Friends Stick Together

K-Gr 2—Rupert, a quiet rhino, gets more than he bargains for when a loud and obnoxious tickbird named Levi shows up at school and hops onto his nose. At first, Rupert, who enjoys reading dictionaries, listening to classical overtures, and eating cucumber sandwiches, is annoyed by Levi's presence. The raucous bird enjoys corny jokes, armpit farts, and popping wheelies. The two spend a lot of time together until Rupert devises a plan to make Levi leave but somehow the persistent little tickbird manages to stick to him like glue, at least for a while. When Levi is finally out of Rupert's hair, the rhino finds himself alone and feeling terrible. In the end, the two agree to become friends, creating an unusual pairing full of laughs and unexpected surprises. Like most of Harrison's books, this story is visually appealing and uses metaphors to deliver a cleverly crafted message about the value of friendship and interdependence. Robust vocabulary enriches the story line and creates opportunities for teachable moments. Underpinning the story is a series of kid-friendly antics that will undoubtedly tickle a few funny bones.