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Quick answer: The best children’s books about making friends model how to say hello, join a game, share and work through disagreements. Top picks include Enemy Pie, Frog and Toad Are Friends, Be a Friend, Making Friends Is an Art!, Hedgehugs and Real Friends.
Friendship doesn’t come naturally to every child. Some kids are shy and hang back at the edge of the playground. Others are eager but come on too strong, or struggle with sharing and taking turns. Many have a hard time after moving or starting a new school. The good news is that friendship skills can be learned, and stories are one of the best teachers. When children watch characters introduce themselves, handle rejection or make up after a fight, they collect ideas they can try in real life. Here are 15 books we trust, from classic picture books to graphic novels for older kids navigating complicated friend groups.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enemy Pie | Derek Munson | 4–8 | Turning rivals into friends |
| Frog and Toad Are Friends | Arnold Lobel | 4–8 | What friendship looks like |
| Bear’s New Friend | Karma Wilson | 3–6 | Shy friends |
| How to Lose All Your Friends | Nancy Carlson | 4–8 | Humor and manners |
| The Rainbow Fish | Marcus Pfister | 3–7 | Sharing |
| Making Friends Is an Art! | Julia Cook | 5–9 | Social skills |
| Can I Play Too? | Mo Willems | 4–7 | Including others |
| Be a Friend | Salina Yoon | 3–7 | Quiet kids |
| Hedgehugs | Steve Wilson and Lucy Tapper | 3–6 | Working through problems |
| Friendshape | Amy Krouse Rosenthal | 3–6 | Different friends |
| Wallace’s Lists | Barbara Bottner and Gerald Kruglik | 4–8 | Trying new things |
| Making Friends | Fred Rogers | 3–6 | Real-life photos |
| Friends | Helme Heine | 3–7 | Classic friendship |
| Real Friends | Shannon Hale | 8–12 | Friend groups |
| El Deafo | Cece Bell | 8–12 | Feeling different |
1. Enemy Pie by Derek Munson
When Jeremy Ross moves in and becomes the narrator’s enemy, Dad offers a secret recipe for enemy pie. The catch: you have to spend a whole day being nice to your enemy. By evening, they’re friends. It’s clever, funny and a classroom favorite.
2. Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel
In five short stories, Frog and Toad look for lost buttons, wait for mail and go swimming. Their patience, loyalty and gentle humor show kids what a true friendship looks like. This Caldecott Honor early reader is a timeless classic.
3. Bear’s New Friend by Karma Wilson
Bear hears someone hiding in the woods and sets out to find a new friend. It turns out to be a very shy owl. With patience and kindness, Bear and his pals welcome Owl in. It’s lovely for shy kids and those who want to help them.
4. How to Lose All Your Friends by Nancy Carlson
This tongue-in-cheek guide explains how to lose friends: never share, be a bully, whine and tattle. Kids laugh at the outrageous behavior and quickly figure out the opposite is how to keep friends. It’s a fun way to talk about manners.
5. The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
The Rainbow Fish is the most beautiful fish in the ocean, but he’s lonely because he won’t share his shiny scales. When he finally gives some away, he finds friendship. The sparkly pages and simple message about sharing make it a preschool staple.
6. Making Friends Is an Art! by Julia Cook
Brown, the least-used pencil in the box, wants friends but doesn’t know how. The other colored pencils teach him skills like listening, sharing and being kind. Tips for parents and teachers at the end make it great for social skills lessons.
7. Can I Play Too? by Mo Willems
Snake wants to play catch with Elephant and Piggie, but he has no arms. Instead of saying no, the friends find a creative way to include him. This hilarious early reader shows kids that inclusion takes a little imagination.
8. Be a Friend by Salina Yoon
Dennis is a quiet boy who expresses himself through mime, which makes him feel invisible. Then a girl named Joy joins his pretend game, and he finds a true friend. It’s a sweet book for introverted kids who connect in their own way.
9. Hedgehugs by Steve Wilson and Lucy Tapper
Horace and Hattie are best friends who want to hug, but their prickles get in the way. They try many ideas until they find a solution together. It’s a charming story about friends solving problems instead of giving up.
10. Friendshape by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
A circle, square, triangle and rectangle are best friends who are all different shapes. They play, argue, make up and show how friends fit together. Clever wordplay makes it fun for preschoolers and adults alike.
11. Wallace’s Lists by Barbara Bottner and Gerald Kruglik
Wallace the mouse lives by lists and never does anything spontaneous. When adventurous Albert moves in next door, Wallace learns that friendship sometimes means trying something new. It’s perfect for cautious kids.
12. Making Friends by Fred Rogers
Part of the First Experiences series, Mister Rogers uses real photos of children to explain sharing, taking turns and handling disagreements. His warm, honest words reassure kids that making friends takes practice.
13. Friends by Helme Heine
Charlie Rooster, Johnny Mouse and Fat Percy the pig do everything together, from riding a bike to sailing a pond. But at bedtime, they learn friends can’t always be together. This gentle classic is perfect for preschoolers.
14. Real Friends by Shannon Hale
In this graphic memoir, Shannon describes her elementary years trying to stay in a popular group called The Group. She deals with shifting friendships, bullying and finding her real friends. Tweens will relate to every page.
15. El Deafo by Cece Bell
After losing her hearing at age four, Cece wears a bulky hearing aid that makes her feel different. She imagines herself as a superhero named El Deafo while searching for a true friend. This Newbery Honor graphic memoir is funny and heartfelt.
Tips for Helping Your Child Make Friends
- Practice at home. Role-play saying hi, asking to join a game and taking turns.
- Set up small playdates. One friend at a time is easier than a big group.
- Find shared interests. Clubs, sports or classes connect kids who like the same things.
- Coach, don’t rescue. Talk through problems afterward instead of stepping in right away.
- Respect temperament. Shy kids may need fewer, deeper friendships, and that’s okay.
- Talk to the teacher. Teachers can pair kids up and notice who might be a good match.
Related: 15 Best Books on Social Anxiety · 15 Best Social Emotional Books for Elementary School
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good book about making friends?
Enemy Pie by Derek Munson and Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel are two classics for ages 4 to 8. For older kids, Real Friends by Shannon Hale is excellent.
How do I help my shy child make friends?
Practice social scripts at home, set up one-on-one playdates and find activities they enjoy. Books like Bear’s New Friend and Be a Friend show shy characters finding friends.
What book teaches kids about sharing with friends?
The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister is the classic choice for sharing. How to Lose All Your Friends uses humor to show why sharing and kindness matter.