About This Book
Reach for this book when your child starts feeling 'pushed out' by a new person in their best friend's life or struggles with the idea that friendship isn't a zero-sum game. Lottie the chicken and Herbie the duck are inseparable until Dodo, a glamorous new bird from afar, moves in next door. As Lottie becomes captivated by Dodo's exotic stories and fancy gifts, Herbie falls into a pit of worry and jealousy, convinced he is being replaced. It is a gentle, humorous look at the 'third wheel' dynamic that is so common in early elementary school. Perfect for ages 4 to 8, this story validates the stinging pain of jealousy while modeling how a secure friendship can expand to include new people without losing its original spark.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book deals with social anxiety and the fear of abandonment in a metaphorical way through animal characters. The resolution is realistic and hopeful, focusing on communication and reassurance.
