The Friendship Bench

Reviews / Votes

"Brilliant for supporting young children to think about using talk and play to make new friends" * The Literacy Tree * "Meddour's simple, lyrical and empathetic tale is perfectly imagined and imbued with a welcoming warmth and kindness, while Egneus' richly evocative artwork adds a stunning layer of atmospheric power to the wise messages wrapped up in the words." * Pam Norfolk, Lancashire Post * "Best young adult and children's books for summer 2022: Set "by the curl and splash of the sea" and joyously illustrated by Daniel Egneus, Wendy Meddour's book demonstrates how you might write a children's picture book about a bench and make it interesting. Tilly is a new arrival at school who makes a friend when they mend the playground's "friendship bench" together." * The Times * "The text is simple but beautifully written, and the pictures show us a great deal about the story...It will take an older child to appreciate the nuances of both text and illustration, but younger children will enjoy the basic story and the wonderful colouration." * Books for Keeps * Praise for Tibble and Grandpa:
"Egneus's warm, rich light-filled collages and Meddour's perfectly judged, very simple text effortlessly convey sorrow and abiding love." * The Guardian * Praise for Tibble and Grandpa:
"This warm and touching picturebook, about a child's kindness to another, features children who have crossed a sea from a war to live in a world of tents. Evocative drawings express sadness and hope. - One to Watch Out For" * The Sunday Times * Praise for Lubna and Pebble:
"At its core, Meddour's story is about the universal themes of friendship and dealing with the unknown." * Time Magazine, The 10 Best Children's and YA Books 2019 * Praise for Lubna and Pebble:
"Spacious, soaring spreads by Egneus add flashes of imaginative escape to the poignant story by Meddour." * Publishers Weekly * "This is a beautiful picturebook that celebrates new beginnings and the power of human connection." * Books for Topics *