Mrs. Nobody, written by Y. S. Lee and illustrated by Marie Lafrance. Groundwood, 2025. $21.99 ages 5 and up

"Mrs. Nobody shrieks so loudly that Alice's skin
buzzes. Mrs. Nobody slams the front door so hard
that the whole house shivers. 

Then it is quiet."

Alice loves Mrs. Nobody. The things her friend does make Alice happy: writing on walls, eating toothpaste, making confetti out of what she found in a wallet. This imaginary friend helps Alice be brave in the middle of the night, and even teaches her to climb the highest trees. There is nothing that is out of bounds for Mrs. Nobody. 

One afternoon, Mrs. Nobody decides it's time to play Puppy again. Alice complains that she was Puppy all morning, and it should not be her turn. Mrs. Nobody pays no attention to what Alice wants. In fact, she becomes very angry and storms off. At bedtime, Alice is lonely and finds it hard to sleep. But, she does. 

Morning dawns and with it, Mrs. Nobody returns. Alice has missed her. When Mrs. Nobody demands that Alice be Puppy again, Alice asserts herself to say she no longer wants to play that game. Silence descends. Mrs. Nobody loses it, telling Alice she will soon be gone for good. Remembering that she was brave in the night, Alice takes a stand and says No. She reminds her friend that she, too, has good ideas. Off they go to eat ice cream for breakfast, and think of other things they can do together. 

Words and art work well together, offering young readers a chance to see emotions in the textured illustrations and a way for kids to learn to stand up for themselves when needed.