Book Buddies 1

Introducing a brand-new chapter book series from

Newbery Honoree Cynthia Lord and illustrator Stephanie Graegin

Ivy was Anne the librarian’s doll when she was a young
girl. But now she has moved to Anne’s library to be its
newest Book Buddy—a toy that can be checked out just like
a book. Ivy isn’t sure she wants to be borrowed, though.
She’d rather go back to just being Anne’s favorite toy.
Fern, a child who visits the library with her stepfamily, also
wishes things could go back to the way they were, when
Fern had her dad all to herself. When Fern takes Ivy home,
an unexpected outdoor adventure helps both of them find
confidence and belonging in their changing worlds. This
heartwarming story by Cynthia Lord, with a classic feel
and gentle illustrations by Stephanie Graegin, is the first
in a chapter book series that pairs friendly toys with child
characters who need them.

CYNTHIA LORD is the author of award-

winning middle-grade fiction titles
such as the Newbery Honor Book
Rules, as well as Touch Blue, Half
a Chance, A Handful of Stars, and
Because of the Rabbit. She is also the
author of the Hot Rod Hamster picture book and early
reader series and the Shelter Pet Squad chapter book series.
Cynthia Lord lives in Maine.

STEPHANIE GRAEGIN is the author-

ON SALE SEPTEMBER 28, 2021
HC: 978-1-5362-1354-6 illustrator of Little Fox in the Forest
$12.99 ($17.99 CAN) and the illustrator of many other
Ages 6–9 · 80 pages picture books, including You Were
Also available as an e-book
the First by Patricia MacLachlan and
Water in the Park by Emily Jenkins.
Stephanie Graegin lives in Brooklyn.

Illustration copyright © 2022 by Stephanie Graegin

 A NOTE FROM CYNTHIA LORD
Dear friends,

I am pleased to share Ivy Lost and Found with you, the first book in my latest series, Book
Buddies. My writing ideas often come from my own childhood. Even though times and situation
do change, there are some childhood experiences that are timeless and universal.
Imagination and play are two of those. Some of my fondest early play memories are of when
my older sister and I would pretend with our stuffed animals. I grew up in the late 1960s in a
home full of Red Sox fans, so our stuffed animals had names like Yaz and Fisk. I remember the
look on a waitress’s face one day when she sweetly asked me the name of my little toy cat. “Tony
Conigliaro!” I told her happily.
As a young reader, I loved books about little people and animals. I loved The Borrowers,
Winnie-the-Pooh, The Wind in the Willows, and many others. I had tiny dolls named Arietty and
Spiller, a toy mouse named Stuart Little, and lots more. In my imagination I took those beloved
characters beyond the pages of their books into new adventures with one another. Their lives were
full of drama: squabbles, bold rescues, near misses, and dangerous close calls. I think that was
where I truly started becoming an author—creating new stories for characters I loved.
Last year at my school visits when children would ask me what I was working on, I would tell
them about Book Buddies. I would show them a photo of the real toys I had bought to base the
characters on. The children’s eyes would light up, and suddenly they’d begin telling me all about
their own toys and adventures. It always felt special to share that with them.
Now I’m delighted to share this series with you. I hope it brings you warm memories of your
own childhood toy best friends. And I hope children will take these Book Buddies characters into
their own imagination and play, the way I did with my favorite books—and the 1968–69 Red Sox.

Happy Reading!
Cynthia Lord

Illustration copyright © 2022 by Stephanie Graegin