Best Buds

by Becky Scharnhorst, Jiarui Jiang (illustrator)

Friendship comes naturally to a boy who moves to town and instantly befriends a variety of plants in this heartwarming and funny picture book for fans of Strictly No Elephants and When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree.

When Spencer moves to a new town, his mom is worried he may have a hard time making friends. But it’s easy! First, Spencer meets Fred, who is an excellent listener. Then there’s Dottie, who’s a bit wild, and Kevin, who’s a jokester. The only thing is, Fred, Dottie, and Kevin are all…plants.

While the adults in Spencer’s life question whether he might want friends he doesn’t have to water, Spencer knows that friendship can blossom in the most unexpected places.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Plants, Nature, Childrens, Gardening, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

Published July 8, 2025

Reviews

[Angela De Groot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my golly! This picture book stole my heart! ❤️ It’s about a kid who moves to a new town and while Spencer’s mom is worried about him making new friends, Spencer has no concerns in that department. In fact, Spencer made a friend on the very first day! Spencer and Fred’s friendship blossoms, and soon Spencer is making new friend at a fast and furious rate. Spencer’s mom and grandpa ask if he wouldn’t rather have the kind of friends who can talk or play catch, but Spencer is happy with the friends he has. They may be plants, but Spencer takes them everywhere with him - the playground, the park, and even Story Time, after all, plants are vey good listeners. Then one day, he meets Daisy who has a bunch of interesting friends too.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Kris Coronado · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gorgeous story! While the title tipped me off that the premise of the plot was about a friendship between a child and a plant, I was delighted to watch this story blossom. I caught myself smiling frequently at this warm and gently humorous tale. A wonderful narrative about unabashedly being yourself and what will grow from it. The lush and vibrant illustrations pair perfectly with the text. Highly recommend!

[Alison McGauley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adorable picture book that is full of humor and heart is perfect for nature lovers and anyone who loves befriending non-humans! The fun wordplay in the text and gorgeously detailed artwork make this a delight to read. Best Buds makes a great classroom read-aloud as it features both SEL and STEM elements.

[Laura Roettiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written and illustrated friendship story with a main character who has the confidence to feel good about himself and his choice of friends even when his mom may not be so sure. I thought about Spencer all day after reading this book and how much he truly had the right idea. Author Becky Scharnhorst did an excellent job writing a sweet story that appeals to her young and adult readers equally and the illustrations by Jiarui Jiang are so lovely that we poured over them with each page turn. A fabulous addition to any home, school, or library bookshelf.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friendship stories are “evergreen” topics in children's literature. So how do you take this time-honored trope and make it new? Author Becky Scharnhorst and illustrator Jiarui Jiang’s combined skills create a story that cultivates a different POV when examining friendship.

While Spencer’s mom is worried about him making friends when they move, Spencer’s happily making friends with an array of plants: Fred's an excellent listener, Dottie’s a bit wild, and Eugene’s a jokester. Spencer has chosen excellent friends for all the right reasons. He takes his friends to lunch, storytime, and the playground, adding new friends along the way.

Can you find a friend in a box? What if your friend is another species? What if your family doesn’t understand? BEST BUDS answers all these questions and lays ground for rich conversations about friends that teachers, librarians, and family will enjoy reading and discussing with young readers. Spencer may be “late bloomer,” as his mom says, but Spencer’s open-minded attitude reveals friends come in all shapes and sizes! Whimsical art, and plethora of plants with personality make this a great read-aloud. This picture book encourages readers to find their own plant companions and see nature as a loving entity that needs care, like best buds do! The last few spreads at the end make for a sweet, surprising ending! (Still time to preorder this book!)

[Debbie Zapata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes the best friendships take root quietly and in the most unexpected places. In "Best Buds," Becky Scharnhorst delivers a gentle, humorous, and heart-forward story about a boy named Spenser who moves to a new town and finds instant companionship among his leafy green neighbors. Spenser's plant friends are everything he needs until...
The text is quietly brilliant, full of wit and emotional intelligence, and perfectly paired with Juarui Jiang's lush, whimsical illustrations. Every page offers visual charm and thoughtful nuance. I especially appreciate how this story honors introversion, imagination, and the natural world--while gently reminding readers that connection comes in many forms. "Best Buds" is sure to be a favorite among children who love nature, quirky humor, and stories that validate being true to yourself. This is a standout title for classroom libraries, school counselors, and caregivers looking for books that celebrate friendship in all its forms.

[Tara J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the celebration of friendship and selfhood that we all need!

Not only does the plant-loving main character, Spencer, explore friendship at his own pace, he does it his own way. Which I absolutely love.

Kids will laugh along as Spencer makes more and more plant friends of varying size, type, and temperament. They will also learn the merits of true friendship as they watch Spencer's unwavering dedication and appreciation for each individual plant. And they will celebrate with Spencer as he grows alongside his new buds.

Scharnhorst's signature humor shines through in this sweet (but not too sweet) story about friendship and staying true to yourself. While Jiang's gorgous art creates life that leaps off of every page. (I mean, every page is framable - the art is just stunning).

I'm definitely adding this one to my permenant library.

[Heather Stigall · Rating 5 out of 5]

After moving to a new home, Spencer makes a friend. And then another. And another. But, to Spencer’s family and neighbors, these new friends are a bit unusual. They’re all plants. That doesn’t bother Spencer one bit. After all, he and his new friends understand each other perfectly. Jiarui Jiang’s choice of color palette is well-suited to depict the full array of Spencer’s foliage friends and perfectly pairs with Becky Scharnhorst’s charming text that is full of heart and light humor. Fans of friendship stories (or plants!) are sure to love BEST BUDS!

[Joyce Uglow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am grateful for the opportunity to read the Advance Reader Copy of BEST BUDS
BEST BUDS, written by Becky Scharnhorst, illustrated by Jiarui Jiang, is bound to be awarded best fiction picture book of 2025! Readers will be drawn in beginning with the beautiful endpapers. Scharnhorst's deceptively simple text is an extraordinary example of heart in a story. A young boy, Spencer, is perfectly happy with his selection of natural friends when he moves into a new home, but other humans don't quite understand. (I adore jokester Kevin, the oak tree, and wild Dottie the Christmas cactus.) Spencer and his friends play, go out to eat, and take nature walks. The carefully-crafted rising action will definitely make the reader fall in love with Spenser. We care that he is without the company of other kids, but it is not at all problematic. We get to the turning point when Spencer has a chance encounter with a girl who shares Spencer's love of quiet, green friends. Without spoiling the ending, just know that knowing oneself and caring for others is what this book is really about.

The text in BEST BUDS is absolutely fabulous and is enhanced by Jiang's beautiful artwork. BEST BUDS is a winner in my book. I highly recommend this book to every single school counselors, all primary classroom teachers, as well as all caregivers of all ages. I suspect BEST BUDS will sport many award stickers.

[Jilanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love seeing introverted kids who're confident in their introversion and confident in their unusual preferences. In this story, Spencer moves to a new town and immediately makes a new friend—a plant. And another and another—all plants. Spencer names each one. Spencer's mother, grandpa, and teacher question these choices, but Spencer offers excellent rebuttals to their queries. And in the end, Spencer meets a kindred soul whose friend is a caterpillar. She doesn't mind that she has to wait for her slow caterpillar, Raymond, because she says Raymond will have to wait for her once it changes into a butterfly. Spencer's response? "Good friends are like that." Three cheers for good friends who meet us where we're at, not where they want us to be. This huggable book with gorgeous art will steal your heart. I think my favorite spread is Spencer's plant-filled room, each one lovingly named and popping with color and textures.

[Laura Lavoie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm calling it now that this is going to be my favorite picture book of 2025! It's sweet, it's funny, and the vibrant illustrations are stunning. When Spencer moves to a new town, his mom is worried that he'll have trouble making new friends. But as it turns out, Spencer makes a friend right away... with a plant that he names Fred. Soon, Spencer has a whole collection of (plant) friends: Sherman, Dottie, Edith... the list goes on! Adults in Spencer's life keep questioning why he doesn't want a friend who can talk, or a friend who can catch a ball, but Spencer points out all the good qualities his plant friends have. I won't spoil the ending, but it is absolutely the sweetest. A lovely, humorous and heart-warming book that provides a good reminder for us all about how to be a good friend.

[Jessica Kulekjian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful story that looks at friendship in a unique way, highlighting one child’s many friends within the plant community. Spencer is an instantly loveable character! From the first page, readers are drawn into the dilemma he faces when moving to a new town and not knowing anyone. While his family and others might be concerned for him, it’s a surprising discovery to realize Spencer is perfectly comfortable because he’s got his plants, who teach him a thig or two about genuine friendship which eventually does include meeting new people friends, too. A perfect book for families and classrooms!

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you read Becky Scharnhorst's books, you know they're going to be delightfully funny with the perfect twist and Best Buds is no exception. In addition to humor, this story has a sweet layer and depth touching on themes of how true friendship looks and feels like. And also how to be true to ourselves by allowing us the space to feel comfortable in the process no matter what others might think or expect. The illustrations by Jiang perfectly complement the text and the endpapers will have you planning some quality time with your own greens. Surely to become a kid-approved favorite!

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Spencer moves to a new town he makes a lot of new friends – they just happen to be plants. With subtle humor and lovely language, Becky Scharnhorst demonstrates the value of friendship and the importance of honoring your own interests. The colorful illustrations complement and add interest throughout, starting with the end papers. In this heartwarming, fresh take on the theme of friendship, readers will see that friends blossom when they are cared for no matter what or who they are. This book would be a welcome addition to any classroom or home library.

[Laura Bontje · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books, like some plants, need time to grow on you. Not this one. I was hooked from the first page, and I loved it more and more as the story went on. I laughed out loud at the farmers market scene, and the transition from the endpapers at the start to the ones at the end made me all misty-eyed. There's a sweet message here, and it's all wrapped up in an utterly delightful story with fantastic illustrations full of fun new friends.

[Aolund · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aw. What a sweet story about a kid who makes friends with plants with passion and ease, despite the many grown up voices asking him wouldn't he rather be friends with humans instead. Eventually, Spencer does make friends with other humans, too, but I love that this friendship wasn't seen as more essential than his friendships with plants, and came in its own time.

Themes: Friendship, Plants, We're All the Same/We're all Different
Age range: Preschool-Elementary

[Jennifer Raudenbush · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEST BUDS is a fun, heartwarming story about friendship that will touch your heart. Scharnhorst's clever and funny text combined with Jiang's colorful, vivid illustrations create a winning combination. Kids will relate to the blossoming friendship between a shy boy who loves plants and a girl who loves insects. Highly recommend!

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Think of the things in your life or your kids that aren’t humans but would be considered friends. Follow Spencer as he navigates moving to a new town and all the places he finds new friends, maybe even a human one too. Watch the view from the window change along with mom’s expression as the story unfolds.

[PB FAIRY · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is as clever and sweet as its title!

Gorgeous illustrations enrich a super humorous text about how friendships can grow and blossom. I love books that feature kids doing things their own way, and when Spencer moves to a new town, he does just that -- he makes new friends in his own style. Brilliant, funny, entertaining, and simply delightful for kids and parents!

[Elayne Crain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spencer actually finds it ridiculously easy to make (many) friends upon moving to a new town. The catch? They're plants (literally). I enjoyed the punny humor in this story, as well as the theme of how sometimes finding your tribe comes from following your interests—especially when they're rooted outside the mainstream.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes some of us are more shy than others and may just make some substitutions for friends, but eventually we find our type of people. That’s the summation of this story.
I loved it as the illustrations are full of lovely plants and the endpapers are gorgeous.

Scott County Public Library

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heartwarming book. You can't help but love Spencer, who is caring, compassionate, and prefers the company of plants. It demonstrates how all friendships can thrive. Very cute, too!

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book about how a friendship can blossom.

[Sassygirl87 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes when making friends is hard however if you share a common interest, than not so much.

[Abbigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super sweet book about friendship, taking your time, being yourself, and PLANTS. All of the illustrations, details, and names made for a very fun reading experience.

[Lynne Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such great writing and storytelling. A fun book about friendship which incorporates the fundamentals of making friends!

[Debra Shumaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet friendship story. Highly recommend!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story that reminds us we are not all the same. We develop at our own pace and find friends our own way. Love all the names of the friends!

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really charming story about making friends