  | Best buds Author: Scharnhorst, Becky | |
| Price: $23.98 | ||
Summary:
When Spencer moves to a new town, his mom is worried he may have a hard time making friends. But it's easy! First, Spencer meets Fred, who is an excellent listener. Then there's Dottie, who's a bit wild, and Eugene, who's a jokester. The only thing is, Fred, Dottie, and Eugene are all plants.
| Illustrator: | Jiang, Jiarui |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (05/15/25)
School Library Journal (07/04/25)
Booklist (06/01/25)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 07/04/2025 K-Gr 2—Spencer, pink-skinned with brown hair, is a boy who makes friends easily; they just aren't human. Upon moving to a new town, he quickly makes friends with the free plants that are sitting on the curb outside his new home. His family is slightly bewildered that he doesn't seem to want human friends. When his mom asks him if he would rather have a friend who can talk, Spencer, who is sharing a cool drink with a blooming plant, says, "Why? We understand each other perfectly." And so it goes as Spencer befriends plants large and small, including an oak tree he names Kevin who seems to take pleasure in dropping acorns on Spencer's head. When Daisy, a Black girl with a caterpillar, encounters Spencer hanging out with Kevin, friendship blossoms based on mutual respect and the clear understanding that plants and insects make great friends. Digital illustrations capture the large variety of friends and interactions Spencer enjoys with his plant, and eventually human, friends. This title speaks to the ability of young people to find comfort in nature and honors their intelligence to make their own way in the world, ignoring the conventions around them. VERDICT Spirited Spencer and his many plants will encourage other young readers to find friends and make connections in ways that feel right to them. Recommended.—John Scott - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 06/01/2025 As Spencer and his mother move their belongings into their new home in a new town, he wonders why she’s so concerned about whether he’ll make new friends. After all, Spencer has brought his old friends (all potted plants) with him. They might not be as talkative as Spencer, but they’re great listeners. He’s pleased to find a new houseplant in a box labeled “Free plants” outside their new house. Everywhere he goes, he meets another amiable plant and takes it home. He's collected more than 20 when he meets an interesting girl named Daisy at the park, where she’s talking with her friend Raymond, a tiny caterpillar. With so much in common, Spencer and Daisy quickly become friends. This engaging picture book quietly celebrates Spencer’s independence and resourcefulness as he takes a firm stand on befriending plants, which return his affection in their own, easygoing way. His watchful, patient mother lets him find his own path to friendship. Detailed and richly colorful, digital art illustrates the narrative, which flows well and comes to a satisfying conclusion. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.
