Originally titled Welcome, this is a joyful picture book about friendship and togetherness, from international bestselling illustrator, Axel Scheffler.

Would you like to come inside this book? You’re very welcome.

In fact, everyone is welcome here, whether you’re big or small, flappy or jumpy, noisy or quiet. With its simple text and endearing animal characters, Friends shows how everyone can be a good friend, and how we can all help others to feel welcome.

Axel Scheffler’s fabulous, funny animals are the perfect ambassadors to show us all about friendship and togetherness: how to laugh together, play together – and, most importantly, how to make friends again after a quarrel!

Axel is much-loved for his characters such as the Gruffalo, Stick Man and Zog.

A donation from every copy of Friends sold goes to Three Peas, a charity which supports refugees who have had to flee their homes.

Friends follows Axel’s picture book Kind, which has enjoyed huge critical and international success.

Friends, previously published as Welcome, has sold into 14 territories.

Praise for *Kind*:

• The Times ‘Children’s Book of the Week’ on 6th April 2019

• ‘A treasure trove of wisdom and beauty… A beautiful and profound book’ – BookTrust

• ‘An anthology of tips about how to make a kinder world’ – The Sunday Times

• ‘This book is really good … A simple story about what achieving the impossible dream of 360-degree kindness might look like… showcasing some of the best children’s book illustrators in the world’ – The Times ‘Children’s Book of the Week’

• ‘This valuable book discusses kindness in all its forms’ – Daily Mail

• ‘Celebrate the importance of kindness. Small acts of kindness can make a real difference’ – Angels and Urchins

• ‘A timely and inspiring new picture book’ – Primary Times

• ‘A beautiful and thoughtful gift that will be treasured for generations’ – South Wales Evening Post

• ‘One of this year’s most celebrated releases’ – Telegraph