By Brian Moses (author) , Bethan Welby (illustrator)
"An invisible friend tells all in a funny and moving verse novel."
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March 2026 Book of the Month
In the first verse novel from this acclaimed poet, we have a beautiful, sensitive story about coping with change.
It is narrated by the imaginary friend who responds to Ray’s distress call. Ray loves his life in the village of Pratts Bottom, where he lives with his parents and his beloved dog Bess, and when he is so traumatised by overhearing his parents talking about moving away, he calls an imaginary friend into being and decides to call him Jacob.
A star graduate of the School for Imaginary Friends our narrator Jacob, is very thoughtful about his role and very truthful about what is happening to Ray, to the extent that he sometimes has to deliver hard messages for Ray to hear, but which will help him in the long run. Usually his role is to ‘be there’ for Ray and often to say ‘yes’. ‘ I like to say yes/ even if I ought to say no. Saying yes makes Ray feel good/ and makes me feel good too’.
Ray does all the usual things with Jacob to start with. Setting a place for him at the table, making space under the umbrella and telling his mother off for nearly driving into Jacob. Of course, his parents assume it is just a ‘phase’. But as the situation progresses the relationship between Ray and Jacob becomes more internalised.
The way Jacob describes the rationale for Ben’s feelings will be very supportive and relatable for children suffering with anxiety themselves. An interesting twist is that the family invite Ukrainian refugees to stay in their new house and in understanding what they have been through, Ray is able to see that actually his own problems are not that bad and Jacob can see that he is no longer needed. Time to move on!
This heartwarming story is a real masterclass in the power of empathy. The verse structure makes this a very accessible read and the delicate and beautiful line drawings throughout, add to the appeal, making it a real must have for home or classroom.
A moving and humorous verse chapter book written by an imaginary friend.
Read the full description
Did you know there’s a school for imaginary friends? Well there is, and one of its star pupils is the narrator of Ray’s story!
Ray loves life in his village until one day he hears his parents talking about moving away. Traumatised by the idea, Ray invents an imaginary friend to talk to and even runs away. Eventually Ray is able to accept the move, and also the refugee mother and child who come to live with his family in the new house.
A relatable story about anxiety and empathy
The free verse format makes for easy reading, creating space for the feelings experienced by Ray.
‘A terrific book - poetry novel - that takes us deep into coping with change and growing stronger. A wonderful story - and a must have for years 4-6.’ - Pie Corbett
‘Brian Moses is one of Britain’s favourite children’s poets.’ - National Poetry Archive
Brian Moses had dreams, growing up, of becoming a musician. But it was Bob Dylan’s lyrics that fired his teenage imagination. Then he encountered the ‘Mersey Sound’ poets and he was hooked. Starting out as a teacher, he wrote poems for his pupils and their response encouraged him to become a full-blown, published poet.
Now, more than 200 books later – either as author or anthologist – he has sold over one million copies and has been labelled ‘one of Britain’s favourite children’s poets’ by the National Poetry Archive. Music, with its rhythm and repetition, informs much of his work and he performs poetry and percussion shows across the UK and abroad. Brian lives in a small Sussex village with his wife, Anne, and their black Labrador, Jess. He says that his best ideas come to him when he is ‘out walking the dog’.
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A moving and humorous verse chapter book written by an imaginary friend. Did you know there’s a school for imaginary friends? Well there is, and one of its star pupils is the narrator of Ray’s story! Ray loves life in his village until one day he hears his parents talking about moving away. Traumatised by the idea, Ray invents an imaginary friend to talk to and even runs away.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed I Am Ray's Imaginary Friend and determined it is suitable for children aged 7-10 years old
I Am Ray's Imaginary Friend features in the following genres: Featured Books for 7+ readers, Featured Books for 9+ readers, Books of the Month, Recommendations, Star Books, Stories about Family and Friends, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Poetry Books for Children, Children’s / Teenage fiction: General, modern and contemporary fiction, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children’s / Teenage poetry, anthologies, annuals
Paperback. £8.09, down from the £8.99 cover price. In Stock.
I Am Ray's Imaginary Friend was written by Brian Moses and published by Scallywag Press an imprint of Scallywag Press Ltd
I Am Ray's Imaginary Friend has 212 pages
£8.09, reduced from £8.99. In Stock.
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