There’s nothing like a good friend, which is why friendship picture books are such a delight. The relationships between best friends like Piglet and Pooh, George and Martha, and Toot & Puddle teach lessons about loyalty, commitment, companionship, and love.
I’ve picked out a few of my favorite books about love and friendship to share with you. You can learn more about each book in the synopses below, or you can download a free library list to take with you on your next visit to the library.
A Visitor for Bear
by Bonny Becker
Bear doesn’t seem to mind that he always sips his tea alone. But one day Bear finds himself the unwilling recipient of a visit from a persistent friend.
Corduroy
by Don Freeman
Corduroy may not be perfect, but that doesn’t matter to Lisa. When she looks at Corduroy, Lisa doesn’t see a missing button. She sees the friend she’s been longing for.
George and Martha
by James Marshall
George doesn’t always say or do the right thing, and sometimes Martha upsets George. But that really doesn’t matter, because George and Martha are the truest of friends.
Sophie’s Squash
by Pat Zietlow Miller
Nothing is so sweet as the love of a child toward an imaginary friend. And Sophie’s love for her new friend is no exception. Sophie’s Squash has it all. It’s a sweet, silly tale with subtle humor that appeals to kids and adults alike.
The Lion and the Mouse
by Jerry Pinkney
Never underestimate the value of true friendship. When a mouse finds herself in a desperate situation, it’s an unexpected kindness that saves the day. And eventually the little mouse is able to prove herself a great friend too.
A Sick Day for Amos McGee
by Philip C. Stead
Amos McGee loves his animal friends and is always there for them when they need him most. But when he finds himself in need of comfort, Amos discovers the true value of taking the time to be a friend.
Hug
by Jez Alborough
Bobo wants a hug…but what he really wants is more than just a simple hug. A hug is merely an expression of the love that flows from the heart of a parent or a friend.
Lost and Found
by Oliver Jeffers
The boy really just wanted to help the lost penguin find his way home. But when you take the time to help a stranger in need, you may discover that you have found a new friend.
Hank Finds An Egg
by Rebecca Dudley
When Hank finds an egg resting on the forest floor, he is determined to return the egg to the safety of its home. But Hank didn’t only find an egg…he found a friend.
Flora and the Flamingo
by Molly Idle
When a flamingo meets a determined little girl, an very special friendship is born. And that friendship quickly becomes a beautiful partnership. Flora and the Flamingo will dance their way right into your heart!
Born in the Wild
by Lita Judge
Children learn about love and friendship from their mothers, and Born in the Wild is full of the love and affection between animal mommies and babies. Get ready to oooh and awww with every single page turn!
Boy + Bot
by Ame Dyckman
Have you ever had a friend that was your exact opposite? Boy + Bot shows us that friendship can work even with big differences. Misunderstandings are inevitable, but they will never stand in the way of true friendship.
Wherever You Are
by Nancy Tillman
The love between parent and child is the best kind of friendship. In Wherever You Are, Nancy Tillman uses gently rhyming verse and exquisite artwork to beautifully describe the kind of “always and forever” love that exists between a parent and a child.
A Splendid Friend, Indeed
by Suzanne Bloom
Goose and Bear are friends. In fact, they are splendid friends. But not even the best of friends are always compatible in every way. Sometimes even best friends have to try to be patient with each other. And Goose and Bear are no exception.
frog, where are you?
by Mercer Mayer
One morning, a boy awakens and discovers that his dear friend Frog is missing. And so begins a search that takes the boy and the dog through a series of adventures and mishaps—all with the hope of finding Frog and bringing him home!
Hug Machine
by Scott Campbell
Get ready! The Hug Machine is coming and there isn’t anything the Hug Machine won’t hug. He hugs everything and everyone…whales, turtles, bears, even a porcupine! He won’t let any unhuggable obstacle stand in his way.
Hoot and Peep
by Lita Judge
Hoot can’t wait to show his little sister around the city. Afterall, he has so much to teach her! But Peep isn’t sure she wants to do things Hoot’s way. In the end, it may be Hoot who learns something!
Penguin and Pinecone
by Salina Yoon
When a penguin discovers a lost pinecone, an unlikely but wonderful friendship is born. And although friendships don’t always make sense, Penguin and Pinecone prove that kindness is the seed of friendship.
Are you interested in reading some of my favorite friendship picture books with your children? Click to download a list of my favorites to take to your local library.
Looking for MORE books? You can find more great library lists here!
Do you have a favorite picture book about friendship? Please share it in the comments and I’ll add it to our Readers’ Picks list!
Michelle
says:Just a note to say how much I enjoy these literature lists. We just started using AAR level 1 and my son is absolutely thrilled with the stories as well! I am quite pleased so far! Thank you all!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceMichelle,
You are welcome, and thank you for letting us know that you are enjoying these lists!
Jenny
says:My Best Friend Will is an exquisite black-and-white photograph picture book written by a 5th grader and her teacher. She talks about her friendship with Will, a boy with autism. It is a truly beautiful book.
Maria
says:Thanks for your book reviews! We love reading and make sure to jot favorites down in order to own the really fun ones we like. One recent favorite was Stella Luella’s Runaway Book. Anyhow, keep them coming!
Robin E. at All About Learning Press
says: Customer ServiceMaria,
Thanks for the recommendation of Stella Louella’s Runaway Book!
Katie T
says:I will have to check some of these out, we are having issues with my youngest being nice to others.
Melissa Hamilton
says:Don’t Fidget a Feather by Erica Silverman is one of my favorites!
Jennifer
says:Corduroy is one of our favorites. Thank for a great list of others to check out.
Lisa
says:Thanks for compiling my library requests for the month. You saved me valuable time and provided honey for our hearts.
Jennifer S
says:Sick Day for Amos McGee is a favorite here. Thanks for the printable list!
Kendra Ahlborn
says:A Sick Day for Amos McGee happens to be one of my personal favorites as well. There’s just something about that little shy penguin, isn’t there?
bhupendra
says:i like the books
Angela Paul
says:I really like this list. One of our favorites is Just In Case You Ever Wonder by Max Lucado
Rachel
says:This is so super helpful! I am starting my planning for literature based learning for my pre-k 3 precious little girl for next year! We read several times during our homeschool day so these will make a great month worth of reading and learning!
JenRay
says:Great list, and wonderful quotes! We love several of these books, and some are new to me. Sophie’s Squash is a great favorite!
Kimberly S
says:Thanks for the list. I am looking forward to sharing these books with my children!
Sara R
says:Thanks for a great list. Also, thanks for a Calvin and Hobbes quote!
Jessica stratton
says:These are some of the cutest books!
Robyn McLeod
says:There are so many great stories listed here :) my son, currently working through AAR recently read, and loved, My Friend Is Sad by Mo Willem. It’s a sweet story about being a good friend.
Linda
says:Awww, such sweet books!
Charis
says:Always love new book ideas!
Angela Bennett
says:Thank you for this great list! I will have to look for them the next time we head to the library!
Michelle
says:Thanks for this list! Many of them are already known and loved, but some are new to us. My twins and I are loving Ziggy and AAR Preschool. Off to the library for more great books!
christine
says:I’ll be adding a few of these books to our list to read, thank you for the suggestions.
Renai
says:Don’t forget the classic “Frog and Toad are Friends!”
Andrea
says:Some great books on this list! Also, some we haven’t read. What a great idea to compile a printable list! So many times we go to the library and just browse, but it would be nice to have some ideas before going. Thanks!
Jo
says:Thanks for the list. We’ll be adding a few of these to our library list!
Jennifer Gray
says:Boy + Bot by Ame Dyckman, made us all giggle and smile a bit!
Amy
says:We love “Toot and Puddle.” We also really like “Cookies: Bite Sized Life Lessons” — although not a book about a specific relationship, each page features a pair of unforgettable friends.
We’ve just started using AAR. One of my favorite things about the program is that the stories not only make sense, they warm us. We just read “Matt the Musk Ox.” What a wonderful little story using level two reading words.
Amy
says:Just trying to figure out how to “leave a blog comment” for rafflecopter ;)
Michelle
says:I just love these books.. My little one is Autistic and had come so far using All About Reading.. I would love to win him another set of these wonderful books..
mary
says:These are great books and I would love to win a level of All About Reading!
Elizabeth
says:Great list!
We love _Gossie and Gertie_. And _Hairy Maclary and Zachary Quack_.
Carrie Carlson
says:Can’t wait to share some of these books with my kiddo. Thank you!!!