An odd story for the novel format. We think of imaginary friends as picture book fare so I have a hard time imagining giving this to a middle grader. Or an adult looking back fondly on childhood. The accompanying illustrations are charming.

I never was special enough to have an invisible friend but thankfully I know what it would have been like thanks to Tish by Edwina Wyatt. A fun story about what friendship truly means and absolutely adorable illustrations!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read a digital ARC of this book.

This book had magical moments, and made me very sentimental as my own children have now outgrown their imaginary friends (although they still pop up occasionally). I loved the concept of this story - an imaginary friend aka Perfect who is there for a child who needs them. Tish is born from the imagination of one child, and then goes to two other children once they outgrow Tish. The imaginary friend befriends a lonely child who has no playmates, and then when the child makes their own friends, moves on.

It's a beautiful story about growing up. It's about the ways that children comfort themselves when they are very little and feel alone. Imaginary friends are there during time outs, at night when it's dark and scary, and to try new adventures. Tish has feelings of their own, but is always there for the kids.

I wonder how this book will resonate with young readers, as they might not understand the overarching themes. It made me sad but also reminiscent of the magic of imaginary friends, and the comfort they bring little ones who are in need.