Age: Preschool+

A perfect perspective on friendship for socially-distant kids that choose to be alone but may benefit from one special friend that shares in their uniqueness. From the beginning, we don't feel sorry for Oliver because he is content alone. When he wants a friend to communicate with, we are happy that he finds one, just as different as he is. I appreciated that it was Oliver's choice to find a person friend, not society or grown-ups.

The book's beauty lies in the short length (so it doesn't seem preachy) and the simple transition from being alone to having a special friend.