With a Little Help from My Friends

In this picture book adaptation of the popular Beatles song, two shrinking violets find friendship through a shared tune. Once connected, they are inseparable, forming a bond through simple seasonal activities—ice skating (“I get by with a little help from my friends”), for example, and flying kites (“I get high with a little help from my friends”). When faced with the difficult news that one friend is moving, the children, one black and one white, are devastated (“Are you sad because you’re on your own?”). The pining friends keep their companionship strong via phone calls, letters, and an eventual reunion in a dreamy, illuminated tree house. Cole’s largely black-and-white illustrations are rendered with scratchy ink lines and occasional splashes of color. A sweet, songful ode to lasting friendships. Ages 4–8. (Dec.)