The Very Best of Friends

by Margaret Wild, Julie Vivas (Illustrator)

Since Jessie has never cared for her farmer husband's cat William, her difficult adjustment period after her husband's death makes William doubt if he is still welcome on the farm

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals

32 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Margaret Wild is one of Australia's most highly respected picture-book creators whose award-winning children's books are loved by children all over the world. Margaret has published over seventy picture books for young children and she has been the recipient of the Nan Chauncy Award and the Lady Cutler Award for her contributions to Australian children's literature.

Reviews

[sAmAnE · Rating 3 out of 5]

این کتاب در مورد مفهوم دوست داشتن است.
در مورد تحمل سختی و توجه به کسانی که اطرافمان هستند.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrator is so unique. Reminded us of another book she illustrated that we love, "Wilford Gordon McDonald Partridge".

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beautiful watercolour illustrations by Julie Vivas really set the tone for this story. I particularly love the way she illustrates the change in William. A lovely story about grief and the way it changes us.

[Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good illustrations and a nice ending to it. It was a serious story about a day whose husband died.

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Very Best of Friends by Margaret Wild, Illustrator Julie Vivas- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Book- The book narrates the story of love and care between a pet cat and her friend. Jessie and James are owners of a farm. They have 50- animals, 4- horses, 3- dogs and a cat named William. William helps in the work by informing the dog that letters have arrived. William was James’s pet cat. James placed fresh milk and fishes for her to eat. There was a small hole on the door for her to enter the house. At night, William slept on her bed but jumped on James’s bed at night. James said that during winter, William slept on his feet and so he did not need a hot water bottle to be placed on his feet. William expired. Jessie was alone now to look after the farm, the animals and to take care of William. As Jessie has not been the best friend of William, she ignored William. She closed the small hole in the door for use of William. William became wild. Jessie realized William’s anger. Jessie opens the small door, provides her fresh milk and fish. William does not come near food. She hides near the truck. Jessie finds William and brings her to her room. Love brings back love between Jessie and now her pet cat William. Coloured illustrations help the reader to relate to the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book.

[Cassandra Doon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book: The very best of Freinds
Author: Margaret Wild
Genre: Picture books, Children’s Books
Recommend: Yes
Amount of Pages 32
My feelings:

I really enjoy children's books.
And read them to my kids every night. But one thing I don't do is review them.
Why I don't know, but I decided it was time to start.

This book is one of those that are timeless. I read it growing up, And then went on to read it, To my kids. I love the Death factor of the book, as morbid as that sounds, I love it. I love how it shows grief, and explains it very well. Grief is a very important thing to teach children, and this book does just that.

Highly recommend.

[Elkaza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful picture book for kids. It’s a sad subject, of death. But, shows how grief works, as William is a cat, who is beat friends with James a farmer who dies. Yet, William the cat, is never liked by Jessie, the wife of the framer. Hence, when James passes away, William finds he tossed at of the house, and has to deal with the wild world outside the house. But, overtime Jessie grief lessens, and so finds confront in William, who is allowed into the house again.

A simple story, and its these I love the most.

[Chloe Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: contemporary realistic fiction
Grade level: 1st - 3rd
This book covers the topic of losing a loved one and dealing with anger and pain. It's great for a classroom and especially for readers who maybe know someone who's loved one passed away and why we sometimes react and treat others the way we do when some passes away. This book saddens me on days where I am dealing with loss of my own friend, but also reminds me you can heal and move forward, it just might take sometime.

[Nadine · Rating 4 out of 5]

#death #grieving
Deals with the death of a spouse and the effect on the surviving spouse and animals, in particular the cat. A tough theme that left the class I was reading it to very quiet.

[معصومه توکلی · Rating 4 out of 5]

عنوان ترجمه فارسی: بهترین دوستان

[Kaitlin.]

DIS GREAT BOOK MUST RECOMEND

[Guilherme Semionato · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG, BEAUTIFUL!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuZ4p...

Available on Open Library, too.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a heartwarming story.
After James dies jessie refused to have the xat indoors until she realised that the cat was becoming ferrell.
I read this as part of my sons homework

[noodle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent picture-book that deals with death and the stages of grief without being "HEY, I DEAL WITH DEATH AND THE STAGES OF GRIEF". Julie Vivas' sensitive watercolors bring out the characters with strength and believability.

[Danielle Simmons · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sad book, and I'm not sure how old a child would have to read this because it deals with death which can sometimes be tricky. However, it has a good message and is about true friendship and how you cannot face tough situations all alone.

[Kim Foy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of a farmer who dies and leaves his beloved cat and best friend. The farmer's wife ignores the cat, and no longer allows him in the house.He becomes very mean, especially to her. However, eventually she allows him back in the house and the two become the best of friends.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book to me was a bit different because I was not sure on what the author's purpose was behind the story. This book would be complicated for young children to understand but older grades may be able to pick up on it.

[forthefamilyssake Hailey White · Rating 5 out of 5]

We found this gem at the library and bought it a few weeks later after we kept renewing it! Very sweet story about dealing with grief. My children (7,5,3,1) all love the story and are captivated by the illustrations.

[Deborah aka Reading Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely, gentle story to help children understand the nuances of grief. Wonderful illustrations by Julie Vivas.

[Felicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a man who has a cat as a best friend. His wife does not like the cat but she simply stays away from him. When the old man passes away, the cat and his wife form a bond.

[sweet orange books · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is about animal abuse and animal neglect, and I highly discourage anyone from reading it to kids.