A beautifully illustrated, wittily observed picture book about kindness, empathy and friendship from the award-winning Rebecca Cobb.Hello Friend! tells the story of one big-hearted and enthusiastic little girl who is insistent on making friends with a certain little boy. And why wouldn"t he want to be friends with her? She"s very good at sharing - even if it"s a sandwich that he doesn"t like. And she"s certain that playing outside is their favourite thing to do, even if he is not so sure. But while he doesn"t seem keen on many of the things that she loves to do, there is one thing he"s very keen on after all . . . being friends.Also available from Rebecca Cobb: Lunchtime, Aunt Amelia and The Something.[Rebecca] Cobb"s illustrations capture the joy of childhoodSunday TimesThis funny and cheerful picture book tells one story in the text and another in the easy-to-read pictures, as an overenthusiastic little girl is determined to befriend a reluctant boy at playgroup. But a twist shows friendliness is to be recommended.Sunday TimesThere is a lovely warmth saturating Rebecca Cobb"s Hello Friend!, in which a rosy-cheeked protagonist plays zealously with a less enthusiastic pal, building towers, sharing lunch and banging a tambourine. At last, a small farewell smile shows that she has won him over, and the next day he is as excited as she is. A charming look at playground dynamics that effortlessly evokes pre-schooler feelings of being excited and overwhelmedThe Guardian