If You Ever Need a Friend ~ Review

If You Ever Need a Friend
An Alebrije Story
By Nadine M. Fonseca
Art by Lourdes Villagomez

If You Ever Need a Friend is a picture book with a lot of color. The story opens with Joaquin just having a tough time of it. He finds it hard to find a place where he is comfortable in school. 

One day he is transported to a strange and fantastical world. Here he learns about alebrijes. Could an alebrjie help Joaquin overcome his obstacles and better handle the stresses of the day?

For Joaquin the answer is yes. And we are taken through the process of designing and bring an alebrije to life.

What are alebrijes you ask? Alebrije are created companion animals who help children (or people) handle their emotions.

This is like an imaginary friend/playmate to help a child overcome the stresses they are currently confronting. This made me think of that favorite toy or blanket that a child insists on taking with them everywhere. It is an interesting concept designing a friend to a specific need. 

This book provides historical references so that one can ,ore fully grasp this concept and the cultural significance it plays.

There is also a short glossary of words that are in Spanish so a fun learning opportunity as well. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Joaquin is having a hard day at school. He struggles to speak up in class even though he knows the answers, he doesn’t feel included when trying to play soccer with his friends, and he ends up sitting alone during recess—feeling invisible.

But when he investigates a strange shimmery light by the playground slide, he is transported to a special forest filled with fantastical creatures known as alebrijes, or magic companion animals.

His friend, Imogen, introduces Joaquin to several alebrijes, and the special creatures share the ways they help people manage their emotions. One creature roars like a lion with Imogen when she feels angry and needs to let it out. Another one helps Noemi blend into the background like a chameleon when she is feeling nervous and needs a moment to herself. A third alebrije has big ears to hear all of Tío Andres’s worries.

Joaquin learns how to identify his needs and create an alebrije specifically for him, and when he returns to school, he is no longer feeling alone or invisible. With his new, fantastical friend helping him, Joaquin’s hard day is now one of his best yet.