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Imaginary Fred: A Funny Picture Book About Friendship and an Imaginary Friend for Children
A quirky, funny, and utterly irresistible story from Eoin Colfer and Oliver Jeffers, two of the finest children's book creators on the planet.
Did you know that sometimes, with a little electricity, or luck, or even magic, an imaginary friend might appear when you need one? An imaginary friend like Fred.
Fred floated like a feather in the wind until Sam, a lonely little boy, wished for him and, together, they found a friendship like no other.
The perfect chemistry between Eoin Colfer's text and Oliver Jeffers's artwork makes for a dazzlingly original picture book.
Did you know that sometimes, with a little electricity, or luck, or even magic, an imaginary friend might appear when you need one? An imaginary friend like Fred.
Fred floated like a feather in the wind until Sam, a lonely little boy, wished for him and, together, they found a friendship like no other.
The perfect chemistry between Eoin Colfer's text and Oliver Jeffers's artwork makes for a dazzlingly original picture book.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published September 29, 2015
11 people are currently reading
1247 people want to read
About the author
Eoin Colfer
156 books11.8k followersEoin Colfer (pronounced Owen) was born in Wexford on the South-East coast of Ireland in 1965, where he and his four brothers were brought up by his father and mother, who were both educators.
He received his degree from Dublin University and began teaching primary school in Wexford. He has lived and worked all over the world, including Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Italy. After the publication of the Artemis Fowl novels, Eoin retired from teaching and now writes full time. He lives in Ireland with his wife and two children.
He received his degree from Dublin University and began teaching primary school in Wexford. He has lived and worked all over the world, including Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Italy. After the publication of the Artemis Fowl novels, Eoin retired from teaching and now writes full time. He lives in Ireland with his wife and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 368 reviews
January 23, 2019
Cute Children's Book
Sam was lonely and longed for a friend. Only under the perfect circumstances does an imaginary come along, and when it does, it is special indeed, and that was imaginary Fred. Fred had had real friends before, but only until they had found another real friend, then Fred would fade and wait for another. Sam and Fred did everything together-- they were inseparable, until one day, Sam met Sammi and Fred was sure he would start to fade again. Fred was so sad; he had never had such a good real friend as Sam, but he knew this is how things went. Then he discovered Sammi also had an imaginary friend named Frieda and they (all 4 of them) did everything together. The story has a unique and happy ending.This was my granddaughter's favorite book last year, and we reread it many times. We like the way it looks, the illustrations, as well as the story. Very cute.
Sam was lonely and longed for a friend. Only under the perfect circumstances does an imaginary come along, and when it does, it is special indeed, and that was imaginary Fred. Fred had had real friends before, but only until they had found another real friend, then Fred would fade and wait for another. Sam and Fred did everything together-- they were inseparable, until one day, Sam met Sammi and Fred was sure he would start to fade again. Fred was so sad; he had never had such a good real friend as Sam, but he knew this is how things went. Then he discovered Sammi also had an imaginary friend named Frieda and they (all 4 of them) did everything together. The story has a unique and happy ending.This was my granddaughter's favorite book last year, and we reread it many times. We like the way it looks, the illustrations, as well as the story. Very cute.
January 24, 2016
Ahhh! Such a lovely book!
October 5, 2015
4.5 Stars
”Being alone is no fun.
The first five minutes are okay, but it’s downhill from there. And if you’re alone, you’re alone.
It’s not as if you can wish a friend to life.”
Or can you?
Imaginary Fred focuses on one of my favorite topics. Imaginary friends! I adore the magic and wonder of having an imaginary friend. From Jimmy Stewart’s Harvey to the Drop Dead Fred movie, I’ve always been captivated by the idea. Just because we can’t see them--doesn’t mean they’re not there. :)
Let’s meet Fred. You can see him on the pages in dazzling blue. The scenes are black and white for the most part except for Fred. He glows and fades depending on the strength of the child’s belief or need for him. I knew I was reading something special when my heart made a sad thump and ache when Fred started to fade. Friends go in and out of our lives, but to really see and witness the slow fading in Fred broke my heart. Do we really grow out of friends?
The one point I didn’t enjoy here was how some of Fred’s friends appeared rather mean—laughing at him or making him do chores. Why would you make your imaginary friend vacuum? Yuck! You could do anything and everything together. I guess I just thought every kid would feel the imaginary friend magic and do something wonderful with that gift.
Oliver Jeffers is one of my favorite story tellers and readers will see his whimsical touch in the pictures. His characters always feel so unique and Jeffers like. You can see one of his books from across the room! But this is my first Eoin Colfer read. His words spin a tale and mood both magical and realistic on the page. A story that feels possible. A story that focuses on friendship and all its power and glory.
Friends come in all shapes and sizes and visibility. And they all--we all--should be remembered.
I’ll remember you, Fred!
January 17, 2025
Being alone is no fun 🥹🥹
ايه العسل ده 🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵
ايه العسل ده 🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵
July 12, 2019
Did you have an imaginary friend when you were growing up? I did and reading Imaginary Fred brought back lots of memories from that time in my life. Fred is looking for his forever friend. He's had moments when he has been close to having one, but when other kids get distracted, he simply fades away. Until the day he meets Sam. Could this be his best chance at a friend yet? I liked the illustrations, the story itself was powerful. Pacing at times did fall a little slow for me, but was an enjoyable read.
March 15, 2016
STOP BEING PERFECT, OLIVER JEFFERS.
(Eoin Colfer, you may continue being perfect.)
(Eoin Colfer, you may continue being perfect.)
June 17, 2022
نات بد :)
گوگولی وکوتاه
ترکیب ااین کالفر و الیور جفرز
درباره اینکه دوستی دوستی است، خیالی و واقعی هم ندارد!
گوگولی وکوتاه
ترکیب ااین کالفر و الیور جفرز
درباره اینکه دوستی دوستی است، خیالی و واقعی هم ندارد!
August 10, 2018
Son pocos los libros infantiles que leo actualmente. De hecho, este fue un obsequio de la editorial, y para ser sincera no sabía de su existencia, pero tenía una portada bellisima, además parecía una buena opción para hacer una lectura ligera.
La historia aborda un tema que vemos cotidianamente en los pequeños, especialmente en aquellos niños introvertidos que les cuesta hacer amiguitos, estoy hablando del “amigo imaginario” al cual recurren para pasar horas de diversión y tener confianza en si mismos.
En este caso Mario es ese amigo imaginario que siempre está presente en la vida del niño que lo necesite, pero lamentablemente su misión suele terminar muy pronto cuando el pequeño comienza a socializar y hacer lazos de amistad más reales, es ahí cuando Mario comienza a desvanecer y regresar a su nube en espera de otro pequeñin,
La historia también toca el tema de la soledad por lo que podemos ver a Mario anhelando que llegue ese niño que no lo olvide nunca, siempre lo necesite y con quien pueda ser feliz.
El libro está narrado de una manera muy sencilla y simpática, todo esto en conjunto con unas ilustraciones súper chulas con muchos detalles que atrapan por completo la atención en cada una de sus páginas.
Esta es una lectura dirigida a los menores pero que de igual manera un adulto puede disfrutar.
Nos enseña que la amistad aun siendo imaginaria es real.
RESEÑA: http://www.elplacerliterario.com/2018...
La historia aborda un tema que vemos cotidianamente en los pequeños, especialmente en aquellos niños introvertidos que les cuesta hacer amiguitos, estoy hablando del “amigo imaginario” al cual recurren para pasar horas de diversión y tener confianza en si mismos.
En este caso Mario es ese amigo imaginario que siempre está presente en la vida del niño que lo necesite, pero lamentablemente su misión suele terminar muy pronto cuando el pequeño comienza a socializar y hacer lazos de amistad más reales, es ahí cuando Mario comienza a desvanecer y regresar a su nube en espera de otro pequeñin,
La historia también toca el tema de la soledad por lo que podemos ver a Mario anhelando que llegue ese niño que no lo olvide nunca, siempre lo necesite y con quien pueda ser feliz.
El libro está narrado de una manera muy sencilla y simpática, todo esto en conjunto con unas ilustraciones súper chulas con muchos detalles que atrapan por completo la atención en cada una de sus páginas.
Esta es una lectura dirigida a los menores pero que de igual manera un adulto puede disfrutar.
Nos enseña que la amistad aun siendo imaginaria es real.
RESEÑA: http://www.elplacerliterario.com/2018...
July 31, 2016
This was an adorable picture book about friendship, imaginary and real. I think I would have loved this as a small child and it's definitely one that will be added to the collection for my future children. Eoin Colfer always writes the best stories and the illustrations by Oliver Jeffers were perfect. A really fun picture book.
June 26, 2019
Fred was an imaginary friend who had been the boon companion to many a child. But although he always did his best to be an ideal friend, inevitably he was forgotten when the child in question found a "real" friend. More than anything, Fred longed for a permanent connection, rather than a revolving-door arrangement in which only the human child's interests were considered. When Fred is called into service as Sam's imaginary friend, he realizes he has finally found the companion he has dreamed of. He and Sam share the same passions - music, comic books - and enjoy the same activities. Then Sam makes a 'real' friend - a girl named Sammi - and Fred thinks it's the beginning of the end. But is it…?
Although the answer to that question (and the means whereby it is answered) did not come as a surprise to me, I still found Imaginary Fred a fairly enjoyable read. I can't say I found it as adorable as The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend or as engaging as Leo: A Ghost Story - two other stories about imaginary friends - but I appreciated that it explored many of the same themes: the nature of friendship, the longing for a sense of connection. Pinpointing these similarities, even in diverse narratives, is one of the advantages of themed reading, so I'm glad I read the three together. The artwork here, done by Oliver Jeffers, wasn't quite as appealing to me as I'd expected it to be - I've enjoyed many of Jeffers' other titles - but I thought it matched the quirky sensibility of the tale quite well. All in all, Imaginary Fred is a solidly engaging tale, one I would recommend to young readers who enjoy stories with a bit of whimsy.
Although the answer to that question (and the means whereby it is answered) did not come as a surprise to me, I still found Imaginary Fred a fairly enjoyable read. I can't say I found it as adorable as The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend or as engaging as Leo: A Ghost Story - two other stories about imaginary friends - but I appreciated that it explored many of the same themes: the nature of friendship, the longing for a sense of connection. Pinpointing these similarities, even in diverse narratives, is one of the advantages of themed reading, so I'm glad I read the three together. The artwork here, done by Oliver Jeffers, wasn't quite as appealing to me as I'd expected it to be - I've enjoyed many of Jeffers' other titles - but I thought it matched the quirky sensibility of the tale quite well. All in all, Imaginary Fred is a solidly engaging tale, one I would recommend to young readers who enjoy stories with a bit of whimsy.
September 30, 2015
Imaginary Fred is a friend to many... but only for a short while. When Fred's companions make real friends, he fades away and returns to the sky to await his next pal. But things change when Fred meets a boy named Sam.
Y'all know I adore Oliver Jeffers as both an author and illustrator... but I missed his colors in this one! Not that he always uses a ton, and I do understand that the colors were reserved for the imaginary. But still.
That aside, the story and illustrations are adorable (as usual). I'm a big fan of Artemis Fowl, and when I heard Eoin Colfer and Oliver Jeffers were collaborating on a picture book, I knew it was gonna be good. And it was!
Y'all know I adore Oliver Jeffers as both an author and illustrator... but I missed his colors in this one! Not that he always uses a ton, and I do understand that the colors were reserved for the imaginary. But still.
That aside, the story and illustrations are adorable (as usual). I'm a big fan of Artemis Fowl, and when I heard Eoin Colfer and Oliver Jeffers were collaborating on a picture book, I knew it was gonna be good. And it was!
October 13, 2015
It started off kind of simple, but then it took an incredibly imaginative twist! I love it!
January 14, 2016
I just loved this concept of a parallel universe of imaginary friends and the twist of the imaginary friends befriending each other!
October 18, 2016
Mijn recensie van 'Een vriendje voor altijd' verscheen op Cutting Edge
http://www.cuttingedge.be/boekenstrip...
http://www.cuttingedge.be/boekenstrip...
October 1, 2018
Está muy bonito jajaja
Además que la idea y la manera en como aborda el tema de la soledad es interesante.
Además que la idea y la manera en como aborda el tema de la soledad es interesante.
February 9, 2021
Very charming. Good story, funny humor, important message, great art by jefffers, everything a good picture book needs!
January 17, 2025
So cute
but where is my fred ?
but where is my fred ?
February 13, 2016
5+ stars. This was an amazing imaginary friend tale, one I would highly recommend!
I am just going for a basic review, while I could put stuff under spoiler tags (which I always do if I really want to discuss stuff that is spoilerish), I won't do that here, and just speak of the book in general and not go deeper into it. This because there is so much to spoil in this book, and I don't want that, I want the readers to feel the same emotions and be surprised when moments of surprise pop up. I started the book with interest and intrigue, but that changed to happiness and amazement at this amazing book.
Sam, our friendless guy, is a great character. I felt sorry for him, that he was friendless, and so I was really happy when he found Fred. They fit together like 2 peas in a pod, though I can just imagine how confused the parents were when they saw their son and then something (since I am sure they saw the horse) floating next to it. :)
I was worried that Sam would do the same as all the other kids, and I won't tell you if my worries came true or not, but let me just tell you that I am delighted with what happened.
Fred, he was just awesome. The best imaginary friend anyone can wish for (though the wishing process seems painful, that poor postman), but I also felt sad for him, that he had so many friends who just left him when they found a real friend. I was delighted when he met Sam, a friend who just matched him so well in so many things. Reading: check! Interest in various things in life: Check! Drama: Check!
There are also two other things I would love to discuss, but can't due to spoilers. So I will keep it general. I just loved that twist when that thing happened, I was so worried it would end up a certain way.
The ending to the book? Fantastic! Beautiful! Sweet!
The illustrations just fit perfectly with the book. Most of the book is in one colour (blue), but there are also random bursts of other colours, and I have to say it was very effective. At the right moments you would have a sudden burst of colour, I just loved that they did it this way.
All in all, this is one picture book I would really highly recommend. Kids, but also adults, will love this book.
I hope that this duo (Eoin Colfer/Oliver Jeffers) will be making more book for children together, both already made great books for children on their own, but this collaboration? They should do it again!
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I am just going for a basic review, while I could put stuff under spoiler tags (which I always do if I really want to discuss stuff that is spoilerish), I won't do that here, and just speak of the book in general and not go deeper into it. This because there is so much to spoil in this book, and I don't want that, I want the readers to feel the same emotions and be surprised when moments of surprise pop up. I started the book with interest and intrigue, but that changed to happiness and amazement at this amazing book.
Sam, our friendless guy, is a great character. I felt sorry for him, that he was friendless, and so I was really happy when he found Fred. They fit together like 2 peas in a pod, though I can just imagine how confused the parents were when they saw their son and then something (since I am sure they saw the horse) floating next to it. :)
I was worried that Sam would do the same as all the other kids, and I won't tell you if my worries came true or not, but let me just tell you that I am delighted with what happened.
Fred, he was just awesome. The best imaginary friend anyone can wish for (though the wishing process seems painful, that poor postman), but I also felt sad for him, that he had so many friends who just left him when they found a real friend. I was delighted when he met Sam, a friend who just matched him so well in so many things. Reading: check! Interest in various things in life: Check! Drama: Check!
There are also two other things I would love to discuss, but can't due to spoilers. So I will keep it general. I just loved that twist when that thing happened, I was so worried it would end up a certain way.
The ending to the book? Fantastic! Beautiful! Sweet!
The illustrations just fit perfectly with the book. Most of the book is in one colour (blue), but there are also random bursts of other colours, and I have to say it was very effective. At the right moments you would have a sudden burst of colour, I just loved that they did it this way.
All in all, this is one picture book I would really highly recommend. Kids, but also adults, will love this book.
I hope that this duo (Eoin Colfer/Oliver Jeffers) will be making more book for children together, both already made great books for children on their own, but this collaboration? They should do it again!
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
November 17, 2018
Dành đến ngày cuối cùng mới hoàn thành October TBR =)) Tháng này đọc năng xuất thật sự.
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Lúc đầu cứ tưởng quyển này là truyện chữ, hóa ra là một cuốn picture book to oành.
Nét vẽ và câu truyện đều vô cùng dễ thương.
4,5
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*Spoiler alert*
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.
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Tình bạn là tình bạn, dù là tưởng tượng hay không.
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Trước kia không hiểu, giờ mới hiểu.
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Lúc đầu cứ tưởng quyển này là truyện chữ, hóa ra là một cuốn picture book to oành.
Nét vẽ và câu truyện đều vô cùng dễ thương.
4,5
---
*Spoiler alert*
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Tình bạn là tình bạn, dù là tưởng tượng hay không.
---
Trước kia không hiểu, giờ mới hiểu.
September 16, 2018
Buku #10 yang dibaca di Phoenix Public Library.
Jadi, Fred ini adalah teman imajinasi yang akan hadir ketika kamu kesepian dan butuh teman. Tentu saja dia akan datang kalau kamu mengundangnya (memintanya). Pada suatu hari, dia bertemu Sam dan mereka jadi teman dekat. Sampai Sam bertemu teman "nyata" baru dan Fred ketar-ketir. Fred sudah tahu bahwa ketika teman "nyata"-nya punya teman "nyata" baru, dia pasti akan tersingkir. Bagaimana dengan Sam?
Buku bergambar yang bagus! Eoin Colfer x Oliver Jeffers!?
Jadi, Fred ini adalah teman imajinasi yang akan hadir ketika kamu kesepian dan butuh teman. Tentu saja dia akan datang kalau kamu mengundangnya (memintanya). Pada suatu hari, dia bertemu Sam dan mereka jadi teman dekat. Sampai Sam bertemu teman "nyata" baru dan Fred ketar-ketir. Fred sudah tahu bahwa ketika teman "nyata"-nya punya teman "nyata" baru, dia pasti akan tersingkir. Bagaimana dengan Sam?
Buku bergambar yang bagus! Eoin Colfer x Oliver Jeffers!?
October 2, 2015
This is the first book I'm reviewing before reading,even before it's published!But I trust Eoin Colfer with a book like I trust no other author.He's the best and the Artemis inside of him is a good enough reason for me to read anything he writes.Waiting
October 2, 2015
Lovely to think that imaginary friends would last forever with friends of their own...Fred is a great friend and he finally met the right people. Love the illustrations!
November 28, 2018
A lovely book to use alongside The Imaginary!
November 23, 2019
Imaginary Fred is a hardcover book for young readers by British author, Eoin Colfer. It is filled with wonderfully evocative illustrations by Oliver Jeffers. Imaginary Fred is the one who appears when a lonely child wishes hard enough for a friend, if all the conditions are right. And Fred loves being there for the forlorn boy or girl who needs him, knowing that when they find a real friend in the real world, he will begin to fade away. When Sam wishes for a friend, and Fred appears, he expects their friendship to follow the usual course. But this time, when Sam finds a real-life friend, something different happens. Delightfully heartwarming.
March 24, 2017
2.5
A welcome collaboration between Irish Children’s Laureate, Eoin Colfer, and picture book genius, Oliver Jeffers, Imaginary Fred is the story of how, with a little electricity or even some magic, an imaginary friend might appear. And just when you need one!
This is a story from the point of view of Fred, an experienced but now lonely imaginary friend. All is happy again when he meets new friend Sam, but Fred soon starts to worry that Sam will get a "real" friend. Will Fred be replaced? A fun narrative and an enjoyable, offbeat tale of friendship and abandonment issues that children will enjoy.
A welcome collaboration between Irish Children’s Laureate, Eoin Colfer, and picture book genius, Oliver Jeffers, Imaginary Fred is the story of how, with a little electricity or even some magic, an imaginary friend might appear. And just when you need one!
This is a story from the point of view of Fred, an experienced but now lonely imaginary friend. All is happy again when he meets new friend Sam, but Fred soon starts to worry that Sam will get a "real" friend. Will Fred be replaced? A fun narrative and an enjoyable, offbeat tale of friendship and abandonment issues that children will enjoy.
July 18, 2017
Friendship creates bonds like no other and in this book, Fred is a wonderful friend for as long as his real friends will have him. But as we grow and change, some people stay while others drift away. And Fred gets very use to this process. That is, until he meets Sam, who swears they will be friends always.
I knew I'd adore this book from the start, as Oliver Jeffers is one of my favorite illustrators. I think this duo did an amazing job telling such a necessary tale.
I knew I'd adore this book from the start, as Oliver Jeffers is one of my favorite illustrators. I think this duo did an amazing job telling such a necessary tale.
January 26, 2016
This is a neat little work of imagination about the lives of imaginary friends. I really like Oliver Jeffers' illustrations (no matter what he's illustrating), and I like the storytelling voice Eoin Colfer uses for this picture book.
It doesn't do anything super interesting (in terms of using it as a model text for older kids) but I will hang onto it instead of returning it to the library so I can read it to my son & see what he thinks.
It doesn't do anything super interesting (in terms of using it as a model text for older kids) but I will hang onto it instead of returning it to the library so I can read it to my son & see what he thinks.
October 11, 2018
I love how the illustrations make sure the imaginary friends are always the ones to stand out. Furthermore, how the imaginary lies illustrations change to represent fading. It encompasses the innocence of children and the importance of friendship, no matter what kind of friendships it is. Also particularly enjoy the reference in one illustrations to Oliver Jeffers work.
July 29, 2016
I don't know...it seems like Eoin Colfer borrowed a lot from A.F. Harrold's The Imaginary. To me, it's not enough to be a big name kids author and borrow your ideas, you have to at least make it your own.
January 15, 2016
Imaginary Fred is a sweet picture book about friendship, real and imaginary. We really enjoyed the imaginary world Colfer and Jeffers built. This slightly longer than average picture book is perfect for older picture book readers with vivid imaginations.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 368 reviews