My New Friend Is So Fun!

This early reader tackles the universal anxiety of friendship with signature Mo Willems humor and heart. When Piggie makes a new friend, Gerald the elephant spirals into worry that he'll be replaced, perfectly capturing that gut-twist of seeing your best buddy connect with someone else. The simple dialogue and expressive illustrations make complex emotions instantly understandable for emerging readers. Willems masterfully validates childhood fears while keeping the tone light and accessible.

What makes this friendship story stand out is how it normalizes jealousy without villainizing new connections. The emotional arc feels genuinely earned when Gerald discovers that friendship isn't a limited resource. Young readers navigating their own social landscapes will find comfort in seeing their insecurities reflected back with such compassion and comedy. It's a subtle lesson in emotional intelligence disguised as pure entertainment.