We Go Together!: A Curious Selection of Affectionate Verse

Gr 2–6—This book, comprised of 18 first-person poems that are all about 10 lines each, emphasizes the importance of friendship and the little ways in which people can express their gratitude for one another. Each spread has a snappy poem and a colorful picture. The illustrations range from subtle to celebratory, and the characters depicted give deeper meaning to the selections. Different ethnicities and even species are represented (including green space aliens!), but they are not specifically addressed in the text (nor do they really need to be). The poems quietly celebrate all types of friendships, and the narrator(s) show appreciation for the small things that bring friends together, like how one bird encouraged his dog pal to become a braver roller skater, or how one friend has memorized the other's preferences when it comes to a cup of tea, "Noticing things about me, especially, seems to be your specialty." The cheerful, rhythmic rhymes help make this book perfect for reading aloud, and it would be an ideal choice for two friends to share.—Rita Meade, Brooklyn Public Library, NY