Friends and Rivals

Books

Friends and Rivals

Author

Tuula Pere

Illustrator

Iva Dukić

Themes

War and Peace

Friends and Rivals follows brothers Victor and Otto as childhood closeness turns into rivalry, power, and imprisonment. Through a child's intervention, the story explores damaged family bonds, tyranny, forgiveness, and the possibility of reconciliation.
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Books

Friends and Rivals transcends mere storytelling by weaving in a fundamental lesson about the power of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Set in a kingdom where two princes, once inseparable friends, become adversaries in their quest for the throne, the story unfolds a poignant tale of lost familial bonds.

The book, embellished with the evocative illustrations of Iva Dukić, stands out for its compelling imagery and a distinct Old World allure. Dukić’s use of a limited color palette skillfully draws attention to the characters’ expressive faces and the setting’s unique charm.

— Literary Titan

It says a lot about young people to make a difference and how violence and conflict should be last resorts. Sometimes, it just takes people talking and coming to a compromise. Sometimes, it just takes people setting aside their differences in the interest of peace.

Why are we always surprised when Tuula Pere produces another instant classic after another? Time and time again, Pere pleasantly surprises us with outside-the-box, captivating plots that go above and beyond the scope of most children's books.

Friends and Rivals is a truly extraordinary, complex, yet incredibly concise children's book about two brothers—former best-friends—who end up on separate sides of a conflict caused by a hunger and thirst for power (as well as unspoken misunderstandings).

— Outstanding Creator

Rivalry among young children can become unhealthy between older boys and adults. Tuula Pere has captured the essence of how rivalry for power can corrupt the closest relationships.

Tuula Pere’s picture book, Friends and Rivals, is a clever take on the biblical story of the prodigal son.

Iva Dukic nicely illustrates the text.

— Delene Vrey, Readers’ Favorite

Friends and Rivals transcends mere storytelling by weaving in a fundamental lesson about the power of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Set in a kingdom where two princes, once inseparable friends, become adversaries in their quest for the throne, the story unfolds a poignant tale of lost familial bonds.

The book, embellished with the evocative illustrations of Iva Dukić, stands out for its compelling imagery and a distinct Old World allure. Dukić’s use of a limited color palette skillfully draws attention to the characters’ expressive faces and the setting’s unique charm.

— Literary Titan

It says a lot about young people to make a difference and how violence and conflict should be last resorts. Sometimes, it just takes people talking and coming to a compromise. Sometimes, it just takes people setting aside their differences in the interest of peace.

Why are we always surprised when Tuula Pere produces another instant classic after another? Time and time again, Pere pleasantly surprises us with outside-the-box, captivating plots that go above and beyond the scope of most children's books.

Friends and Rivals is a truly extraordinary, complex, yet incredibly concise children's book about two brothers—former best-friends—who end up on separate sides of a conflict caused by a hunger and thirst for power (as well as unspoken misunderstandings).

— Outstanding Creator

Rivalry among young children can become unhealthy between older boys and adults. Tuula Pere has captured the essence of how rivalry for power can corrupt the closest relationships.

Tuula Pere’s picture book, Friends and Rivals, is a clever take on the biblical story of the prodigal son.

Iva Dukic nicely illustrates the text.

— Delene Vrey, Readers’ Favorite

Editorial Review Quotes

★★★★★ (5/5)

Friends and Rivals transcends mere storytelling by weaving in a fundamental lesson about the power of forgiveness and reconciliation.

— Literary Titan

Set in a kingdom where two princes, once inseparable friends, become adversaries in their quest for the throne, the story unfolds a poignant tale of lost familial bonds.

— Literary Titan

The book, embellished with the evocative illustrations of Iva Dukić, stands out for its compelling imagery and a distinct Old World allure. Dukić’s use of a limited color palette skillfully draws attention to the characters’ expressive faces and the setting’s unique charm.

— Literary Titan

Score | 
95/100

It says a lot about young people to make a difference and how violence and conflict should be last resorts. Sometimes, it just takes people talking and coming to a compromise. Sometimes, it just takes people setting aside their differences in the interest of peace.

— Outstanding Creator

Why are we always surprised when Tuula Pere produces another instant classic after another? Time and time again, Pere pleasantly surprises us with outside-the-box, captivating plots that go above and beyond the scope of most children's books.

— Outstanding Creator

Friends and Rivals is a truly extraordinary, complex, yet incredibly concise children's book about two brothers—former best-friends—who end up on separate sides of a conflict caused by a hunger and thirst for power (as well as unspoken misunderstandings).

— Outstanding Creator

★★★★★ (5/5)

Rivalry among young children can become unhealthy between older boys and adults. Tuula Pere has captured the essence of how rivalry for power can corrupt the closest relationships.

— Delene Vrey, Readers’ Favorite

★★★★★ (5/5)

Tuula Pere’s picture book, Friends and Rivals, is a clever take on the biblical story of the prodigal son.

— Emily-Jane Hills Orford, Readers’ Favorite

★★★★★ (5/5)

Iva Dukic nicely illustrates the text.

— Philip Van Heusen, Readers’ Favorite

Presentation

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