Review: Still Friends by Troy Wilson
By Kara Cybanski
We say that dogs are man’s best friend, but what happens when a dog attempts to befriend a park statue?
Troy Wilson gives us the answer in his tenth picture book, Still Friends. A sweet (and sometimes naughty) little dog and his lovely owner spend a lot of time at the park, where a statue of a woman on a bench sparks the puppy’s interest. Though she doesn’t smile or say, “Good boy!”, she also doesn’t drag the reluctant pup to the vet. Could the dog and the statue become friends after all? Yes!
Wilson must love animals, because they seem to be featured in almost all his books. (Check out Hat Cat by Wilson and illustrated by Eve Coy!) Once again, he brings us a heartwarming, gentle tale about unlikely friendships, nature, and community. Following this little doggy on his park adventures as he realizes what makes a true friend is exactly the story we need right now. Plus, who could say no to a punny title?
Illustrated by Mike Deas, Still Friends is the perfect bedtime story with its soothing colours and lush landscapes. Readers will love finding the little details in each page—like a baby dropping a toy, mischievous pigeons, and a dedicated hot dog vendor. The colouring-pencil style is kid-friendly and the diverse community relaxing at the park or bustling about in the surrounding city ensures all sorts of readers can find themselves in these pages.
Still Friends is set for release on May 19th 2026 by Orca Book Publishers. Don’t miss it!