Toodles and Teeny: A Story About Friendship
Jill Neimark and Marcella Bakur Weiner, Authors
JoAnne Adinolfi, Illustrator
Magination Press, Fiction, 2013
Suitable for Ages: 4-8
Awards: 2012 Gold Medal Winner, Mom’s Choice Awards
Themes: Building Healthy Friendships, Best Friends, Animals
Opening: Toodles the Turkey had no best friend. She had oodles of playmates/And all kinds of play dates with Cathy the Cow and Omar the Owl/With Streaky the Barn Cat/And Boo-Boo the Barn Bat.”
Synopsis: Although Toodles has many friends who keep her busy, she feels lonely because she doesn’t have a best friend. One day by the pond she meets Teeny, a tiny white turkey who is also lonely. Toodles and Teeny spend the entire summer together eating berries and chestnuts, taking naps on the hillside, telling silly stories, fishing in the pond and chatting about everything. Back in the barnyard, the other animals miss Toodles and wonder why she isn’t playing with them anymore. They find Toodles and Teeny by the pond and are angry that they have been ignored all summer. Will Toodles have to make a choice?
Why I like this book: Jill and Marcella have written a very heartwarming book about the difficulties of childhood friendships. All children will relate to this entertaining story. The ending is very clever and satisfying. Building friendships is important to a child’s growth and self-worth. Children need to have both casual and fun friendships. They also need to have at least one best friend. JoAnn Adinolfi’s illustrations are colorful, bold, expressive and add to this engaging story.
Resources: The authors have written helpful back matter for parents to use as a guide with their children. Friendships are complicated and the author’s offer important tips for parents to help their children build healthy relationships. Their suggestions can lead to good discussion material with children. Check out friendships crafts that children can make. Make sure you visit Jill Neimark’s website. Jill is also the author of I Want Your Moo.
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books
Children's Books Heal 
What a great storyline and cute characters, Pat. I look forward to reading this.
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Thanks Catherine. It is a very cute story with a fun message.
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Great story! Think you would really like Jill’s story.
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Ugh, kid’s friendships can be a challenge. In our neighborhood, it seems that every few weeks someone’s not getting along with someone. I know a few adults that should read this, too! 🙂
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Part of growing up and figuring it out! That’s why this book is so helpful.
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Friendships are so hard on kids! This is a great book for kids and parents.
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Looks like it’s Friendship Friday! This one looks pretty cute! And a great topic. Friend relationships are so hard for kids sometimes. I’m always seeing kids with hurt feelings from misunderstandings with “friends”. I’ll have to check this book out! Thanks Ms Tilton!
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Rhythm, great classroom discussion book for you! Jill did an outstanding job with her latest book.
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Finding and making friends is always difficult. This is important as childhood loneliness is rising. Many thanks for posting, Patricia.
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I am not surprised by your comment. Friendships are so hard!
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Reblogged this on On The Plum Tree.
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Thank you so much for reblogging! Jill
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Thank you for reblogging. Jill will appreciate the gesture!
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Such an important, universal topic – this would be a great read for all young children.
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It is a universal subject! I think you would enjoy Jill’s book!
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Thanks for the lovely review! It means a lot to me. I was a really shy, bookish little girl, and when my best friend was skipped a grade, I remember walking around the schoolyard feeling unmoored. It took years to find a new best friend. In this book, Toodles has many good friends, but wants a best friend–and when we’re children, that best friend is a major developmental milestone. That kind of friendship helps us start to define ourselves in the world, and to reach out and expand our horizons. Toodles has to learn to include her good friends along with her best friend–not always easy. I so appreciate your kind review!
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This looks like it’s a great book – and it’s by Jill! Kid friendships can be so volatile — this would be so helpful for kids to understand some of the tricky dynamics and to help them figure out what’s important in friendships. Thanks, Pat!
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Thanks, Beth!
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You’d like this friendship story! Jill has written a beautiful story for kids and parents. Love her other book too!
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How now Cathy Cow? 😀
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Cute. You’d like “I Want Your Moo!”
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Childhood friendship is such a minefield. Toodles and Teeny have a lot to teach.
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Great discription of childhood friendships! You’d like Jill’s story!
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A lovely book dealing with a tricky topic. As kids, friendships can be hard to make, and keep. Thanks Pat.
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Diane, this is a very well written story about a delicate subject.
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Love the title! Catchy and cute. There can’t be too many good books to help kids navigate the trickiness of making and keeping friends. Thanks for sharing this one!
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Yes, it is a catchy story. Great book for kids and their parents! And great for the classroom!
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A good friend knows all of your best stories. A best friend…has lived them with you.
As we go on
we remember
all the times we
had together
& as our lives
change, come
whatever. we
will still be
best friends forever
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How beautiful! I remember that in the back pages. I hope you liked the review. Took me forever to access my blog. You’ve written such a wonderful story. I enjoyed reviewing your wonderful book!
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Pat, I’m very touched by the attention and care you gave my book, and links to friendship crafts & my webpage. Your lovely review really meant a lot to me.
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Sounds like a cute title! Friendships are hard at any age 😉
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They certainly are. But Jill’s book is a gem for kids and a great classroom book!
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Ruth, it is a fun friendship book!
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