Penny Draws a Best Friend

‘Readers will likely relate to [Penny’s] concerns . . . This new series comes straight from the heart.’ * Booklist * ‘Fantastically fun, funny, and heartfelt. I loved it.’ * Max Brallier, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Last Kids on Earth series * ‘Perfectly captures the hilarity, anxiety, and silliness of being a kid. A charming, zippy read that will keep you smiling all book long.’ * Melissa de la Cruz, New York Times bestselling author of Disney’s Descendants series * ‘Heartfelt and oh-so funny—an utterly charming read that’s perfect for any kid who’s ever had a worry, or who simply loves to laugh.’ * Sarah Mlynowski, New York Times bestselling author of the Whatever After series * ‘Like the worries in Penny’s head, drama and hilarity run amok in this sweet, relatable, and engaging story.’ * Terri Libenson, New York Times bestselling author of the Emmie & Friends series * ‘A bright and emotionally accessible story full of wit and warmth.’ * Kirkus Reviews * ‘Heartfelt…A charming, engaging and easy-to-read story.’ * GLAM Adelaide * ‘Many middle-grade readers will see their own feelings and concerns reflected in this story, and Shepard’s inclusion of healthy coping strategies within the story make it a fantastic resource. Penny Draws a Best Friend is a heartfelt exploration of anxiety, of friendship, and of finding your people.’ * NZ Booklovers * ‘Shepard’s light touch and sketchbook-style b&w doodles make for an engaging read that candidly portrays the effect of destabilizing changes on one child experiencing anxiety.’ * Publishers Weekly * ‘Imbued with humor, colorful characters, and the perilous dilemmas of childhood…Shepard carefully and successfully walks a tightrope in her treatment of Penny’s worries by validating her feelings while suggesting that they should not be the only thing that guide her actions and choices. The epistolic format and the quirky, lovable main character will appeal to fans of Rachel Renée Russell’s Dork Diaries and Svetlana Chmakova’s Brave.’ * The Bureau of the Center for Children’s Books *