Friends on the Hill
A wonderful book about the relationships children form with one another, their friendships, and the joy of being together.
Bert and Etho are best friends. They spend hours together playing on the hill. One day, a new boy arrives. He wants to join their group. Can two become three?
Benji Davies’s stunning illustrations and Linda Sarah’s poetic language, translated by Antonis Papatheodoulou, convey the essential message that true friendship is incompatible with possessive behaviour and that it can change us and make our lives more beautiful.
Children reading the story *Friends on the Hill* will encounter a moving tale that will provide an opportunity for parents and teachers to discuss with them the value of selfless and generous friendship.
- Pages: 36
- ISBN: 978-960-572-102-2
- Publication: 2016
- Dimensions: 28 χ 24,5
- Category: Childrens' Books
"...The story hidden within this playful and beautifully illustrated book could well be true. It captures the fear of every young child who worries about losing their best friend when a new child joins the group..."
– Mama's 'n' Papa's Blog"...This richly illustrated book is a treasure, as it will give many parents the opportunity to discuss with their little ones a major theme: that of friendship and the ability to move beyond the security of a one-on-one relationship!
– Suzanna Papafagou, Talk"...Linda Sarah writes a touching story about friendship at this sensitive age and, together with illustrator Benji Davis, creates a beautiful fairy tale that speaks straight to children’s hearts..."
– Zoe Koskinidou, Red Fox"...A book in which the illustrations and text are in perfect balance, each complementing the other. The pictures have a magical quality that transports you to other, beautiful times of childhood when a box was enough to provide months of play..."
– Katerina Andrikopoulou, Elniplex.com"...An opportunity to talk to our children about the importance of friendship and the fact that, whilst feelings of jealousy are normal, they shouldn’t stop us from having fun and enjoying moments with our friends..."
– Angeliki Boziki, Dimart Blog"...In perfect harmony and balance, text and image take us on a journey back to childhood, to a time when a cardboard box is transformed into a source of endless play. At the same time, they convey the message that true friendships have room for others, who can joyfully fill our time and beautify and enrich our lives..."
– Magda Zindrou, Every Day Parents"...A book that speaks of the power of friendship, of generous and sincere friendship... And it teaches us that true friendship has room for others, so that it can grow and multiply..."
– Two Boys & Hope Blog"...A tender book that appeals to all ages, even teenagers; it can be read and analysed in ways ranging from the simplest to the most complex, depending on the age group reading it. The illustrations are lovely, and the edition by Ikaros Publications is excellent and of high quality..."
– Argyro Moundaki, Parents24.gr"...A true story that has happened to all of us when we were young. Our young friends will love it, and it will provide an opportunity for a very good discussion between teachers/parents and children..."
– Vasilis Koutsaris, ‘Thessalia’ newspaper
"...Author Linda Sarah and illustrator Benji Davies have created a playful, moving and very true-to-life story that conveys messages to children about the changing nature of human relationships and social interaction..."
– Kidscloud.gr"...This is a story aimed at very young children, speaking to them in a simple yet by no means simplistic way about the value of friendship and the importance – as well as the difficulty – of sharing. It is aesthetically pleasing and beautifully illustrated..."
– Phoebe Lekka, Mothersblog.gr"...A wonderful story for children who are always living, playing and having to deal with the 'self' and sharing. An enviable story… about the jealousy they feel and the difficulty of accepting new things and 'friends' in their lives..."
– Eleni Betinaki, Saturday’s Fairy Tales"...A book that speaks of the jealousy and fear a child feels when they believe they have lost a good friend and have been sidelined by another child. A theme that seems absent from a child’s daily life when they have to deal with dozens of other important or even trivial matters, yet is so necessary for laying the foundations of their social intelligence and shaping their interpersonal relationships..."
– Georgia Souvatzis, Debop"...The wonderful illustrations are by Benji Davies, the text by Linda Sarah, whilst the translation is by Antonis Papatheodoulou. What conclusion do you reach when you read the book? The two, of course, and there’s room for a third, a fourth and a fifth, provided their common ground is love, selflessness and generosity."
– Christina my princess BlogBenji Davies
Benji Davies is an illustrator, author and animator. His first illustrated book, ‘Noah and the Whale’, won the Oscar’s First Book Prize, the Generalitat Valenciana Best Picture Book in Spain, and the CPNB Dutch Picture Book 2017 in the Netherlands. His second book, Grandpa’s Island, won the AOI World Illustration Awards 2015, the Children’s Books Professional Award, and the Sainsbury’s Children’s Book of the Year 2015. In 2020, he was honoured for a second time with the Oscar’s First Book Prize for his book The Little Dragonfly.
He is the illustrator of the hugely successful series of pre-school books featuring the character Little Bear. He studied animation at university and has worked on illustrated books, short films, music videos and advertisements. His books have been published in more than 35 languages worldwide. He lives in London with his wife Nina. You can find out more about Benji Davies and his books here.
