A book about moving and plants? Now that’s what I call a Perfect Picture Book!
Title: Best Buds
Written By: Becky Scharnhorst
Illustrated By: Jiarui Jiang
Publisher/Date: Margaret K. McElderry Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster/2025
Suitable for Ages: 4-8
Themes/Topics: friendship, plants, moving, caring, shyness, wordplay, change, coping with change
Opening:
On his first day in a new town, Spencer made a friend. It was easy! He didn’t know what his mom was so worried about.
Brief Synopsis: A young boy befriends plants in his new home.
Links to Resources:
· Check out the awesome Educator Guide;
· Check out some kids’ gardening activities;
· Have you ever moved to a new town, changed schools, or navigated some other change? How did you feel about it? Describe in words or pictures how you felt.
Why I Like this Book:
Regular readers know that I gravitate towards picture books about moving. I also love gardening. So I knew I would love Best Buds the moment I read that title and the short description.
But I don’t think you have to be a serial mover or gardener to love this book. Anyone who has survived any change, little or big, will see themselves in Spencer, the plant-loving main character.
As this sweet story begins, readers meet Spencer and his mother who are moving into a new home in a new town. Readers learn that Spencer easily makes a new friend, and we presume it may be one of the two children pictured in this first spread next to a collection of free plants. Turning the page, we see that the friend is neither of the kids. Rather, Spencer is talking with Fred, a flowering plant. Queue the chuckles as kids learn that Spencer talked while Fred listened. From there, the friends multiply as witty wordplay propels the story forward.
This being a picture book, we know that things can’t stay as is, that Spencer eventually will make a human friend. I won’t spoil the ending, but rest assured that his plant friends help in the process.
Jiang’s colorful illustrations include many potted plants. I love these detailed illustrations, complete with name tags.
Whether read at home or in a classroom, Best Buds is sure to bring laughter and prompt a discussion of how friendships grow.
A Note about Craft:
I love the plays-on-words that Scharnhorst incorporates into this heartwarming story. Starting with the title and proceeding from there, she leans into gardening language that can apply in other contexts.
This Perfect Picture Book entry is being added to Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book list. Check out the other great picture books featured there!
Wander, Ponder, Write 