Real to Me

(Hardback)

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Description

An acclaimed author and a Coretta Scott King Honoree pair up for this tender story about friendship and accepting change. Two bestfriends (one of whom is imaginary) are inseparable until the day when one of them unexpectedly disappears. Others triedtotellmethat she wasn'treal,that she was just imaginary. But what did they know She wasrealtome. Then one morning... she was gone. What do you do when your imaginary friend goes away Did you dream up the entire friendship Maybe... But you miss her laugh, her comfort, and her silly mischief. It all feels soreal... you couldn't have just imagined those things, right Lush illustrations pair withtouching text in this gentle picture book that illuminates the sweetness of first friendship, the sadness when it's lost, and the beauty in discovering new friends are just around the corner.

Reviews

"Figueroas lush, electric, pulsating hues and colors bring the worldbuilding to life....the robust storytelling throughout will prove the books greatest lure." Kirkus Reviews

"An insightful and delightful take on the imaginary-friend concept, while highlighting what it means to haveand bea real friend."Booklist

"This sweet story gently conveys the inevitable pains of changing relationships." School Library Journal

To Ls simply told, heartfelt reflection on childhood bonds, Figueroa adds two rich, unexpected dimensions: a dramatic, luminous visual universe, and a narrative twist likely to tweak readers initial assumptions about the imaginary. Publishers Weekly

"[A] heartwarming story."The Horn Book

Author Bio

Minh La is the author of several children's books including Drawn Together, which won the 2019 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, and Lift which was an Eisner Award Nominee. His other books include Let Me Finish!, The Perfect Seat, and The Blur. Minh has written for the New York Times, the Horn Book, and the Huffington Post. He currently lives in San Diego, California with his wife and kids. Visit him online at minhlebooks.com or on Instagram and Twitter @bottomshelfbks. Raissa Figueroa is the illustrator of several picture books, including We Wait for the Sun, which received a Coretta Scott King Honor, as well as four starred reviews. She also illustrated Oona, Princess Unlimited, Sophie and the Little Star, and The More the Merrier. She loves taking in the early morning light while out on walks with her dog, Ghost, and letting her mind meander off to fantastical new places. Visit her online at rizzyfig.com