Scribbly: A Real Imaginary Friend Tale – A Heartfelt Picture Book About Staying True and Finding Courage for Kids

by Ged Adamson

From the creator of Shark Dog! and Ava and the Rainbow (Who Stayed) comes a heartfelt story of a girl, her new home, and a very special imaginary puppy friend.

In Ged Adamson’s latest picture book, a young girl named Maude moves to a new town and everything feels…okay. Things would feel just right if only she had a friend. So, Maude grabs a piece of paper and draws a blue puppy. She names him Scribbly, and he is the perfect imaginary friend. Scribbly teaches Maude the importance of staying true to herself and gives her the courage to meet new friends—both human and four-legged.

Perfect for fans of Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, The Adventures of Beekle by Dan Santat, and The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Childrens, Dogs, Art, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published June 22, 2021

About the author

Ged Adamson is a British picture-book author and artist. He has worked as a cartoonist, a storyboard artist, and a composer for television and film. He grew up in Liverpool and now lives in London with his partner, Helen, and their son, Rex.

Reviews

[Kaethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is good, with some twists, and some drama, and a satisfying resolution. And the art was appealing.

The narrative voice read as way more mature than what one would expect from a young child, but it wasn't jarring.

Library copy

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maude and her mom have moved to a new town. There's lots of things to do there, but Maude doesn't have anyone to play with. So, because she likes to draw, Maude draws a dog, names him Scribbly, and imagines it does everything with her. So nice to have a friend, even if it's just in her imagination. But mom is worried that Maud isn't trying to meet new friends.

AJ (age 5) really liked this story. She loved that the drawing of Scribbly looked like what she could draw. She liked that Maud was a good friend to her imaginary dog, and she especially loved the ending - which might involve a real dog! I thought the illustrations were perfect, part kid line drawings set in a but more advanced environment, so the people look like people. I read a digital download (thank you Harper Collins) and the medium looks like crayon. A fun read aloud.

cross posted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com

[Tiffany (OomilyReads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scribbly: A Real Imaginary Friend Tale written & illustrated by Ged Adamson

Ever moved when you were really little and felt shy about making new friends? Well, Maude just moved to a new town that she’s super excited about but something is missing…if only she had a friend. She draws a blue puppy and names him Scribbly!

Scribbly and Maude do everything together and even gives her the courage to make new friends at a birthday party. The ending was perfect with Maude and Scribbly meeting a doggy at the animal shelter. The illustrations are super adorable, and my kids loved everything about this book!

Thank you @harperkids for sending me this delightful book by Ged Adamson. We will be looking into more of his fun picture books!

[Carol Farrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like I hit the jackpot with kids books this week and Scribbly is another one that was a wonderful book. Moving to a new town and not having new friends is very difficult and can be traumatic for a child. From the stress and boredom Maude comes up with Scribbly a dog that she draws. He goes everywhere and does everything with her to ease her transition and she finds out that he helps her make new friends then mom has a surprise for her. I really appreciate how the mom did not push her to forget her imaginary friend or give up on it, she was patient and understanding and it was a beautiful touch to this book. This book can definitely be read to preschoolers, especially those that are moving or maybe going to a new school or daycare or preschool.

[Margie · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is definitely something to be said to creating an imaginary pal when someone is in need of a friend. In this case, Scribbly is a dog, on paper. The girl in this story and her mom have recently moved to a new town. Even though the new area has many pluses, what the girl realizes she needs is a friend, so she draws one. Ultimately Scribbly helps her to break the ice when invited to a birthday party for a boy in the same apartment building. Then her mom decides to get her a real dog. This is a sweet tale. Those who have moved in the past or are about to move will find ideas and support about adjusting to a new town.

[ErinTheLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy ending. New kid in big city needs friend so she creates (scribbles) an imaginary dog. She/the dog are popular at a birthday party. Mom takes her to an animal shelter to adopt a real dog. She appears a pink with a bun but city folk and friends appear diverse racially/ different tones. Sentences are short, usually one or two per page. Fine readaloud for preschool storytime, k-1 circle time on kindness/meeting new friends/new experiences, or for a parent to read to a child on the above topics.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maude and her mom move to a new city, where Maude doesn't have any friends and doesn't know anyone. She makes an imaginary dog named Scribbly. At a birthday party, she introduces Scribbly to the birthday boy, and everyone loves Scribbly. But really everyone loves Maude because she create Scribbly. In the end, Maude gets a real pet dog that Scribbly can play with. Moving can be a scary thing, where an imaginary friend can help! I don't know that I like that Maude gets a real pet dog in the end because that's not the main point--it's that she is special and fun on her own.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Scribbly is special and fun because YOU ARE.”

Moving to a new place isn’t easy, so Maude creates an imaginary dog named Scribbly. When Maude is invited to a party though, Maude’s mother asks her not to take Scribbly. Maude tries not to include Scribbly, but as more kids show up it gets harder and harder and finally she turns to Scribbly for comfort. But the other kids don’t seem to mind at all.

[Jolynne Dougherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creative and imaginative child who moves away from home to a new home. They are lonely until they make a new friend - Scribbly - a dog of their own making. Life is better when you have a friend to share it with. I like the wisdom of the mother in the book. While the child thinks that the other children like them because of Scribbly, the mom lets them know that, "They like you because of you. Scribbly is special and fun because YOU ARE."

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imaginary friends are common for picture book readers.

But self-generated, creatively-created, imaginary friends are a rarity.

I enjoyed this rare tale about Maude and her beautifully drawn imaginary friend. And the wise mother's interpretation of Maude's social success at the party was wonderful.

FIVE STARS to you, author and illustrator Ged Adamson.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fresh take on how a shy kid in a new town manages social isolation by using her artistic skills to create her own imaginary pal, which results in meeting real new friends and welcoming a scribbnificent surprise.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute imaginary friend tale. The end was a bit disappointing because it meant the rest of the story was not satisfying for the main character and the mom's role was too big in the resolution of the story.

[Colorado Buck · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was pretty obvious at the end that she was going to get a real dog. Oops I guess that’s a spoiler, but it won’t be that much of a spoiler once you start reading the book and put two and two together for yourself.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young girl wants a playmate so she creates her own.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

We love books by Ged Adamson, my five year old daughter can read them over and over. This one was no exception.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The hopeful side of me likes to think that children would be accepting of a child with an imaginary friend, but the realist worries that this is less than likely.

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maude draws herself a new friend.

[Shandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super sweet!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute book. Lincoln paused a couple times reading letting the content impact him. It was lovely to see.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I would've liked it more if the story ended before they went to the pet shelter.

[SamSamSam · Rating 4 out of 5]

So creative and encouraging! PLAY, social-emotional learning

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

How a real imaginary friend can help make real real friends.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute and great message

[Y.Poston]

a great exploration of imaginary friends!

[emyrose8 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5- Cute. Girl moves to new town, has invisible dog that helps her gain confidence in making new friends.

[Katy]

told from the first person

[Sean Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adamson Adventure #7
Great tale from Adamson with real pathos and very engaging.
It should be enjoyable for all ages and be read multiple times.

[L.A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is almost a four.