A Splendid Friend, Indeed
By Suzanne Bloom
The Story
A quiet polar bear just wants to read, write, and think in peace, but a chatty goose keeps talking and talking beside him — can two such different creatures really be friends?
Why It's Special
For the kid who has a friend who never stops talking (or is that friend themselves), this shows how opposites can still be a real team.
- Big idea: Friendship doesn't need matching personalities — just patience and room for both.
- Vibes: Gentle, quiet, and warmly funny, with plenty of white space to breathe.
Perfect For Kids Who
- are working on sharing space with a friend who's different from them
- enjoy simple, repetitive dialogue they can join in on
- respond well to calm, uncluttered illustrations
- like to talk through how two characters are feeling
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: What does Bear want to do, and what does Goose want to do instead?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Bear feels when Goose keeps talking and talking?
- Real-life connection: Do you have a friend who likes very different things than you do?
- Imagination: What would you say to Goose if you were sitting next to him?
- Big idea: Can two friends still be close even when they like different things?
