Such a cute story teaching little's about forgiveness and the importance of telling the truth. I like that it doesn't go too in depth of teaching the right from wrong and why we need to forgive. I love that just by reading the story you can put two and two together. Really cute story!

This is one of those books that just makes sense. There should be a book teaching about forgiveness and the power of friendship to young ones like this one. I'll be recommending it to my nephews.

2.5/5 round up to 3 Stars! Thank you, NetGalley and Two Lions for this eARC of The Last Day Julian was My Best Friend by Jody Jensen Shaffer, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff.

This is a very cute story but I feel like something was missing in between. At first, I thought this would be about a loss/grieving but it was actually about forgiveness and friendship. It does have a cute point to it but I can't say that this got the message fully across. My son was a little confused when I had read this to him and I think it was because there should've been a little bit more explanation of why Anthony took the marble. Beautiful illustration.

This story is a wonderful tale about friendship and forgiveness. Colorful, creative and charming, it explores how important best friends are to one another, and how that even when we make mistakes, best friends will overlook them. What did disturb me was how other reviews portrayed the one who took the marble. They claim he did not apologize, which is far from accurate. I wonder if they slowed enough to even read the story? How did they miss it? I almost allowed that to keep me from taking a look at the book, but I am glad I read it. The artwork is brilliant, the story engaging, and the lesson, inspired. Highly recommended.

The idea of this book in wonderful - keeping a secret can be hard, and can also make you feel unhappy. Telling the truth can also be hard, but it is important. Friendship can recover from many things, so long as they are talked about. Amazing and important lessons! Sadly, these lessons are slightly lost within the story - I see where they were going with it, but it doesn't quite hit. The illustrations are cute.

Loved this picture book! It Reminds me of my childhood. I especially liked that it was diverse characters not many childrens books include that. I will be purchasing this book for my som to read in a few years!

“The last day Julian Was my Best Friend” is a lovely depiction of a young friendship & how scary it is when you realize you have broken the expected trust. This would be a great book to explore perspectives, feelings & the act of forgiveness with elementary children.

I was expecting this book to be sad based on the title alone but it was a beautiful story about friendship and how it's hard to tear apart true best friends, this was all paired with gorgeous illustrations and a heartwarming story, making for the perfect blend of a quick read and a good one for children as a bedtime story

I was sent this E-Arc on Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review

A lovely little book about the value of friendship, a young boy’s guilt at doing something wrong, the lie he told and the ultimate consequence of this.

Great to teach young ones about honesty and forgiveness. Would have liked to have seen the impact on Julian, and his thought processes to really demonstrate the effect of Anthony’s actions. It would have helped bring a counterpoint to the story, without which it felt a little rushed.

Beautiful illustrations and depiction of the fun times the boys have together.

#TheLastDayJulianWasMyBestFriend
#NetGalley

The Last Day Julian Was My Best Friend caught immediately my eye because the title is so dramatic. I like it. When you are a child, everything feels big and everything is in fact very dramatic.

I really enjoyed this book! It portrays beautifully something I would say all of us have experienced; someone else has something we really like and want. And sometimes we make wrong choices. This book teaches how to face those choices and wrongdoing we make. This book doesn't only teach an important lesson to all of us, but it's also a fun book with beautiful illustrations which I am sure many young readers would enjoy!

This is another one of those rare times where I requested a picture book from netgalley and I definitely think I'll be pushing this in my nephew's direction. It's a story about two best friends who go through a minor struggle over a marble but come out on the other end of it. It's a short and sweet and simple storyline perfect for younger kiddos. My nephew is 7 and this will be a perfect book for him.

I did not read the description so I thought this was going to be about grief and loss. Instead it was about forgiveness, lying and friendship. It was just ok for me. I don't know that I would use this with my students regularly.

So, so adorable!! I'm reccomending this one to everyone w/children and even some adults need to read this!!

It's really well written and simple!!

I really loved the message!

The Last Day After Julian was my Best Friend tells the story of Anthony and Julian, who are having the best summer of their lives. But after taking Julian’s marble, Anthony is wracked with guilt, and feels Julian will no longer be his friend when he finds out.

This is a short and punchy read with a great message. The text is appropriate for younger readers and well positioned. The story and illustrations perfectly capture of the feeling a a lazy summer day hanging out with a friend. The reader really empathises with Julian’s guilt and sense of loss! I particularly loved the way it captured Julian’s thoughts, feelings and physical sensations as he struggled with his feelings.

This is a great story for young children to read with their grownups, to generate discussions around guilt, friendship, owning up when we’ve done the wrong thing, compassion and forgiveness.

Thank you Two Lions and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

A very special book about friendship, honesty and forgiveness. A great lesson in being honest with each other and being able to give forgiveness when someone betrays your trust and takes something that is very special to you. Telling the truth is also a very valuable lesson no matter the outcome. Beautifully written and illustration was very well done.. Thank you NetGalley for for the ARC and the opportunity to review this book. I would buy this book for my grandchildren to read.

Loved this book. The story was fun and sweet. Anthony and Julian are best friends. They do everything together. They are glued at the hip. The love between these two friends is so sweet. One day... something happens... and their friendship is tested. I loved reading this with my 6 year old son. The Illustrations were great. The story had a big heart to it and the lesson to be learned worthwhile!

This book is great! I highly recommend it. It teaches kids about values, about friendship, about forgiving. I loved it! The illustrations are very very beautiful.

I enjoyed this sweet book about two best friends living their best life together. While I did like the story, my son and I would have liked an understanding of why Anthony took the marble, or for it to be clearer in the book about him actually taking it. My 8 year old was confused.

Thank you to NetGalley and Two Lions for my advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest feedback.

#TheLastDayJulianWasMyBestFriend #NetGalley

Thanks to NetGalley and Two Lions for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be published June 4, 2024.

This cute children’s book is about Julian and his best friend Anthony. Julian got a marble for his birthday. It was his best present ever! The two best friends played with it until one day it disappeared.

Adults will easily spot that Anthony took it because it was so cool but the lesson for kids is one of sharing, honesty and forgiveness. ❤️

A sweet book with cute illustrations.

This was such a wonderful book about friendship and forgiveness. I'd definitely make my kids read this book. Also, the illustrations are very colourful and beautiful. This book will teach the kids to be kind and forgiving and empathetic towards others.