Friendship is an important part of a child's social and emotional development. Children play, laugh, and learn to manage their emotions through interactions with their peers. Here are 5 children's books we love that feature different types of friendship!
Bear Feels Scared, Karma Wilson, board book, Ages: 0-3
The sun is setting and it’s getting chilly. When Bear’s friends discover that he is not at home in his lair, they march out into the cold to find their pal. Friends don’t let friends stay lost! Wren, Owl, and Raven take to the skies while Badger, Mole, and Mouse search on the ground. Pretty soon Bear is found, and once he’s back in his cave, he feels quite safe with his friends all around.
A Sick Day for Amos McGee, Philip C. Stead, picture book, Ages: 3-6
Friends come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. In Amos McGee’s case, all sorts of species, too! Every day he spends a little bit of time with each of his friends at the zoo, running races with the tortoise, keeping the shy penguin company, and even reading bedtime stories to the owl. But when Amos is too sick to make it to the zoo, his animal friends decide it’s time they returned the favor.
Louise and Andie: The Art of Friendship, Kelly Light, picture book, Ages: 4-7
Louise loves art more than anything. Imagine her delight when a new neighbor, Andie, moves in and she loves art too! It’s the best day ever. But liking the same thing doesn’t always mean you agree on it. Can they overcome their creative differences? Sometimes friendship, like art, can require collaboration.
Herman’s Vacation, Tom Percival, picture book, Ages: 3-7
Herman and Henry, best friends forever, are camping in the great outdoors--and they couldn't be having more fun! Well, at least Herman is enjoying all of the tent building, marshmallow roasting, and postcard writing. Henry doesn't quite seem to get the hang of any of it.
Herman hates seeing his best friend so sad. So he decides to plot a very secret, very special surprise and do whatever it takes to make sure Henry has the best vacation ever!
Blue Birds, Caroline Starr Rose, picture books, Ages: 10+
Alis and her parents make the long journey from England to settle the New World. But it doesn't go as planned and Alis, her parents, and the others of their small community soon find themselves at odds with the Roanoke tribe. As tensions rise between the settlers and the Native peoples, twelve-year-old Alis forms an impossible friendship with a Roanoke named Kimi. Despite language barriers, the two become as close as sisters, risking their lives for one another until Alis makes a decision that will change her life forever.
