Clara and the Bossy (A Ruth Ohi Picture Book)

Ruth Ohi's new tale of a little guinea pig and her bossy friend.

Clara the guinea pig loves purple, triangles, and tuna. She also loves making new friends, and that's why she's thrilled when a classmate says to her, "Let's be best friends!" Madison is bold and glamorous and soon bossy the girls are inseparable. Madison even lets Clara clean up all her toys after they play together.

But Madison's demands begin piling up. Why, she asks, does Clara wear the same purple dress every day? And why does she always eat triangle-shaped tuna sandwiches? It's not long before Clara's lunches aren't nearly as much fun, and her favorite outfit stays in the closet. When Clara loses a treasured stone because a Madison-approved dress lacks pockets (the purple dress has big ones), she decides to go back to the things she likes.

Her true self once again, Clara is amazed to discover that being herself not only makes her a new friend, but also helps her to keep an old one: Madison.

From this charming tale of rich details and memorable characters, children will recognize the experience of having a friend and will glean important knowledge from Clara's gently learned wisdom.

Ruth Ohi has illustrated more than 40 books for children. This is the fourth for which she is also the author. Her delightful illustrations are familiar to families all over North America. She lives in Toronto.