Best Children’s Books About Friendship

As our children grow older, we (parents) are always searching for ways to help them develop their social skills. Books play an important part in helping children develop their social skills. Reading books will help children understand real facts while also improving their imagination.

Children choose friendship as their first relationship for themselves. Reading books about friendship will help children learn what friendship is and how to have a meaningful conversation with someone who can become a good friend in their life.

Here are our top picks for books about friendship that will teach them the importance of friendship, how to be a good friend when your friend is in need, how to make and keep friends for the rest of their lives, and many other qualities.

Best Children’s Books About Friendship

Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry, pictured by Tom Lichtenheld

“Stick and Stone,” is a book about friendship. It conveys the message that friendship can be found in unexpected places.

Pinecone, who meets stone and stick, starts to bully stone. Stick then challenges Pinecone as a result of this. A friendship is born when Stick uses a pinecone to rescue Stone from a challenging situation. But will the stone be able to repay the favor if the stick gets stuck?

Do You Want To Be My Friend? by Eric Carle

“Do You Want To Be My Friend?” is a picture book with no words that allow children to use their imaginations to guess which animals will feature next.

This book tells the story of a mouse that is looking for a friend. He meets many animals on his journey, including the giraffe, seal, hippopotamus, peacock, fox, etc., and bravely asks them to be his friends. Sadly, none of the other animals agree to the request from the mouse. Finally, this brave mouse meets another mouse that is happy to become his friend.

The Room on the Roof by Ruskin Bond

“The Room on the Roof” is a great book for those who are trying to find out who they are, how to deal with their emotions, and how to find happiness in life.

Rusty, a 16-year-old Anglo-Indian boy who lived in Dehra Dun with his English guardian, serves as the main character of the story. Rusty runs away from home to live with his Indian friends because he hates his guardian’s strict ways. This heartwarming story shows how Rusty was happy with his friends and the feeling of freedom.

All About Friends by Felicity Brooks, pictured by Mar Ferrero

“All About Friends” is a book that teaches children what a good friend is and how to develop the social and emotional skills necessary to make and keep friendships.

This story explains how to develop and maintain friendships in order to have meaningful friendships throughout life. It also helps children to understand and respond to their own and other children’s feelings.

The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates, pictured by Juniper Bates

This book, “The Big Umbrella,” is about the acceptance (inclusion), hospitality, and welcoming of others when they have needs.

The hero of this story is the umbrella, which keeps everyone dry regardless of height, hairy, or the presence of four legs. It enjoys gathering people in and giving them shelter. Some people are concerned that the large umbrella would not have enough space. But the beautiful thing is that space is always available. The sun is out on the final line, and the umbrella has grown to cover the whole park.

The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig, illustrated by Patrice Barton

Brian feels invisible until a new friend – Justin – joins the classroom. Once Brian befriends this newcomer in the classroom, he discovers a newfound sense of visibility and importance. This enduring tale underscores the profound impact of kindness, emphasizing how it can make children feel acknowledged, understood, and cherished. It’s a timeless message that resonates with readers of every generation, making it a beloved choice for all ages.

I Walk with Vanessa by Kerascoët

“I Walk with Vanessa” draws inspiration from real-life events, following the journey of a girl who sparks a collective response against bullying within her community. The book delves into the emotions of helplessness and frustration that surface when witnessing a peer mistreated, highlighting how a single act of compassion can rally an entire community. Through the exclusive use of illustrations, the authors emphasize the notion that one can be an ally through actions, even without uttering a word. Thematic threads of acceptance, empathy, and the strength found in unity weave through this enduring and profoundly uplifting tale.

The Year of the Book by Andrea Cheng

Circle Round by Anne Sibley O’Brien, pictured by Hanna Cha

This book, “Circle Round,” shows children of different skills, ages, genders, and races and demonstrates how simple it can be to expand your circle of friends, challenge yourself, and accept new friends.

Children play a major role in the story; one child in a park invites a second child. Then, two children invite a third. Counting from one to ten, a growing circle of children welcomes every child into a circle of inclusion, friendship, and play when they notice new faces outside the group.

My New Friend Is So Fun! (An Elephant and Piggie Book) by Mo Willems

This book, “My New Friend Is So Fun! (An Elephant and Piggie Book),” explains the emotions that best friends experience.

In this story, Gerland the elephant, Piggie the pig, and Snake are best friends, who support one another in times of need. Gerland and snake are concerned that Piggie and Brian (their new friend, the bat) will have so much fun together that they will no longer need their closest friend.

Bad Apple: A Tale of Friendship by Edward Hemingway

This book, “Bad Apple,” teaches children how to find the courage to challenge bullies and the value of being a loyal friend.

In this story, a worm named Will meets an apple named Mac. The two quickly become friends and share game-teaching skills. The other apples in the garden begin bullying Mac, labeling him a “rotten” and “bad apple,” because apples are not supposed to be friends with worms.

Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev, pictured by Taeeun Yoo

This book, “Strictly No Elephants,” portrays the magical quality of friendship and the happiness of having a pet.

In this sweet and touching picture book, a child discovers a solution after his tiny pet elephant is rejected by the local pet club. Today is Pet Club day. There will be cats, dogs, and fish, but elephants are strictly not allowed. The Pet Club does not understand that, like friends, pets come in all different shapes and sizes. Finally, the boy and his tiny pet elephant teach them the value of a true friend.

The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Friends by Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain

This book, “The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Friends,” portrays the importance of friendship, sharing, and problem-solving.

At the beginning of the story, Sister Bear does not have any playmates of her own age. Then, a new family with a little cub exactly her age settles down next door. Lizzy, a new friend of Sister becomes close friends and does everything together. Then one day, when Lizzy and Sister Bear argue about who gets to be the teacher when they pretend to be in a school. At the end of the story, Sister Bear and Lizzy forgive and learn that they can still be best friends by making a compromise.

An Elephant & Piggie Biggie! Volume 4 by Mo Willems

This book, “An Elephant & Piggie Biggie,” explains how a group of five elephants and a piggie were created to honor their friendship.

Conclusion: Books About Friendship

Thankfully, like these, there are thousands more children’s books about friendship that cover a wide range of friendships.

I hope that these stories give some basic facts about the different characterizations of friendship. Let us know what you think is the best children’s friendship book in the comment section.

Before you go, you may also enjoy reading these posts:

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