A great friend is the kind of person who can make you laugh so hard you can’t breathe, but is also a shoulder to cry on when you’re feeling down. They are the person that knows everything about you—sometimes it even feels like they might know you better than you know yourself! But friendship is also full of ups and downs, and sometimes, it can feel really tricky to make a friend. Whether your young reader is feeling a bit lonely, or whether they are absolutely inseparable from their BFFs, these stories showcase all the wonderful parts of what it means to be a friend.
The little girl in this story proclaims, “I am a good friend!” as she heads outside to play with her animal buddies. She’s very enthusiastic, but is everyone having a good time? This funny and relateable story is also a lesson in being considerate of other’s feelings and understanding their needs. It’s a good reminder of what it means to be a good friend!
Lucy the bear runs into some of the same issues. She is absolutely determined to make new friends, but it’s a lot harder than expected. It’s both heartwarming and hilarious as Lucy learns that sometimes the most unexpected friendships are the best ones of all.
Friendship doesn’t necessarily mean you agree on everything! And that’s a lesson Keyana and her best friend Nia learn when they don’t exactly see eye-to-eye. But they soon understand that how much they care about each other is more important than a disagreement, and that working through conflict is an important aspect of friendship.
This read-aloud favorite follows Little Hedgehog who is feeling a little bit lonely. When she hears about a Friend Ship that can help her, she sets off to find it! On her journey, she discovers other lonely animals who are also looking for this mysterious ship, and in the process, Little Hedgehog realizes just where the Friend Ship is.
Meet Beekle! In this award-winning story, an imaginary friend waits his turn to be chosen by a real child. When he is overlooked again and again, he sets off on a journey to the city where he meets his perfect match and is given his name: Beekle. This is such a sweet story, and teaches important lessons about friendship, imagination, and finding your place in the world. You’re going to fall in love with Beekle, trust me.
Claydate is a playdate with the Claymates, so you know it’s bound to be a fun adventure. These two clay friends decide to try and tell an epic story by creating clay creatures but nothing goes according to plan. This story celebrates creativity and shows that perfection can be pretty boring. Plus it’s a laugh-out-loud adventure that just might inspire you to make your own claymates!
The Dragonboy series introduces us to Dragonboy and his band of stuffed animal friends. It’s an absolutely delightful story that shows how every day is a wonderful day to have an adventure! And the greatest part of any adventure, is being with the friends that know you best.
