Old Friends (Hardcover)
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Staff Reviews
"This is Margaret Aitken’s debut picture book, but you wouldn’t know it: Aitken’s story is so clever and heartwarming that it’s bound to be a modern classic and the first of many, hopefully. Missing her grandmother and their shared interests in knitting, baking, and gardening, Marjorie decides to visit the local community center to join the Senior Citizens Friend Group. However, when she is not allowed to join because of her age, Marjorie dons a disguise and fits right in as an elderly woman—that is, until a lively cha-cha dance threatens her ability to blend in. In the end, Aitken highlights the irrelevance of age when it comes to genuine human connection and friendship."--Reviewed by Cristina
Description
Paired with colorful and vibrant art by Lenny Wen, Old Friends by Margaret Aitken is an inventive and heartfelt debut picture book that celebrates found family, caregiving, and the value of intergenerational friendships.
Marjorie wants a friend who loves the same things she does: baking shows, knitting, and gardening. Someone like Granny. So with a sprinkle of flour in her hair and a spritz of lavender perfume, Marjorie goes undercover to the local Senior Citizens Group. It all goes well until the Cha-Cha-Cha starts and her cardigan camouflage goes sideways. By being true to herself, Marjorie learns that friends can be of any age if you look in the right places.
About the Author
Margaret Aitken is a Scottish writer for children. As a child, she could often be found outside hoping to stumble upon the characters of Brambly Hedge and Beatrix Potter. After studying medicine at the University of Glasgow, she worked as a doctor in the village of Doune, a filming location for Outlander and Game of Thrones. Along with her husband and three sons, Margaret is currently enjoying life in a New England-style farmhouse in Maine. When she isn’t writing she can mostly be found at the beach, in the garden, or baking something gluten-free. Old Friends is her debut picture book.
Lenny Wen is an author/illustrator who was born in Indonesia. She is the illustrator of several picture books, such as Cal Everett’s Halloween is Coming and Amy Robach’s Better Together. Lenny currently lives in Austria. When she is not illustrating or writing, you might find her staring at the trees, contemplating story ideas, reading books, filling up her cup with coffee, or hugging her dog.
Praise For…
Praise for Old Friends:
"[F]ull of warmth and joy. This celebration of intergenerational friendship is ultimately a comforting tale, like a cozy knit cardigan or a warm berry crisp, perfect for a lapsit or a Grandparents’ Day read-aloud." —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (BCCB), starred review
"Readers of every generation will delight in Old Friends‘ joyful tone and affirming message." —BookPage