I Just Ate My Friend

A little creature has eaten his only friend and now needs a new one, so he goes around asking other creatures — each with a very good reason to say no.

For the kid who loves jokes that are a little bit wrong and a lot funny, this book turns an absurd, faintly horrifying premise into deadpan comedy.

• Big idea: Actions have consequences, even when you deliver them with a straight face — and friendship requires a little more thought than snack decisions.
• Vibes: Dry, deadpan, gleefully macabre in a picture-book way, with a comic rhythm built for repeat readings.

• enjoy dark, silly humor
• like to predict what happens next
• respond well to repetitive, patterned storytelling
• are working on understanding cause and effect

• Story & problem-solving: Why do you think the little creature needs a new friend?
• Feelings & empathy: How do you think the other creatures felt when he asked to be their friend?
• Real-life connection: What do you think makes someone a good friend to have?
• Imagination: If a creature asked YOU to be friends, what would you want to know about him first?