A Better Best Friend by Olivier Tallec

"This morning, while I was out walking, I found a best friend."

"I've been wanting a best friend for a long time. But best friends aren't like pinecones. They don't just fall from trees."

You know the saying 'twos company, threes a crowd' but what if another 'friend' comes along, then another and then another.

Walker Books blurb: In this comedic picture book exploring a forever childhood question about friendship, squirrel and a mushroom explore the forest through the seasons, show each other special trees, build snow mushrooms, share the good times and bad—which become good bad times alongside a friend. Then spring arrives, and so does a new friend. And then another. This raises a profound question for an overthinking squirrel: should we have just one best friend? After much drama, Squirrel doesn't find an answer—the friends keep coming—and he ends the book with at least three better best friends. Book publisher Gecko Press.

Here is an interview with Olivier Tallec about A Better Best Friend. Here are some very simple teacher's notes. I would add these questions:

How do you identify a friend?

How do we make friends?

Can someone instantly become your 'best friend'? 

What things do you share or do with a friend?

What is the role of listening in a friendship? And is it okay to be silent?

Explain the saying 'twos company threes a crowd'? Is this really true?

Can you explain jealousy? 

Why does our narrator want a 'best' friend? Is it okay to just have lots of great friends? Is the word 'best' actually the issue here?

Talk about times with your friend or friends that connect with this story.

Other books I have previously talked about illustrated by Olivier Tallec:

I Always wanted one

Louis I King of the Sheep

Blob

My Tooth is Lost!