Brown-skinned Stella’s teary goodbye to her mom on the first day of school is followed by a cheery hello from white-skinned, long-haired Charlie once she arrives. The two classmates are soon good friends. Their activities throughout the year are described in a series of “goodbye/hello” statements paired with comforting digital ink illustrations full of warmth. Stella and Charlie’s friendship is full of fun, laughter, comfort, and encouragement to try new things (“Goodbye to almost giving up … is hello to one more try”). A story that emphasizes how every ending, even a sad one, is also a beginning is set across changing seasons and changing lives, with possibility always waiting. Highly Commended, 2020 Charlotte Zolotow Award (Ages 3–7)

From the creator of The Rabbit Listened comes a gentle story about the difficulty of change . . . and the wonder that new beginnings can bring.

Change and transitions are hard, but Goodbye, Friend! Hello, Friend! demonstrates how, when one experience ends, it opens the door for another to begin. It follows two best friends as they say goodbye to snowmen, and hello to stomping in puddles. They say goodbye to long walks, butterflies, and the sun...and hello to long evening talks, fireflies, and the stars. But the hardest goodbye of all comes when one of the friends has to move away. Feeling alone isn't easy, and sometimes new beginnings take time. But even the hardest days come to an end, and you never know what tomorrow will bring.