Violet Mackerel's Possible Friend

Violet Mackerel #5

by Anna Branford

Violet Mackerel has moved into her new house. There is a girl next door who could be a possible friend. Her name is Rose and she has a pink and white bedroom and a doll’s house. Violet hopes that Rose might not be just a possible friend for very long. Instead, she would quite like Rose to be a very good friend.

Genres: Childrens, Chapter Books, Friendship, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Juvenile, Family

112 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2013

About the author

I was born in 1975 on the Isle of Man and spent my childhood there, in Sudan, in Papua New Guinea and in Australia. I did lots of my daydreaming in planes, trains and boats including one boat that my dad made with a glass base so my little sister and I could see fish and coral going past underneath us. For a little while I had a mouse and the best present my mum and dad ever gave me (apart from my sister) was my own piano.

My favourite books were The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame and the Ramona stories by Beverly Cleary. Though I love returning to those stories (especially Wind in the Willows) these days my favourites are anything by bell hooks or Alain de Botton.

I live in Melbourne near a river, write books for children, make dolls, nests and the occasional skirt, go to lots of markets and have cups of tea with my friends. I have a special interest in helping people to find the kind of work that is right for them. I don’t spend quite as much time on planes, trains and boats as I used to, but I walk up and down mountains whenever I find a spare moment. And I still have that same piano.

Reviews

[Kristy Hetzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this for my 8 year old. It is a very sweet book. Highly recommended for that age group and we intend to check out more of the series.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Violet Mackerel has just moved to her brand-new house following her mother’s marriage to Violet’s new stepfather, Vincent. Violet knows another little girl just her age lives on the other side of the backyard fence, and she develops the theory that exchanging a small token with the girl will turn her into a possible friend. The two girls exchange notes and tiny gifts through a hole in the fence, and shortly after, Violet and Rose have a playdate. While Violet’s family is more laidback and crafty, Rose has many expensive toys and a very neat bedroom. When Rose visits Violet at her house, will she still want to be friends?

In each volume, this series takes on the small moments of childhood and infuses them with meaning and value. On the surface, Violet Mackerel’s Possible Friend is a very basic story about two little girls from different families trying to make friends. In the sensitive and capable hands of author Anna Branford, however, the story becomes something more - a lovely meditation on the nature of friendship and the delicate dance we all do in order to grow closer to someone we admire. Every moment of the story highlights the fears and joys young children face when they meet their potential best friends. Whether the girls are playing in Rose’s dollhouse or comparing their costumes for Rose’s flower-themed birthday party, their actions show their desire to connect with one another, and Violet’s particular worries about being good enough to be Rose’s friend.

Early elementary schoolers in kindergarten and first grade are often just venturing outside of the family home to find out how things are done in other households and to make friends on their own without adult intervention. This book really emphasizes the importance of that experience and also treats it with the seriousness that children place on these early friendships. Friendship stories turn up again and again and most are very similar to one another. This one stands out because the author allows the story to develop slowly and quietly and does not introduce unnecessary conflict or drama. Rather, she gently leads the reader to conclude, as Violet does, that differences are okay, and that shyness around a new friend doesn’t last forever.

The writing in this book is simple, but beautiful. I love all the details of the flower-themed birthday party. I grew especially fond of the lone boy at the party who dresses as a cornflower, but refuses to wear his hat, so he spends the entire time looking like a gloomy stalk. This is a minor part of the story, but it was just so perfect, it really stuck with me. I also really love the gift that Violet gives Rose for her birthday, and that she is too shy to give it in front of everyone for fear that it will be outmatched by other, more expensive gifts. Anna Branford understands her audience so well that kids will feel right at home inside this book.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh so sweet. A little drawn-out, with a very simple plot of 'does my new neighbor *really* think I'm ok as a friend?" Not worth much unless read with the others, which are richer & more interesting, I think.

But then, maybe some children this age do fret about relatively simple things and do want to feel as if someone understands them. And Violet's supportive family does understand her!

Bonus for the descriptions of easy, low-cost crafty activities like the matchbox doll dresser, the flower costume, and the knothole note exchange.
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Reread March 2025. Changing my rating to 4 stars. Such a joy. I wish the last two books had been bought by at least one library in the US!

"A good way of making yourself feel worried is by thinking about what you don't have and can't do, but a good trick for feeling better again is by thinking about what you do have and can do." Mom says.

The Theory of Swapping Small Things.

[Anne Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this the most of the Violet Mackerel books so far. In this, there's deep insight into the heart of a little girl. It subtly explores that shadowed corner where insecurity and inadequacy lurk. Violet finds a knot in the fence and pokes it out accidentally. On discovering how neat and tidy it is, Violet starts to worry. She leaves a tiny gift in apology.

Rose responds and eventually invites her next door. Rose is all sparkle and shimmer (and I found it intriguing she is illustrated as Afro-American for the Aussie edition) and has a stunning dollhouse. All of Violet's insecurities come to the fore as she wonders whether or not she should attend Rose's 'Flower Party' and what she could possibly give the girl with everything.

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This precious little book perfectly encapsulates the anticipation, worry and joy of a young girl’s attempts to make friends with another girl who has a very different lifestyle.

Violet’s family isn’t poor (how could they be when they live in the same neighborhood as Rose’s?) but they have a decidedly ramshackle, do-it-yourself, makeshift atmosphere that is at odds with the store-bought, polished and pristine life that Rose seems to lead. The book negotiates us through Violet’s anxieties (whether Rose will judge her as not coming quite up to the mark) right up to the happy conclusion of being celebrated because of her differences.

Violet and Rose are two sides of the same coin—garrulous, curious, generous and kind. So we understand, as they come to know, just how they wind up as best friends.

[Sean Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book five in the charming warm series about Violet and this one involves friendship. A great subject to think about, I like the way the author has structured these books with big ideas too think through but executed in a warm and engaging manner. Another winner, and we can safely say roll on book #6!

[Meera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked when Rose had her birthday party because they dressed up like flowers and got their faces painted. And I liked when they slipped little things in the hole in the fence, like when Violet gave Rose the bell and when Rose gave Violet an amethyst. I recommend this for first and second graders.

[Aliya · Rating 3 out of 5]

read all the books in this series (not going to add all of them given that most of my reading this year has already been children's books) but this was the one book in the series that i felt was surprisingly sweet and insightful.

[Lucy G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book because it’s when she makes friends with Rose, and she was nervous and happy kind of at the same time.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming, sweet, and wise. Another excellent book in this series. My daughter and I really enjoyed this one.

[Kaitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute story for the girls ages. Deals with worry about being different than others and accepted for it.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fifth instalment of the Violet Mackerel series is sweet and rich, lacking only subtlety to give it's formally well written style a broad appeal. Having just moved to a new house, Violet hopes to become friends with the girl next door. In imitation of her mother and stepfather's exchange of rings at their recent marriage (Violet's father had left before the series began and is not referred to in this book), Violet decides to offer a small gift to her potential friend. The neighbour, Rose, takes up the exchange and the friendly interactions begin.

While Violet's household is organically chaotic, Rose's is perfectly prim. Violet wears hand-me-downs held in by a peg; Rose has matching dresses, ribbons and shoes. Violet has a home-made doll's house in an old shoebox; Rose has a miniature mansion. Violet has home-made yoghurt for breakfast; Rose has custom-made cupcakes for her birthday. Yet it's refreshing that the enchantment is not only one-way, both girls are delighted with each other's things and share them openly. The climax comes when Violet feels ashamed of her hand-made present for Rose's extravagant birthday party and almost decides not to attend, but happily Rose is thrilled and Violet's worries disappear.

It is interesting that though Violet is living with a new step-father and must miss her own father, the tone of the story remains light and optimistic. Violet does worry a lot about small things (like having accidentally made a hole in the fence, or whether Rose will like her present) but is usually able to work through her dilemmas, often with the solid guidance of the kind Vincent or her mother.

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[Sharon Marchingo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is fifth in a series of delightful little books for younger readers. Violet is a gorgeous character who will find her way into your heart. In this story she moves to a new home with a rambling garden and a hole in the fence. It is through this hole that she communicates with Rose, a little girl next door. A friendship ensues but Violet is overwhelmed by Rose’s pristine house and garden and perfectly matching furniture and toys in her bedroom. Equally Rose is impressed with the home made yogurt, scrumptious freshly baked muffins and the knitted objects that her mother makes. Rose invites Violet to her birthday party, and initially embarrassed by her home made present and cobbled together outfit she relaxes and realises that Rose appreciates her for her very unique personality and quirky traits such as using a peg to make her skirt smaller at the waist. This is a beautiful story about the important things in life and that two friends do not have to be exactly the same in order to find special common ground.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Violet Mackerel's family moves, she's a bit anxious about making new friends, but she's also excited about exploring her new yard. After accidentally poking a hole in the fence between her home and the property next door, she places a note and a small gift there as an apology. The girl next door, Rose, is just as sweet and thoughtful as Violet, and they begin a possibly promising friendship. But Violet worries about the difference between her new friend's lifestyle and her own family's, and when she makes a special gift for Rose's birthday party, she is assailed by doubts that it will be good enough for her friend. It's impossible to resist Violet's charms and the book's wonderful life lessons about what matters most. I'm glad this Australian import has made its way to my hands, and I know third and fourth graders will enjoy reading it.

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Violet Mackerel’s Possible Friend by Anna Branford, illustrated by Sarah Davis – Realistic Fiction, 3rd grade and up – Took a risk with this book. Trying to expand my son’s horizons a little bit and read with him some books that fit more into the “girl” books category. Lovely story about a girl moving to a new place and learning how to make a new friend, learning to trust herself, and to stop worrying about what others think. This was a perfect joint read for us since we’re moving soon and there will be such big transitions.

[Dolores · Rating 3 out of 5]

The sentence structure is more simple than the vocabulary, and I almost set this one aside. But the author did such a good job of making me care about Violet, I had to read on. This is a sweet story about budding friendship and how insecurities creep up when you so desperately want to fit in. The message that your best of friends will be the ones you can be "true" with is a valuable one for adults, as well.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An endearing, truly realistic story. Violet and Rose are adorable but not teeth-achingly sweet, and the story is just the right size for the audience. Fans of Cynthia Rylant's Cobble Street Cousins and Sarah Pennypacker's Clementine will enjoy Violet's stories as well, and while the vocabulary may be a step above those titles, the illustrations and brevity of the chapters will ensure success. I'll definitely be adding this series to my K-5 library.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another winner from this series - this one has its finger on the pulse of childhood insecurities about fitting in and making friends. I loved how Violet has a great big sister - teenage siblings are so often demonised in children's books. I did think that her family could have forked out for a bought present though, given that Violet was so worried about fitting in and that they spend so much on craft supplies.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It is a realistic fiction book written for intermediate grades about a young girl who moved houses and needs to make new friends. I think this would be a good book to have available in the classroom for any students who may be going through the same thing. This book is part of a large series of books about Violet Mackerel, that could be used as independent reading books.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just can't say enough about these books. Perfect for the youngest chapter book readers, I absolutely love the title character, Violet. She is smart, curious, funny, and a well-developed character. She perfectly captures the wide range of emotions that young readers also experience. Written in the present tense, the books have forward motion and we just can't put them down.

[Marya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like all Violet Mackerel books, this one is sweet, charming, and very understated, much like Violet herself. The books are quiet, not rowdy adventures, but they touch on very real problems that young children struggle with seriously. The characters are just as real as Ivy + Bean, though their language is far simpler.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a nice little children's story with a message. A message that applies to us grown ups too.... And that is how we make ourselves anxious - feeling we aren't good enough or don't measure up when facing up to someone who has so much more in the material sense.
We all sometimes forget.... it's not what we have - but who we are.

[Shannon Tullamarine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am quite sure that while Anna is writing for children, she is also penning a subtle message to the grown ups too. I hope they are listening.
Thank you Anna for another chance to slip into Violet's world of small things.

[Nella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series keeps getting better. Now in her new home, Violet might make friends with Rose, the girl next door. Her insecurities ring true, and the conclusion a triumph of the Theory of Swapping Small Things.

[Karen Walton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all this delightful series, this is the favorite of my own nearly-seven year old girl. And I may have to agree with her. Violet poignantly expresses the hopes and insecurities we all feel when forming a new friendship. Rose is a perfect addition to this excellent series.

[Kaytee · Rating 5 out of 5]

violet's family moved to a new house. violet made a hole in the fence and wrote a note to her neighbor asking her come over. violet showed her neighbor around the house. the book talks about friendship.

[Paula Hollohan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I most like the thoughts going through Violet's head. They seem realistic and show the many anxieties held by children of every age. In no way over the top, just a good story with good role models and a modern family. Gr.1-3.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet friendship story for newly independent readers

[pati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very clever first chapter book for young readers!

[Anastasia Tuckness · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love Violet Mackerel, that is all!