Book Review: North: A Magical Friendship Story

Reviewed by Erin Britton

A charmingly festive tale of creativity and friendship in the Far North

Accompanied by Erin O’Leary Brown’s delightful illustrations, JR Buchta’s North conveys the joy and possibility of spending special times with true friends.

According to this tale, “The North Wind, the North Star, and the Northern Lights have always been friends.” All three enjoy hanging out at the North Pole and having fun with the creatures that inhabit the frozen landscape, including reindeer, snowy owls, narwals, and polar bears. From light shows to carving shapes in the snow, there is plenty to entertain them.

However, “the Northern Lights wished aloud for some new friends,” and her companions agreed that it is always a good idea to make new friends. But how can they accomplish it? They think about the variety of creatures they would like to befriend—frogs, cats, cows, giraffes, and more—but none of them could cope with living at the North Pole.

“The North Star and the North Wind thought for a long time about how to make new friends as a surprise for the lonely Northern Lights.” While their plan initially has a few hiccups, they remain committed to finding some new pals for the beloved Northern Lights. After brainstorming what good friends are made of, do they finally know what it takes to succeed in their quest?

JR Buchta’s North is a funny and fun-filled picture book that brilliantly portrays the chaos and whimsy of the mythical chums’ attempts to make new friends. The message it conveys to young readers is important and heartwarming: keep old friends close but always be willing to welcome new pals into your circle.

The Far North setting and the emphasis on all the chilly, starry, and dazzling aspects of the environment—which are enchantingly captured by Erin O’Leary Brown in the illustrations that accompany each segment of text—really enhance the atmosphere of the story, highlighting its magical and cozy nature.

O’Leary Brown’s art is full of movement and color, serving to capture the attention of both older and younger readers. The use of watercolors adds a timeless quality to the images, which is very much in keeping with the tone and style of Buchta’s narrative.

The decision to feature the fabled North Wind, North Star, and Northern Lights as the central characters is innovative and intriguing, allowing for discussions about their traditional representations. O’Leary Brown’s images well capture their customary characteristics and Buchta’s dialogue brings their personalities to life.

The story should spark chats about what makes a good friend and what sorts of creatures it would be fun to befriend. Given its wintery feel and holiday-appropriate messaging—to say nothing of a particularly seasonal cameo—reading North would make a great addition to a family’s festive traditions.

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