Understanding and empathy can go a long way when it comes to making new friends. That holds especially true when meeting a companion from a different background. It's sometimes easy to push preconceived notions on to someone else and encourage them to be something they're not. But in Canadian writer and illustrator Marianne Dubuc's What Do You Want, Little Friend?, understanding and communication brighten up a day after a chance coming together between two anthropomorphic characters.
The cheerful little kitten (we'll call them "Cat") is having a ball out flying a kite, but accidentally steps on a little fly (we'll call them "Fly") resting on the ground. The ever-exuberant Cat feels bad and wants to make amends, and thus begins a series of outlandish requests in an effort to get Fly back in a good mood and make a new friend along the way. Dubuc illustrates Cat's efforts on each set of pages, in which the feline tries to get Fly up and moving by imitating the behaviors of other animals.
Cat encourages Fly to move around. (Credit: Marianne Dubuc/Princeton Architectural Press)
Fly is unresponsive to these questions, leading Cat to ask "Don't you want to?" before immediately jumping into the next plan. Ants and birds join the fray, with Cat struggling to understand how to make Fly feel better. But reconciliation happens when Cat finally takes the time to stop and really ask what Fly needs. I won't spoil that for readers, but it's only made possible when Cat truly listens.
Cat is full of good intentions throughout the sweet little tale, but you don't always have the answer to someone else's problem, especially if they're different from you. Sometimes, it's best just to listen, and empathize. That way, even a cat and a fly can be friends.
Thank you to Cotton Tails, the place to find unique children's clothing and shoes, found in the Laurelwood Shopping Center, and Literacy Mid-South for sponsoring this children’s book review! Learn more about the various programs offered by Literacy Mid-South by visiting their site literacymidsouth.org and follow them on Facebook and Instagram @literacymidsouth.