Teaching kids to be a good friend is an important part of raising kind kids. From teaching empathy and kindness to introducing emotions and problem solving skills, there are lots of important topics to cover. We love finding children’s books about friendship that touch on all the things kids need to know to be a good friend.

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The Sharey Godmother

Written by Samantha Berger and illustrated by Mike Curato

Shari is a fairy godmother who loves to share. She shares everything, and it makes her happy to make other people happy. When the other fairy godmothers encourage her to stop sharing so much, she gives it a try and discovers that sharing is a huge part of who she is. The brightly colored and sparkly illustrations blend photography and cartoon style images. Sharing is an important part of being a good friend, and kids will love learning this important lesson from the funny godmothers in the book.

How to Apologize

Written by David LaRochelle and illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka

This sweet and handy guidebook introduces kids to the idea of making mistakes and apologizing when they hurt others. The simple text explains to the reader when they may need to apologize, and how and why they should, in easy to understand language. The cute and often hilarious animal illustrations will keep kids engaged in the story while they learn important lessons about offering apologies. This is a great introduction to making up for your mistakes for little ones.

Turning Cartwheels

Written by Amy Adeney and illustrated by Amy Calautti

Emma wants to join Carly’s Cartwheel Club at school. Every week she tries out, but Carly decides week after week that Emma’s cartwheels aren’t good enough. When she is finally able to join, she finds that following their rules is harder than she thought. In the end, she decides to start her own club, so everyone can fit in. This book teaches an important lesson about being true to yourself, and kids will learn about the difference between fake friends and real friendship.

Related Post: Learning How to Make Friends

Let’s Play! A Book about Making Friends

Written by Amanda McCardie and illustrated by Colleen Larmour

This informative guide about making friends introduces readers to Sukie, a young girl whose family just moved to town. As she starts attending a new school, she learns how small acts of kindness can make friendship spread. Each page features someone being kind, and highlights the stages and benefits of friendship. From being loyal to confiding in friends, there are lots of important topics of friendship addressed in the simple text and cute illustrations. The index in the back helps readers find specific friendship topics in the book.

BunBun and BonBon: Fancy Friends

Written by Jess Keating

This graphic novel shares the story of Bunbun the bunny and Bonbon the talking candy bonbon. The book is broken down into 5 short stories, sharing how the two cute characters met, and following them on some of their adventures. The brightly colored illustrations are bursting with adorableness, and kids will love learning about the importance of friendship through the journey of these unlikely friends.

Related Post: Graphic Novels for Kids

Hudson and Tallulah Take Sides

Written by Anna Kang and illustrated by Christopher Weyant

This funny story of a bickering dog and cat explores the idea that two very different beings can find common ground and friendship. At the beginning of the story, Hudson the dog and Talullah the cat don’t get along. They disagree on everything, and argue constantly. But as they make their way around town, they find something to bond over when they least expect it. The story is told largely through the funny illustrations with bits of dialogue thrown in. Kids will love laughing at their silly arguments, and will learn a valuable lesson that friends don’t always have to agree.

Don’t Call Me Fuzzybutt!

Written by Robin Newman and illustrated by Susan Batori

When Bear is awakened from his hibernation by Woodpecker, they start to battle with one another, tossing out unkind names. As the other forest animals watch and gossip, the two struggle with hurt feelings. They eventually realize their mistake and apologize to one another for their unkindness. Kids will appreciate the silliness of the argument, while learning an important lesson about name calling and forgiving friends.

The Purple Puffy Coat

Written by Maribeth Boelts and illustrated by Daniel Duncan

When Stick Bug receives a purple puffy coat from his friend Beetle for his birthday, he doesn’t love it. But Beetle thinks it’s amazing and Stick Bug doesn’t want to hurt his friend’s feelings. They make their way around town together, and Stick Bug tries not to be the center of attention. Eventually Beetle comes to realize that even though he loves the jacket, it doesn’t make his friend happy. This book tackles some difficult friendship hurdles in a lighthearted way, reminding kids to focus on what makes their friends happy and not just what makes them happy.

Little Sock Makes a Friend

Written by Kia Heise and illustrated by Christopher D. Park

This follow up to Little Sock follows the adorable fuzzy character as he sneaks out of his drawer and escapes the house to head to Sock City. As he explores, he realizes that some things are more fun with a friend, and sets out to find one. The simple text and sweet illustrations highlight the importance of friendship, and how it can seem scary when trying to make a friend. Kids will love the cute characters, and parents will appreciate the positive reminder that making new friends can be great.

Chirp! Chipmunk Sings for a Friend

Written by Jamie A. Swenson and illustrated by Scott Magoon

Chipmunk loves to sing all day long. But she longs to find someone who will sing along with her. She sings to the rock that she lives on, but it can only listen. As she heads out on a quest to find a friend to sing with, she finds a pinecone, a log, and eventually some animal friends. The simple text is paired with beautiful illustrations that show the emotions of Chipmunk’s songs through strong color palettes. Kids will appreciate the happy ending, and the lesson that friends can be found when we least expect it.

The Color Collector

Written by Nicholas Solis and illustrated by Renia Metallinou

In this beautiful story, the young narrator befriends the new girl at school named Violet. Every day he notices her picking up small bits of colorful papers she finds on her way home. When he finally asks her what she does with them, she shows him. This leads them to both open up and start sharing their stories and their feelings. Not only does the story highlight feelings of inclusion and feeling new, but it also celebrates the simple joy of making a new friend and learning from them. As the story progresses, the illustrations are infused with more and more colors, taking the pages from black, white and gray, to full color images.

Sonny Says Mine!

Written by Caryl Hart and illustrated by Zachariah Ohora

This cute book follows a group of young animals as they play at the playground. Sonny finds a little stuffed pink bunny and loves playing with it. But when he sees his friend Boo crying, and learns that she is missing her stuffed pink bunny, he has to decide if he will give his new favorite toy back to her. The situation is one that young kids often deal with, and the simple story and brightly colored illustrations are a great way to talk to kids about sharing and caring.

What are your favorite children’s books about friendship? Share them in the comments below!

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