Picture Books - Nutmeg and Barley

Nutmeg and Barley: A Budding Friendship by Janie Bynum 2006

This is a story of two unlikely friends, or are they? Nutmeg is a fun loving and sociable red squirrel who doesn’t quite understand her quiet and simple neighbor, Barley the gray mouse. Although each reaches out to the other, they keep missing opportunities to become friends until one day Nutmeg tries again. When Nutmeg discovers Barley is very ill, she goes out of her way to meet his needs and make him comfortable. In doing so, she discovers that she and Barley really do have things in common, which is the beginning of a fond friendship. This warm and fuzzy story would be a good lap read for preschool through 2nd grade. The watercolor illustrations are soft and appealing with a nice satisfying feel. Plus, what great names for these characters.