The first time my daughter and I read A Splendid Friend, Indeed, it was on LookyBook.com. If you are familiar with the site, you know that it was an incredibly fun place to actually “turn” the pages of books and try them out before you buy them. Unfortunately, LookyBook is no longer a functioning site, though there are other sites where you can check out children’s books online in similar ways.

While we were at the library over the weekend my daughter pointed it out and said, “Look! The duck and bear book!” Smiling, I instantly remembered the sweet little book and checked it out for her.

Suzanne Bloom’s A Splendid Friend, Indeed is the story of a fluffy polar bear and his adorable goose friend (or duck friend, as my daughter insists) who distracts him from the book he is reading. Grumpy after the goose takes his book away, the bear tries to write—only to be distracted by the goose yet again! Finally, the bear decides to sit and think—which the duck says makes him hungry.

He proceeds to leave and make the pair a snack. When he returns, the bear is skeptical of the snack. The goose has another surprise in store—a letter he’s written about his friend. The letter reads, “I like you. Indeed I do. You are my splendid friend.” This note of appreciation moves the bear to tears, and he uses the goose’s picnic blanket as a handkerchief. He responds, “Thank you. I like you, too. Indeed I do.”

The two then share a big hug—and the snack of cookies and drinks the goose has provided. It’s a very warm and loving, though simple and short book that’s perfect for beginning readers as well as younger children who will delight in seeing the duck aggravate the bear—only to turn around so sweetly with a surprise revelation and treat to share. Parents will relate as well—it’s as if, after smashing cherry tomatoes all over your white down comforter (as my preschooler recently did so artistically while I was folding laundry), she smooches you, pronounces that she is sorry and she loves you, and offers to clean it all up—and, as my daughter would say, make it better.

Recognized by the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor, a Notable Children’s Book and listed on the New York Public Library’s 100 Books for Reading and Sharing, A Splendid Friend, Indeed is worth sharing with the one you love, too.