Best Friend in the Whole World

A solitary bunny named Roland discovers friendship in this gentle, empathy-filled story by Salsbury. Roland’s days are active, if quiet; an opening montage features the cardigan-clad bunny happily drawing, dancing to music, and drinking tea. But the next scene of Roland, head drooping and seated alone at a table in an empty room, feels achingly sorrowful. When Roland chances upon a pinecone with googly eyes and twig arms, he’s overjoyed to have found a best friend with whom to share his favorite pastimes; this happiness sours, however, when he spots his friend’s picture on signs posted among the trees: “Missing! Best Friend in the Whole World.” Denial sets in (“That’s definitely not you,” he tells the pinecone), but it’s not enough to keep his old loneliness at bay when he reluctantly returns the pinecone to the poster-maker. Salsbury’s delicate watercolors create affecting scenes that connect seamlessly with matter-of-fact text. Though much of the story features challenging emotions, the capstone moment uplifts, empowering Roland­—and readers—to make changes when ready. Ages 4–8. (Mar.)