Jessica (Paperback)

~ (Author, Illustrator) "Jessica went wherever Ruthie went..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Much to her parents' chagrin, 5-year-old Ruthie has a devoted invisible friend named Jessica. When Ruthie accidentally spills juice, Jessica gladly takes the blame. When Ruthie's parents plan to hire a baby sitter and go to a movie, Jessica gets a tummy ache and needs them to stay home. "There is no Jessica," her parents keep insisting. "But Ruthie knew there was," the author keeps repeating. Kevin Henkes's Popsicle-colored watercolors and detailed pen-and-ink drawings invite us into Ruthie and Jessica's fantasy world. Through his handwritten cartoon dialogue, we are privy to their tender conversations and confidences. When it's time to start kindergarten, Ruthie's father suggests that Jessica stay home. But of course Ruthie brings Jessica anyway. On that fateful day we discover what Ruthie knew all along--there really is a Jessica! Children who believe in imaginary playmates will find their soul mate in Ruthie. And parents who fret over the isolation of an absorbing imaginary life will find comfort in the story's happy ending. All families will appreciate the twists of fate that allow a child's fantasy world to joyfully overlap into the real one. School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, Horn Book Fanfare Honor List, IRA/CBC Children's Choice, American Bookseller Pick of the Lists. (Ages 3 and older) --Gail Hudson --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly

Jessica, a friend only Ruthie can see, follows Ruthie to school on the first day of kindergarten. "Henkes never falters as he outlines the logic and reasoning behind Ruthie's affection for her invisible playmate," said PW. Ages 5-up.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 24 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books (May 27, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688158471
• ISBN-13: 978-0688158477
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #138,820 in Books (See Bestsellers 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 So realistic!, September 14, 2004

By	Jessica Mulvaney "Children's Literature can c... (Ashland, KY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book hits home as a Kindergarten teacher. The words are so true to life and it can really relate to a child who may be going through the same things that Rutie is going through. I love this book!

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Making friends is easier than it looks!, December 1, 1999

By	Laura Seeley (Quincy, Illinois) - See all my reviews

I just read this book a few minutes ago. it's about a little girl named Ruthie who has an imaginary friend named Jessica. They do everything together! From reading books, to playing with blocks. They are the best of friends. Ruthie's parents try to get her to believe that Jessica isn't real, but Ruthie won't listen to them. On the first day of kindergarden, Jessica goes along with Ruthie. But, Ruthie makes a new friend, whose name also happens to be Jessica and they become really good friends. I think that if you know of a child who has an imaginary friend, then they should deffinately read this book, or you could read it to them!

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely book, August 24, 2009

By	T. M. Martinez (Switzerland) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a mom of an only child I can say that this book is part of our regular bedtime stories. It took my daughter awhile to figure out that Jessica was Ruthie's imaginary friend. On every page she would point at Ruthie and ask what her name was, hoping that I would eventually identify Jessica. That did not happen until the end of the book when Ruthie meets a real Jessica at Kindergarten. The timing of the book was also important because my daughter started Kindergarten this year. I can recommend this very sweet book.