The Friend

Annabelle Bernadette Clementine Dodd
Was a good little girl, though decidedly odd.
Belle lived every day as if she were grown—
She thought she could do everything all on her own.

But lucky for Belle she has a friend at home, a housekeeper named Beatrice Smith—Bea—who keeps a close eye on her so she doesn’t get into too much mischief. Through the week Belle helps Bea as she does chores or shops or bakes, and at the end of most days they head to the beach—Belle and Bea, hand in hand by the sea. But one afternoon Belle sneaks outside to play alone on the beach, where something happens that changes her life forever.

“Glorious, sweeping ink-and-watercolor illustrations…a heartfelt tribute.”
Booklist