Top 26 Books about Friendship for Kids and Toddlers

Friendship is one of the most important values parents want to instill in their children. Books about friendship for kids and toddlers can help children learn about this value and how to cultivate and maintain friendships. Friendship is an essential part of human life. It provides us with support, companionship, and a sense of belonging. For children, friendship is especially important as it helps them develop their social skills, self-esteem, and emotional intelligence. So, what are the benefits of reading books about friendship.

Friendship books for 4th-grade kids

Fourth grade is an important year for kids transitioning from early childhood to preadolescence. The following books can help kids navigate the changes in their relationships with friends.

1. Who Says We Can’t be Friends by Kimberly Waters: This book teaches children about being friends with each other even with all differences and similarities.

2. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate: This book is about a gorilla who lives in a mall and forms a friendship with a stray dog.

3. The Best Worst Summer Ever by Elizabeth Eulberg: This book is about two best friends who spend the summer at a lake and learn about growing up and changing friendships.

4. Charlie and Frog by Karen Kane: This book is about a boy who moves to a new town and makes friends with a girl who is deaf.

5. Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo: A girl befriends a stray dog and, through their adventures together, learns about friendship, forgiveness, and the power of community.

Children’s books about friendship problems

When children experience friendship problems, it can be difficult for them to navigate their feelings and find a solution. The following books can help children understand that friendship problems are normal and provide them with tools to resolve them.

6. “Enemy Pie” by Derek Munson: A boy learns the secret recipe for “enemy pie” from his father to get rid of his enemy but ends up becoming friends with him instead.

7. Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry and Tom Lichtenheld: This story is about two friends who help each other through tough times.

8. My Friend is Sad by Mo Willems: This book is part of the Elephant and Piggie series and helps kids learn about empathy and how to comfort a friend who is feeling down.

9. The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig and Patrice Barton: This book is about a boy who feels invisible to his classmates but finds a friend who sees him and makes him feel included.

Books about making friends at school

Starting school can be a scary and overwhelming experience for kids, but these books can help them feel more comfortable and confident in making new friends.

10. The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi: This book is about a Korean girl who is worried about being accepted by her classmates in a new school and learns the power of her own name.

11. Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes: This book is about a mouse who is worried about starting school but eventually makes friends and learns to enjoy the experience.

12. The Sandwich Swap by Queen Rania of Jordan Al Abdullah and Kelly DiPucchio: This book is about two girls from different cultures who learn about each other’s traditions and become friends.

Friendship books for 5th-grade kids

Fifth grade is a time when kids start to become more independent and form their own identities.

These books can help kids understand the importance of loyalty, honesty, and trust in their friendships.

13. Pax by Sara Pennypacker: This book is about a boy who is separated from his pet fox and his journey to be reunited with him.

14. The Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier: This book is about a group of friends who survive a zombie apocalypse and the importance of working together.

15. The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley: This book is about a girl who escapes abuse during World War II and forms a friendship with a disabled boy.

16. Wonder by R.J. Palacio: A story about a boy with a facial deformity who navigates school with the help of his friends and family.

17. The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall: A heartwarming tale about four sisters who make friends with the son of their vacation rental’s owner and embark on a summer of adventures together.

For tweens

Tweens are on the cusp of adolescence and need books that speak to their experiences and emotions. The following books can help tweens navigate the complexities of friendship and relationships.

18. Real Friends by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham: This graphic novel is about the author’s experiences with friends in elementary school and the challenges and rewards that come with finding real friends.

19. Wishtree by Katherine Applegate: This book is about a tree that has watched over a neighborhood for years and the friendship that develops between a boy and a girl who come together to save it.

20. Ghost by Jason Reynolds: This book is about a boy who joins a track team and forms friendships that help him overcome his past.

21. Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan: A story about a genius girl who loses her family and is taken in by strangers who become her friends and family.

22. The Crossover by Kwame Alexander: A novel in verse about twin brothers who play basketball and navigate friendship, family, and growing up.

For 8-10 year old

At this age, children are becoming more independent readers and need books that are engaging, relatable, and inspiring. The following books can help kids understand the value of friendship and the importance of treating others with kindness and respect.

23. The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill: This book is about a girl who is raised by a witch and the friendships she forms with a dragon and a swamp monster.

24. The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Pérez: This book is about a Mexican-American girl who starts a punk band and learns about the power of friendship and self-expression.

25. The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John: A humorous tale about two pranksters who become unlikely friends and work together to pull off the biggest prank of all.

26. The Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier: A series about a group of friends who survive a zombie apocalypse and work together to save the world.

The benefits of reading books about friendship

Reading books about friendship is a wonderful way to help children understand the value of healthy, meaningful relationships and develop the skills to form and maintain them.

One of the main benefits of reading books about friendship is that they provide children with relatable and engaging stories to help them understand the challenges and rewards of building and maintaining friendships. Through these stories, children can learn the importance of communication, empathy, and mutual respect in building strong relationships. They can also learn how to navigate conflicts, resolve differences, and apologize when they make mistakes.

In addition to helping children understand the importance of friendship, reading books about friendship can also help them develop their language, literacy, and cognitive skills. When children read books, they are exposed to new vocabulary, sentence structures, and literary devices. This exposure helps them develop their reading comprehension, writing, and critical thinking abilities. Additionally, reading books can help children develop their imagination, creativity, and problem-solving skills as they try to make sense of the stories and characters they encounter.

Reading books about friendship can also help children develop their emotional intelligence. As they read stories about characters who experience a range of emotions, children can learn how to identify and express their own feelings in a healthy way. They can also learn about empathy, understanding, and compassion as they see characters navigate difficult situations and learn to support each other.

Another benefit of reading books about friendship is that they can help children feel more connected to their peers and the world around them. When children read stories about characters who face similar challenges and experiences, they can feel validated and understood. This sense of connection can help children feel less alone and more confident in their ability to navigate the ups and downs of friendship.

Finally, reading books about friendship can be a fun and enjoyable experience for children.

When children are engaged in a good story, they can develop a love of reading that can last a lifetime. This love of reading can open up new opportunities for learning, creativity, and personal growth.

Pick up a book today!

Reading books about friendship is an important and valuable experience for children. Not only do these books provide relatable and engaging stories that help children understand the importance of healthy, meaningful relationships, but they also help children develop their language, literacy, cognitive, and emotional intelligence. Additionally, reading books about friendship can help children feel more connected to their peers and the world around them and develop a love of reading that can last a lifetime.

If you are a parent or caregiver, consider making reading books about friendship a regular part of your child’s routine. Take the time to discuss the stories and characters with your child, and help them apply the lessons they learn to their own lives. Encourage your child to share their thoughts and feelings about the stories, and help them develop their own skills in empathy, communication, and problem-solving.

If you are looking for a book to start with, consider checking out the Who Says book series for kindergarten by Kimberly Waters, particularly Who Says Words Can’t Be Golden?

This book and others like it can help children understand the importance of empathy, understanding, and acceptance in building strong friendships.

The right path for your child!

In the end, reading books about friendship is not only a fun and enjoyable experience for children but also an essential part of their social and emotional development. Through the power of stories, children can learn about the world around them, develop their imaginations, and grow into kind and empathetic individuals capable of building strong and lasting relationships.