Finding Francois — Gus Gordon

For fans of Philip and Erin Stead and I Walk with Vanessa comes a tender, gently adventurous gem, with a reassuring message about the power of friends to soothe aches big and small.

Alice wanted a sister, or even a brother, but what she needed was a friend. And when she found him . . . she found so much more.

In this exquisite, gently funny, and reassuring tale, the lucky and lovely friendship between Alice and François spans the length of the River Seine and the loss of a loved one. Award-winning author and artist Gus Gordon captures the highs and lows of being little, and tenderly shepherds kids through the tough parts of childhood. With charm and compassion, Finding François acknowledges the grief children feel, revels in life's fantastic possibilities, and celebrates the affirming, healing power of friendship.