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Old Friends
Paired with colorful and vibrant art by Lenny Wen, Old Friends is an inventive and heartfelt debut picture book that celebrates found family, caregiving, and the value of intergenerational friendships.
Marjorie wants a friend who loves the same things she does: baking shows, knitting, and gardening. Someone like Granny. So with a sprinkle of flour in her hair and a spritz of lavender perfume, Marjorie goes undercover to the local Senior Citizens Group. It all goes well until the Cha-Cha-Cha starts and her cardigan camouflage goes sideways. By being true to herself, Marjorie learns that friends can be of any age if you look in the right places.
Marjorie wants a friend who loves the same things she does: baking shows, knitting, and gardening. Someone like Granny. So with a sprinkle of flour in her hair and a spritz of lavender perfume, Marjorie goes undercover to the local Senior Citizens Group. It all goes well until the Cha-Cha-Cha starts and her cardigan camouflage goes sideways. By being true to herself, Marjorie learns that friends can be of any age if you look in the right places.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published July 26, 2022
2216 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Aitken
1 book34 followersMargaret Aitken is a Scottish writer for children. As a child, she could often be found outside hoping to stumble upon the characters of Brambly Hedge and Beatrix Potter. After studying medicine at the University of Glasgow, she worked as a doctor in the village of Doune, a filming location for Outlander and Game of Thrones. Along with her husband and three sons, Margaret is currently enjoying life in a New England-style farmhouse in Maine. When she isn’t writing she can mostly be found at the beach, in the garden, or baking something gluten-free.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
September 15, 2022
Read for my toddler's bedtime. Majorie loves gardening, cooking, and knitting but didn't have a friend to share ideas with. One day, she saw a sign at the local community center with activities similar to her interests. She went but got turned away because that room was arranged specifically for senior citizens. Majorie decided to follow her grandma's footsteps about not giving up easily. She went and found herself a granny costume to disguise her age. She got let in the next time she went. She was so happy to learn a new stitch from one senior citizen and a delicious recipe from another. One person then brought out music and everyone started doing the cha-cha-cha. At first Majorie didn't want to dance but as she tried to escape, she got trapped among the citizens. She decided to stay and dance her own moves. She had so much fun that she didn't notice when her disguises was falling off.. Excellent story and fun illustrations!
Thank you MacKidsBooks for the opportunity to read and review!
Thank you MacKidsBooks for the opportunity to read and review!
July 27, 2022
My love for picture books started thirty years ago when I was pregnant with my eldest, who's now 26. I read Go, Dog, Go to her when she was in my tummy. The way her little face opened up with glee and recognition while the same book was read to her after birth has embedded in my mind forever. Impressed with how picture books can help shape young minds, I volunteered at my kids' school library and managed its website for years. Three kids and twenty years later, I read most, if not all good picture books, both classics and new ones, Caldecott winners and Hornbook awards, British, American and Chinese. My exposure to picture books made me somewhat of an expert. I fell in love with this book the minute the manuscript was shown to me. The story was original and unusual, the illustrations beautiful with vibrant colors and diverse characters. I do not want to give away the storyline, which made this picture book unique. I bought multiple copies just to gift my friends with toddler and preschoolers in their family. It'll be one of those stories you don't mind reading over and over again.
August 10, 2022
I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!! What's one way to bust ageism? More books like this, for sure!! Let's start teaching kids that it's ok, normal, and even FUN to grow older.
Summary:
"Marjorie wants a friend who loves the same things she does: baking shows, knitting, and gardening. Someone like Granny. So with a sprinkle of flour in her hair and a spritz of lavender perfume, Marjorie goes undercover to the local Senior Citizens Group. It all goes well until the cha-cha-cha starts and her cardigan camouflage goes sideways. By being true to herself, Marjorie learns that friends can be any age if you look in the right places."
My favorite quote:
"On the outside we may look old, but on the inside, we still feel like kids. Just like you."
Summary:
"Marjorie wants a friend who loves the same things she does: baking shows, knitting, and gardening. Someone like Granny. So with a sprinkle of flour in her hair and a spritz of lavender perfume, Marjorie goes undercover to the local Senior Citizens Group. It all goes well until the cha-cha-cha starts and her cardigan camouflage goes sideways. By being true to herself, Marjorie learns that friends can be any age if you look in the right places."
My favorite quote:
"On the outside we may look old, but on the inside, we still feel like kids. Just like you."
March 30, 2022
Delightful generational book
With vivid colors and active illustrations, Old Friends tells the story of a girl who wants friends who likes the same things she does: knitting, baking, and gardening. Since she used to do these hobbies with her granny, what better place to find a new friend, or an OLD friend, than at the senior center? This book celebrates the friendships between old and young.
With vivid colors and active illustrations, Old Friends tells the story of a girl who wants friends who likes the same things she does: knitting, baking, and gardening. Since she used to do these hobbies with her granny, what better place to find a new friend, or an OLD friend, than at the senior center? This book celebrates the friendships between old and young.
March 25, 2022
This is such a sweet and marvelously original story! When I was little I loved spending time with old people, not only my grandparents but their friends as well and others. Once I went on a short trip with my grandmother and a busload of elderly women. They were so curious as to why I liked hanging out with them, but they all had had many experiences by that time in life which made for interesting conversations. Plus they were always up for a game of cards. So, I definitely relate to the main character here who finds she has the best time with old friends. And I’m so happy to see a picture book celebrating that experience. It’s something that isn’t represented enough in children’s literature.
June 8, 2022
Sweet and charming book with such vibrant and brightly colored adorable illustration! This book shows you that you can be close with anyone, any age, and older people can still feel young at heart♥ This book makes me think of my late Grandmother and how we spend days together back in the day. Love!
September 16, 2023
A professor once told me that childhood is too short to waste on mediocre children's books, and I agree. Old Friends makes the cut for me and will be staying on our shelf. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and the story is sweet (the bit where the old folks confide that they still feel like kids on the inside got me). It's a keeper.
(I received this book for free through a Goodreads giveaway.)
(I received this book for free through a Goodreads giveaway.)
April 26, 2022
THIS is one of my favorite new reads. The humor (I did LOL), the poignancy, the emotion -- perfection. Everyone needs to read about this Undercover Granny!
March 31, 2022
I love finding books that incorporate humor and heart, and Old Friends does just that. Even the title is hilarious!
This is an adorable picture book about friendship and loss. The main character, Marjorie, wants a friend just like Granny--she's missing her--and she wants to find someone who loves gardening, knitting, and baking just as much as she does. The reader never learns whether Granny has passed away or moved away, but that doesn't matter. This text will be helpful for any child dealing with loss and/or any child seeking "their people" and wanting to learn friendship skills.
When Marjorie sees an announcement for a get-together at a senior center, she attends. She's promptly sent to the kids club, but she returns in disguise--aka "Undercover Granny," which could easily be its own hilarious spinoff of this book. As Undercover Granny, Marjorie makes friends who like cooking, gardening, and knitting, just like she does. And then, dancing starts. Marjorie *doesn't* like dancing, but she can't get away. Finally, she tries dancing and loves it, but her disguise fails and she's found out. Her new friends don't mind that she's young. In fact, they say they still feel like kids on the inside themselves and invite her to stay. Marjorie becomes the youngest member of the senior citizens' friend group--until Frank shows up!
Despite Marjorie missing Granny, this book is filled with humor, and the colorful, fun, vibrant illustrations add to the tone. Highly recommended for homes, schools, libraries, and senior centers!
This is an adorable picture book about friendship and loss. The main character, Marjorie, wants a friend just like Granny--she's missing her--and she wants to find someone who loves gardening, knitting, and baking just as much as she does. The reader never learns whether Granny has passed away or moved away, but that doesn't matter. This text will be helpful for any child dealing with loss and/or any child seeking "their people" and wanting to learn friendship skills.
When Marjorie sees an announcement for a get-together at a senior center, she attends. She's promptly sent to the kids club, but she returns in disguise--aka "Undercover Granny," which could easily be its own hilarious spinoff of this book. As Undercover Granny, Marjorie makes friends who like cooking, gardening, and knitting, just like she does. And then, dancing starts. Marjorie *doesn't* like dancing, but she can't get away. Finally, she tries dancing and loves it, but her disguise fails and she's found out. Her new friends don't mind that she's young. In fact, they say they still feel like kids on the inside themselves and invite her to stay. Marjorie becomes the youngest member of the senior citizens' friend group--until Frank shows up!
Despite Marjorie missing Granny, this book is filled with humor, and the colorful, fun, vibrant illustrations add to the tone. Highly recommended for homes, schools, libraries, and senior centers!
April 15, 2022
OLD FRIENDS written by Margaret Aitken and illustrated by Lenny Wen is such a clever, darling picture book about loss and connection and friendship! The story is about Marjorie, a child who loves to knit and bake and grow things, and who misses her granny. Kids her age just don't enjoy the things Marjorie and Granny used to enjoy together. To fill the hole granny left, Marjorie decides to infiltrate a friend group of senior citizens in the most genius way, with delightfully hilarious results. The storyline is perfect. I love this story, the characters, the intergenerational connection, and the creative spunk that ties it all together. The playful text just sparkles, and the illustrations by Lenny Wen bring so much joy to this story. The host of diverse characters are charming and expressive, and there's also a cat, and the illustrations are absolutely adorable. We need more books that celebrate multigenerational friendship. OLD FRIENDS will be loved by readers of all ages! Definitely a must for classrooms and libraries everywhere.
April 1, 2022
I can’t even with all the cuteness in this book. A little girl who dresses up as an old lady and sneaks into a senior center because she misses her grandmother and wants to find friends who enjoy knitting and baking as she does? Does it get any more adorable? This story touched my heart on a personal level too because my grandma was absolutely MY best friend too. What a wonderful book for promoting intergenerational friendships. As one of the characters in the book says: “On the outside, we may look old, but on the inside, we still feel like kids. Just like you.” Isn’t that true for all of us? What a wonderful reminder that age really IS just a number. The illustrations by Lenny Wen are also so vibrant and beautiful. I can’t recommend this book enough.
February 20, 2023
Marjorie just wants friends with similar interests.
She thinks she may discover them at the Senior center. After all, they have crafts, baking and gardening.
A clever disguise will offer up the opportunity. What happens when her secret is revealed?
This would be a great cross-generational read for grandparents and their grandkids or a grandparents' themed storytime. A fun humorous look at being true to one's self, finding your people, and acceptance.
Cartoonish illustrations by Lenny Wen and Margaret Aitken gives you idyllic picture book feels!
She thinks she may discover them at the Senior center. After all, they have crafts, baking and gardening.
A clever disguise will offer up the opportunity. What happens when her secret is revealed?
This would be a great cross-generational read for grandparents and their grandkids or a grandparents' themed storytime. A fun humorous look at being true to one's self, finding your people, and acceptance.
Cartoonish illustrations by Lenny Wen and Margaret Aitken gives you idyllic picture book feels!
October 13, 2022
Marjorie longs to make some new friends with whom she can share her love for gardening and baking and knitting. She's delighted when she sees a sign at the community center where people can talk together about gardening and crafting and baking, and she tries to join, but she is sent away---she's just a kid and doesn't belong with the senior citizens. In disguise she returns, and she has a lovely time until, in the heat of dancing, her costume falls away, and she is discovered for who she is. But perhaps who she is is enough...
A beautifully and brightly illustrated book that cuts down the lines that separate us by ageism.
A beautifully and brightly illustrated book that cuts down the lines that separate us by ageism.
August 10, 2022
A fantastic celebration of relationship between young and old when a girl missing the relationship she had with her grandma, sneaks into the Senior Community Center for connection.
August 2, 2022
Old Friends is a super cute picture book with a heartwarming message about intergenerational friendship. The illustrations are colorful and add to the cuteness. The main character, Marjorie, goes undercover as a granny to participate in the senior center, and it is a delight to read through the series of events that follow. The ending is sweet, unassuming, and made me smile. I'd highly recommend adding this book to your reading pile.
March 30, 2022
A wonderful picture book. I love Marjorie's hobbies, how she pays tribute to her granny, and the clever way she solves her problem. The language makes this a fun read aloud and the detailed illustrations make me want to linger on every page. Aitken nailed the ending, too. So sweet and satisfying.
April 5, 2022
What a gentle mix of humor and tugs on the heartstrings! Marjorie's pain at missing her Granny is palpable, but she draws on memories of Granny's determination and strength to craft a solution every kid will love; going undercover as a senior citizen. The ending contains both an inspiring message about feeling like we're still kids no matter our age and a fun twist. (No spoilers here!)
November 13, 2022
I loved Old Friends! As someone who feels they were born with an old soul, I related a lot to Marjorie's desire to find friends who liked all the "old people" things she enjoyed. I appreciated that Marjorie sought out friends and persevered until she met some. Old Friends depicts the message of staying true to oneself, young and old.
January 14, 2023
This picture book is great, rollicking fun! Marjorie misses her Grandma terribly. She was lovely, and a terrific playmate for a little girl who loves gardening, knitting, and trying out all sorts of cooking recipes. She is lonely, and can't find a friend who shares her brand of fun. One day she spots a sign in front of a community senior center advertising a morning filled with just the sort of activities that she loves. Off she goes, only to be stopped and redirected to the kids' room. Gloom. She goes home, but remembers her grandmother's unstoppable spirit. She can disguise herself as a grandma-aged person and slip right in, and she does! The fun begins with the friendly and talented seniors until she loses her cover during an unfortunate and overly enthusiastic cha cha cha.......
The illustrations in this book are full of color and movement and great vintage detail like the phonograph with the huge speaker horn, the Glen Miller record, and the jewelry box with the little spinning ballerina. It is a warm story for anyone who may feel alone in their likes, and a special invitation to broaden the horizons about with whom you want to play. The author Margaret Aitken is from Scotland, now living cozily in New England.
The illustrations in this book are full of color and movement and great vintage detail like the phonograph with the huge speaker horn, the Glen Miller record, and the jewelry box with the little spinning ballerina. It is a warm story for anyone who may feel alone in their likes, and a special invitation to broaden the horizons about with whom you want to play. The author Margaret Aitken is from Scotland, now living cozily in New England.
October 10, 2022
Little Marjorie loves gardening, knitting, and baking shows...just like her grandmother had. Now that her grandmother is gone, she is searching for a new friend who enjoys these same things. She doesn't have to look long as she discovers a local Senior Citizens Group! At first she is not allowed in, as she is too young. With a little imagination, Marjorie dons a disguise and enters the Senior Citizens Group. She is welcomed and fits in perfectly. She loves these new friends that she has found but will they love her back when the realize just who she really is?
I didn't expect to love this book as much as I did. There is just pure joy seeing a picture book depicting and encouraging inter-generational friendships. Marjorie stays to true to what she likes and ultimately it works out for her. The illustrations are vibrant and fun. The story is meaningful and lovely.
Find it in our SHARE Catalog today!
Ashley C. / Milton Public Library #CheckOutMPL
I didn't expect to love this book as much as I did. There is just pure joy seeing a picture book depicting and encouraging inter-generational friendships. Marjorie stays to true to what she likes and ultimately it works out for her. The illustrations are vibrant and fun. The story is meaningful and lovely.
Find it in our SHARE Catalog today!
Ashley C. / Milton Public Library #CheckOutMPL
September 27, 2022
Such a cozy story! I can imagine children curling up on the couch with their grandparents, reading this one over and over. Kids will enjoy the bright illustrations and the humor, as young Marjorie disguises herself in order to sneak into a senior citizen center and make friends. There are wonderful themes in the book including being yourself and enjoying the activities that matter to you and friendship and finding friends who “get you.” I especially love the emphasis on the importance of intergenerational friendship and how people of different ages can enrich each other’s lives. And it’s refreshing to see a book showing seniors living active, fun lives, filled with community. The colorful cast of characters ensures that each reader has someone to connect with in the story, and I think all readers will appreciate Marjorie’s can-do spirit!
June 22, 2022
Adorable, charming, heart-lifting story for young and old alike
OLD FRIENDS is a lovely picture book that will warm the hearts of readers aged 3-103! Young Marjorie loves to knit, bake and garden, just like her late Granny whom she desperately misses. She longs to find friends with similar interests, so she dons a disguise ("cardigan camouflage") to sneak into the Senior Citizens Center where she discovers friendship has no age limit. Colorful, sweet, inclusive illustrations by Lenny Wen make this book sing (and even breakdance!), while debut author Margaret Aitken's prose is as warm and comforting as "a delicious apple berry crisp." Readers will delight in a surprise twist at the end. This book is sure to become a favorite, old friend on your shelf!
OLD FRIENDS is a lovely picture book that will warm the hearts of readers aged 3-103! Young Marjorie loves to knit, bake and garden, just like her late Granny whom she desperately misses. She longs to find friends with similar interests, so she dons a disguise ("cardigan camouflage") to sneak into the Senior Citizens Center where she discovers friendship has no age limit. Colorful, sweet, inclusive illustrations by Lenny Wen make this book sing (and even breakdance!), while debut author Margaret Aitken's prose is as warm and comforting as "a delicious apple berry crisp." Readers will delight in a surprise twist at the end. This book is sure to become a favorite, old friend on your shelf!
September 26, 2022
When I first heard about OLD FRIENDS, I was eager to read it. And when I did, I was not disappointed. In fact, I fell in love with this heartwarming story by Margaret Aitken and the vibrant, adorable art by Lenny Wen.
Marjorie misses her grandmother. She has nobody with whom she can do the things she loves to do- baking, knitting and gardening. So she sets off to find someone who does. When she comes across a favorable opportunity, Marjorie decides to pursue it. No matter what. Even if it means she has to 'change' herself! Will Marjorie succeed in her mission? A creative story celebrates intergenerational friendships between the young and young-at-heart.
This book will leave you smiling, dancing, and perhaps even yearning for a sequel.
Marjorie misses her grandmother. She has nobody with whom she can do the things she loves to do- baking, knitting and gardening. So she sets off to find someone who does. When she comes across a favorable opportunity, Marjorie decides to pursue it. No matter what. Even if it means she has to 'change' herself! Will Marjorie succeed in her mission? A creative story celebrates intergenerational friendships between the young and young-at-heart.
This book will leave you smiling, dancing, and perhaps even yearning for a sequel.
September 1, 2023
3 1/2 stars
I got stuck in my head over this sweet book; the improbabilities of it all tripped me up. I was too grown-up for it which made me sad. I loved how the main character was a problem solver and went after what she needed/wanted just like her Granny taught her. I loved the characters in the book and the illustrations were so colorful and affirming. I loved the happy ending.
However, I just kept squidging up my nose and thinking, "So this is going to be okay now and they are going to let kids mingle with the seniors when they were shut down before? Really? No red tape?" It's sad when my grown-up side takes over like this during a picture book read. I'm off to try and get myself in a better head place.
I got stuck in my head over this sweet book; the improbabilities of it all tripped me up. I was too grown-up for it which made me sad. I loved how the main character was a problem solver and went after what she needed/wanted just like her Granny taught her. I loved the characters in the book and the illustrations were so colorful and affirming. I loved the happy ending.
However, I just kept squidging up my nose and thinking, "So this is going to be okay now and they are going to let kids mingle with the seniors when they were shut down before? Really? No red tape?" It's sad when my grown-up side takes over like this during a picture book read. I'm off to try and get myself in a better head place.
May 23, 2022
I feel in love with Marjorie. I also like to knit and be friends with people who are older. This story stole my heart from the start, but I also found many twists and surprises that were delightful. Margaret Aitken weaves a beautiful and entertaining story that takes the reader on a journey of finding comfort in a time of grief in places that feel like home. Lenny Wen's illustrations are bright and bold which gives even more insight to the characters in the story. I love character driven picture books and Marjorie is a character that will dance in our hearts time and time again. I highly recommend this story for readers of all ages and even better to read it together!
June 3, 2022
Marjorie misses her Granny dearly. Neighborhood kids are great, but Marjorie longs for a companion who appreciates baking, yarn, and yardwork. Lucky for her, she finds a “Senior Citizen Friends Group” at the local Community Center. Marjorie creates a disguise and fits right in…until her cover is blown! Margaret Aitken’s darling tale of intergenerational friendship accompanied by Lenny Wen’s bright illustrations can be appreciated by readers of all ages. The text expertly combines humor and heart to tell a touching story of young and old and loss and found friends. I think OLD FRIENDS is destined to be an old favorite!
June 5, 2022
THIS book! One look at the cover and I was already in love with the main character, Marjorie. As someone who loved spending time with my grandmother and other old women who taught me to knit, the heartwarming story couldn’t be more relatable. Margaret Aitken weaves a delightful mix of heart and humor to tell a kid-friendly, entertaining story of finding comfort in times of grief. Lenny Wen’s stunning illustrations dance with the text, highlighting Marjorie’s emotions and her fun personality. This beautiful story about the value and importance of intergenerational friendships will steal your heart. I highly recommend OLD FRIENDS for readers young and old!
December 8, 2022
An adorable book about how your interests are not necessarily dictated by your age.
I really like Marjorie's can-do spirit in figuring out how to find people with similar interests (even if it is a silly deception) and I like that the older folks end up allowing her to stay even after they find out she's a child (I feel like a lot of elderly people would be delighted to have a child with similar hobbies in their midst).
The lead, Marjorie, has lost her grandmother but this is just barely touched on. Rather, the focus is on Marjorie looking for a friend or friends that share her interests (gardening, knitting, and baking).
I really like Marjorie's can-do spirit in figuring out how to find people with similar interests (even if it is a silly deception) and I like that the older folks end up allowing her to stay even after they find out she's a child (I feel like a lot of elderly people would be delighted to have a child with similar hobbies in their midst).
The lead, Marjorie, has lost her grandmother but this is just barely touched on. Rather, the focus is on Marjorie looking for a friend or friends that share her interests (gardening, knitting, and baking).
February 13, 2023
What a wonderful book! Marjorie misses her Granny, as well as the things they did together--knitting, baking, gardening, etc. She wants a friend who will do the same things as they did. She sees a Senior Friends Group advertised at the Community Center and gets excited. She ends up going undercover dressed and looking as if she was older and all goes wonderful until she is found out. Such a great story about friendship especially among different ages. Would be a great read aloud to a child or group who were planning on going to a Senior Center as it's funny and shows a little girl doing exactly that and excited about it. Very heartwarming!
April 26, 2022
I absolutely adored this book. Marjorie may be a kid, but she’s an old soul who loves to garden, knit, and bake. With her beloved grandmother gone, and no one with whom to share these activities, she disguises herself as a senior to join in the fun at a local Senior Citizens group. Her cover is eventually blown, but she learns that friendship has no age limit. This is such a clever and fresh take on an intergenerational friendship story and is full of humor and heart. The illustrations are bright and playful, just like fun plot twists. A perfect story for friends young and old!
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