This is the rare picture book that earns its awards without feeling like homework. Santat's premise is clever—what if imaginary friends are waiting for us, not the other way around?—and the execution is lovely without tipping into treacle.

The art is genuinely stunning (hence the Caldecott), and the emotional beat of Beekle deciding to stop waiting and take action is surprisingly sophisticated for a picture book. It's a story about agency and reciprocity in friendship, wrapped in a tale about a marshmallow-looking creature on an adventure.

Some critics note the pacing sags a bit in the middle, and yeah, there are a couple extra obstacles that could've been trimmed. But this is a minor quibble in an otherwise excellent book that kids request repeatedly and parents don't mind rereading. It's sweet, it's smart, and it's the kind of story that sticks with kids as they navigate their own friendships.