Before I Leave

PreS-Gr 1—Zelda, a hedgehog, and Aaron, an anteater, are the best of friends. When Zelda finds out her family is moving, she and her pal decide to play "one last time like nothing is changing." They swing, seesaw, go out in a rowboat, etc. The hedgehog family make their move, and when Zelda unpacks her suitcase, she finds it filled with pictures of all the friends' favorite outings and numerous notes from Aaron. Zelda thinks, "You seem so far away, and then I unpack-and there you are!" The last page pictures Zelda writing back to Aaron, and readers know that although separated, the friends will stay connected. This is a sweet if slight story, best shared one-on-one. The pen and watercolor illustrations are filled with homey details that children will enjoy, and enhance the poignant tone of the story, particularly the picture of large Aaron trying to pack himself in Zelda's tiny suitcase.