Patrick and Ted

Patrick

by Geoffrey Hayes

Best friends, Patrick and Ted, find their relationship strained when Ted goes away for the summer and Patrick finds other activities and friends to occupy his time.

Genres: Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 31, 1985

About the author

Geoffrey Hayes has written and illustrated over forty children’s books, including the extremely popular series of early readers Otto and Uncle Tooth, the classic Bear By Himself, and When the Wind Blew by Caldecott Medal-winning author Margaret Wise Brown.

Reviews

[Dolly]

Gentle tale about friendship for beginning readers. The illustrations are rudimentary, colorful, and cartoonish and will likely appeal to young children.

[Megan]

Summary: Two bears, Patrick and Ted, are best friends. Then, one summer Ted goes to stay with his aunt and uncle. Patrick misses Ted, but starts to hang out with other friends. He likes being himself, too. When Ted comes back, the boys fight at first, but then make up. At the end of the story, the two are still best friends, but they learn that they don't have to do everything together.
Genre: Picture Book
Audience: K-3
Reading Level: Early Readers
Curricular Uses: Read aloud, independent reading
Topic: Best friends
Theme: Best friends don't have to do everything together
Illustrations: Cute pictures that really reinforce the text for early readers. Creative use of speech bubbles to help tell the story.
Additional Comments: I think this book sends a great message to children. So often, children choose to have only one best friend, excluding others. This book teaches children that it's okay to have a best friend, but not to forget about others. Most importantly, don't forget about yourself. I would use this book with primary grades.

[E]

I took this book out of the library so many times that I eventually told them I lost it so I could just buy it. I was 14 at that point. It is my true FAVORITE BOOK OF ALL TIME.

[Cws]

BR-Hay