counting book is for those old enough to appreciate word play and visual nuances. Her cumulative text adds animals from 1 to 10 to arrive at the title's total of 55 Friends. Some of her mixed-media illustrations bear fairly close resemblances to real animals, such as the "3 bees busy buzzing." In contrast, the "5 butter-colored flutter-byes" have USDA markings on their wings, and the "2 shoe-flies in bow ties" are flying sneakers. The hand-lettered text adds to the book's breezy tone. Zabar's emphasis is that friends don't need to look alike. Perhaps that emblazoned message will have an impact on readers if they turn the final page. If not, they can simply enjoy the counting possibilities and textual cadences.
Kathy Piehl, Mankato State University, MN
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 1 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion (Juv); 1st edition (September 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786800216
• ISBN-13: 978-0786800216
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,735,836 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars *Fifty-Five Stars for 55 Friends*, April 7, 2002

By 

OhSayCanYouSee1 "ohsaycanyousee1" (Elmhurst, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 55 Friends (Hardcover)

This delightful, but difficult to find book, is a joy for both readers and listeners. Author/artist Abbie Zabar accomplishes so much, with such subtlety, that everyone will enjoy reading this story again and again.

First, this is a wonderful counting book. It craftily utilizes repetition to help small children remember their early numbers. The objects counted universally appeal to young kids, and the wonderful use of alliteration make the reading poetic and lively.

Second, the creative yet simple illustrations, appeal to all age groups. Children want to count the Silly Salamanders, the Nevermore Dinosaurs, and the Bees Busy Buzzing, again and again. Zabar's use of ink, colored markers and paper collage is fun and entertaining.

Finally, there is a discreet message of tolerance and acceptance at the end. Because after all, not all friends look the same, do they? This is a terrific book for the collection of any child in 2nd grade or younger (second-graders should be able to read this on their own), but it appeals most to pre-schoolers and kindergarteners. I most accurately rate this book at 5.00 out of 5.00 stars, because I don't think it could have been made any better. Highest possible recommendation.