Family of Friends

Varsha Bajaj (VarshaBajaj.com) is the author of the middle grade novels Thirst (a New York Times bestseller and Global Read Aloud selection) and Count Me In. She also wrote the picture books A Garland of Henna, The Home Builders (an Imagination Library selection), and This Is Our Baby, Born Today (a Bank Street Best Book). She grew up in Mumbai, India, and when she came to the United States to obtain her master’s degree, her adjustment to the country was aided by books, which helped her learn about the culture. She lives in Houston, Texas.Ishaa Lobo (IshaaLobo.com) is a children’s book illustrator who lives in London. Her art follows themes of nature, comfort, and snippets of everyday life, and she often draws inspiration from her childhood.

“[Mrs. Garcia’s] comforting words help Isha reflect on her friends, who feel like family, and she enjoys a joyous get-together with her chosen family. Bajaj’s heartwarming story, with its clever coinage of the term grandfriend to describe Mrs. Garcia, encapsulates relationships that grow from a close-knit community. Lobo’s endearing illustrations create a sense of coziness and celebration. Isha’s surrounded by an intergenerational, multicultural mix of loved ones. A charming rendering of life’s ups and downs and those who buoy us along the way.” —Kirkus Reviews“Isha’s first-person narrative clearly expresses her sorrow as well as her happiness in sharing her thoughts and feelings with friends of different ages. Reflecting the story’s tone, the illustrations feature simplified forms, rich colors, and an irrepressible sense of joy. A heartfelt, encouraging story that will resonate with kids whose relatives live far away.” —Booklist