Children's Book Review

I recently finished reading a fairly new (published in 2008) book in the arena of children's literature. It is the story of Marvin, a beetle, and James, a young boy. Marvin lives under the sink in the family's New York City apartment. When James receives a pen-and-ink set, Marvin secretly uses the ink to draw a picture for James' birthday. They are startled to discover that Marvin has the talent of a great master painter from hundreds of year ago. Marvin and James team up to use the beetle's artistic talent to catch an art thief. Along the way, they realize that friendship comes in many forms and crosses all barriers.

Masterpiece is well-written and I enjoyed the whimsical illustrations of the beetles' living arrangements--a bottle cap swimming pool, cotton ball beds, and picnics in the apartment's house plants.

My favorite passage from the book comes near the end of the story.

"A great friendship was like a great work of art, he thought. It took time and attention, and a spark of something that was impossible to describe...finding some kindred part of yourself in a total stranger." p. 287

It reminded me of the kindred spirits in my life.

There is everyday friendship, and then there is friendship; the special relationship that is made when spirit matches spirit. Those friendships are rare. Many people never feel that kindred closeness with another person. Those who do recognize that such a friendship is priceless and unmatched.  Kindred spirits are sometimes found in a sibling, grandparent, spouse, cousin, parent, co-worker, neighbor, childhood friend, or a random person with whom you happen to cross paths. A kindred spirit might be someone very similar to you, or so mismatched that it leaves others wondering, "How on earth could those two possibly be friends?" Either way, it is a friendship to be cherished. It is a connection that defies description.

You won't have to question and wonder if you have found a kindred spirit.

You will know.