I'm Sticking With You Too

by Smriti Prasadam-Halls, Steve Small (Illustrations)

A joyful tale about acceptance and belonging from the creators of international sensation, I’m Sticking with You! Praise for I'm Sticking with 'A wonderful, warm bear-hug of a story with sumptuous illustrations. A modern classic.' - Jim Field, illustrator of Oi Frog and The Lion Inside. 'Deftly humorous images and warmly rhyming text make for a lovely book to cuddle up with.' The Guardian Much-loved characters Bear and Squirrel are back! And they’ve found the perfect rhythm for their friendship. Until, that is, Chicken turns up... She wants in! But how will Bear and Squirrel feel about accepting a new friend? Will they come to see that some things work out when we do them together. That two can be good…but three can be BETTER?   This beautifully written, gorgeously illustrated follow-up to the bestselling I’m Sticking with You is the perfect book for examining how, even if new friends might disrupt the rhythm at first, the sense of belonging that friendship can bring has the potential to make your heart sing!  

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Music

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2021

About the author

Smriti Prasadam-Halls is an award-winning, internationally best-selling children’s author whose books have been published in more than thirty languages. Her titles include the Publishers Weekly #1 bestseller I Love You Night and Day, illustrated by Alison Brown. Smriti Prasadam-Halls previously worked at the BBC and in children’s publishing and television as a writer and editor for twelve years. She lives in London with her husband and three sons.

Reviews

[Michaela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beat and Squirrel are back, this time with Chicken who wants to join their band and friendship. But the two have their excuses to not let her follow them - till Chicken learns to know some dangerous foxes and the two decide that life in a threesome is also nice, and in this friendship everyone can develop their talents,
I liked the lovely illustrations, but most of all the rhymes that I´d like to hear accompanied with music and sing them myself.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

[Ria]

Dit prentenboek doorkijken geeft een spontane glimlach. Beer en eekhoorn die we kennen uit het eerdere ‘Ik blijf altijd bij jou’ doen dit al, maar de kip met koffer doet dat nog veel meer. Wat een houdingen kan de witte kip aannemen, de kam die alle kanten op zwiept of de kordate korte pootjes, het geeft aan dat dit dier een extra geeft aan dit verhaal.

Of Beer en Eekhoorn Kip een toevoeging vinden aan hun bestaan is maar de vraag: ‘Wij zijn een duo, één groot en één klein.’ Kip vraagt of hij samen met hen muziek mag maken, hij is goed, benadrukt hij en zou dolgraag meespelen. Het antwoord is ‘Nee hoor, wij vinden dat geen goed idee!’ Kip trekt alle registers open, springt, danst, smeekt, speelt een instrument, verleidt ze met thee, maar het antwoord blijft: NEE, ze blijven liever met zijn twee want drie is teveel.
Kip druipt af. Hij gaat naar waar hij wel gewenst is. Beer en Eekhoorn kletsen wat na met zijn tweetjes in de duo-scooter-mobiel. Kip in gevaar! Het eind laat zich bijna raden en toch zo origineel want hoe verwerk je soepel dat een duo naar een paar van drie gaat?

Het thema vriendschap verveelt nooit, vooral niet als het op zo een mooie en grappige manier met allerlei emoties wordt verbeeld. De illustraties vol beweging van Steve Small zijn ook nu geweldig. Hoe Beer gezwind heen en weer rent of met zijn contrabas op de rug op de scooter zit laten je glimlachen. Bij Eekhoorn is dit niet anders, met een eikel onder zijn poot als Beer bessen plukt of eigenwijs zittend in het zijspan. Kip laat je echter hardop lachen en wijzen naar zijn dolle capriolen. De vele details mogen niet onbenoemd blijven, een kikker, de kastanjes of andere insecten. Het groot, klein, kleiner perspectief is erg goed weergegeven. Daarbij heerst er rust in de illustraties door het plaatsen van de figuren op een witte achtergrond en door gebruik van dezelfde kleuren waarbij er een duidelijk verschil in dag en nacht is gemaakt.

De tekst leest moeiteloos voor, soms is het een blok, soms een enkele uitroep en toch rijmend. Vloeiend vertaald door Joukje Akveld waardoor er veel kinderen in het Nederlandse taalgebied zomaar een lievelingsboek kunnen aanwijzen. Want wie wil er nu niet ergens bij horen en zich op een plaats gewenst voelen of hoe is het als er iemand zich bij jouw groep wil aansluiten?

Een geweldig boek over vriendschap met schitterende illustraties en een mooi universeel verhaal. Er is altijd plaats voor eentje meer. Aanrader dus. Om vaak voor te lezen!

[Anna Baboura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Όλοι για έναν και πένας για όλους 💚

[Veronika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muselo sem ublat 1 hviezdičku v českému plekladu nebyl lodovo citlivej jazyk. Avekc

[Diana Catarina Bezerra · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, congratulations to Steve Small for the amazing illustrations that bring so much life to the book.
This is a great story about friendship and about welcoming others and making new friends.

[Martina P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Povratak prijatelja, prihvaćanje različitosti i rast prijateljstva.

[Hannah Fazakerley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this book on NetGalley and it instantly appealed to me because of the amazing illustrations and theme of friendship; two’s company but three’s a crowd… or is it?
As an infant teacher of more than (ahem) twenty odd years, I have a profound love for picture books which explain more easily the growing up situations children face and help them talk about and find ways through them, without it having to be about themselves. This is just such a book. Bear and squirrel are friends (see the previous book ‘I’m sticking with you’ for details!) but now there is someone else wanting to join them and this could be a problem, two fit together so well, it would be far too tricky with three wouldn’t it?With beautiful illustrations telling the story alongside the words, this close to perfect picture book presents a tricky situation when a chicken is very keen to join the friendship. At first, bear and squirrel are adamant that it just won’t work. But when chicken is lured away by a bad crowd, can he be rescued in time?
This deceptively simple book will be a hit with young children and are so valuable to give talking points with youngsters either at home or in a class or nurture group setting. Children will easily be able to see the problems facing the characters and many will be able to give ideas about how the problems could be solved. By exploring this with the characters in the book, they will be learning more about relationships and acceptance in their own lives.

[Sonya Bright]

I read this second book in the series before the first one, and I loved the artwork so much!

Written in rhyme, there’s a lesson to be learnt about inclusion, but the message is not at the expense of the humour.

The funny chicken—who is not in book one—made me enjoy this second book twice as much as the first! I loved all the ridiculous musical instruments she tries out to try and be included in the duo—soon to be trio—of friends.

The illustrations are in the artist’s trademark bold style, but in this book there were heaps of cute little details to notice.

You know something is going to go wrong, and I loved how the “Musicians Wanted Chickens Only” sign took us into danger and disaster!

The friendship at the end was imperfectly perfect.

[Stephen the Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bear and squirrel return with another delightful tale about friendship and belonging.This time they are joined by chicken who wants to accompany their musical duo. Initially Bear and Squirrel are reluctant to let Chicken join them following his somewhat noisy and awkward audition but following Chicken’s departure and journey towards some rather unsavoury fox characters , the three unite as friends and realise that they can form a group with all their own individual skills. As with I’m Sticking With You , the illustrations are wonderful and charming and the story is perfectly pitched for young readers and story listeners - perfect for Ks 1 story time and PSHE .Another winner from Smriti Halls and Steve Small

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is interesting in the manner in which it travels the positive and negative thoughts of navigating the task of friendship. It challenges my connection to each character via their behaviour within the story. It feels like an epic tale told in quick bite-size quips between the characters, whilst the illustrations create yet another story element adding to the depth of each character. Love the use of this to add more.

[book_lover_kent · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute little book which could be used in schools to encourage children to include others in their games.
The illustrations are fun but the story is told solely through speech and at times it’s confusing as to who is saying what, although this too could be turned into a lesson about using speech marks and synonyms for said
Would recommend as a KS1 text

[Elisa Morse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smriti Halls has written a narrative that appeals to young children and the adults reading them. The shirt, rhyming phrases are catchy, interesting and pleasurable to read. The plot is strong; friendship of two very different characters shows young children how comications can be overcome. A brilliant addition to any picture book shelf.
Recommended for ages 4+

[Vanja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awwwwić!
Ovaj slatki nastavak meni jedne od najdražih slikovnica "Tu sam, uz tebe" nije mi uspio prenijeti jednaku količinu dirljivosti kao prva. Ali zato je veoma duhovita i zanimljiva.
I fantastična mi je Koka koja je baš uporna unatoč svim odbijanjima, dokazujući još jednom kako se upornost isplati ako nešto stvarno jako, jako, jako želiš.

[thewoollygeek (tea, cake, crochet & books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Bear and Squirrel, I’m an overgrown child but luckily I have the girls to share this with and they loved it as much as me, it’s wonderful, full of humour and look at those beautiful illustrations.mThe story is top class, you know we love the characters , it’s a fantastic and inspirational book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

How do you grow a friendship when someone new wants to play?

Why I started this book: The first book was so fun, that I went searching for the second.

Why I finished it: I did struggle with this as a child... interesting to see it broken down to a child's level.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful picture book about Bear & Squirrel, but is there room for a third? Focussing on themes of friendship and working to get along despite differences.

Huge hit with the kids.

Thank you to NetGalley and Publishers for an early eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Rose Cavanagh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story in rhyme, illustrated beautifully. Message of two friends becoming three and what that means.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always funny and always nice to know you have friends.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gorgeous follow up to 'I'm Sticking With You'. The facial expressions on the characters are hilarious.

[Jessica van Eijk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hartverwarmend en ook nog op rijm, wat wil je nog meer?!

[Jacqui · Rating 3 out of 5]

Made me smile. Reminded of the Klassen books.

[Suong Thach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Een feestje om te lezen!

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sweet

[Miss_Cultura · Rating 5 out of 5]

🐻Me quedo contigo también 🐿️ de Smriti Halls y Steve Small🐔 es un libro con tres protagonistas únicos. Un libro infantil entrañable y delicioso.
🎼Con una musicalidad mágica y con varios mensajes entre sus páginas adorables.
❤️Un libro para celebrar viejas y nuevas amistades

[Theo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations (why we bought it) but the text felt clunky and awkward to read aloud.

[Fateme H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

همون‌جا تو کتاب‌فروشی خوندمش. خیلی ناز و بانمک بود.
نشر مهرسا با عنوان «من هم چسبیده‌ام به تو» چاپش کرده.

[Regalia Lenzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kura uparciucha i męczydusza, ale nasza to kura i wara od niej! Śliczne obrazki, a ta kurka taka kurkowa :-)

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incredibly funny and sweet picture book about friendship.

[Sophie Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the gorgeous and high-anticipated follow up to I'm Sticking With You and we were really excited to read this having found the last one at the library. Bear and Squirrel are the best of friends. They do everything together. In the last book, the friendship gets a little intense for Squirrel and so they spend some time apart but don't worry, spoiler alert: eventually realise they need each other. In this story, Bear and Squirrel are joined by a new character, Chicken. Chicken wants to be their new friend, but Bear and Squirrel aren't too sure.

It's such a brilliant story about friendship. I love that the theme throughout the book is rhythm and playing and 'fitting' together. It starts out by showing that Bear and Squirrel have really found their rhythm together but when Chicken comes along, he's totally out of rhythm and time and he's playing too loudly for Bear and Squirrel. Poor Chicken eventually leaves to try and find some other friends, but doesn't manage to find the right sort. Bear and Squirrel realise that they should have tried to include Chicken in their group and set out to find him. This book made us laugh out loud. The story is charming and the illustrations are wonderful too. We love how some of the background characters from the first book are in this one too. Very clever! It has a great message about friendship and it teaches children that although sometimes new friends might disrupt the rhythm you've got going on, eventually you will all find a way to sing together.