8 Best Books About Friendship: Teaching Children the Value of Building Relationships
Share the importance of friendships and social-emotional learning to your child as they settle into new schools, adapt to social dynamics, and navigate how to build relationships.
Friendship resonates with readers of all ages. It’s one of life’s beautiful treasures that offers comfort in tough times, improves life experiences, and brings joy to everyday life. As we look at the importance of friendships, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how literature captures the positive effects friendships have on our lives.
Friends celebrate our successes, challenge us, understand us, and accept us for who we are. They express their feelings and help us find solutions in ways that teach us vulnerability and can strengthen our bonds. In some books, characters from different backgrounds build unbreakable friendships, which will help enrich their lives, broaden their horizons, and deepen their understanding of the world around them.
Whether you are looking for laughter, comfort, or inspiration, this Booksmart booklist shows the many ways friendships benefit our lives to share with your child. Dive into these stores, and let the power of friendship inspire your own relationships!
*If a book link doesn’t work, open BookSmart on your device and search for the title. Reading on a desktop? Click on the book link and then on the ‘start reading’ button.
Emma by Nadiah Abidin
Published by The Asia Foundation
Ages 0-5
Radinka is bored at the beach until she makes a new friend named Emma. What fun activities can they do at the beach?
► Discover what they decide to do here.
A Home of Our Own by Meghaa Gupta
Published by Tulika Publishers
Ages 6-8
Sunehri and her friends decide to play house. They put together some old plates and bowls, empty packets of chips, plastic bottles, a broken helmet… things they’ve collected from the streets. The game loved by children everywhere takes on a new layer when played by those who have never known a home.
► See their creations here.
Best Friends (Safari Adventure Series: Elephant Level D) by David Waweru
Published by Booktalk Africa Limited
Ages 0-5
Elephants make best friends. Follow these two young animals in the wild as they navigate friendship and adventure. The story highlights themes of loyalty, teamwork, and the importance of helping each other.
Let’s Play: Feelings Aren’t Forever by Weslie Lechner
Published by Worldreader Originals
Ages 0-8
Mina and Tommy start with a blank page, but with a bit of imagination, their world fills up with fun and surprises! As the story grows, so do their feelings—whether they’re mad, scared, or embarrassed, they learn that feelings aren’t forever. Get ready to play along as they create adventures and discover how to handle all kinds of emotions!
► Learn about feelings here.
My Girls & Curls by Layla Steele
Published by Young Authors Publishing
Ages 6-8
There is no better way to celebrate Lila’s birthday than cooling off at the pool. Her friend Ashley had just gotten a silk press, but that doesn’t stop her from jumping in with her girls. Realizing her hair is no longer straight, Ashley cries. Her friends decide to help Ashley style her natural hair. Will they find the perfect style for Ashley? This story celebrates the natural hair journey of three young girls finding beauty in friendship and their coils.
► Celebrate with Lila here.
Kooky Bakes Cookies by BG Bradford
Published by Worldreader Originals
Ages 0-5
Join Kooky Kitty and Bertie Bunny on a baking adventure. With Daddy’s help, they mix, stir, and make a big mess! But it’s all part of the fun. Share in the wonder and joy with this delightful series for the whole family. Get ready for lots of giggles and MIAOWgic moments!
Between Night and Day by Sean Julian
Published by Oxford University Press
Ages 0-5
Pongo is an orangutan that enjoys the daytime, and Bulu is a bat that enjoys the night. When they accidentally meet, they get to each see the world from the other’s point of view.
► Follow their different points of view here.
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