This is a genuinely sweet book that nails the feeling of early childhood friendship—walking to school, looking for bugs, the nervous excitement of a new friend. The illustrations are objectively beautiful, with that mid-century collage style that design-minded parents will eat up.

But let's be real: this is more for the adults than the kids. The retro aesthetic is sophisticated and lovely, but modern preschoolers raised on bright, busy picture books might not be as captivated. It's the kind of book that looks gorgeous on the shelf and makes you feel good about your parenting choices, but your kid might reach for something else at bedtime.

That said, if you love the White Stripes song (and who doesn't?), this is a charming way to share that with your little one. Play the song while you read it—that's when it really comes alive. It's a nice, gentle option for back-to-school season or anytime you want to talk about friendship without getting preachy about it.