Customer Reviews

The Very Best of Friends

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"The Very Best of Friends" is illustrated by Julie Vivas. Her watercolor paintings of round, warm people and friendly animals grace such books as "Wilfred Gordon MacDonald Partridge", "I Went Walking", and "I Went Visiting". "The Very Best of Friends" is about a quirky older farm couple (Jessie and James) and James's cat, William. Jessie tolerates William, who is James's best animal friend, until James dies. James's death takes a hard toll on both Jessie and William, until Jessie sees what she must do in order to finally go on with her life. "The Very Best of Friends" is filled with a humor that even adults will laugh at and quality illustrations everyone will enjoy.

After my husband died, I was alone except for his little Papillon dog and my own dogs and cats. I ignored his dog. She was so sweet to me but I never appreciated her. Until I read this book. It was just a book I was going to sell but I loved the cover. I read it and broke into tears before I could finish. I struggled through the story. . .I looked down through my tears and saw a sweet little face begging for attention. I picked her up and she licked my tears away. That was 8 years ago. We are the Best of Friends.

This is one of my favourite children's titles. Margaret Wild's story and Julie Vivas' illustrations will really touch you. The farmer's death is very subtle, there are many areas were further discussion could lead. This is a story to read to all children. If you are a farmer, if you are a cat lover, if you are a wife, if you are a husband... you will love this book too.