Lawrence & Sophia

Read it and smile.

The delicate illustrations, created with poster paint, suit the quiet tone of this satisfying picture book.

PreS-K--The world away from one's home can be a scary place, and few creatures understand the fear of the unknown better than a man named Lawrence and a bird named Sophia. Though they live in the same general vicinity, it is not until Sophia bravely ventures to the end of a very long tree branch that she and Lawrence begin to see each other for the first time. Despite their fears, the two build an unlikely friendship, and when a storm hastily approaches, they do what they must, separately, to ensure the other is safe from harm. This charming picture book is a gentle reminder that everyone feels reservations sometimes, but with the right companion, bravery can take root. From the outset, a parallel structure in the storytelling will draw readers' attention to the palpable similarities between Lawrence and Sophia despite outward differences. Because the text is relatively short, young readers will find this book highly approachable, and they will likewise enjoy examining the detailed illustrations. The images frequently say more than the words do, with subtle humor and occasionally interwoven between the words and the pictures, enhancing the appeal of the book. Soft, muted hues and texture-rich illustrations give the book an almost tactile quality. VERDICT This enjoyable story of two unlikely friends who make each other brave is a good addition to library collections.--Mary R. Lanni

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Pale-skinned young Lawrence is reluctant to head "out there," beyond his small cottage's backyard ("Out there was very big. Out there was very loud"). In desaturated images with electric-hued highlights, Brian Cronin (The Lost House) shows Lawrence safely within the fence, buried in a book. Sophia, a bird with fluffy blue feathers and a bright pink topknot, travels from tree to tree, avoiding the ground "down there" ("Down there was dark. Down there was bumpy"). When Sophia walks to the end of a long branch and spies Lawrence through his bedroom window, they become good friends, enjoying pastimes that don't require venturing out. (One spread shows Sophia perched high up, wearing a costume wig with long, lime-green braids as Lawrence declaims, "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair.") Eventually, Sophia moves her nest closer to Lawrence, who builds an outdoor tent to be closer to Sophia. And when rain and thunder drive the two to check on each other, each leaves their respective comfort zones to do so. In a lightly rib-tickling examination of fright and friendship, Doreen Cronin (Click, Clack, Moo) suggests that shared perspectives and accountable friends represent a promising path to wider vistas. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)

Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

A friendship slowly develops, with the duo finding clever ways of sharing activities without either of them moving beyond their respective comfort zone—complemented by very funny art . . . a tale that quietly applauds both the efforts and the rewards of friendship building and risk-taking. Read it and smile. — Kirkus 

Doreen Cronin offers a charming story that will resonate with children who are shy or anxious around unfamiliar people and places. Written with simplicity and sensitivity, the well-structured story reads aloud well. The delicate illustrations, created with poster paint, suit the quiet tone of this satisfying picture book. — Booklist