Greenfield, Eloise. 2006. The friendly four. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.

Recommended for: grades K - 3rd.

From the voice of Drum, we see the long, boring summer stretching out ahead with no relief in site and way too much attention given to the baby. But one by one friends appear on the scene, and summer turns into Good Summer. Through shared trials and trouble, the four young friends knit a cloth of friendship that will endure beyond the summer.

Written as a verse novel, the various verses and voices are skillfully crafted to tell the story of Drum and his friends. Each day's verse speaks clearly of the emotions and senses that the children experience. There is an occasional rhyme that steps out to catch the reader's attention and pleasure, but the free verse flows lyrically as well.

This will be a great volume to recommend to thoughtful elementary children who can identify with the long days of summer that are often enlivened by friends and companions.

Key words: friends, poetry, free verse