My Friends/Mis Amigos [Paperback]

Taro Gomi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 16, 2006 | Age Range: 1 and up

Simple words and bold illustrations show children that friends are easy to find even in the most unlikely places.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this ode to everyday activities and things, a free-spirited girl hops, jumps and kicks her way across the countryside, paying homage to her friends along the way. Like a satellite launched into perpetual motion, the constantly moving child praises--among others--the rooster who taught her to march, the ant who taught her to explore the earth and the teachers who taught her to study. In spare, luminous landscapes, the minute world reveals a special beauty to those still and attentive enough to behold it. The activities depicted are alternately lively and quiet, but the prevailing mood is one of continuous celebration. Gomi's ( Bus Stops ; Where's the Fish? ) meticulous sense of design and careful use of brilliantly colored, highly delineated images imbues the story with a sense of the wonder and delight to be derived from life's simplest--but bountiful--moments. Ages 2-4.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreS --"I learned to . . . from my friend(s) . . ." is the one sentence a young girl repeats on each double-page spread in this simple concept book. The primitive watercolors are, for the most part, bright and attractive against a white backdrop. However, the quality is inconsistent; occasionally dark or poorly defined objects and animals appear, limiting the book's use to the one-on-one situation. The repetitious text quickly becomes tedious, and there is no sign of real movement in any of the characters. Facial expressions are almost nonexistent. Some of the size relationships are inaccurate (rabbit-girl/owl-girl), and a few of the activities the child engages in are unsettling, let alone unrealistic. A good attempt that misses the mark. --Carolyn Vang, Monroe County Library System, Rochester, NY
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 1 and up
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books; Bilingual edition (March 16, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811852040
• ISBN-13: 978-0811852043
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 0.2 x 8.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #118,050 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #85 in Books > Children's Books > Education & Reference > Foreign Language Learning > Spanish

More About the Author

Taro Gomi is probably best known in the UK for the highly popular Doodle Books, although his creative genius actually extends much further than the few translations that have appeared in English. The total number of his books in print in Japan exceeds three hundred, including children's books, art books, essay collections, and more. Gomi's books appeal to both adults and children-- since most of them consist mainly of pictures, they can be enjoyed by anyone.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful read! May 15, 2001

By "coritex"

Format:Paperback

This book is the first and last choice of my 15-month-old daughter every night before she goes to bed. She delights in the pictures and simple text, and asks for it to be read over and over again. The age description says 4 to 8 years, but even the youngest readers can enjoy the colorful pictures and the story's adorable heroine.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "I learned to walk from my friend the cat." April 28, 2006

By Luan Gaines HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

An elegant simplicity of design and the use of primary colors make this book an attractive primer for bilingual study, as a little girl identifies with the world around her, beginning with animals: "I learned to jump from my friend the dog/ De mi amigo el perro aprendi a bincar." She learns to climb from a monkey, to explore from an ant, to watch the night sky from an owl, to sing from the birds. Then she learns to read from books, to study from her teachers and to play from her school friends. Best of all, she "[learned] to love from a friend like you/ Y aprendi como amor de un amigo como tu", adding an emotional element to the learning process. The drawings are simply constructed, kept to an appropriate language level, learning-friendly in concept and execution, the perfect introduction to bilingual language skills. Luan Gaines/ 2006.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "My Friends" is a sweet treat... January 18, 2009

By Georgia O'Keefe

Format:Library Binding

This is a lovely book with the most wonderful illustrations. Since it was so highly recommended by our niece's 2-year-old daughter, Elle, I bought it for my 1-year-old grandson, Max. He was charmed. It does come as a board book, which is probably a smarter choice for a child this young.

Armchair Explorer

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Well loved with beautiful illustrations. July 4, 2012

By Katie Lin

Format:Board book|Amazon Verified Purchase

My son absolutely loves this book. When own several books by Taro Gomi and they definitely don't disappoint. The illustrations are cute and the words are short and sweet. My son loves to point out and name the animals and objects in the book. Every time we read the book, he points out new objects. Its a great way to teach him the names of objects and animals. I have since bought several copies of this book for friends and family and they have always been well received and loved. The most recent gift was raved about at the gift opening. Another parent that we had given the book to raved about how much they and their daughter love the book. I would highly recommend My Friend as well as any other title by Taro Gomi!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My Friends January 8, 2012

By Nova

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

"My Friends" is one of my favorite books. It is beautifully illustrated and a beautifully told story. My Friends teaches respect - respect and love for the world around us. I read My Friends to my son and look forward to sharing this book with him for years to come.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Love the simple things in life July 14, 2007

By J. Adkins

Format:Paperback

My 15-month old son LOVES this book ever since he was 9 months-old. We read it every night before he goes to bed. Taro Gomi has captured simple creatures in life and have made them animated and good teachers. The illustrations are purely magical. I highly recommend this book to kids, young and old.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great modernist graphics! January 6, 2006

By Beatrice Izzey VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

The artwork is first rate, deceptively simple, clean, and modern. A visual delight, and the message that kids can learn from everything and everyone is strong and healthy.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars ...With a Little Help from My Friends May 8, 2008

By Karen Joan VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

My Friends by Taro Gomi is a beautifully illustrated book about learning simple skills...with a little help from your friends. And in this story, all creatures (from the tiniest ant to the teachers at school) are your friends. My daughter loves this book, reciting page after page which friend teaches her what task. The overall message of this book is that a child can learn something from everyone and everything.

The artwork is delightful: colorful, simple, and crisp. The language sounds lyrical, even poetic, as you read it aloud. This book will capture the imagination of your child. Whenever we read it, my daughter gives me different examples of who has taught her what. It is a great conversation starter!

I recommend this engaging book for all toddlers, beginning readers, or anyone who enjoys a sweet story.