Herman's Letter

PreS-Gr 2—Best buddies Herman, a chocolate-colored bear, and Henry, a magenta raccoon, spend all of their time together, playing tiddlywinks, inventing games, and hanging out in their pirate tree house. Both are devastated when Henry has to move away, promising to write and "stay best friends forever." However, when Herman receives Henry's missives about his exciting new life and new chums, the bear is left feeling lonely, jealous, and too miserable to reply. Just when it's time for him to hibernate, he gets a letter from Henry, reaffirming their bond and inviting him to visit. The ecstatic bear pens an enthusiastic reply and rushes out to mail it, only to discover that the post office is closed for the winter. Refusing to be deterred, he sets off to deliver the letter himself—setting off on an epic journey (across "creaking crevices," up steep cliffs and frozen waterfalls, down a treacherous mountain slope) that eventually reunites him with his much-pined-for friend. Filled with amusing details, the dynamic artwork fuels the text with action and humor, and lift-the-flap letters add an appealing interactive element. This book proves that true friendship endures despite distance and duress.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal