The Last Day Julian Was My Best Friend
by Jody Jensen Shaffer
It's sad when friendships end. Julian shared a wonderful day with his best friend only to find that his new marble was lost. But Julian shows how to be a friend. To forgive to understand and to accept when people make mistakes. A good social emotional learning education resource. Showing how honesty and understanding can make a friendship.

This book teaches the value of loyalty, honesty, and forgiveness among two best friends. It teaches a child to face their wrongdoings as they recognize the emotion of guilt for the first time. I enjoyed this aspect of the book as all children face some guilt in their lives at some point. The illustrations were well done. I didn't find any faults with this book. I would recommend it to my friends with younger kids. All kids could benefit from this book's lesson.

This appears to be a heartbreaking story, on the surface, as a boy feels immense guilt after taking his best friend’s marble that he had been given as a present. He helps Julian look for it, but because he took it, of course they can’t find it. And the narrator knows, just knows, that when his friend finds out what he has done, that he won’t be his friend.
And so the story follows, as they have their one last good day, riding bikes, playing at the beach, and in the back of his head, the narrator thinks that Julian will never be his friend again.
But when he finally returns the marble, his friend says they can still be friends, because of forgiveness. Because the narrator *did* give the marble back.
It starts out with such sadness hanging over the narrators heart, as he tells the story of the *last day* with his friend, so it is a relief that there is forgiveness in the end. Good story for children who think the worst about themselves for something they have done.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is coming out the 4th of June 2024.

It’s best to go into this powerful picture book cold. Suffice it to say, Anthony believes that, when Julian finds out Anthony’s secret, that will be the end. Adults and children alike will savor a book that delivers a moral without any preachiness.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Two Lions in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute story about best friends Anthony and Julian .I loved the illustrations and how bright and colorful.I thought this would be a great book for early elementary school.I think the book taught lessons on no matter what your best friend will always be there for you .It also taught a lesson on taking something that is not yours .Thank you net galley for a copy of this book.

The Last Day Julian Was My Best Friend by Jody Jensen Shaffer (Author) Joanne Lew-Vriethoff (Illustrator)
I received an ARC from NetGalley to give my honest opinion of.

This is a childrens book. It has stunningly beautiful illustrations that help tell the story. Even though it's a book about two best friends, who are boys; I defintely feel like girls would love this book too.

Anthony and Julian are neighbors and best friends. They spend much time together. When Julian's grandfather gives him a special marble...Julian is very happy...until one day the marble is gone.

Anthony has a secret, so big, that it could mean Julian would never want to be his friend...

Will Anthony tell Julian? Read this to the "Little" in your life, even if it's your own inner child...It's worth it.

The book is about Anthony and Julian. They are best friends who do almost everything together, as you would expect from children. However, Anthony's actions put this childlike innocence at risk. We have all faced this temptation, and we know how much courage it takes to finally choose the good deed. An educational tale that I would love to read to my own children. I could feel
Last but not least, the illustrations are beautiful!

This is a lovely picture book about two friends who spend their days enjoying the same things until one of them gets a gift that's too cool. Guilt and forgiveness are complicated for adults, and handled subtly here.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

A cute children's book with lovely illustrations and a good moral. I know all too well the sick feeling that comes with knowing you've done something wrong. I can't help but notice however, that Anthony never actually said, or even thought "I'm sorry". Children might need that spelled out for them.

I received a.copy of The Last Day Julian Was My Best Friend by Jody Jensen Shaffer ( Author) & Joanne Lew-Vriethofg ( illustrator) in exchange for my honest review.
This beautifully written and illustrated book, is about 2 little boys, Julian and Anthony, who are best friends. Julian and Anthony do everything together, go to the beach, play outside, have sleepovers and make pancakes. One day, Julian receives a present from his Grandpa, a marble, that is so cool, so special that Julian deems it " the best present ever!"
One day the unthinkable happens, Julian can't find his marble, the boys look everywhere but to no avail. But, Anthony has a secret, a secret that will make this the last day Julian is his best friend. How can Anthony tell him, how can he not?
Julian has a choice to make.
This book is so beautiful, the illustrations, the story, the ending. This should be required reading in every elementary school. I love it.

I feel that this book has potential as a resource for teaching children about conflict and forgiveness.

A lovely dimple story with huge heart