Children's Books about Friendship | Kawartha Lakes Public Library

by Willems, Mo

Book - 2015

Mo Willems' Piggie and Elephant series are some of my (LB Staff) favourite fun books to read with children. I Really Like Slop is just one of many stories...Show more Mo Willems' Piggie and Elephant series are some of my (LB Staff) favourite fun books to read with children. I Really Like Slop is just one of many stories that show how different the two characters are: Gerald is more reserved, while Piggie is more free-spirited. In this book, Piggie has made some slop and wants to share. She explains how important it is to her and encourages Gerald to give it a try. Gerald is hesitant, at first, but he decides to be supportive of his friend. With a great deal of effort, Gerald tries the slop. The illustrations are simple but effective. They add to the humour. The text is minimal which can be less intimidating for reluctant or beginner readers. How many of the Piggie and Elephant books have you read? Which ones are your favourites? Make a list on your library account to keep track of all the fun stories that you read. Novelist suggests this book is for Pre-K to Grade 2. Show less

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Bird & Squirrel on Ice

by Burks, James

Graphic Novel - 2014

Bird and Squirrel graphic novels are fun to read. The two main characters are so different. Bird is free spirited and adventurous, while Squirrel is cauti...Show more Bird and Squirrel graphic novels are fun to read. The two main characters are so different. Bird is free spirited and adventurous, while Squirrel is cautious and reserved. Bird can find himself in some pretty precarious situations like in this book - Bird and Squirrel on Ice. Bird has flown them to a village of penguins. The penguins have a belief that one day they will be rescued by a bird that can fly. Until that happens they are required to feed a whale. The whale eats so much fish that the village is struggling. If they stop feeding the whale, they put their safety at risk. The way in which Bird is expected to help is problematic to Squirrel. So, squirrel has to gather his courage and focus on finding an alternative plan. If you like books with fun characters, a bit of suspense, a sense of adventure that are written in graphic novel format, check out Bird and Squirrel. Show less

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Fox and Squirrel Make A Friend

by Ohi, Ruth

Picture Book - 2014

Fox and Squirrel are friends. They are not the same, but they find common ground. When a yellow bird comes along, who can enjoy the view up in the trees w...Show more Fox and Squirrel are friends. They are not the same, but they find common ground. When a yellow bird comes along, who can enjoy the view up in the trees with Squirrel, fox thinks that he is no longer needed. Squirrel doesn't want to replace Fox with a new friend, rather, the three of them can be friends together. Each page has only 1-3 sentences. There isn't a lot of text, so it isn't overwhelming to young readers and the illustrations are cute. Show less

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Anne of Green Gables

by Montgomery, L. M.

Book - 2008

Anne of Green Gables is likely the best known Canadian book. A favourite to many, young Anne (spelled with an e) comes to life on the page. She is so dyna...Show more Anne of Green Gables is likely the best known Canadian book. A favourite to many, young Anne (spelled with an e) comes to life on the page. She is so dynamic in personality. Life in PEI was quiet for Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert (and the rest of Avonlea) until a red-haired orphan moves in. Suddenly, there's a slate being broken over the head of a boy, a young girl gets mistakenly drunk from currant wine that was supposed to be raspberry cordial, and students compete for academic awards. There are so many quotable parts to the book: "“Isn’t it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive—it’s such an interesting world. It wouldn’t be half so interesting if we knew all about everything, would it? There’d be no scope for imagination then, would there?” "Next to trying and winning, the best thing is trying and failing." “Life is worth living as long as there’s a laugh in it.” “Tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it… Yet.” Also, it should be mentioned that there have been adaptations made of this book. It exists as a graphic novel, as picture books, and as movies. Anne has many close friends she calls kindred spirits. Her dearest friends are Mathew, Marilla and Diana. Novelist suggests the novel is appropriate for grades 3 & 4. Show less

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Amelia Bedelia Makes A Friend

by Parish, Herman

Book - 2011

Amelia Bedelia has a best friend - Jen - who lives next door. Then, her friend moves and she gets a new neighbour - Mrs. Adams. This new neighbour is olde...Show more Amelia Bedelia has a best friend - Jen - who lives next door. Then, her friend moves and she gets a new neighbour - Mrs. Adams. This new neighbour is older; nevertheless, Amelia Bedelia and her new neighbour become friends. This story is about an intergenerational friendship. The two friends may not be close in age, but they do have fun baking, playing music, and for one special day Amelia Bedelia, Jen and Mrs. Adams go bowling together. Show less

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Scaredy Squirrel Makes A Friend

by Watt, Mélanie

Picture Book - 2007

In Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend, the main character has been comfortable being without a friend. He knows what to expect when he is alone, there aren't...Show more In Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend, the main character has been comfortable being without a friend. He knows what to expect when he is alone, there aren't as many risks; however, when he notices a goldfish (which he thinks would make the perfect friend) Scaredy Squirrel decides to take a chance. Known for being cautious, Scaredy Squirrel takes many precautions before going to meet the goldfish. None of the precautions cover the unexpected turn of events which happen when he finally leaves his tree. To find out what happens to Scaredy Squirrel in any of his (mis)adventures, check them out at the library. This tale of friendship involves risk taking, overcoming fears, being vulnerable and having fun. Show less

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Biscuit's Big Friend

by Capucilli, Alyssa Satin

Book - 2003

Biscuit is a small puppy and his friend is a larger dog. They enjoy many of the same things; however, sometimes their different sizes can be a challenge. ...Show more Biscuit is a small puppy and his friend is a larger dog. They enjoy many of the same things; however, sometimes their different sizes can be a challenge. This is one of the I Can Read books which is great for beginning readers to enjoy. The text is short and has some repetition. Show less

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Jasper & Joop

by Dunrea, Olivier

Picture Book - 2013

These two goslings are very different. One likes things to be neat, tidy and clean; while the other one likes things to be ruffled, messy and muddy. When ...Show more These two goslings are very different. One likes things to be neat, tidy and clean; while the other one likes things to be ruffled, messy and muddy. When the two upset a beehive, they have to run through grass and mud, and jump in a pond to get away from the bees. Can two very different characters be friends? They're best friends. Show less

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Bo's Magical New Friend

by Elliott, Rebecca

Book - 2020

Bo is a unicorn, who lives at a boarding school with other unicorns. When a new unicorn shows up at the school, Bo wants to be a good friend. The new unic...Show more Bo is a unicorn, who lives at a boarding school with other unicorns. When a new unicorn shows up at the school, Bo wants to be a good friend. The new unicorn, Sunny, doesn't know what power he has, but while he tries to figure it out, he makes new friends. When Sunny suspects that Bo only wants to be friends so that she can earn a new achievement badge, he is hurt. Will the two be able to become best friends? Will Sunny discover what his power is? Read about Bo and Sunny in Bo's Magical New Friend. Novelist suggests this book is for grades 1 and 2. Show less

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Duck Days

by Leach, Sara

Book - 2020

Lauren is a young girl who has Autism Spectrum Disorder. ASD is introduced early in the book. Lauren is learning to deal with her emotions and go with the...Show more Lauren is a young girl who has Autism Spectrum Disorder. ASD is introduced early in the book. Lauren is learning to deal with her emotions and go with the flow. Her parents, teachers and friends offer support while she learns. Lauren's best friend, Irma, wants her to join a school Mountain Bike event. Lauren still has training wheels and feels self-conscious about joining the event. With her friends' support, Lauren perseveres. The friendship and understanding between the children in this book is beautiful. They help each other - Lauren is trying to adapt to change and Irma is learning English. According to Pajama Press, this illustrated Junior Novel is for ages 7-10. Show less

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The One and Only Ivan

by Applegate, Katherine

Book - 2014

Ivan is a Silverback Gorilla. When he was very small, he lived in the jungle with his parents and sister. Then, people came, and they took Ivan out of the...Show more Ivan is a Silverback Gorilla. When he was very small, he lived in the jungle with his parents and sister. Then, people came, and they took Ivan out of the jungle. Eventually, he was 'adopted' by Mack. Mack runs a small circus at Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade. Ivan's domain has a TV to occupy his time. A jungle scene is painted on the wall. He has a few friends - no gorillas. His friends are: Bob, a stray dog; Stella, an elephant; and eventually, Ruby (another elephant) moves in. Stella worries about her young roommate, Ruby. She asks Ivan to protect Ruby and get her to a better zoo with more space and real trees. When Ivan discovers that he is an artist, he decides to use his art to keep his promise to Stella. Ivan, Bob, Stella, and Ruby are all good friends to each other. They keep each other's spirits up while living in the Big Top Mall. They also work together to change their living situation. They motivate each other, and provide hope. This is a great novel for reluctant readers as the chapters are quite short, and there are some pictures. The story is told from the perspective of Ivan. Show less

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The Longer the Wait, the Bigger the Hug

by McLaughlin, Eoin

Book - 2021

Have you ever missed a friend or family member sooo much that you couldn't wait to see them again and give them a big hug? This book is about two best fri...Show more Have you ever missed a friend or family member sooo much that you couldn't wait to see them again and give them a big hug? This book is about two best friends - hedgehog and tortoise - who have waited all winter to see each other. When Spring finally comes, Hedgehog tries to find Tortoise. Other friends try to help cheer up Hedgehog. The illustrations and story are sweet. Show less

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Ida, Always

by Levis, Caron

Book - 2016

This picture book is about the friendship of two bears in a zoo. The two bears, Gus and Ida, spend their days the same way, always... Until Ida gets sick....Show more This picture book is about the friendship of two bears in a zoo. The two bears, Gus and Ida, spend their days the same way, always... Until Ida gets sick. Gus knows that his time with his friend is limited, the zookeeper told him so. The friends spend time together, they chat, laugh, growl and wait. Eventually, Ida passes away. Gus is no longer one of two polar bears in the zoo, he is alone. His memories of his friend provide comfort. The topic of death can be very challenging to talk about with children, however, books can provide a starting point. This story of Ida's death is quite sad, but the way that Gus thinks of his friendship with Ida is lovely. The illustration are beautiful and convey emotion well. Show less

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