Another Word for Neighbor: A Gentle Tale of Friendship for Kids (Ages 4-8) - For Fans of Up

by Angela Pham Krans, Thái Mỹ Phương (illustrator)

From the APALA honor–winning author of Finding Papa, Angela Pham Krans, and artist Thai My Phuong comes a heartfelt tale of friendship that reminds us that the best surprises in life come from letting people in. Perfect for fans of Up and Drawn Together!

Han is happy to spend his days with his tea, his newspaper, and his plants. Everything is nice and quiet, just the way he likes it.

That is, until Kate and Olly move in next door.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Food, Childrens, Grief, Asian Literature, Aapi

40 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2025

Reviews

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Han is an older man who doesn’t really like company. So when his new neighbors Kate and Olly move in, he’s a bit grumpy. They want to know more about him and want to hang out with him. They are curious, friendly kids. They ask too many questions. They wonder why he is so sad. They want to help. Will Han let Olly and Kate into his life? Or will he stay the way he is? Find out!

This one was so sweet and it reminded me of all the different ways to be a good friend and neighbor. Sometimes just being a good listener is helpful. Sometimes making food or having a laugh helps too. Spread good into the world. I hope this book inspires you to do that.

Mia’s 2nd Year of Books: Day 167

[Celebrilomiel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not crying, my eyes are just extra dimensional right now.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Han lived a quiet and grumpy life alone until Kate and Olly moved in next door. The two children were curious and loved to make new friends. When they met, Kate asked all sorts of questions and Olly romped through Han’s yard. When Kate asked about Han’s wife, Han got sad. Kate hoped that bringing flowers would help and soon they were sharing snacks. Han set the kids on a quest to find the ingredients for pho. These were just the curious and determined children who could get it done. Han hadn’t made pho without his wife, and sharing the soup allowed him to share stories of her too.

A book about grief without being a tear jerker that could leave sensitive children unhappy, this book focuses more on building new connections across generations. The children are shown as caring and active, creating a friendship. The illustrations capture Han’s changing mood as the story goes on as well as his growing relationship with the children.

A book that may inspire new chats with neighbors. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

[Mrs.MakesReadingFun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning.
Heartwarming.
Powerful.

Loved loved loved! Every single class I read this to today LOVED this story!!! We were sad, we were hopeful, we laughed, and we felt happy. It is the perfect book, and I absolutely recommend it to everyone!!!!! I loved the messages about friendship, welcoming neighbours, and walking through grief. The making of pho soup was such a conversation piece in our classes, and we had some great discussions!

Synopsis: “Han is happy to spend his days with his tea, his newspaper, and his plants. Everything is nice and quiet, just the way he likes it. That is, until Kate and Olly move in next door.”

Get this book!!! A MUST for your home or school library collection 📚

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know this author and I don't know this illustrator, but I am so in love with their new picture book. If you love Fredrik Backman's A Man Called Ove (and books with a similar theme) then you will fall in love with this sweet story of a man who has lost his wife and - therefore - his joy for life. He loves his quiet life with endless days full of nothingness... until two kids move in next door and want to know more about him, and his beloved wife, and the food they loved to share.

This book is beautiful. Another Word for Neighbor is a story of kindness, compassion, and a reminder that there is so much life left to live even after the biggest losses that break our hearts.

[Nicole Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.

Han lives alone and likes to be alone, until new neighbors move in and their children are very interested in Han not being alone. What a charming, thoughtful book! I loved the grumpiness of Han, showing how loss can change us and community can help us find our way back. I also like the cute definitions and synonyms of words throughout as well as the kids’ determination to help Han make pho.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I was going to love this book when it started with a grumpy old man. Any book that has a grumpy old man saying, "Stay off my grass," is probably going to be a fantastic book. The back and forth in the beginning between between Han and the new neighbor kids, Kate and Olly, is absolutely hysterical.

And then the story takes a sudden turn into being heartfelt. Genuine, funny, and beautiful; this is one of the best picture books I have ever read.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved. Two small kids move in next door to a grumpy old man who doesn't like to socialize. But they wear him down with questions and curiosity. Then they ask him about his favorite food, Pho, and he tells them he will make it if they get the ingredients. Together they make pho and it opens all their hearts and brings the community together. So warm and sweet. Just like Pho.

[Ana Vaqueiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful story about friendship, about children’s special gift of curiosity, about love, about community. The illustrations are beautiful and the author tells this story in a simple yet touching manner.

[Melanie Gaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet. Reminded me of Small Things Mended.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book was so sweet. I grew up on a street that didn't have a lot of children when I was young, and my friend and I would visit all the grandmas and grandpas on our block and this book really transported me back!

[Brianna Willis]

An absolutely precious picture book about friendship and kindness. Also, a great tool to teach larger vocabulary words.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grief, isolation and the power of sharing and caring.

[Pinky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get ready to ugly cry! Two young children learn the importance of being a good neighbor to their newfound friend Han. He teaches them how to make pho-nomenal pho. I need a Han in my life.

[Michelle Brosi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This made me tear up. Beautiful! being neighborly, being authentic, being vulnerable with emotions. And beautiful illustrations.

[Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet book about two nosy kids bothering their grieving neighbor into becoming friends with them.

[Dawn Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love stories like this!!! Now, excuse me while I try my hand at making pho!

[LinLin]

School book idea: take care of neighbors and let them know they also are important. Old people, hard to open your heart, but always good to do so.

[Sheila Bigelow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this! Pictures and story are both fantastic....

[D.K. Ryland · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book this year! Gorgeous writing, gorgeous illustrations, and a heartfelt and charming story. A must have!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

The full page spreads and endpapers really knock this one out of the park.

[Sylvia Chen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I *adore* how ANOTHER WORD FOR NEIGHBOR builds a sweet friendship between little kids and their older neighbor through humor and caring sharing. Highly recommended!

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gentle story of a grumpy widower making friends with two new neighbor children and teaching them how to make his late wife's favorite food.

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet intergenerational/found family story.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world needs more books like this, immediately, if not sooner! I loved it to pieces.

[Caitie Daidone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a heartwarming story, well-told. I love the vocabulary definition asides!

[Kim Hoang · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful, that’s another word for WHY DONT I JUST DIE