I am a GREAT Friend! By Lauren Stohler
Published: April 25, 2023
Genre: Children's Literature, Picture Book
Audience: Children Ages 4-8
Setting: Pond
Summary (From Amazon):
Baby Capybara is a great friend. After all, no one else can create obstacle courses, follow treasure maps, or make perfect mud pies. So why is he the only capybara without a beautiful bevy of birds perched on his back? He tries to be more like the other capybaras: he floats calmly, he naps quietly, and he even chews slowly—still no flock!
But when an unexpected critter splashes onto the scene, Baby Capybara realizes that, instead of changing himself to fit in, maybe there’s someone out there who loves the same things he does!
Review: Baby Capybara is looking to fit in with the other Capybaras and have birds on his back. Baby Capybara knows how to be a great friend, but has a need for fun, speed and adventure. Baby Capybara tries 
to do what he was instructed to do so the birds would get on his back, ultimately he needed to be calm and steady. Baby Capybara was able to do just that and he got a lot of birds on his back! He got so excited that he had birds and wanted to show them how awesome of a friend he was. Baby Capybara took the birds on a great adventure doing all his favorite things, but the birds did not like that. Baby Capybara was sad and upset, convinced he was not the problem. Then Baby Capybara meets an unexpected friend that seems to match his energy and his interests. This story is a nice one to show children that sometimes not everyone is going to like their ideas and activities and that is okay. It doesn't mean you're not a good friend or not liked. I like the message about how the Baby Capybara wants friends, can do what it takes to get the friends he thinks he needs, but ultimately that's not exactly who he is. This book will be relatable to the students in my kindergarten class.
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