Iver and Luke and the Friends-for-Others Club is a heartwarming children’s picture book written by Anthony C. Delauney and illustrated by Chiara Civati. The story follows two brothers, Iver and Luke, whose mother is injured during a bike ride. To help out at home, the boys make a list of chores and come up with innovative ideas to raise money to pay the bills. However, as they diligently take on their responsibilities, their good deeds start to affect their schoolwork and friendships, leading to difficulties in class and not having enough time to play with friends or do their homework. However, one morning, the boys wake up to a surprise; they find a delicious meal on the dining table and a mysterious letter, thanking them for their hard work and a promise to help them with their chores.

Iver and Luke and the Friends-for-Others Club is an inspiring story that explores themes of community, compassion, and teamwork. Children will love getting to know Iver and Luke and resonate with their story. The pair’s determination and selflessness are inspiring and will encourage more children to take on responsibilities to help out at home. On the flip side, the story also highlights the challenges that come with taking on too much work at one time, illustrating the importance of balance and knowing one's limits. The core message of helping one another will motivate both children and adults to contribute positively to their communities and support those in need. The story is engaging with a rhyming narrative and relatable situations. The illustrations are colorful, perfectly corresponding with the story and bringing the characters to life. Overall, this is a beautiful story with a powerful message about helping one another and the importance of teamwork.

Iver and Luke and the Friends-for-Others Club by Anthony C. Delauney has a seemingly simple theme – when in need, others will be there – but the story encompasses much more. Luke and Iver are typical young brothers, but when their mother had to be hospitalized with a broken leg and their dad was attentively at her bedside, the boys thought carefully about what they could do to help, making a meticulous chart of daily, weekly, and monthly chores. As the tasks progressively grew, their motivation increased. At first, they had to think carefully because their parents did so much for them, ranging from tending the yard to keeping up with housework. Whether making beds or weeding the lawn, the boys felt they were doing something that mattered and wholeheartedly pitched in. In time, the exhausting tasks took a toll on their schoolwork. The generous response by their neighbors supported the boys' dedication and determination, an effort worthy of celebration topped off by a special surprise.

Iver and Luke and the Friends-for-Others Club is an inspirational tale. Instead of a pouting nine-year-old, determined not to clean up their room or a teenager militantly refusing to take out the trash, Iver and Luke immediately stepped up when their mother was injured. Their eager willingness alone goes far to underscore the meaning of being a family. This spirit of cooperation couldn't have happened if they hadn't learned that giving is one of the most important values. Making a detailed chart of their new responsibilities reflected the brothers' appreciation of all their parents had done for them; that awareness alone reflected imbued gratitude and a sense of selflessness. The ending sends another equally significant message, which says much about the benefits of being part of a close community. Anthony C. Delauney's book is filled with a wealth of rewards. The story flows wonderfully, and the illustrations are bright and vivid and will stimulate a child's engagement, especially when read by a parent and young reader. Through such sharing, new seeds might be sown with the understanding that seemingly small acts to help others can mean a great deal.

Iver and Luke and the Friends-for-Others Club by Anthony C. Delauney is a heartwarming children’s book that blends engaging storytelling with valuable life lessons. The story begins when Iver and Luke’s mother has an accident, leaving the boys to help their dad with household responsibilities. Determined to support their family, the brothers take on various chores and even set up a brownie stand to raise money. Despite their efforts, balancing everything becomes challenging. The turning point comes when their neighbors step in to lend a hand, forming the Friends-for-Others Club, a group dedicated to helping those in need.

Anthony C. Delauney’s narrative captures the spirit of community and teamwork, while Chiara Civati’s illustrations bring the characters and their experiences to life with vibrant and expressive artwork. The story relays many important lessons like kindness, perseverance, and collaboration. Iver and Luke were so busy trying to help while their mother was laid up that they grew tired and forgetful, providing an important lesson about caring for oneself when helping others. Iver and Luke and the Friends-for-Others Club is an excellent companion for elementary classroom libraries as it can start meaningful conversations about these themes. Children can learn valuable lessons even if their circumstances differ from those of Delauney’s characters. Learning to create solutions and weigh what will work best in a situation is one of the valuable lessons children will learn. It’s an inspiring read for young audiences, offering entertainment and a meaningful message about the power of coming together in times of adversity.

Iver and Luke and the Friends-for-Others Club by Anthony C. Delauney is an educational children’s book. It tackles a critical and current issue: what to do when our neighbors, friends, and family members are in need? It is beautifully illustrated and includes lovable protagonists and secondary characters. The protagonists are two young boys called Iver and Luke. They help their dad when their mom has an accident and cannot deal with housework, cooking, and all the other chores. They are very mature as they start sorting out what needs to be done and when (daily, weekly, and monthly chores) and work tirelessly until it does not work any longer. They are kids and also have to attend school. They end up being too tired to continue, but their friends and neighbors understand what they are going through and start helping.

Iver and Luke and the Friends-for-Others Club by Anthony C. Delauney is a lovely story about “a friend in need." It shows that when others need help, banding together and being ready to help changes everything for them and the helpers, as they feel fulfilled and know they will be supported if anything happens to them too. I loved this adorable story, which focuses on the good, on togetherness, and compassion and not on feeling powerless when an accident occurs. We can all be subject to accidents at any time, and the story of Iver and Luke is empowering, engaging, and gives hope. I also love the pun with "friends forever." A fabulous gift at Christmas!

What would you do if your mom had an accident and was not able to get out of bed for a while? Anthony Delauney brings this question to the forefront in Iver and Luke and the Friends-for-Others Club. Iver and Luke are two brothers who hear a crash and discover that their mom has wrecked her bicycle and broken her leg. Their dad explains he will need help around the house, and the boys excitedly agree they will be great helpers and will take care of the household chores. This will allow their dad to take care of their mom and help her heal. The boys make a chore list and are amazed at how many chores must be done regularly. They even try selling brownies to assist the family financially. They give it their best shot but soon fall behind. What surprise awaits them on Sunday morning? How can friends help in a time of crisis?

The best way to make a burden lighter is to share it with friends. The best way to make someone feel special is to help them with their struggles. Anthony Delauney shows how special helping others is in Iver and Luke and the Friends-for-Others Club. With lyrical verse, Anthony makes this book a delight to read. The illustrations by Chiara Civati expand the joy and are a feast for the eyes. Reading this book with your child and discussing how friends help each other will help them learn life skills that will give them confidence and leadership roles later in life. You can also use this book to teach why chores are so important and how your child can supplement their allowance by becoming an entrepreneur. I highly recommend this book for all children.