Customer Reviews

Lets Be Enemies Lb

5 star:		(6)
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This is a great book for four or five year olds. It is actually very realistic; young children are constantly making, breaking and renewing friendships, all in the great process of self-discovery and practice. This book could be used as a tool to discuss friendship with kindergarteners. The illustrations are perfect. The line drawings are simple, with only three colors: red, green and black. But I knew just John and James were feeling. This book is timeless!

My Mom bought this book for me because my "best friend" and I were always fighting. That was 1971, and I was 5 years old. I have always remembered this boook. It was probably the first book I ever had that didn't make it look like kids were always nicey-nice. This book shows how friendship endures despite differences. Even though we don't see each other but once a decade or so, now, I still think of that "best friend" and the good and bad times we had together. And I think of this book and the things it taught me -- children can be mean to each other (though nobody wants them to,) and friendships can endure.

This book was a favorite of my sister's when we were young. I'm taking 1965. She is now 37 with three kids of her own. I got it from the library for my 2 and 6 year old children. It was a big hit. They giggled, the 2 year old did because her sister did. It has become a favorite in our house all over again. Especially since I have bossy kids.

This short but sweet story is a little pearl. It is especially good for the youngest ages 3 to 6. Go Maurice Sendak for the perfect illustrations!

It is a very simple book with cute illustrations about a boy who is mad at his bossy friend. He goes over to give him a piece of his mind, but after they yell at each other and say they're enemies for life, they'd rather play with each other and stay mad. Great for object lessons with siblings or "best friends" who fight a lot. Even my four and five year olds were able to smile and get the point. And it is so small and accurate, they want to read it again and again!

I am an elementary school counselor and this is my review from that perspective:

Recently my five year old nephew got into a pushing and shoving match with a fellow classmate. When my sister picked him up after school he told her about his "fight" with absolute honesty and remorse. He then pointed to a boy in the parking lot who was standing with his mother and said, "That's him." To her astonishment, he marched over to his "enemy" and gave him a big hug. He then declared, "But now we are friends, Mom." I smiled when I heard this story. I was thinking about what compelled my nephew to go in for the hug and be apologetic. And it's because my sister has taught him reconciliation skills. These are skills I work heavily on with students. His little scuffle reminded me of this wonderful book. I started reading Lets Be Enemies to the K-1 grades last year. Friendship and conflict resolution go hand in hand. Guess what - kids will clash. But it's how they reconcile and forgive that matters most. I love teaching kids the art of the apology. PS. This is a tiny book. But so cute. First time I read it I kind of giggled at the way their problem escalates and becomes bigger and bigger - isn't that always the way it happens?

This books have very nice illustrations with a bite of reality to it. Excellent for children and adults!