The Best Children’s Books About Friendship

Friendship is important for young children because it's how they learn social skills like sharing and understanding other people's feelings. Having friends also gives them confidence and teaches them how to handle relationships, which is a skill they'll need throughout their whole lives.  Children’s books about friendship reinforce these lessons by showing characters make friends, solve problems, support each other, and grow through their relationships.

When kids read about characters who feel sad, happy, or left out, they learn what others might be feeling too. They also see how friends play, talk, and fix problems, so they pick up good ways to get along with others. And when kids see characters being brave or solving problems, it helps them believe they can do it too.

As a therapist, I've seen firsthand how the right story at the right time can spark meaningful conversations about friendship challenges and help children feel less alone in their experiences. These are the books I recommend most often to families, and many have become treasured reads in my own home as well.

Best Books About Friendship for Toddlers (Ages 1-3)

At this age, simple short stories with illustrations help toddlers begin to recognize what it means to be a friend.

Bear's New Friend by Karma Wilson

In this sweet rhyming story, Bear hears a rustling in the woods and sets off to meet a new friend. Along the way, he’s joined by his forest pals, all curious and eager to help. The story shows how being kind and patient can help someone who’s shy feel safe and welcome. It’s perfect for toddlers who are just beginning to explore friendship and emotions.

Price: $12.54 on Amazon, $18.99 on Barnes and Noble

Should I Share My Ice Cream? An Elephant and Piggie Book by Mo Willems

Elephant is excited about his ice cream cone, but then he wonders if he should share it with his best friend, Piggie. Since toddlers are just starting to understand the idea of sharing, this story gently introduces the concept in a fun and age-appropriate way. Mo Willems uses expressive characters to keep little ones engaged while showing how thoughtful choices can strengthen friendships.

Price: $8.13 on Amazon, $10.99 on Barnes and Noble

Little Blue Truck Big Book by Alice Schertle

Little Blue Truck is friendly to everyone he meets on the road. But when a big, rude truck gets stuck, it’s Blue’s kindness that brings help from all his friends. This story teaches toddlers that being helpful and kind builds strong friendships. The rhyming text and sound effects ("Beep! Beep!") make it fun to read aloud, and the truck and animal characters appeal to toddlers’ love of vehicles and animals.

Price: $19.99 on Amazon, $21.99 on Barnes and Noble

Best Books About Friendship for Preschoolers (Ages 3-5)

Preschoolers are just starting to understand emotions and social rules. These books feature easy-to-follow stories that clearly show what friendship looks like.

"A Sick Day for Amos McGee" by Philip C. Stead

Amos McGee is a zookeeper who takes time each day to care for his animal friends. But one day, Amos gets sick and can’t make it to work. This book is perfect for preschoolers with its simple storyline and message that shows friendship isn’t just about fun, but also about caring for someone when they need you.

Price: $14.56 on Amazon, $19.99 on Barnes and Noble

"Stick and Stone" by Beth Ferry

Stick and Stone is a fun, rhyming story that shows preschoolers how real friendship means standing up for each other and offering help when it’s needed most. The rhyming lines and playful language attract children’s attention while teaching lessons about kindness and loyalty.

Price: $10.53 on Amazon, $19.99 on Barnes and Noble

Peanut Butter & Cupcake by Terry Border

Peanut Butter is new in town and looking for a friend to play with, but each character was busy or not interested. This book helps young children understand that making friends can take time, and it’s okay if not everyone wants to play. The silly food characters and playful photos make the lessons easy and fun for preschoolers to understand.

Price: $10.83 on Amazon, $18.99 on Barnes and Noble

Best Books About Friendship for Early Elementary (Ages 5-8)

As kids grow, their friendships become more complex, and they start facing challenges like misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and learning how to make things right.

Bink & Gollie by Kate DiCamillo and Alison McGhee

Bink & Gollie is a book that follows two best friends who couldn’t be more different. Despite their differences, they learn how to compromise, give each other space, and overcome jealousy. It’s perfect for growing kids who are starting to understand that true friendship doesn’t mean being the same, but working through your differences and still having fun together.

Price: $6.44 on Amazon, $6.99 on Barnes and Noble

The Recess Queen by Alexis O’Neill

Mean Jean dominates the playground, and no one plays until she says so. But when fearless new kid Katie Sue shows up, she breaks all the rules by playing first and even inviting Jean to join. This energetic, rhyming story mirrors real playground dynamics and teaches lessons about standing up, reaching out, and making room for everyone.

Price: $13.06 on Amazon, $18.99 on Barnes and Noble

Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts

Jeremy dreams of owning the popular black high-top sneakers all his classmates wear. Eventually, he finds the coveted sneakers secondhand, but they don’t fit. Meanwhile, he notices his friend Antonio's worn-out shoes, held together with tape. This heartfelt story teaches kids about empathy, generosity, and the difference between wants and needs.

Price: $7.02 on Amazon

Best Books About Friendship for Older Kids (Ages 9-12)

Older children are ready to explore more complex aspects of friendship, including trust, loyalty, conflict, loss and emotional growth.

"Bridge to Terabithia" by Katherine Paterson

"Bridge to Terabithia" by Katherine Paterson follows Jess and Leslie, friends who create Terabithia, a magical kingdom in the woods where they rule as king and queen. The book introduces the concept of loss and grief, and shows how friendship can help us cope with heartache. It teaches older kids about empathy, courage, and how a true friend can change your life forever.

Price: $6.39 on Amazon

"The One and Only Ivan" by Katherine Applegate

Ivan, who lives in a shopping mall enclosure, meets Ruby, a young elephant who changes everything. This novel encourages young readers to think about compassion, standing up for others, and how true friendship can inspire change, even in the toughest circumstances. It also touches on animal welfare and the importance of using your voice for good.

Price: $6.59 on Amazon, $10.99 on Barnes and Noble

"Holes" by Louis Sachar

Stanley Yelnats is sent to a desert camp where boys must dig holes every day as punishment, but he soon realizes there’s a deeper mystery behind it all. As he bonds with a fellow camper named Zero, they uncover secrets that connect their pasts and lead them toward freedom. This book shows how trust and teamwork can grow in unexpected places.

Price: $6.99 on Amazon, $8.99 on Barnes and Noble

Tips for Using These Books at Home or in Class

Research shows that reading can help improve children's empathy and friendship skills [*]. Moreover, teaching friendship skills and values can also help children form stronger, healthier relationships with peers [*]. For these reasons, encouraging kids to read books about friendship at home or in class can be beneficial.

Additionally, it is also important to focus on the conversations and connections you make afterward.

Start by asking open-ended questions that encourage your child to think deeply about the characters' friendship. Questions like “What made the characters good friends?” and “How did the friendship in the story grow or change over time?” help children process the story's lessons and apply them to their own lives.

Relate characters to real people. This helps children see how character traits show up in real life. Point out scenes where characters help, hurt, or misunderstand each other. Then ask: “Have you ever had a moment like that with a friend?” This opens the door for reflection and learning.

You can also reinforce good values through activities such as role play, where they act out positive friendship scenarios, or journaling, where they write about times they’ve shown empathy or supported a friend. These hands-on tools help deepen their understanding and turn stories into meaningful lessons.

The Bottom Line

Children's books about friendship are more than just entertainment. They're tools that help kids develop the social and emotional skills they'll use throughout their lives.

The beauty of these books lies in their ability to make abstract concepts like empathy, kindness, and conflict resolution feel concrete and achievable. When children see Bear welcoming a shy new friend or watch Stanley and Zero support each other through impossible challenges, they're not just reading stories, but learning blueprints for their own relationships.

For more resources on friendship and social skills explore our social skills worksheets.

References:

1. Ojeabulu, Ngozi. (2021). Effect of Literature in The School Library on The Social Development of Empathy and Friendship Skills of Children.
2. Erol, M., Köksal, H. The Effect of Friendship Education on Primary School Students’ Psychological Well-Being and Peer Relationships. Child Ind Res 18, 1029–1052 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12187-025-10221-1