Best Friends Forever: And More True Stories of Animal Friendships

by Amy Shields

This is the first in a line of four books within the National Geographic Kids Chapters  series that explore unexpected animal bonds. In this book you'll meet four unlikely pairings, including Billy and Lilly. Billy the boxer adopted Lilly the goat when she was abandoned by her mother. Billy and Lilly are rarely apart since Billy has taken on the role of Lilly's protector, caretaker, and constant companion. This and the other stories in this book will enchant readers and empower them to devour the more text-heavy "grown up" style of the book, while still keeping the story easily digestable for a hestitant reader.

National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.
Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Childrens, Short Stories, School, Science

112 pages, Paperback

First published July 24, 2012

Reviews

[Autumn Kearney]

This book is filled with such adorable color photos. It looks like they are having so much fun! This book shows that it’s okay to be different and still be friends.

[Megan Holmes]

Synthesis:
The genre of this book is informational/nonfiction. The grade level in which I would use this book would be for grades 2-5. This book was centered around giving facts about orangutans, while also telling a story about two best friends whose names were Suryia (orangutan) and Roscoe (dog). The book talked about how they got along so well and all of the things that they liked to do together.

Classroom uses:
Research project - Throughout a science class, teachers talk about different animals that are found in different parts of the world. After learning about multiple animals, students can choose one to write a paper about. This book can be used as one of many to be able to pull information from.
End of unit project - Students can use this book as an option for one animal that they can research during this end of unit project. Students can do a final project and create a poster about the most interesting facts that these animals are famous for.

Why was this a WOW book?
This book was a WOW book because the author did a good job telling a story all while getting all of the important facts about orangutans. The book was very intriguing and informational. I definitely would have liked to read this book growing up as well.

[Kelli Santistevan]

In Best Friends Forever!, you’ll meet four unlikely pairs that prove love knows no bounds. There’s Suryia and Roscoe, the orangutan and dog swim buddies; Owen the baby hippo and his hero, the tortoise Mzee; Koko, the gorilla that uses sign language and loves her kitties; and Jasmine, who befriends anyone who needs a helping hand. These true stories will amaze, inspire, and make you say, “Awww.”

I borrowed this book on the Libby app. I enjoyed reading this book and listening to the animal stories. I love animals. I would recommend this book to kids and anyone who loves animals.

[Stacey Mulholland]

Great book. I knew my son (age 7) would enjoy learning about Koko the gorilla and her cat friends. It was an extra bonus when he heard the words that Koko and another gorilla would say to each other when they got mad. He found it hilarious.

[Beth]

We read this about 35 times this year. Adorable stories of unusual animal friendships. This is also great on audio - the narrator is amazing! Really great stories that make you think beyond stereotypes.

[Jack O'Lantern]

Read aloud - Kindergarten
~ Read independently, Jack, age 11

[Liana Manikandan]

It doesn't matter what size you are but it does matter how you share love with them.

[Sam]

I'm reading these Nat Geo Kids books with my daughter as our own little book club and I really enjoy these books with all these cool stories. I would highly recommend these books for young readers!

[Penny Price]

It is so cute and amazing because of the different types of animals that get along so well!!!!!!!

[Kinzlie]

I really really really really really really really really really really really loved this book so much all these funny cute friends and the amount of times I said 'aw' I cant count.

[Cadee]

"I like this book because I love animals. This book made my heart feel warm." -Cadee, age 12

[Conley]

"No words. The dog and orangutan were my favorites 🦧🐶." -Conley, age 9

[Heidi]

I've heard arguments before that animals don't have any intelligence, but stories like the ones in this book convince me over and over that that is not true. Here we have an orangutan befriending a dog, a gorilla who adores cats, a grayhound that befriends animals of all kinds, and a hippo adopting a giant tortoise as family. Once again credit goes to National Geographic for picking interesting stories and sharing them in a beautifully designed package. A winner for children who love inspiring animal stories.

[Abby Johnson]

We've recently discovered this series and ordered a bunch of them for my library. This book is a collection of four true stories about animal friendships, including Koko the gorilla and her kittens, and a rescued greyhound who befriends a fawn named Bramble.

The controlled vocabulary makes this a good choice for kids practicing chapter books. The stories will definitely appeal to animal lovers and they'll be clamoring for more! This title would make a great ladder for Peg Kehret's book ANIMALS WELCOME, another story about a love of animals and animal rescue.

[Naomi]

What a fun read this was! A collection of animals with unusual four legged friends, complete with pictures. Background on the animals in the wild is also given. This is a chapter book for the advancing young reader.

[Awjtf]

loved it!

[Erickson]

Omg so cute love it

[david w. rong]

Heartwarming!

I never thought animal relationships can be so touching and heartwarming! This book is the best!!!! I love this book!

[Gail]

cute and educational

[Sue]

I hadn't heard of mixing tigers and lions before.