Fisher, Lalena. Friends Beyond Measure: A Story Told With Infographics. Lalena Fisher, Illus. HarperCollins, 02/2023. 40pp. Fiction. Trade $34.99. 978-0-06-321052-3. GRADES 2 – 5. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
Ana is sad when she learns that Harwin, her bestie, is moving away. Offering a fresh take on a familiar theme, the simply worded tale unfolds through descriptive infographics that include charts, graphs, maps, and other schematics. “We had adventures!” says Ana, and the accompanying two-page spread offers a richly illustrated Halloween timeline full of fun details. The artwork incorporates the two characters (light-skinned Harwin and dark-skinned Ana) directly into the busy schematics. Young readers will enjoy this visually appealing book, but a full understanding of the concepts, specifically how to read the charts, may require adult support. Strongly recommended as a mentor text for elementary school teachers planning lessons on the subject. A helpful afterword identifies and explains twelve infographic variations.
Jenny Andrus—Independent