Do you want to be my friend? This simple question opens a world of possibilities for a preschooler. This also is the age when children start making friends and get themselves in different social situations. The below books about friendship for preschoolers have all that a child needs at this stage. Starting with how to be friends, to learning the importance of kindness, acceptance, patience in friendship. There is even a story for kids who find it difficult to make friends. A series of books to help navigate your preschooler’s social life and emotions.
Books About Friendship for Preschoolers
Do You Want to Be My Friend?
Eric Carle
A small mouse is searching to make friends. It meets many other animals in its quest. Influenced by Eric Crale’s own life as a 5-year-old immigrant searching for a friend, this book opens a conversation about making friends. Colorful illustrations and simple words make this friendship book a preschooler’s favorite, as well as parent’s. Check here on Amazon.
Bad Apple: A Tale of Friendship
Edward Hemingway (Author, Illustrator)
This one is a beautiful friendship storybook for preschoolers, teaching them about tolerance, accepting friends as they are. Mac, an apple becomes friends with a worm. But get bullied and called ‘rotten’, ‘bad apple’. This is the story about how Mac accepts his different friend and stands up to bullies. A powerful message for preschoolers. The rich artwork, quite rare for a children’s book, makes this book a visual delight. Check here on Amazon.
Porcupine Hugs
Belle Brown (Author), Alejandra M. (Illustrator)
A porcupine loves to give hugs but because of it quills it created a prickly situation. But it persisted and finally figured out to way to hug without hurting anyone. A sweet catchy rhyming story about hugs, friendship, and persistence. Perfect friendship storybook for preschoolers. Check here on Amazon.
Be Kind
Pat Zietlow Miller (Author), Jen Hill (Illustrator)
This is a powerful friendship book for preschoolers spreading the message about being kind to others. This moving classroom story explores the meaning of kindness and how it makes a difference. Minimal text and beautiful illustrations make this book a fun and easy read. Check here on Amazon.
Forever Friends Club
Gaurav Bhatnagar (Author), Lor Bingham (Editor), ePublishingeXperts (Illustrator)
A bunny is worried about making friends and being laughed at. But his mother’s advice helped him overcome the tricky situation. This friendship book teaches preschoolers an important message about acceptance – how it is important to accept self and others, as one is. Check here on Amazon.
The Magic of Friendship Snow
Andi Cann (Author)
This friendship book is for every child who struggles to make friends. A young, shy girl – Jojo has difficulty making friends and asks everything around – kite, tree – to be her friend. Then one day she finds a snowman outside her window and the friendship begins. They do everything together. When warm weather hits, it is time for the snowman to bid goodbye. However, now Jojo is all confident about making friends. And even helps other kids, who have difficulty in making one. This story opens the room for discussion between parents and kids about the difficulty in making friends. Check here on Amazon.
Join In and Play
Cheri J Meiners (Author)
This preschooler friendship book teaches kids the basic etiquette of friendship. Written for preschoolers to grade2 kids, this is a beginner-level book on how to take turns, play fair, cooperate, participate in class, getting along. Kids can easily relate to the situations presented in this book. A handy friendship book for any shy kid. Check here on Amazon.
Bear Has a Story to Tell
Philip C. Stead (Author), Erin E. Stead (Illustrator)
A bear wants to tell a story. But all its friends – a mouse, a duck, a toad – are busy preparing for the winter and do not have time to listen. While the bear helps his friends, winter hits, and the bear falls asleep, his story untold. Once he wakes up, his friends are ready to listen, but bear forgot the story already. Now it is the friends’ turn to help bear recreate the story. A wonderful message for preschoolers about the importance of patience and selflessness in friendship. Check here on Amazon.
A Color of His Own
Leo Lionni (Author, Illustrator)
This preschooler friendship book teaches children about the importance of companionship. Every animal has its color, except the chameleon who has no color of its own. One day a chameleon decides to remain in one color by staying on a leaf forever. But then autumn hits and the leaf changes color. Then it finds another chameleon and both decide to travel together. This book teaches preschoolers about being content with who they are and why friendship and companionship are more important. Charming illustration and minimal stories make this book an easy read. Check here on Amazon.
