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May I Bring a Friend? Paperback – Picture Book, September 30, 1989
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One day, a small boy receives a very special invitation—the King and the Queen have invited him to the castle for tea. He accepts, with one question: “May I bring a friend?”
“Any friend of our friend is welcome here,” says the King. But their guest’s friend turns out to be someone they never expected!
Beatrice Schenk de Regniers’s rhythmic text and the fantastical, jewellike artwork of Beni Montresor have made this book a favorite for more than twenty-five years.
- Reading age3 - 8 years
- Print length48 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade levelPreschool - 3
- Lexile measureNP600L
- Dimensions7.75 x 0.2 x 9.5 inches
- PublisherAladdin
- Publication dateSeptember 30, 1989
- ISBN-100689713533
- ISBN-13978-0689713538
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Product details
- Publisher : Aladdin
- Publication date : September 30, 1989
- Edition : Reprint
- Language : English
- Print length : 48 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0689713533
- ISBN-13 : 978-0689713538
- Item Weight : 3.99 ounces
- Reading age : 3 - 8 years
- Dimensions : 7.75 x 0.2 x 9.5 inches
- Grade level : Preschool - 3
- Lexile measure : NP600L
- Best Sellers Rank: #204,988 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,690 in Children's Classics
- #2,679 in Children's Humor
- #3,581 in Children's Action & Adventure Books (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find this children's book fun to read with its rhyming text and beautiful illustrations. The story receives positive feedback, with one customer noting how it helps children memorize the narrative. Customers appreciate its family value, with one mentioning it's a favorite for two generations.
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Customers find the book fun to read, particularly appreciating its rhyming text and suitability for read-aloud sessions with children.
"Lovely story, great writing and fun to read" Read more
"This was one of my favorite books as a kid and I had a copy that my mom read to me so much that the jacket literally came off of it and she kept..." Read more
"One of my favorite books to read to my children when they were young. When I noticed it missing from my library I was ecstatic to find it on Amazon...." Read more
"...love these whimsical pictures and the compelling, humorous, delightful rhyming text and the rather fabulous story...." Read more
Customers appreciate the beautiful illustrations in the book, describing them as charming, with one customer noting the vivid colors and another mentioning the bold style.
"...I also really loved the bold, vivid colors of the book. The illustrations are so different. This book also has not real peril...." Read more
"...Children love these whimsical pictures and the compelling, humorous, delightful rhyming text and the rather fabulous story...." Read more
"...It's charming to listen to and the illustrations are unique. This is sure to be a classic forever." Read more
"...Such a cute story. The illustrations are fun." Read more
Customers enjoy the story of the book, finding it lovely, with one customer noting its beautiful and inspiring nature for children, while another appreciates its cadence.
"...It's a simple story but at the age of 4 and 5 I appreciate the rhyming as it helped me memorize the story...." Read more
"...Children love these whimsical pictures and the compelling, humorous, delightful rhyming text and the rather fabulous story...." Read more
"...And I do love it! There's just something about the cadence of the story that resonates with me...." Read more
"...Such a cute story. The illustrations are fun." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's family value, with one mentioning it has been a favorite for two generations, and another noting that both parents and grandparents enjoy it.
"...Years ago my children loved it. The book is an old family treasure." Read more
"Bought as a gift. A family favorite for two generations." Read more
"One of the most delightful children's books for kids, parents and grandparents alike. De Regniers' other books are wonderful too" Read more
Reviews with images

Published in 1964, but still reads as fresh--writing achievement badge unlocked.
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2011Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseThis was one of my favorite books as a kid and I had a copy that my mom read to me so much that the jacket literally came off of it and she kept having to glue it back on and staple the book back together.
It's a simple story but at the age of 4 and 5 I appreciate the rhyming as it helped me memorize the story. I LOVED the animals in the story and precarious situation of having a giraffe over for dinner. I also really loved the bold, vivid colors of the book. The illustrations are so different.
This book also has not real peril. It really is just a story of a friendly Queen and King who seem ready to take on almost any guest as long as he's a friend of thier friend. A boy with animal friends? I wanted him to bring all his friends to my house for dinner.
I still adore this book!
- Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2022Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseOne of my favorite books to read to my children when they were young. When I noticed it missing from my library I was ecstatic to find it on Amazon. It’s a beautiful memory.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2017Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseI've been reading this book to children for more than 30 years and was delighted to be able to replace my worn copy with a fresh one! Children love these whimsical pictures and the compelling, humorous, delightful rhyming text and the rather fabulous story. Who wouldn't want to be a child invited by a king and queen-- and such generous and high spirited royalty as these!
- Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2018Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseThis is "Mommy's favorite book," according to my children. And I do love it! There's just something about the cadence of the story that resonates with me. It's charming to listen to and the illustrations are unique. This is sure to be a classic forever.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2009Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseThis was one of my favorite books growing up from a very young age up through adolesence. I bought this book as part of a birthday present for my 6 year old nephew. I read the book to both of my nephews (age 3 and 6) for their bedtime story and they both throughly enjoyed it, they thought it was entertaining and funny! I would definitely recommend this for boys and girls age 5 and up!!!
- Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2018Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseGrand daughters love the book. Years ago my children loved it. The book is an old family treasure.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2016Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseMy 4 year old loves this book. It is okay in my opinion.
Top reviews from other countries
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GianniReviewed in Italy on July 28, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Piccola neraviglia
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseIllustratore ingiustamente poco conosciuto. Peccato perché ha un tratto visionario e magico. Ho fatto la fotocopia ingrandita di alcune illustrazioni per appenderle in casa!
- SmartnitReviewed in India on June 20, 2017
4.0 out of 5 stars Nice book for a toddler who starts reading
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseMy six-year-old absolutely loved it...
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a.y.Reviewed in Japan on October 12, 2004
5.0 out of 5 stars レトロでポップ
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase版画のようなレトロな線、べた塗りのポップな色使いの絵がなんとも味わいのある雰囲気を作っています。男の子がキングとクイーンの招待で、次々と動物が登場します。最後はなんと…。
短くてやさしい英文と繰り返しの"May I---"で、英語を勉強しはじめたお子様にいいかもしれません。本文中の絵は表紙のような赤やピンク、オレンジなどを基調にした絵になっています。
- SheilaReviewed in Germany on September 10, 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars The anticipation was fun for my son
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseI liked the lessons taught of being polite and reciprocating invitations to your home. My 3yo son loved the anticipation of finding out which friend the boy would invite to the King and Queen's house, next.