Talester the Lizard lives in a curled-up leaf that overhangs a lovely pond. Just below lives his friend, a wonderful fellow who looks just like Talester and shares his every mood. When Talester is happy, so is his companion; when Talester is sad, his companion is, too. But then one hot and dry summer Talester's friend starts to move away - farther. and farther. and farther. At last he disappears. The lonely lizard's search for his friend carries him through various landscapes and introduces him to new friends.

And finally. This is Himmelman's first book, originally published in 1982 by Dial Press. It was a Junior Library (now called Literary) Guild Selection!.