A beautifully illustrated story of connection and long-distance friendship, from the author-illustrator team behind the much-loved picture book The Snow Lion.
Mia and Ben are the very best of friends. They live side by side at the edge of a great, wide lake. They love making paper planes together and dream of making one that will fly all the way across the lake. But then Ben has news.
Ben and his family will be moving far, far away. What will Mia do without Ben, now? And how can she stay best friends with Ben if he's not nearby? Mia isn't sure at first, but then she has a plan...
Jim Helmore's moving, lyrical story blends with Richard Jones' captivating art for a sensitive exploration of emotions surrounding friendship, connection, and loss. Ideal for social emotional learning collections and for children experiencing separation.
Jim Helmore has written several picture books. He works in the licensing industry and loves to grow vegetables in his spare time. He lives in England.
Richard Jones grew up in Leamington Spa before moving down to Devon to study illustration at the University of Plymouth in Exeter and never went home again! After finishing his degree, he stayed on to complete a PhD. While working on his thesis he got a "temporary job" in Exeter's Central Library and somehow found himself working there for more than ten years. When not at his desk he enjoys bobbing about in the sea, swimming in rivers, walking in woods, listening to audiobooks on the bus, and petting the cat. He now works full time as an author and illustrator.
"Helmore's spare, expressive text gives the children's close friendship the respect it deserves in this heartfelt story of love, separation, and reconnection. . . .handsome illustrations. . . A quiet, comforting picture book that will resonate with its audience." —Booklist
"Helmore modulates emotions well. . . Expansive and warm with emotion, Jones's illustrations lend dreamy poignancy to Helmore's straightforward prose. A familiar childhood challenge surmounted with well-pitched emotional resonance from the creators of The Snow Lion." —Publishers Weekly
"Parents and educators will especially appreciate how the protagonists' feelings are depicted in a realistic and convincing manner—and the validation that sadness and anger are OK. The book's inspiring ending makes it a good resource for children experiencing separation issues. . . . A beautiful and sensitive treatment of a common childhood experience."—Kirkus Reviews
"Pair this story with Libby Gleeson's Half a World Away for group sharing about ways to deal with separation and other disappointments."—School Library Journal
A beautifully illustrated story of connection and long-distance friendship, from the author-illustrator team behind the much-loved picture book The Snow Lion.
Mia and Ben are the very best of friends. They live side by side at the edge of a great, wide lake. They love making paper planes together and dream of making one that will fly all the way across the lake. But then Ben has news.
Ben and his family will be moving far, far away. What will Mia do without Ben, now? And how can she stay best friends with Ben if he's not nearby? Mia isn't sure at first, but then she has a plan...
Jim Helmore's moving, lyrical story blends with Richard Jones' captivating art for a sensitive exploration of emotions surrounding friendship, connection, and loss. Ideal for social emotional learning collections and for children experiencing separation.
Creators
Jim Helmore has written several picture books. He works in the licensing industry and loves to grow vegetables in his spare time. He lives in England.
Richard Jones grew up in Leamington Spa before moving down to Devon to study illustration at the University of Plymouth in Exeter and never went home again! After finishing his degree, he stayed on to complete a PhD. While working on his thesis he got a "temporary job" in Exeter's Central Library and somehow found himself working there for more than ten years. When not at his desk he enjoys bobbing about in the sea, swimming in rivers, walking in woods, listening to audiobooks on the bus, and petting the cat. He now works full time as an author and illustrator.
"Helmore's spare, expressive text gives the children's close friendship the respect it deserves in this heartfelt story of love, separation, and reconnection. . . .handsome illustrations. . . A quiet, comforting picture book that will resonate with its audience." —Booklist
"Helmore modulates emotions well. . . Expansive and warm with emotion, Jones's illustrations lend dreamy poignancy to Helmore's straightforward prose. A familiar childhood challenge surmounted with well-pitched emotional resonance from the creators of The Snow Lion." —Publishers Weekly
"Parents and educators will especially appreciate how the protagonists' feelings are depicted in a realistic and convincing manner—and the validation that sadness and anger are OK. The book's inspiring ending makes it a good resource for children experiencing separation issues. . . . A beautiful and sensitive treatment of a common childhood experience."—Kirkus Reviews
"Pair this story with Libby Gleeson's Half a World Away for group sharing about ways to deal with separation and other disappointments."—School Library Journal
