"...delightfully detailed pastel drawings create a quaint modern urban neighborhood filled with animals and diverse humans. The images effectively show Norton’s escalating frustration and capture the bear’s misguided attempts at friendship and sincere apology; readers who have been in Norton’s or the bear’s shoes will emerge enlightened. A sound lesson in making friends—and setting boundaries." Kirkus Reviews
"There are laugh-out-loud funny details on every page that will have the youngest of listeners fully engaged in this funny book. It will quickly become a favorite and will have kids shouting, 'Read it again!'" Five stars San Francisco Book Review
“This enchanting story is a fabulous tale of learning to set boundaries in friendships and a must-have for the early childhood collection.” Magpies Magazine
“Beautifully illustrated by this award-winning author/artist with some lovely, detailed drawings that capture perfectly the changing expressions of Norton and the bear. The endpapers depicting all the borrowed items are a delightful bonus… This book provides a valuable starting point for talking about borrowing, being polite, sensitive and considerate, and maintaining friendships.” CBCA Reading Time
Notable Book, CBCA Awards
Wouldn’t it be fun to have a friend living right next door to you? Well, as Norton discovers, it can certainly pose some challenges when that friend wants to borrow all your favourite things.
This is a story about setting limits and learning to accept your friends, flaws and all.
