Thy Friend, Obadiah
By Brinton Turkle
The Story
A young Quaker boy on old Nantucket is trailed everywhere by a seagull he finds annoying — until the bird disappears on a cold winter day and Obadiah discovers he actually misses it.
Why It's Special
For the kid who insists they don't care about that one persistent creature or sibling shadowing them — until suddenly they do — Obadiah's slow change of heart will feel familiar.
- Big idea: Friendship sometimes sneaks up on you, and you don't know how much you value someone until they're gone.
- Vibes: quiet, wintry, and tender, with an old-fashioned New England warmth
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy stories about unlikely friendships
- are working on recognizing their own feelings toward others
- respond well to quiet, slower-paced stories
- like to look closely at detailed historical settings
Ask Your Little Reader
- Feelings & empathy: Why do you think Obadiah felt annoyed by the seagull following him around?
- Story & change: What changed for Obadiah when the seagull disappeared on that cold winter day?
- Real-life connection: Has anyone ever bothered you at first, but you later realized you liked having them around?
- Setting & imagination: What do you notice about old Nantucket in the pictures — how is it different from where we live?
- Kindness: What do you think it means to Obadiah to finally help the seagull?
