Raymond the buffalo is a character in a children's book owned by a boy named Gilbert. Gilbert takes his beloved book with him everywhere he goes. One day, Gilbert's mom accidentally takes Raymond the Buffalo to the library when she's returning borrowed books. Now Raymond is trapped in the library and he and Gilbert are missing each other terribly!

This short chapter book is heartwarming tribute to librarians and a sweet reminder of the impact beloved books have on our lives.

I read this with my kids and they really enjoyed it. They all four (17, 9. 8, 4) go to the same school, and their school mascot is a Buffalo! I will probably buy the print copy as well, just so they have access to read it whenever they want. What a fantastic story for kids of all ages about how important friendship is and what it means to be kind.

This picture book is about fifty pages long, and the story is split up into chapters. It can work as a read-aloud, but would also be a great fit for independent readers who still prefer lots of pictures. The story involves a buffalo who lives in a personally owned book that gets dropped off in the library book return by accident. It's an inventive tale, with vivid illustrations, but it didn't especially grip me. My take is that it either needed to be shorter, and be a quicker picture book read, or have deeper character development for the longer story. Still, this is a cute, inventive picture book book with a library setting, and it would be fun for a storytime event.

This is a great book to get young kids ready to listen to longer and longer books. It's essentially a picture book - just longer with six short chapters. The reading level isn't like an early/beginning reader, it's like a picture book. However, the chapters are short enough that you could read a couple as a bedtime story, or even the whole book at once if you wanted. Or, read it one at a time to help a child understand that some books have smaller parts called chapters and you read them over several days.

Anyway, enough about the funky format! The story itself is a sweet one about a buffalo named Raymond who lives in a book that belongs to a little boy named Gilbert. They do everything together (there's lot of pictures of Gilbert taking his book hiking and to the park, etc.). One day Gilbert finds out about dinosaurs and ignores Raymond for a little while. Then, when Raymond accidentally comes off the pages of his book and into the real world, adventure ensues! This is a story of friendship, loss, disappointment, grief, and love. With lots to discuss along the way, this is ultimately an uplifting story that children will enjoy. The illustrations are especially cute and really add another element of enjoyment to the book. Highly recommended!

Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Raymond the Buffalo was a very quick read for me and my kids. It had bright and fun illustrations that really brought the text to life.

Raymond is a brave and hairy fictional buffalo in a book that belongs to a little boy named Gilbert. They are the best of friends until one day Gilbert meets someone new. Raymond is understandably saddened and feeling left out. He even gets lost! Everything however soon changes when Raymond mysteriously becomes real and leaves his book.

Raymond is absolutely charming! The illustrations made me smile and we giggled out loud at the storyline. The story is full of real emotions and vulnerability that many of us experience.

This book is perfect for any child who has ever imagined their favourite characters could come to life! The chapters are short and ideal for soon-to-be independent readers, with recommended age of 6-8 years old.

Thank you to NetGalley, Orca Book Publishers and the author for the advanced digital copy. This review will be posted today on my Instagram account @tays_booknook

Raymond the Buffalo by Lou Beauchesne. Illustrated by Kate Chappell

Raymond the Buffalo is Gilbert’s favorite book, until Gilbert meets a dinosaur. Then Gilbert only wants to read dinosaur books. One day Raymond is accidentally dropped off at the library with the other library books. Raymond falls out of his book while he is there and meets the librarian who shows him the ropes at the library. He learns to shelve and find missing books. Raymond loves his time at the library but never forgets Gilbert.

Raymond never leaves the library, living there until the librarian is very old and finally retires. Find out if Raymond and the new librarian can become just as close of friends…

As a librarian myself, I loved this book. We all have favorite books and favorite book characters. Patrons have favorite librarians as well!

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Thank you to NetGalley and Orca Books for the ARC. I loved this adorable little beginner chapter book about a lost book and found friends (at the library!). Beautiful illustrations and easy to read writing, this is a heartwarming story. As a librarian, I loved the nod to libraries and the fact that a librarian was a major character in this book! Too cute. Definitely earning a spot on my library's shelves.

A sweet chapter book with adorable artwork and adventurous scenes for young readers. Raymond the Buffalo is a sure to make friends with many young readers.

Raymond the Buffalo by Lou Beauchesne and illustrated by Kate Chappell is the charming story of a buffalo named Raymond who is the central figure of young Gilbert's very favourite book. When the book is mistakenly returned to the library, both Raymond and Gilbert are desperate to find their way back to each other. As time passes, Raymond finds a new home in the library, and a new friendship in a kind librarian. Will he ever be reunited with Gilbert, the young boy with whom he shared a unique and special friendship? You will need to read this lovely book to find out.

The delightful pictures and short chapters will particularly appeal to beginning readers. Recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Orca Book Publishers for the opportunity to read an ARC.

I received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

What a beautiful and fun story! Perfect for new independant readers!!!

When Gilbert and Raymond are separated, Raymond learns to live at the library, with Nicole, the librarian. They become friends, they eat lemon pickles together, they file books and find lost books.

A story full of love for books and friendships that withstand time.

Now, because I’ve read this in its original language (French), I’m wondering why Gilles’ name was translated to Gilbert when other names (Raymond, Nicole, Oscar, Paul) weren’t changed. Wouldn’t it have been simpler for Gilles to become Giles?

The Advanced Reader Copy stamp made it difficult to read a few paragraphs… Great for copyright, hard for reviewers.

Raymond the Buffalo will be published on May 11th, 2021 by Orca Book Publishers.

Picture book, just a bit longer than usual at 47 pages.
Raymond, who lives in a book, and Gilbert are friends. When the buffalo’s book is accidentally returned to the library, Raymond emerges from it and begins his vigil, awaiting Gilbert’s return. He makes friends with the librarian; years pass, the librarian retires and is replaced by, you guessed it, a grownup Gilbert. A familiar story, but what distinguishes this one is the humor and the messy-cute illustrations. Short enough text for a longer read aloud.

Pickles with lemon, anyone? That's the favorite snack of Raymond, the titular character in Lou Beauchesne's "Raymond the Buffalo." Gilbert adores Raymond, and carries the well-loved book everywhere, until one day, dinosaurs catch his eye. Raymond's book is accidentally scooped up by Gilbert's mother when she gathers his library books, and Raymond is sent through the book drop at the library. Raymond escapes the book drop, but will he be reunited with Gilbert?

The illustrations by Kate Chappell are adorable. Raymond is fluffy and brown and you really do want him to leap from the page so you can cuddle him (assuming he doesn't really smell like a buffalo, that is). This is a great book for children who are beginning to read independently. The chapters are short and easily read in one sitting.

The book explores Raymond's relationship with Gilbert, and also with the librarian. There's sadness and a search to belong, but also friendship. One important takeaway might be to always stay put if you get lost, so your loved ones can find you quickly.

Children will enjoy the illustrations and Raymond's adventures as he explores the library and tries to find his way home.

Recommended.

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Orca Book Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Raymond the Buffalo is an illustrated early chapter book (48 pages) about Raymond, the buffalo protagonist and best friend of Gilbert, a young (fairly nerdy) Canadian boy who for a long time eschews other friends and books in favor of Gilbert. But eventually Gilbert becomes briefly obsessed with dinosaurs and his new interest leads to Raymond's book being accidentally returned to a library he never belonged in to begin with. In the library Raymond discovers how to leave his book and befriends the resident librarian.

It's a sweet story with mild adventure and, in the end, a long delayed but heart warming reunion. Shades of The Velveteen Rabbit abound, but with a less tragic conclusion.

This is a middle grade/children's book chapter book that is for young reader's that is just learning to read chapter books. I read this book to my twin boys and my daughter. I have to say this is a cuteness story, and has the cuteness pictures. I feel this is a great book for early readers that is just starting to read chapter books. I read this out loud to my kids for a goodnight story, and my kids loved the story. I took me about 30 minutes to read the whole book. I think it is the right size so new readers will out get discourages while reading it, and I also think the words are easy for them to read them. I think the story will pulled most kids into it. I love that it was all about books, and their was a library in the book. I think this book may also make kids want to visit a library. I loved this story, and my kids also loved this story. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Orca Book Publishers) or author (Lou Beauchesne) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that. This book is schedule to be release on May 11-2021.

Raymond is the character is a book personified in this adorable tale. He is a personal book returned accidently to the library and he is able to jump outside his pages and explore this new world of books! A great book about friendship, but also the magic of libraries and librarians.

Raymond the Buffalo is a beautifully illustrated young reader book with a surprisingly subtle plot and resolution. Due out 11th May 2021 from Orca, it's 48 pages and will be available in hardcover format.

This is an early reader chapter book, and what a delight it is. Originally published in French in 2019, this English edition is translated seamlessly and invisibly. The story by Lou Beauchesne is surprisingly subtle and not at all what I expected from a children's book. It's full of small details (like the frontspiece with Gilbert's grandfather's and father's names scratched out and his own name written in childish script underneath) and a surprisingly moving story which spans decades. It's full of funny moments (like Raymond eating lemon pickles and falling into a food coma in the library) and some pathos. The art by Kate Chappell is colorful and full of whimsy.

The plot themes of loyalty, friendship, imagination, kindness, and not least what a wonderful place the library is (and the librarians who keep them running) are welcome and timely. I loved all the characters and their manifest friendship

It would be a superlative choice for school or public library acquisition, artists, teacher education type classes, and allied subjects. I would also recommend it as a really fun bedtime or read-to-me selection with an impressive scope for lots and lots of silly voices and sound effects. Five stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

RAYMOND THE BUFFALO is a terrific tale, written as an early chapter book.

The story is about a boy named Gilbert who, for years has taken his favorite book with him wherever he goes. That book is called RAYMOND THE BUFFALO and it is from Raymond's point of view the story is told.

One day, Gilbert discovers (like every young boy I have ever known) the wonderful world of dinosaurs. Gilbert's mother takes him to the library where he borrows several dinosaur books.

When Gilbert's mother grabs all of the library books to return them, she inadvertently drops off Raymond's book as well.

Raymond somehow finds himself outside his book and he meets the friendly librarian and discovers the wonders that exist in a library.

Author LOU BEAUCHESNE has crafted a wonderful story of love, friendship, and loyalty as well as pointing out the wonderous world of the local library.

Raymond may be a buffalo, but he is also a terrific help to the librarian, staying inside his book when the library is open and re-shelving books at night. 

The Publisher of RAYMOND THE BUFFALO is my favorite children's book publishing company; ORCA BOOKS. Even their logo (a killer whale) is gorgeous and I love that they are based in Canada.

I rate RAYMOND THE BUFFALO as 5 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and I recommend it to readers ages six to ten. Although this book is not being released until May 11, 2021 it is available for pre-order now and would make a fabulous gift for teachers, librarians, and booklovers, in addition to every child aged six and up.

Thank you to #NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book.

Cute book about a buffalo from a book who comes to life when he is separated from his owner in a library.

Although he misses his boy, he comes to like the librarian, who takes him in, and keeps him company. During the day he must stay in his book, but at night he was allowed to roam, as buffalo are known to do.

In the end, yes, he gets his boy back, although years go by.

In the meantime, he is happy shelving books after dark, because that is what tiny buffalo like to do.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.