Raymond and Nelda

Book excerpt: Laugh-out-loud letters enhance this endearingly quirky story about repairing a friendship. Raymond and Nelda are the best of friends. They make up funny songs and share chocolate-covered strawberries. They like to play ball and they always laugh at each other's jokes. But one day, Nelda twirls for Raymond and falls down. Raymond laughs at her. "Some friend!" says Nelda. Now the two aren't speaking. But life isn't nearly as much fun without a best friend to share it with. It's up to Florence the mail lady to deliver some important letters that might just help Nelda and Raymond make up and be best friends once again. Author Barbara Bottner's quirky story of a friendship that gets off track will resonate with readers as they negotiate the highs and lows of their own relationships. Nancy Hayashi's illustrations colorfully capture the appeal of the characters and the charm of the story.