Meet Tugg and Teeny. Best friends since... well, forever! Tugg, a gorilla, and Teeny, a monkey, live together in their jungle neighborhood, Sidekick Thicket. As opposite as night and day, the two friends work and play together, each helping the other face life's challenges. That's What Friends Are For is a trio of stories that has Teeny helping hippo Margie Barge learn self-acceptance, finding a substitute horn for Rocko Rhino, and hosting a neighborhood picnic. All with the help of her best friend, Tugg. Engagingly written by Children's Poet Laureate J. Patrick Lewis, this beginning reader series is charmingly brought to life by Redwall artist Christopher Denise.

Author: J. Patrick Lewis
J. Patrick Lewis is the author of 60 books for children, 50 of them in poetry. He is also the coauthor of three terrific children and four delightful grandchildren. He writes full-time, makes 30 elementary school visits a year, and keynotes at literature conferences. First Dog is his first book with his daughter Beth. Pat, or Grandpat, as his grandkids call him, is married and lives in Westerville, Ohio.

Illustrator: Christopher Denise
Christopher Denise is an award-winning illustrator whose books haveappeared on The New York Times best-sellers list. Known for his workon the Redwall picture book series, he also works as a visual developmentartist and character designer for feature film animation. Christopher livesin Barrington, Rhode Island.