Well, we missed National Make A Friend Day, but since we think every day should be Make A Friend Day we’re giving you a list of some of the best books we know of that help children understand the concept of friendship and the special acceptance that friends have even though they can be very dissimilar. The classics like Charlotte’s Web, Winnie The Pooh, and Frog and Toad are some of my go-to books to read to kids about the unique qualities of friendship. This blog, however, is filled with some more recent additions to the list and completely worthy!
So without further ado:
- Nobody Hugs A Cactus by Carter Goodrich: I can’t say enough about this book. The cover alone of Hank, the grumpy prickly cactus was enough to make me buy it. Hank doesn’t like anybody to disturb his peace, he doesn’t like noise or cheerfulness, and he does not want hugs until an exuberant tumbleweed happens his way and changes his perspective! The illustrations are so engaging in soft muted colors but the expression used in Hank’s face…. Just delightful.
- I Don’t Care by Julie Flogliano and Molly Idle: Well these two Caldecott Honorees and real life best friends teamed up to write one of the most wonderful books about friendship that I’ve found. The beginning of the book is all about what they DON’T care about and illustrates the many differences between them that make their friendship stronger.. The second half lists the things that they do care about and it’s all done in perfectly metered delightful rhyme. Get ready to enjoy the beautifully soft graphite illustrations highlighted with simple teal and yellow accents. You just can’t miss with this book.
- Wilfred by Ryan Higgins: In a far-away land lived a giant. He was huge and hairy and wanted a friend more than anything. One day he found himself in a town that was full of people, but they were all bald. Children were playing and he so wanted to play with them, so he tried. All the children ran away except one brave little boy who saw something special in this giant. This book is so full of heart, and is funny as well. The Lorax has nothing on Wilfred. (Our review)
- Somethings Wrong: A Bear, a Hare, and Some Underwear by Jory John: If the bear (named Jeff) standing in the forest wearing a pair of whitey-tighties doesn’t make you buy this book then something IS wrong! I loved this book so much I bought it for two different children. This laugh-out-loud book about a bear who just can’t figure out what’s wrong and why he feels like something is ‘off’ until his friend Anders, a hare, tells him his underwear is OUTSIDE his fur. So what do his friends do to support this nightmare come true for Jeff? You’ll have to read it to find out. The expressions on the faces of these animals are hilarious and a perfect example of illustration adding to the text. But don’t let this silly underwear-drive plot fool you, this book uses sophisticated language, is well executed, and is a delight from start to finish. (Our review)
- Ivy and Bean Book 1 by Annie Barrows: In this first book in the New York Times Bestselling Series, and Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year in 2010 you meet two girls, Bean and Ivy, who are certain they will never be friends. As different as night and day one is loud, the other quiet. Then one day Bean gets into trouble and everything changes. Reminiscent of Beverly Cleary’s Ramona series, this book and series is well written, with phrases like “All aboard! Next train for boring is leaving now!” and will appeal to avid readers as well as reluctant ones!
Hopefully this will give you some great books you’ve not yet read, and hopefully you have some you can suggest to us! If so please comment below, we like hearing from our readers.