Tim's big move! / Anke Wagner, Eva Eriksson [illustrator].

Acclaimed illustrator Eva Eriksson lends her talent to this picture book. A move to a new city brings concerns for Tim an his favourite toy, Pico. Tim is nervous about moving, but his cuddly friend Pico is even more nervous. What if it's too hot? What if there are too many stairs? And worst of all...what if Tim makes new friends and doesn't need Pico anymore? When moving day comes, Pico is pleasantly surprised to find that Tim does make a new friend, but that Tim's new friend has a cuddly friend, too and that all four can be friends. Most of all, Pico is thrilled when Tim reminds him: You are my best friend for ever and ever. AUTHOR: Anke Wagner was born in Mülheim, Germany. She finds joy in writing children's books. Her most important critics are her two grown-up daughters. ILLUSTRATOR: Eva Eriksson is one of the best-loved illustrators in Sweden whose awards include the Lindgren Memorial Award and the August award. Ages 4-8

Reviews (5)

School Library Journal Review

PreS-Gr 1-Tim is excited about moving to Calabash, but Pico, his best cuddle buddy, is nervous. As Tim packs, the stuffed pup worries that the new house will not be as cozy as their current home. Mostly, he's afraid about what will happen if his boy makes new friends. When they arrive at the new house, Pico is relieved to discover that it is comfortable, that the garden has a great climbing tree, and that there are lots of nooks and crannies to play in. Best of all-no new friends in sight. The next day, Tim starts kindergarten and takes Pico along. When Tim and a classmate build a town of blocks, Pico is jealous and sad. But wait-the girl introduces Tim and Pico to Emma, her best cuddle buddy. Together, the four have fun all day. This sweet tale is perfect for children who are anxious about moving, starting school, or making friends. Youngsters will easily relate to Pico, a stuffed animal whose facial expressions mirror his feelings. Eriksson's gentle drawings create a calming atmosphere for what can be a traumatic experience. A lovely story for most picture-book collections.-Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Publisher's Weekly Review

First published in Switzerland, this story takes on a well-worn theme, as a boy named Tim transfers his fears of moving onto his stuffed animal and "best cuddle buddy," Pico. Pico frets that their new seaside home in Calabash will be too hot, that he can't swim, and that he won't be able to climb the stairs in their big new house. Worst of all, the animal hates the thought of Tim making new friends, since Pico "doesn't need anybody else. Just Tim. For ever and ever." Accompanying the boy to his new kindergarten, Pico is jealous when Tim begins playing with a classmate-until Pico hits it off with the girl's stuffed animal (and is reassured by Tim that he is his "best friend for ever and ever"). Eriksson's (A Day with Dad) airy art magnifies Pico's likable (and mercurial) personality; his concerns about what he'll find in his new home are illustrated in exaggerated frowns and sulks. Tim's outward confidence and willingness to embrace new things should prove reassuring for readers facing big changes of their own. Ages 4-8. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Horn Book Review

When Tims parents announce that the family is moving, its not Tim whos worried; its his best cuddle buddy, Nico -- a stuffed animal of undetermined (but very cute) species. Nico is not tempted by the new locations better climate, nearness to the sea, and roomier house, and hes particularly opposed to the idea of new friends. He wants Tim all to himself. So Nico is terribly jealous when, after the move, Tim starts kindergarten and meets Hannah -- until Hannah introduces Tim and Nico to her cuddle buddy, Emma. The four new friends have lots of fun and dont want to go home. The books messages -- that change can be good; that making new friends doesnt mean you lose the old -- are hardly original, but attributing the emotions to the child protagonists stuffed animal rather than to the child adds a new twist, and that little distance may aid young readers in need of reassurance who are facing a similar situation. (Other readers will simply be charmed by the adorable Nico.) Illustrator Eriksson (A Crash Course for Molly, rev. 5/05) makes Nico a veritable showcase of expressiveness, capturing in warm colored-pencil drawings his initial resistance and worry (as well as his eventual relief and happiness) in the set of an ear, the slant of an eyebrow, or the slump of a shoulder. martha v. parravano (c) Copyright 2012. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Kirkus Review

Will new friends mean that Pico will no longer be Tim's "best cuddle buddy"? Feeling somewhat shaky about moving to a new home in a new town, Tim needs to pass on his parents' assurances to his toy friend, Pico, who definitely does not want to move. This new place sounds too scary, and most of all, it's too likely that Tim will find new friends there to take his place. But Tim holds him very tight on the way and even tighter during the first night in the new house. As Tim explores his new environs, to Pico's relief, there are no new friends in sight. Then, on his first day at kindergarten, Tim makes a new friend, and so does Pico. It is great to have more friends, but it is wonderful that Tim and Pico are still best friends for ever and ever. Wagner chooses Pico as the story's narrative focus, allowing him to voice emotions with which young readers can empathize, while Tim copes bravely with the move. Large-print text surrounded by white space, with Pico's strongest worries set in larger, bold print is juxtaposed with Eriksson's soft, slightly fuzzy, finely detailed illustrations. Humans and toys are cartoonlike in execution but have remarkably varied and clearly defined facial expressions. A fresh, comforting take on a familiar theme. (Picture book. 4-8)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Booklist Review

Tim's parents reassure him that moving will be exciting. He, in turn, attempts to reassure his stuffed animal, Pico, who grows increasingly distraught as each supposed enticement backfires. The final one, new friends, worries him most. What if Tim prefers them to Pico? After the move, Tim takes Pico to kindergarten, where they play with classmate Hannah and her cuddle buddy, Emma, and Pico realizes that he has made a new friend of his own. Even better, Tim calls him my best friend for ever and ever. Wagner's simple story reflects a subtle understanding of the wrenching anxiety moving can bring as well as what reassures children most. Brightened with overlapping strokes of soft colors, Eriksson's expressive ink drawings illustrate the text with sensitivity and vitality. All the more reassuring because it acknowledges children's worries, this is a fine picture book for any child awaiting a move, remembering one, or imagining what it might be like.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2010 Booklist

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