Lilibet has lots of friends—it’s just that they are all imaginary! Can she build the perfect real-life friend?

With a relatable neurodivergent main character and a message of friendship and acceptance, this funny and heartfelt picture book is perfect for 3-7 year olds.

Lilibet has tools, a lab, and a notebook. She also has lots of friends, like Calico Cate, Tom Zombie, and Dire Pup. It’s just that they’re all imaginary. So she plans a new project, REAL FRIEND 1.0, and makes a list of requirements:

• Knows the difference between a bug and an insect (extremely important!)
• Never calls her robot face
• Or computer brain
• Does not ask if Lilibet is a boy or a girl

As she sets out to build a friend, she is joined by Paul “Peanut” Shelley, who is keen to help, whether Lilibet likes it or not. It turns out, sometimes the best of friends come from unexpected places.

Celebrated author Kersten Hamilton writes from her own experience on the autism spectrum, creating a one-of-a-kind neurodivergent protagonist in a story brimming charm and humor.