Anything with You by Charlie Mylie is an adorable book that is perfect for the two to four-year-old crowd to be read to. Then, ages five to seven can start to and read solo (though depending on the child, the seven-year-old might be a bit on the older side).
It is a sweet book about friendship. The two mice go about their day, having adventures and the narrator telling the other how much the friendship means to them; how much they would not be able to be brave, or accomplish the things they do without them. It is simple, but also emotionally mature. There is a hopeful and somber tone to it. The child will see the simple text as happy, but the adult might read more into it.
And the art is probably some of the cutest I’ve seen in a while. Fun colors, without being overwhelming and much detail grace the page. It is in an autumn setting, but this is an anytime book. The only issue I have is that it should have been a slightly larger than normal board book. This is because the picture book size (while great for small hands to hold) makes the text get lost. It is a younger book in an older book format.
With that said, it would be a great gift for a child who has a best friend, to give to their best friend or an adult who needs a unique gift for a friend (be it another adult or a special child friend/grandchild). I could even see this given as a gift from one spouse to another as a wedding gift or anniversary gift. It just has a tone of romantic and friendship love. And of course, this would be a good read aloud for story time as well. I now am interested in finding the first picture book, Something for You.
