Iris and Walter: A Beloved Level 3 I Can Read Story About Finding a Best Friend for Kids (Ages 4-8)

by Elissa Haden Guest, Christine Davenier (illustrator)

In this Level Three I Can Read, meet Iris—the new kid in town—and her soon-to-be best friend, Walter!

After a move, Iris is sure that life in her new home will be just awful. There's nothing to do and no one to play with. Iris will never be happy here. Then Grandpa suggests a walk. Down the road and around the bend, they discover a huge green tree, a secret hideaway—and a boy named Walter. Maybe life far from the city won't be so lonely after all.

In the beloved Iris and Walter books, the two friends discover that everything is easier when you have a best friend by your side.

This Level 3 I Can Read! is written for independent readers and includes challenging words and more complex themes and stories.

52 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 10, 2025

About the author

Elissa Haden Guest is the author of Baby Builders, illustrated by Hiroe Nakata and the award-winning Iris and Walter series illustrated by Christine Davenier. She holds an MFA in Children’s Literature from Hollins University and teaches classes in writing for children and young adults at College of Marin Community Education and Stanford Continuing Studies. She and her husband have two swell children and a hilarious little grandson. They live in San Francisco where they root for the Golden State Warriors.