Agee, Jon. George & Lenny Are Always Together. Jon Agee, Illus. Rocky Pond, 05/2025. [40]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-0-593-85773-1. GRADES Preschool–2. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
Best friends George (a bear) and Lenny (a rabbit) are playing at the park when Lenny decides he needs a little alone time. He and George are always together so this is a bit of a shock to George. The simple story plays out, showing both friends that even though they need each other, it is good to have a little solitude once in a while. The dynamic of the friends and the simple illustrations showing the pair on an unadorned background are reminiscent of the Elephant and Piggie series by Mo Willems, with a friendship similar to Arnold Lobel’s Frog and Toad series. The gouache illustrations, showing the characters using thick black outlines in a human setting, will assist emergent readers in guessing many of the words in the relatable story. From a San Francisco author, this would make a fun series.
Penny Peck—San José State University, iSchool