Forming friendships and having friends is an enormous part of everyone’s life. But what do you do when you move to a new place? How do you make friends if you are very shy? What if your best friend makes friends with someone else? At times like these, sharing a book about other children going through similar situations just might help.
Naughty Narwhal
by Emma Adams and Katy Halford
Narwhal is the most mischievous, naughty little creature you’ll ever meet – wherever she is, she’s always up to something. But one day, Narwhal sees all of her friends having a party. Oh no – what will Narwhal do? And will she ever face up to her naughty behaviour?
Age: 3+
Amazing
by Steve Antony
A little boy and his pet dragon are the very best of friends. They laugh, they sing, they dance, they snooze. They are both amazing – just like everyone else! A celebration of friendship and being yourself with a positive message about celebrating diversity.
Age: 3+
Best Friends
by Mara Bergman
This warm and funny rhyming story celebrates the joy of playing outside, friendship and the bond between children and their pets.
Age: 3+
Kevin
by Rob Biddulph
A lovely rhyming text perfect for sharing. Kevin blames all his bad behaviour on an imaginary friend who then comes to life.
Age 7+
Millicent and Meer
by Richard Byrne
One day, Millicent is busy making sandcastles in her garden when, THUMP, a big wooden box lands beside her. Inside, Millicent finds the most unexpected new friend.
Age: 3+
The Best Friend Boom
by Catherine Coe and Jan McCafferty
Casper is very excited about the lasso competition at the rodeo and his best friend, Pete, helps him practise. Casper wins the contest and gets lots of new friends. Will he remember who his true friend really is?
Age: 6+
Imaginary Fred
by Eoin Colfer and Oliver Jeffers
This is a book about friendship: not having friends, finding new friends, losing friends, best friends for ever. Just because a friendship is imaginary, doesn’t mean it’s not real.
Age: 4+
I’m the Best
by Lucy Cousins
Dog loves his friends, but he also thinks he’s the best at everything. The book shows how important it is to consider your friend’s feelings if you want to keep their friendship.
Age: 3+
Say Hello
by Jack and Michael Foreman
When someone is looking lonely and in need of a friend, there is one little word that can help.
Age: 4+
Oliver & Patch
by Claire Freedman and Kate Hindley
A delightful story about being lonely in a new place, making friends and doing the right thing.
Age: 4+
Baby Bird
by Andrew Gibbs
A moving debut picture book about the power of friendship and the importance of accepting yourself just the way you are.
Age: 3+
Together we can
by Caryl Hart
Our friends are all different, but one thing is true, each one is quite precious and that includes YOU! Award-winning Caryl Hart and Ali Pye have created a beautifully fun-filled and vibrant picture book showing children forming friendships and displaying kindness and compassion. The perfect rhyming read-aloud with joyous illustrations, this book celebrates diversity and inclusivity throughout and highlights how important togetherness is in our world.
Age: 3+
The Great Big Book of Friends
by Mary Hoffman
A great sharing book covering friendship, falling out, being different, imaginary friends etc.
Age 4+
The Only Way is Badger
by Stella J. Jones
Badger thinks his ways are the best and overlooks the feelings of the other animals. When he finds himself on his own he realises he needs to change his ways to get his friends back.
Age 4+
Giraffe problems
by Jory John
Edward the giraffe can’t understand why his neck is as long and bendy and ridiculous as it is. No other animal has a neck this absurd. He’s tried disguising it, dressing it up, strategically hiding it behind bushes – anything he can think of. But just when he’s exhausted his neck-hiding options, a turtle ambles in and tries to help him understand that his neck has a purpose – and looks excellent in a bow tie.
Age: 3+
Oscar and Arabella and Ormsby
by Neal Layton
A book about friendship featuring prehistoric animals. The message is that even friends fall out sometimes.
Age: 5+
Friends
by Kim Lewis
A warm, simple story exploring friendship between young children.
Age: 4+
Lucy’s Quarrel
by Jennifer Northway
A realistic story about a quarrel between two friends with an appropriate ending.
Age: 4+
Just Jack
by Kate Scott
It’s not easy fitting in at a new school. It’s even harder to be yourself. A warm and funny story about making new friends and being yourself. Perfect for young fans of WONDER and Frank Cottrell-Boyce. Jack knows LOTS about starting a new school. Since Dad left, he and his mum have moved house five times. He also knows all about fitting in. The trick is to act exactly like everyone else and make sure no one ever notices him. But it’s hard work trying to be something he isn’t and Jack doesn’t have any good friends. That is, until Tyler comes along. Tyler is funny and different and might be the key to getting Jack to realise that although he is brilliant at pretending to be other people, the very best thing he can be is JUST JACK.
Age: 8+
Friends make everything better
by Mandy Sutcliffe
Take a wonderful journey with Belle and Boo as they leave their worries behind and turn a dull day into a magical adventure. Race across the waves in a sail boat, discover treasure in the depths of the ocean, swing through a jungle full of animals, and soar to the clouds – all with your very best friend. Together, friends really do make everything better!
Age: 4+
A Place for Pluto
by Stef Wade
Pluto can’t believe he is not a planet anymore and does not know where he belongs. On his journey of discovery he makes new and old friends.
Age 3+
Frank & Teddy Make Friends
by Louise Yates
Professor Frank Mouse is clever and inventive. He is also very lonely, so one day he makes himself a friend – Teddy!
Age: 3+
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