published on: November 10, 2020
It can be daunting for little ones starting elementary school to learn how to make new friends for the first time. Here’s our pick of the eight best friendship books!
You are reading: Books about making friends
Illustration by Rebecca Cobb
Do you remember your first day at school? So many new names and faces, it can be a lot to take in!
Fortunately, one of the best things about starting school is making new friends, some of whom you can keep close for a lifetime. Of course, making new friends and socializing for the first time can be a scary thought for shy kids, but books are a great way to help them develop their social skills.
By introducing kids to a variety of characters and relationships, stories are a great way to help them adjust. We’ve selected eight of our absolute favorite books on friendship and meeting new people to help you on your way.
elmer’s friends by david mckee
We love elmer the patchwork elephant! for over 30 years, it has been a symbol of being different and being confident in your own skin. In this beautiful and super-colorful board book, Elmer introduces us to each of his friends and what he loves about them: the zebra is his most striped friend, the snake is the longest, and the leopard is the most spotted. each of his friends is different and special in his own way, and this is a wonderful book for children to think about what they like about themselves and their friends.
the duck and the penguin are not julia woolf’s friends
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Illustration by Julia Woolf
maud and betty are best friends who love to do everything together… but their toys, the duck and the penguin, are not. they don’t want to play together. they certainly don’t want to cook together. and yet they are glued to each other.
This is an absolute must-read for anyone, young or old, who has ever had to try to get along with someone they don’t think they like. the disgruntled expressions of the duck and the penguin are hilarious, and there’s a brilliant message for kids that even if you think someone is your sworn enemy, you usually have a lot more in common with them than you thought, and might even end up getting along with them. to them. ideal to have on hand in case of catastrophic friendship breakups.
a friend for henry from jenn bailey and mika song
henry is excited about making new friends in his class, but it’s not easy; some of the things his classmates do, like dig up worms or wave their hands in his face, are just plain confusing. when henry tries to be nice and helpful, people get mad at him. How will he make new friends in such a complicated situation?
This sweet picture book about a boy who struggles to understand the behavior of his classmates is written by an author who understands well the challenges and experiences of many children on the autism spectrum; Although autism is not directly mentioned in the story, and Henry’s difficulty making friends is something many of us can empathize with. A charming message of comfort and friendship at the end makes this a perfect book for children eager to fit in.
lost and found by oliver jeffers
This vibrant and charming story about a little lost penguin and the boy who tries to help him find his way home won a gold medal at the nestle children’s book award and a blue peter book award. it’s turned into a cute animation too!
the boy who loved everyone by jane porter and maisie paradise shearring
Illustration by Maisie Paradise Shearring
How do you make friends when nobody seems to want to say ‘I love you’? dimitri is new to daycare and is determined to tell everyone (and everything) that he loves them, but it’s frustrating when you’re the only one saying it. dimitri’s mom explains that people show their love for each other in different ways, like berthe, the smile of the lady at dinner, or the man in the park who feeds alley cats tuna. Dimitri feels better and begins to understand that there are as many different ways to say ‘I love you’ as there are people in the world.
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This beautiful story, full of diversity, kindness, and emotional intelligence, recently won the 2020 little rebels award.
my friend fred by frances watts and a. me
fred may howl at the moon, chew slippers and eat dog food, but we’re still best friends. This bright and fun picture book celebrates the differences that make us who we are, whether we like dog food or not, and that make our friendships so strong.
rosie is my best friend by ali pye
rosie spends every day with her best friend, it’s heaven! They can play from first thing in the morning until bedtime, explore the park together and create fantastic imaginary games, they can even go to outer space!
This is a wonderfully upbeat and colorful book about friendship for young children, with a fabulous twist towards the end.
h3 friend by rebecca cobb
Illustration by Rebecca Cobb
The girl in this story is determined to befriend a boy in her class. they share their lunch, play with toys, and run around the playground together. but he seems very shy…does he like being her friend as much as she likes being his?
This adorably expressive picture book is perfect for kids just starting school who may be a little anxious about making friends, assuring them that everyone in their new class will be nervous too and that friendships are about understanding each other.
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