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May I Bring a Friend? Paperback – Picture Book, September 30, 1989

4.8 out of 5 stars 167 ratings

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An imaginative boy brings a surprising array of friends to dine at the palace in this Caldecott Medal–winning picture book.

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.
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Beatrice Schenk de Regniers is the author of many award-winning books for children, among them May I Bring a Friend?, illustrated by Beni Montresor and winner of the Caldecott Medal; David and Goliath; A Little House of Your Own; Little Sister and the Month Brothers; The Snow Party; and So Many Cats. Formerly a children's book editor, Ms. de Regniers now writes full time. She lives in Washington, DC.

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
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 out of 5 stars 167 ratings

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Beatrice Schenk de Regniers
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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
167 global ratings

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Customers 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.

19 customers mention "Readability"19 positive0 negative

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

9 customers mention "Illustrations"9 positive0 negative

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

6 customers mention "Story quality"6 positive0 negative

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

3 customers mention "Family value"3 positive0 negative

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

Published in 1964, but still reads as fresh--writing achievement badge unlocked.
5 out of 5 stars
Published in 1964, but still reads as fresh--writing achievement badge unlocked.
As an adult, it's hard to read this without thinking of it as a cautionary tale on allowing +1s for guests. 😂 Seriously, though, it is a very entertaining story. The rhyme is just okay, but the pacing, plot, and structure are fabulous. It goes through a week of invites, and these +1s are (spoiler alert): a giraffe, hippo, monkeys, elephant, lions, and seal. Each new "friend" arrives after a page turn, and because there are so many, none of them overstay their welcome with even the littlest reader. And, when the King and Queen extend one more invitation at the end of the week, a little twist pulls everything together in the most satisfying way.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2011
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    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 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!
    7 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2022
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    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. It’s a beautiful memory.
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2017
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I'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!
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2023
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Loved it
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2018
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This 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.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2009
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This 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!!!
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2018
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    Grand daughters love the book. Years ago my children loved it. The book is an old family treasure.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2016
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    My 4 year old loves this book. It is okay in my opinion.
    One person found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Gianni
    5.0 out of 5 stars Piccola neraviglia
    Reviewed in Italy on July 28, 2022
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Illustratore ingiustamente poco conosciuto. Peccato perché ha un tratto visionario e magico. Ho fatto la fotocopia ingrandita di alcune illustrazioni per appenderle in casa!
    Report
  • Smartnit
    4.0 out of 5 stars Nice book for a toddler who starts reading
    Reviewed in India on June 20, 2017
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    My six-year-old absolutely loved it...
  • a.y.
    5.0 out of 5 stars レトロでポップ
    Reviewed in Japan on October 12, 2004
    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。
  • Sheila
    5.0 out of 5 stars The anticipation was fun for my son
    Reviewed in Germany on September 10, 2016
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I 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.