Friends Are Friends, Forever

Based on Liu’s personal experiences emigrating from Changchun, China, to North Carolina, this earnest, poetic narrative (“Nainai’s stories chime in my ears./ Garlic and ginger tickle my nose./ I close my eyes to remember everything”) follows Dandan, a Chinese child, and best friend and neighbor Yueyue. When Dandan must move after the Lunar New Year, the friends enjoy their paper-cutting ornament tradition for the last time, and Yueyue gives Dandan supplies for next year. But Dandan has difficulty making new friends—that is, until meeting pale-skinned, freckled Christina, who eventually partakes in the Lunar New Year festivities with Dandan’s family. Scurfield’s cartoonish art—drawings rendered in pencil, colored with ink, and digitally collaged—adds levity to a sensitive story. At once culturally nuanced and universally heartfelt, this picture book debut will resonate with anyone who has ever had to leave a friend behind—and managed to make a new one. Back matter includes an author’s note, more information on Lunar New Year, and instructions on how to make a snowflake. Ages 4–8. (Dec.)