Side by Side

by Rachel Bright, Debi Gliori (Illustrator)

Two bestselling talents bring you a future classic for fans of The Gruffalo and Giraffes Can't Dance. This rhyming witty story about friendship is a perfect for sharing and reading aloud.

Deep in the heart of Wintermouse Wood,
Down in the grass where the autumn trees stood,
Lived all kinds of creatures - some big and some small,
Some spiky, some furry, some short and some tall.

Little Mouseling lives with her family in Wintermouse Wood. She loves being together, but she is SO small that she's sometimes left out when her brothers and sisters go out to play. Will this tiny mouse find the perfect friend to stay by her side?

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Animals, Childrens, Storytime, Nature, Adventure

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 28, 2015

About the author

Rachel is a writer of words, drawer of pictures and champion of silver linings. She exhibits widely, writes tirelessly and frequently creates slightly unhinged characters.

Her written work includes children’s stories and poems, clever advertising copy and lots of other stuff besides. Her illustrative work is a smorgasboard of giant, hand-printed poems, mind-bogglingly detailed gouache illustrations and a cacophony of quirky prints and etchings.

She explores the lovliness of words and the magic of pictures, revelling in a world of jam-eating miniature bears and other made-up animals.

Her work aims to capture a free way of thinking - one which makes you feel anything is possible, a feeling all too easily lost with the end of childhood. When we’re all grown-up, sometimes we just need a little nudge to remember it’s been there all along.

*Rachel has also been an air hostess, a garden designer and a lifeguard. She often runs a really long way and was once invited to the selection of the British ultra running team. She also once won a date with Man of the millennium and has been trying to live it down ever since.

Reviews

[Kayla Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story about a little mouse who goes looking for a friend that is just right for her and the adventures she goes on to find that perfect match.

"Two wonderful ones had found a forever, and forever is great when you spend it together."

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little mouse goes looking for the perfect friend. With sweet illustrations by Debi Gliori.

[Rachael Davis (Picture Book Perfect) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Mouseling is the tiniest, weeniest mouse and she sometimes feels like the odd one out. So she decides to find someone who will always stay by her side. She searches through Wintermouse Wood and meets lots of kind creatures but she still doesn’t seem to fit in. Until that is, she meets someone who might just be her best friend forever.

I am a huge fan of Rachel Bright and in awe of her ability to write rhyming stories that are effortless to read. This is a lovely warm story about friendship and I think it would be a great book to read with a child that might be finding building friendships tough.

See my full review with pictures my link text.

[Mckenzie Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy friendship books. Usually friendship has to overcome some adversity which makes it very relatable and very interesting. I liked the characters and I liked the artwork a lot. It made me smile a lot and I found that several moments were very cute.

[Cynthia Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mom's review: This is a sweet story. Telling an actual story all through rhyme is very challenging. What's hardest is that it leaves some of the lines feeling a little challenged. We were all a bit confused -- there was a best potential friend all along ... and when we went back and studied, we saw that the little mole was indeed following mousling all along .... but it's not clear why he waits until the end to speak up ... . Maybe it would have been more satisfying if mole had kept trying to engage with mousing only to be overshadowed by the other more assertive animals ... This is an ambitious text and I applaud the author for taking on the telling of a long story all in rhyme.

It's a soothing rhyme, and perhaps best suited for very young children, who will be lulled to sleep by he rhythms.

My kids: They too wanted to know why mole did not try to be friend earlier, and got a little restless.

[Jennifer Endsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was very cute and a good story. I like that the book includes some rhyming words, but unlike “Goodnight Moon,” some of the sentences would be hard for younger kids to understand the meaning, so if you were reading this book to younger kids, you would have to interpret the sentences for them. I really like the illustrations because they use color and shading really well and it helps bring the characters to life. I also like how the book touches on race and how people of different races should get along. For instance, the mouse is a light tan color, so she could be representing Caucasian people and the vol is a darker color, so he could be representing African-Americans. This inspires the meaning of the story which I think is that no matter who you are, where you are from, or how you look, we all are the same and deserve to find happiness in friendship with one another.

[NESTA TOYS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Side by Side by Rachel Bright is an absolutely delightful book that celebrates friendship, love, and the power of supporting one another. The story, featuring two charming characters—a tiny weasel and a lonely mole—reminds readers of the importance of companionship and teamwork.

The rhyming text is beautifully crafted, making it a joy to read aloud. It flows effortlessly, keeping young readers engaged while imparting a heartwarming message about togetherness. Rachel Bright's words are paired perfectly with Jim Field's stunning illustrations, which are rich, vibrant, and brimming with emotion.

This book is perfect for children aged 3 to 7 and provides a wonderful opportunity for parents and kids to bond over its lovely themes. It's a feel-good story that leaves a lasting impression. Whether you’re looking for a bedtime story or a meaningful gift, *Side by Side* is a must-have addition to any child’s library.

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book right after another one of Ms. Bright's books (The Lion Inside) and it was.a hard act to follow. Side by Side has some of the same magic, but I found the story lacking and I was confused by the mouse's eventual friend-- a mole. The copy I read was from the library and the page when they meet had been ripped out so I didn't even know what animal it was until I read some reviews. Cute idea, but feels like a stretch.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this one due the cover as the animals looked interesting. Turned out to be mice. I'm a sucker for a rhyming story and this one is fairly good. I'm not sure what the moral of the story is - maybe if you keep searching you'll find someone just like you to be friends with. Or don't attempt to be friends with people who are different from you...?

[Evianrei · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Mousling needs a friend, and she finds one!. Very cute, sweet, little book about a small mouse looking for a friend that is perfect for her. Adorable illustrations and wonderful writing. Might get a copy of this for my 8 month old son's book collection in the future instead of checking it out at the library again.

[Michelle Vanek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Side by Side is a great rhyming book that would be good for first or second graders. This little mouse is on the search for a new best friend in Wintermouse Wood to stay by her side and be there for her. A good book about friendship and loyalty.

[Jenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kustannus Mäkelän varmaa ja turvallista tuotantoa eläinhahmoisilla sankareilla. Kuvakirja on toteutettu riimitellen kerrottuna ja teemana on yksinäisyys ja ystävän saaminen. Suloisesti kuvitettu ja lukutuokiosta jää hyvä mieli, kuten jo tätä kirjaa lainatessa ounastelinkin.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has full bleed illustrations. I noticed that the art transfers onto the other side of the pages. Even on the colored papers between the hard covers have leaves on them which I think shows a lot of effort and makes the book look more put together.

[AMY · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun rhyming animal story. It features a very, very sweet friendship between a tiny mouse and a vole. The illustrations are very colorful and nice. Highly recommended for Grades K-2.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute but forgettable.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Companionship/friendship.

[Jenna Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet

[Andrew P Fuchs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ffggg

Ffgghggnnjj hhjjb. Just. Just. Just. Just. Just. Just. Unfortunately. Just. Jun. Just. Just. Just. I. I just. I'm. In June in

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story of friendship. The illustrations are extremely delightful and I enjoyed the rhyming way the story is told. Another really good book to read out loud.

[Chelsea Elwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finding a friend can be hard. This book perhaps relies on the one-best-friend model a bit too heavily.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how this book shows that carefully choosing a friend is a great path to happiness.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 1/2 stars. This one was just ok.

[Jill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Companionship story of a mouse looking for someone who will share adventures with them. This would be best read with young children who will notice the details in each illustration. It was fine.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable rhyming friendship story set in the woods.

[Josephine Bivins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite of her books but the rhyming was good

[A.R. McKenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute book. Cute drawings and it has a great message. 🐭

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story about finding a friends.

[Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Side By Side by Rachel Bright & Debi Gliori

Little Mouseling is the youngest and tiniest of her mouse family. Being the youngest and tiniest meant that she was always left out when her brothers and sisters went out to play. All little mouseling wants is someone to stay by her side, and so she heads out to find someone who will.

1st Grade or 2nd Grade Activity:
As a class, come up with characteristics of a good friend and bad friend. Then have each student make their own list of characteristics that they want in a friend and a list of characteristics that they do not want in a friend.

Bright, R., & Gliori, D. (2015). Side by side. Orchard Books.

[Teresa Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Mouseling is the smallest in her family and often gets left behind. She starts to search for a friend. Many forest animals are willing, but they just don't have enough in common. She appreciates their invitation to join them, but she wants to find someone that can do the things she enjoys. Finally she meets little black vole. He had been there all along, but she just hadn't seen him. They are perfect for each other: they have the same interests, are the same size, and their differences compliment each other. This story is a good reminder that in our search for a dear friend, sometimes we don't need to go on a long journey; we just need to open our eyes. (Would make a perfect wedding gift.)

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this children's book and I think any small child would enjoy having this book read to them. The rhyming lines give it that nice sing-song effect that small children enjoy so much and eventually, after being read over and over again, can recite along with the reader. Ample opportunity to engage the child with the vole hiding on all the pages (Can you find the vole on this page?). Nice story about how there is a friend out there for everyone - just don't give up and keep looking. In compliance with FTC guidelines, I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.