Ira Crumb Makes a Pretty Good Friend - (IRA Crumb) by Naseem Hrab (Hardcover)

About the Book

Full of comedic touches, comics-style storytelling, and a diverse cast of quirky characters, this hilarious debut picture book puts an endearing spin on the anxiety that accompanies change and making friends. Full color.

Book Synopsis

Meet Ira Crumb. He's the new kid in town. He knows what that means: when the new school year starts, he'll play alone at recess, eat alone at lunch, and walk home alone at the end of the day. So Ira launches a whole-hearted campaign to befriend neighborhood kids before the first day. But his best-laid plans -- A sandwich stand! A dance-off! -- fall flat, and playing it cool doesn't seem to work either.

Just as Ira decides school will be HORRIBLE, a comical misunderstanding connects him with Malcolm, who was the new kid last year and totally gets it -- and who, it turns out, will make a pretty good friend.

Full of comedic touches, comics-style storytelling, and a diverse cast of quirky characters, this hilarious debut picture book puts an endearing spin on the anxiety that accompanies change and making friends.

Review Quotes

"Hrab, a former librarian, knows what makes kids laugh... But amid the laughter are some very good lessons about making friends that will undoubtedly help soothe the anxieties of many children."-- "Quill & Quire"

"Ira Crumb would be an appropriate selection for five-to-eight-year-olds during the first week of school or when a new face appears in class."-- "Canadian Children's Book News"

"Packed with wry whimsy... A valuable lesson in friendship."-- "Kirkus Reviews"

"This story is perfect to be read to (or by) any young student entering a new town, school, or club."-- "Canadian Review of Materials"

"This story of a boy's anxiety about making friends will show readers that, many times, the best way to make a friend is to be yourself! A fast and fun read."-- "Booklist"

"Will have young readers giggling... A fast-moving text that speaks to the fear children have about being the new kid anywhere in life, this title will be especially welcome on the shelves for back-to-school storytimes and shared readings."-- "School Library Journal"

"A hilarious comic that presents the quest of finding a friend like it were an adventure."-- "The Book Wars"

About the Author

NASEEM HRAB is a writer, a storyteller and a pretty good friend. Her comedy writing has appeared on McSweeney's Internet Tendency and The Rumpus. Naseem worked as a librarian for a time and now works in children's publishing. She lives in Toronto, Ontario.

JOSH HOLINATY is an illustrator whose works include public art commissions and book, magazine and newspaper illustrations. His previous books include the Norma Fleck Award finalist A Beginner's Guide to Immortality: From Alchemy to Avatars. Originally from Alberta, Josh now lives in Toronto, Ontario, with his wife Genevieve and their dog, Jack, eater of socks.