Jessica

Written by Kevin Henkes

Narrated by Katherine Kellgren

Even though nobody else believes that Jessica is real, Ruthie knows she is. But when the first day of school arrives, what will happen to Jessica?

As usual, Kevin Henkes perfectly captures the child’s perspective and delivers a story that is reassuring and delightful.

A Live Oak Media audio production.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Live Oak Media
• Release date: Jan 1, 2011
• ISBN: 9781430115328

Kevin Henkes

Kevin Henkes has been praised both as a writer and as an illustrator and is the recipient of the Children’s Literature Legacy Award for his lasting contribution to literature for children. He received the Caldecott Medal for Kitten’s First Full Moon; Caldecott Honors for Waiting and Owen; two Newbery Honors, one for Olive’s Ocean and one for The Year of Billy Miller; and Geisel Honors for Waiting and Penny and Her Marble. His other books include The World and Everything in It; A House; A Parade of Elephants; Chrysanthemum; and the beloved Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse. Kevin Henkes lives with his family in Madison, Wisconsin.

Reviews for Jessica

[miguelput · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

About an imaginary friend, but even though my daughter has invented friends (just like she pretends her baby doll is real), she can't relate.

[parejess · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My parents got this book for me, Jessica, when I was five years old, but reading it again almost fifteen years later, really gives me a new insight into it. Ruthie is scared of change, of leaving her family and going to a place called school where she doesn't know anybody, so she creates an imaginary friend named Jessica who goes everywhere and does everything with her and who can never leave her. But low and behold, when Ruthie does go to school, she meets a real person who replaces her imaginary friend, making for a more healthy friendship, and that person's name is Jessica. How fitting!This book teaches us that change is not only okay, but sometimes, it is even better. Like Ruthie, we may be scared, but one way or another, everything will work out. They might not be as perfect as finding someone named Jessica to replace an imaginary friend named Jessica, but knowing how good things can be is the encouragement that kids need in order to take risks and find happiness.

[imandayeh · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Ruthie has an imaginary best friend named Jessica. Her parents try to tell her there is no Jessica. Ruthie remains unconvinced. I enjoyed this story and I thought the ending was cute. She comes home from school with a friend names Jessica.

[donnachoe · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Every child had an imaginary friend at some point in his or her life, and this book portrays this exactly. Jessica is another great book by Kevin Henkes that demonstrates the many untold and unrepeated aspects of childhood life.

[jmvarnad · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Ruthie does everything with her imaginary friend Jessica. They play games and even get into trouble together. Ruthie's parents wants her to have real friend. Then on her first day at kindergarten, Ruthie meets a real new friend who name is Jessica and they do everything together from then on. I can never say i hate a Kevin Henkes book, because they are always so fun and creative.

[necampos · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Reading Level 2.6This is a precious story about a girl and her best friend. Ruthie makes up an imaginary friend, Jessica, who did everything with her. Not until school did she actually meet w new friend whose name was ironically Jessica. This is a fun book that you can ask kids what they think might happen to see if they can predict the outcome.

[melanieross · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I thought that this was an excellent picture book for children; the pictures were very colorful. I also liked how certain parts of the book were written in larger font in order to emphasize those certain sentences. This is a story about a young girl named Ruthie who had an imaginary friend named Jessica. Ruthie's parents were continuosly telling her that there was no Jessica; however, Ruthie never listened. Jessica went everywhere with Ruthie, even to Ruthie's first day of Kindergarten. Then, something very exciting happened- Ruthie made a real friend, and her name was Jessica!I would read this book to children in kindergarten, first grade, or second grade. This is a wonderful story to read on the first day of school because it has to do with making new friends on the first day of school, which is something alot of children are worried about.

[aengle_8 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

K-1. This is great when teaching students about making friends. Sometimes it is scary to make new friends when you know you love the old ones but making new friends is fun too.

[cgammerman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is one of my favorite books. I think it is a great book to read aloud to children during the first week of kindergarten when everyone is trying to make friends. The pictures are so cute and the way Henkes writes is hilarious. I think every child would like this book!

[misserin_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sweet story about a girl and her imaginary friend, Jessica... or is she real? Kevin Henkes' books are great stories about friendship.

[kidlit9 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Ruthie does everything with her imaginary friend Jessica. She is anxious about starting kindergarten, and spends much of the day by herself, until she meets a girl named Jessica and befriends her.