Review of The Unique Friendship of Grover and Steve
Posted: 06 Apr 2025, 18:59
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Unique Friendship of Grover and Steve" by Lee Cherry.]
The Unique Friendship of Grover and Steve by Lee Cherry tells the story of the unlikely but fulfilling friendship between Grover, a donkey, and Steve, an ostrich. It’s filled with valuable lessons of acceptance and support that children will benefit from learning.
I liked how the book portrayed Grover and Steve’s friendship. They support and care for each other, providing a model for a healthy friendship for young readers. The message is that everyone is the same, regardless of surface-level differences like race, weight, or anything else. The book also teaches that while some people are reluctant to accept those they think are different, it shouldn’t stop others from maintaining the relationships they value. I think that’s a great message for children. They should stand with those they love and defend their beliefs even when facing criticism. The language used is simplistic, but the message within is profound.
Since this is a children’s book, the illustrations are very important. I loved the look of the animals, and I think the illustrations will draw in young readers. I appreciated the bright colours and the beauty of it all. The bright blues of the sky in particular caught my eye. This book is also great for read-alongs and storytime. It has vibrant colours and engaging characters, and the dialogue provides the opportunity for different character voices. It’s not only a good book, but a good family activity. However, one thing I noticed is that the eyes of the animals, especially Grover, appear rheumy and unnaturally coloured. Grover’s eyes, for example, are a dark red that is off-putting. It may be stylistic, but it wasn’t to my taste.
I want to mention that this book alludes to the death of a character, an elder donkey. While the character’s death isn’t shown, the donkey is shown as weak and ill. Caregivers could use it as an introduction to the topic of serious illness or death for their little ones. It’s worth planning for, in any case.
Overall, I would rate this a 4 out of 5. I would recommend it to parents and children alike. It’s a great children’s book.
******
The Unique Friendship of Grover and Steve
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The Unique Friendship of Grover and Steve by Lee Cherry tells the story of the unlikely but fulfilling friendship between Grover, a donkey, and Steve, an ostrich. It’s filled with valuable lessons of acceptance and support that children will benefit from learning.
I liked how the book portrayed Grover and Steve’s friendship. They support and care for each other, providing a model for a healthy friendship for young readers. The message is that everyone is the same, regardless of surface-level differences like race, weight, or anything else. The book also teaches that while some people are reluctant to accept those they think are different, it shouldn’t stop others from maintaining the relationships they value. I think that’s a great message for children. They should stand with those they love and defend their beliefs even when facing criticism. The language used is simplistic, but the message within is profound.
Since this is a children’s book, the illustrations are very important. I loved the look of the animals, and I think the illustrations will draw in young readers. I appreciated the bright colours and the beauty of it all. The bright blues of the sky in particular caught my eye. This book is also great for read-alongs and storytime. It has vibrant colours and engaging characters, and the dialogue provides the opportunity for different character voices. It’s not only a good book, but a good family activity. However, one thing I noticed is that the eyes of the animals, especially Grover, appear rheumy and unnaturally coloured. Grover’s eyes, for example, are a dark red that is off-putting. It may be stylistic, but it wasn’t to my taste.
I want to mention that this book alludes to the death of a character, an elder donkey. While the character’s death isn’t shown, the donkey is shown as weak and ill. Caregivers could use it as an introduction to the topic of serious illness or death for their little ones. It’s worth planning for, in any case.
Overall, I would rate this a 4 out of 5. I would recommend it to parents and children alike. It’s a great children’s book.
******
The Unique Friendship of Grover and Steve
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon