Follow the adventures of a Fox, a Shark, a Cactus and more as we bring you 20+ books about friendship to help you and your little one be a good friend

Making friends, and nurturing those friendships is hard - even as adults. 

Sometimes we can be a little shy (or even a little scared). But making friends with others is an important part of being human - and feeling love and affection towards others, and feeling those same emotions from those who are our friends, is so important as we grow and mature.

Nooksy’s selection of books about friendships helps kids (and their parents) learn more about friendship, how to make friends, how to navigate friendship problems, and how we can be better friends to those around us.

Read on Nooksy: 20+ Books About Friendship for Kids

Mindfulness at the Park

By:
Teresa Anne Power, Emma Allen

Lovable, curious Little Mouse is back to help kids use yoga and mindfulness to solve problems and manage emotions in Mindfulness at the Park, the second book in the acclaimed Little Mouse Adventures series from Teresa Power, the international bestselling author of The ABCs of Yoga for Kids series and Kids' Yoga Day creator!

Walking Through a World of Aromas

By:
Jon Brokenbrow, Ariel Andrés Almada, Sonja Wimmer

Winner at the 2013 International Latino Book AwardsA tale that will touch your heart, teaching us that if we set our minds to it, we can all turn what we perceive as weaknesses into strengths.

Mozzies Vs Flies

By:
Sarah Speedie, Rebel Challenger

In a small dusty town in the sweltering heat, two rival gangs had control of the streets.Fuzz and the flies ruled the town in the light.While the mozzies and Cozzie took over at night.When the School BBQ is scheduled for 5.30pm - how do these two gangs decide who gets the rights to this delicious feast?Can they find a compromise or will it all end in a sky-high battle for the BBQ?

Read 
Mozzies Vs Flies
 now

Happy as a Hog out of Mud

By:
Sean E Avery

Warthogs LOVE to play in mud. But not Charlie…Charlesworth Oinkington is a sophisticated gentle-hog who would rather sip tea, go bird watching and read poetry.Happy as a Hog out of Mud celebrates difference and acceptance via lighthearted humour and cannonballs! Readers will enjoy exploring a range of different animals, engage with the hilarious and quirky illustrations and marvel at the memorable characters.

The Adventures of Gracie and MonkeyBear: Winter

By:
Jordy Farrell, C.S. O'Kelly

Gracie & MonkeyBear is told through the actions and conversations between a brilliant young girl and her partner in adventure, the most celebrated canine inventor the world has ever seen MonkeyBear! The pace is that of children, hopping and bouncing from one creative thought to the next, one adventure to another. This is not a traditional children's book, it is a storyworld meant to be read and experienced together, parent and child, veteran bookworms with new readers. At its core, The Adventures of Gracie & MonkeyBear embodies the concepts of relentless curiosity, untethered imagination, power of diverse friendships and experiences (like the world around us), heroic acts of kindness based on strength of character and most of all, the belief that all living things are connected and should be treated with love, compassion, and respect.

The Two Hearts

By:
Hinrich Mummenthey, Claudia Rudolph

Two hearts, which are very much in love, but ultimately very different – learn an important lesson about acceptance.

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The Two Hearts
 now

The Golden Acorn Tree

By:
Jocelyn Argueta, Peili Huang

Follow a friendly squirrel as she explores a charming forest and gathers acorns for her neighbors. Young children will delight in this sweet tale of friends with tails and how they help, and accept, every animal in their forest community.

Ayobami and the Names of the Animals

By:
Mar Azabal, Pilar López Ávila

Ayobami dreams of going to school. But to reach the schoolhouse, she has to take a dangerous path: the one that leads through the jungle.This is a tale about the importance of education, the difficulties that many children have to overcome to go to school, and the perseverance and enthusiasm of those who want to learn.

The Adventures of the Owl and the Pussycat

By:
Charlotte Cooke, Carol Rumble

"The Owl and the Pussycat went to sea In a box on the living room floor. They sailed away for a year and a day And these are the things that they saw..." Join two curious children on a quirky adventure based on the classic Edward Lear poem, 'The Owl and the Pussycat.'

The Squiggle Wiggles

By:
Erna van der Merwe, Danelle Kritzinger

How to hug a Cactus

By:
Emily S. Smith, Aleksandra Szmidt

How do you hug a cactus?I’d really like to know.You see, I love my cactus,and my hugs will help it grow.A young girl explores the possibilities of hugging her most favourite plant, a cactus. With a little help from her family members and a gardening guru, she tries a number of solutions to help solve her prickly problem, all with varying degrees of success. How to Hug a Cactus is a story that will ‘stick’ with many readers.

Yoga at the Zoo

By:
Teresa Anne Power, Emma Allen

Lovable, curious Little Mouse is here to help kids use yoga to solve problems and manage emotions in Yoga at the Zoo, the first book in the Little Mouse Adventures series from international bestselling author and Kids' Yoga Day creator, Teresa Power!

Read 
Yoga at the Zoo
 now

There's a Shark at my School

By:
Sharon J Boyce, Suzanne Houghton

My pet shark Seymour is bored in our backyard pool.He wants to come to school with me and I think that’s a brilliant idea!He promises to do everything I say, but I’m not so sure...

Mary had a Monstersaur

By:
Peter Bath, Mike Dumbleton

Mary had a dinosaur called Monstersaurus Rex.Not the cuddly little lamb that everyone expects!What happens when everyone in town meets Mary’s huge new friend? Will he fit in? Or was he born to stand out?

The Lonely Mailman

By:
Daniel Montero Galán, Susanna Isern, Jon Brokenbrow

Each day, the old mailman faithfully delivers special letters to the forest animals. But the mailman has never received any letters of his own. Then one day everything changes. This touching story of friendship and love will delight readers and letter writers of all ages.

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The Lonely Mailman
 now

Tobey the Business Mouse

By:
C.S Fritz, Elinor Shklaz

Join Tobey the Business Mouse on a journey of discovery and glimpse into the infinite realm of possibilities that lie ahead.Tobey, with his little suit and tie, proves that no matter how small you are, there is no limit to what you can achieve.

Ann-Nem-Oh-Nee

By:
Jessica Bosworth Smith, Lauren Nel, Matthew Griffiths

Ann-Nem-Oh-Nee is stuck on her rock all alone. She’s looking for adventure and wants to see the world! But how?

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Ann-Nem-Oh-Nee
 now

Under the Great Plum Tree

By:
Sufiya Ahmed, Reza Dalvand

Deep in the jungle, an unlikely friendship blooms between the golden-hearted monkey Miss Bandari and the old crocodile Mr. Magarmach. But what will happen when King Crocodile comes along to test their friendship? The story of the monkey and the crocodile comes from the Panchatantra, an ancient Indian collection of animal fables. Versions of this tale of courage and forgiveness can be found all around the world.

Mariama Different But Just the Same

By:
Nívola Uyá, Jerónimo Cornelles, Jon Brokenbrow

Everything is new for Mariama after a long journey by car, train, boat, and plane from Africa. She is going to discover a world where the streets, her school, and the food are all different. However, what about the people? A beautiful tale about identity, the process of integration, and solidarity. Are you ready to meet Mariama and play with her?

The Hidden Talent of Phoenix Fox

By:
Kristina Radkevich

Phoenix was just like any other fox. He lived a happy life in the forest with his friends. Phoenix’s friends decide to hold a talent contest to find the most talented animal in the forest, Phoenix’s happy world comes crashing down around him. His friends are better than him at everything they do. With no special talent of his own, he longs to be the best at just one thing. But what?

The Adventures of Gracie and MonkeyBear: Summer

By:
Jordy Farrell, C.S. O'Kelly

Gracie & MonkeyBear is told through the actions and conversations between a brilliant young girl and her partner in adventure, the most celebrated canine inventor the world has ever seen MonkeyBear! The pace is that of children, hopping and bouncing from one creative thought to the next, one adventure to another. This is not a traditional children's book, it is a storyworld meant to be read and experienced together, parent and child, veteran bookworms with new readers. At its core, The Adventures of Gracie & MonkeyBear embodies the concepts of relentless curiosity, untethered imagination, power of diverse friendships and experiences (like the world around us), heroic acts of kindness based on strength of character and most of all, the belief that all living things are connected and should be treated with love, compassion, and respect.

Imogen Baddley

By:
Irene De La Peña, Sigi Cohen

All Sofia wanted was to enjoy her new school, but sadly…along came a bully named Imogen Baddley!See how Sofia, with humour and heart, deals with Imogen the bully, causing most unexpected results!

Read 
Imogen Baddley
 now

Gloria's Porridge

By:
Elizabeth Laird, Toby Newsome

Gloria has cooked some delicious porridge but doesn’t want to share it. When Cat eats it all up, Gloria is very cross and chases him away. Cat interrupts the donkey, who disturbs the bees, who bothers the hen. Can everyone learn to get along?

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Gloria's Porridge
 now

Quill Soup

By:
Dale Blankenaar, Alan Durant

Noko, the porcupine, is very hungry. On arriving at a village, he asks the other animals for some food and shelter. But, despite their full bellies, all the animals say they have nothing to spare...so Noko creates a delicious pot of Quill Soup - fit for a king!

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Quill Soup
 now

Mr Snuffles Birthday

By:
David Greaves, Emily Wallis

'It was a wonderful day for snuffling for truffles,'What a birthday treat!' thought Mr Snuffles…’Adults and children of all ages will delight in following Mr Snuffles' frustrating woodland quest for his beloved truffles. But is Mr Snuffles on the right scent?Beautifully illustrated by Emily Wallis, David Greaves' Mr Snuffles' Birthday is a glorious celebration of language, friendship and truffles: a tale to be treasured and to read aloud together time and time again.

The Homesick Fox

By:
David Greaves, Danielle Callaghan

"A story about missing your home, when you’re far away, and all on your own…"David Greaves' poetic, multi-layered children's story evokes 'the call of the wild', a mysterious and wondrous thing: but The Homesick Fox will also appeal to adults working in the 'Big Smoke' and pining for the quietude and slower rhythms of country life.Exquisitely illustrated by Danielle Callaghan, The Homesick Fox is a melancholy tale with an uplifting ending, exploring feelings of isolation and loneliness in an urban fox which has lost its way and yearns for its spiritual home: the countryside. At last the fox can bear his solitude no more, and without knowing where his paws will take him, sets off on a journey into the night.

Read 
The Homesick Fox
 now

Get started on your adventure of friendship today with the characters, places and stories delighting your little ones, and encouraging them to foster friendships with those around them.

Also: Learn more about How to Select Books for Your Child.

Looking for something to read that’s just for fun? Check out our Books Just for Fun.

While you're here: Check out our collection of books about perseverance for kids, or see our collection of books about understanding others for kids.

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