The best books for building friendships

Posted on 24 July 2023

Celebrate International Friendship Day on 30th July 2023

Making friends is an important part of growing up and although it can feel challenging for some children, our comforting books on friendship show them that it doesn’t have to be. Offering guidance on everything from sharing to understanding others, they’re perfect for helping your child build friendships that will last a lifetime.

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The Treasure Hunters by Lisa Thompson

When lonely Vincent is forced to go on an outdoor activity weekend with three other kids from his class, he’s counting the seconds until he can escape home. But one of his classmates is hiding a secret: she’s convinced there’s pirate treasure buried deep within a nearby mountain.

Suddenly, this boring trip becomes an exciting adventure! But a thief is hot on the trail, intent on stealing the loot for themselves… can the Treasure Hunters work together to stop them?

Freddie + Hughie friendship picture book

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Friends Are Amazing by Hughie Higginson and Freddie Xavi

Hughie and Freddie are both 11 years old and winners of the Pride of Britain Award, having raised more than £250,000 after Hughie was diagnosed with Leukaemia and Freddie vowed to help him thank his doctors and nurses.

In this title Hughie and Freddie tell us why friends are so special and show us what we can do to be a brilliant friend! The perfect picture book celebrating the importance of friendship and togetherness.

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The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Rauf

There used to be an empty chair at the back of my class, but now a new boy called Ahmet is sitting in it. He’s nine years old (just like me), but he’s very strange. He never talks and never smiles and doesn’t like sweets. But then I learned the truth: Ahmet really isn’t very strange at all. He’s a refugee who’s run away from a War. A real one. With bombs and fires and bullies that hurt people. And the more I find out about him, the more I want to help.

Told with heart and humour, The Boy at the Back of the Class is a child’s perspective on the refugee crisis, highlighting the importance of friendship and kindness in a world that doesn’t always make sense.

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This Rock Is Mine by Kaye Umansky

Friendship wins the day in this fabulously funny quarrel! Two frogs sit on an ordinary little rock. But . . . uh-oh! Both frogs think it’s their rock – and they really don’t want to share! The frogs fight and squabble furiously. But when a hungry heron swoops down, both frogs realise it’s time to find another rock . . . together!

Kaye Umansky’s brilliantly simple rhyming story shows how two grumpy frogs go from fighting . . . to friendship (with lots of laughter along the way.) Alice McKinley’s hilarious illustrations bring to life every twist and turn of this wonderfully witty little drama.

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Bears Don’t Share by Lorna Scobie

A laugh-out-loud picture book about friendship and what it means to share from the author-illustrator behind I Would Rather Hug A Tiger!

Squirrel found berries. ‘Ooh!’ said Squirrel.Then Bear found berries. ‘Oooooh!’ said Bear.‘Save some for me please’ begged Squirrel. ‘Sharing is caring, you know!’ But… BEARS DON’T SHARE! Bear and Squirrel are on the hunt for some food before Winter comes, but there’s just one small problem… Bears don’t share! Will Bear learn that you can’t always have your cake and eat it too? Join Bear and Squirrel on their adventure in the forest to find out!

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Wonder by R. J. Palacio

The heart-twisting tale of being different that will take your heart on a wondrous rollercoaster ride!

Auggie likes doing normal stuff like eating ice cream and playing on his Xbox. He feels normal – inside. But being normal doesn’t make little kids run away screaming. Or devastate your soul like this inspiring story. Right? Born with a serious facial abormality, Auggie has been taught at home all his life. But now he’s going to school – exposing his face to the world. Will anyone see past it?

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Can I Play? by Nicola Kinnear

Grumpy George doesn’t want friends – until he meets a funny little seal called Pebble . . . George the dog loves living alone on his island. He likes to do everything his own way, and friends would just ruin things. But one day a cheerful little seal wiggles up to him. Her name is Pebble, and she’s determined to be George’s friend, whether he likes it or not. George is quiet and grumpy. Pebble is lively and funny. Can this odd couple ever become friends?

This wonderfully funny story about making friends and overcoming differences will strike a chord with children and grown-ups alike.