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Boy, was she happy to have it, but seeing her friend was the best
of all!"
One day, while Bernard the seagull was out flying, he spotted his sheepdog friend, Bailey, running along the shore. When Bernard asked Bailey what she was doing, she told him she was trying to get her red ball, but it had been swept away by the ocean. Bernard was always willing to help his friend, so he flew over the water and spotted the ball. Now, he needed a way to get the ball to shore without being pummeled by the waves. Bernard unstrapped the guitar from his back and began swinging it like a golf club, driving the ball towards the shore. Bailey was very happy to have her ball returned and to spend time with her friend. After Bernard played her a tune, Bailey let Bernard hop on her back and took him for a ride.
Raymond's picture book is a fun story focused on helping your friends. The two main characters seem to have an easy, well-established relationship and are quick to give each other aid when needed. Also, they genuinely appear to enjoy each other's company. The illustrations by Tanya Matiikiv are bright and delightful, and they do a great job of depicting the action. The story unfolds primarily through rhyming couplets and is easy to understand. There are times when the cadence is broken by punctuation or by inattention to meter, but this does not diminish the power of the message. This book could be used by educators to open a discussion about friendship and the use of one's unique skills to assist others. It will likely be enjoyed by both preschool- and lower-elementary-aged children due to the fun illustrations and humorous details.