Myers, Matt. The World’s Longest Licorice Rope. Random House Studio, 2022. Unpaged. $27.99 978-0-593-18001-3. Grades K-2.
Ben has one nickel, but he wants more, so he searches and works, and works some more until he has a bagful of nickels. From the many choices, he chooses the world’s longest licorice rope from a girl. He chews and chews and each time he has to stop (at the water, at the lion, at the cliff, etc.), the girl is there to offer what he needs (a boat, a costume, a hot air balloon, etc.) for another nickel. Finally, tired and with just one nickel remaining, he spies another boy chewing the licorice rope and walking toward him! They both say they have the world’s longest licorice rope. The girl is there again, this time offering them friendship for a nickel. “Friends are free!” they laugh, and walk off together with the girl joining them, to new imagined adventures. This clever book could be used for math, travel, or friendship discussions (how does one go about finding a friend?) with a positive outcome for the characters.
THOUGHTS: Insightful and useful for appreciating friendships.
Picture Book Melissa Scott, Shenango Area SD
Friendship; Trying new things; Surprises
