The Long Ride Home - Hardcover

Graegin, Stephanie

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0593426029 ISBN 13: 9780593426029

Publisher: Random House Studio, 2022

Synopsis

A tender picture book that celebrates memories and friendship about a young koala and a friend who has moved away.

Little Koala has a long ride home, and every place her mother passes invokes a memory of her best friend: the ice cream shop where they giggled uncontrollably; the hill in the park where they crashed their bikes (that memory also lives on as a little scar on Koala’s knee), the library where they borrowed their favorite book again and again.
 
Koala’s friendship blooms beautifully on the page, seamlessly interwoven with the ride home, and soon we learn just why these memories are so important: Koala’s friend has moved away. The story ends on a lovely note of hope: Koala and her friend are still close, despite the distance.
 
The Long Ride Home is a universal and broadly appealing friendship story that explores the power of memory with tenderness, warmth, and heart. Stephanie Graegin expertly balances the bittersweet sensations of cherishing a moment long past with artwork that is rendered in soft, sepia hues in a way that only she can.
 



 

About this title

About the Author

Stephanie Graegin is the author and illustrator of Fern and Otto, A Story About Two Best Friends and Little Fox in the Forest which garnered four starred reviews and appeared on many Best of the Year lists. She is also the illustrator of several books for children, including You Were the First by Patricia MacLachlan; The Lost Gift by Kallie George; Water in the Park by Emily Jenkins, which received three starred reviews; and Peace Is an Offering by Annette LeBox. Stephanie lives in Brooklyn, New York. Visit her at graegin.com.
 

Reviews

PreS-Gr 1—Little Koala and Little Cheetah are best friends. But Cheetah has moved away. On a long car trip through town, Koala remembers all the joy and fun and companionship that was shared between them: trips to the beach, reading books, and playing games; they shared stories and laughter, and planned a future where they would live side by side. These two thought they would always be together—but change happens. Koala is sad, but the friendship remains as he writes letters recounting their good times together. Colorful illustrations enhance this quiet work and send the message that physical presence is not necessary to a lasting friendship. With simplicity that pointedly uses experiences and a landscape that very young children will understand and relate to, this story emerges as a very useful work for children facing separation from friends or family. VERDICT Children experiencing any sort of relational separation will find this story comforting, as well as a path to understanding almost inexpressible feelings. A fine addition to the SEL shelves.—Eva Elisabeth VonAncken

Edition details

• Publisher: Random House Studio
• Publication date: 2022
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0593426029
• ISBN 13: 9780593426029
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 40