Books Make Good FriendsHardcover, 7 November 2023

****This new picture book from beloved author-illustrator Jane Mountcelebrates the avid reader, demonstrates how books make you better, and reassures anyone who has been anxious or uncertain about facing the real world.

Lotti isn't sure she wants to make friends. She's shy, and she doesn't really know how. While everyone around her is playful, outgoing, and loud, Lotti prefers a quiet place and a book to read. Lotti LOVES books. To her, books are full of magic and aren't as scary as new friends. But perhaps Lotti's books can show her how to find magic in everyday moments, and maybe the friends she can share this magic with are closer than she thinks.

Iconic Bibliophile creator Jane Mount makes her children's book debut in this imagination-driven story of a shy booklover's attempts to open her mind and find joy with the people around her. This journal-esque narrative--which includes fun recommended reads on each page--explores the process of book discovery for bibliophiles-in-training, and is perfect for enthusiastic and reluctant readers alike!

FOR ALL TYPES OF READERS: The story's main character, Lotti, is shy and struggles to make friends, but her imagination and love for reading take her to faraway places and introduce her to new friends. Readers of all tastes will find a relatable character in Lotti and enjoy the diverse books she reads--from fiction and nonfiction to novels and picture books. There's a book for everyone!

PROMOTING LITERACY: The concept behind this book is timelessly important: promoting literacy. It is especially helpful for reluctant readers who may need to learn how to navigate resources like libraries and will teach them how to find books in their communities. In each scene, the main character is reading a new book. She visits her school library and her public library and has a tote bag from an independent bookstore. This book encourages kids to literally go out and read, broaden their horizons, and immerse themselves in the rich world of books.

INTERACTIVE & VIBRANT: Readers will love discovering new books as they engage with the interactive format of this journal-style picture book, which features book recommendations, book lists and stacks, and lots of bookish commentary and questions in Mount's signature hand-lettering. Her recognizable and vibrant art style achieves a new level of playfulness that will hold endless appeal for young readers.

PERFECT FOR FANS OF BIBLIOPHILE: Jane Mount is the creator behind the beloved Bibliophile line of products ranging from journals to stationery to décor for book lovers. Fans will be excited to share this with young ones in their lives!

OVERCOMING SHYNESS: Highly autobiographical, this book reveals that Jane was a shy kid, very much like Lotti. She tells her story in the Author's Note. The backmatter also features a stack of all her favorite books, with her charming commentary.

ENGAGING RESOURCE TOOL: Aside from being a wonderful tool for excited young readers, this book will be a welcome resource for those who care about making reading more accessible to children--including teachers, librarians, parents, and family members--and fostering connections with young readers.

Perfect for:

• Parents, teachers, and librarians seeking resources for voracious readers and reluctant readers
• Kids who love reading and enjoy stories about friendship, bookstores, and bookish cats
• Gift giving for birthday, holiday, graduation, spring break or summer reading
• Fans of Bibliophile: An Illustrated Miscellany and Bibliophile: Diverse Spines
• Readers who cherish classic children's books old and new, like Charlotte's Web, Ivy + Bean, Harry Potter, Wonder, The Golden Compass, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, and so many more included on Lotti's shelves
• Anyone who LOVES books