Let’s Play! A Book About Making Friends

A friendship primer for the primary set. While this picture book isn’t necessarily set in a post-pandemic world, its overt social-emotional lessons will doubtless prove useful and relevant for many children coming out of varying degrees of social isolation. . . Larmour’s art style has shades of Quentin Blake, Bob Graham, Amy Schwartz, and Aliki, with lots of bright colors, expressive linework, and emphasis on character over setting. Themes of sameness and difference, loyalty, and sharing along with a range of emotions are explored in small moments that follow Sukie and her classmates as they form friendships and build community. . . this affirming, practical, engaging picture book will be a terrific resource for young readers to befriend.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

We hear a lot about emotional intelligence these days — and the picture books all about them. This one has it in spades. . . . Larmour’s illustrations capture a diverse group of elementary students with spacious, uncluttered spreads and a brightly colored palette. Children will linger over the vignettes of children navigating their social lives at school.
—Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast