With Secret Friends

by Cooper Edens

Characters take walks, sit among the flowers, and enjoy the silence with imaginary friends such as a zebra, a large rabbit, and an identical twin

Genres: Picture Books

48 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1985

Reviews

[Evie]

I've fallen into a Green Tiger Press rabbit hole, beginning with The Diverting Tale of the Radish and the Shoe, and bringing me to other picture books of almost equally odd leanings. I'm learning that Cooper Edens has a very dreamlike quality to his work, and is unafraid to speak with an esoteric innocence to those willing to listen. The illustrations are rightly described by another reviewer as metaphysical, and sometimes they're just a bit strange. The words are floaty, encouraging things that don't always make immediate sense. This is for everyone, really, with kids perhaps being more drawn to the illustrations and adults being drawn to the entire presentation. I've seen others just say his work is trippy nonsense, but, if you're introspective and open, this is a good one to track down.

[Mary Ware · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations of his work!

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfectly wonderful magical and ethereal book. Don't miss it. It has messages for all on so many levels.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the most beautiful books i've ever read.
strange. is this a children's book?
only if the "child" in "children's book"
happens to be a poetic loner
adrift in a sea of retrospective, deathbed
esque musings... takes minutes to read,
but i don't think i will ever finish it.

[Char · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a reminder whenver I forget - be my own friend too.

[Helen Fleischer · Rating 4 out of 5]

as AA Fair

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a metaphysical aspect to this book. Read through, meditate on the illustrations and meanings. Quite beautiful and quietly uplifting.