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Quick answer: The best picture Books About How to Be a Good Friend include How to Be a Friend by Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown, Making Friends Is an Art! by Julia Cook, Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel and twelve more picks chosen for story quality and age fit. Each book below has a short description, a suggested age range and who it suits best, with a comparison table to help you choose quickly.
Friendship is a skill children learn one step at a time: sharing, listening, taking turns, saying sorry and including others. These picture books show what a good friend does in warm, funny stories that kids want to read again and again.
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison Table
| Book | Author | Ages | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| How to Be a Friend | Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown | 4-8 | kids who want simple tips |
| Making Friends Is an Art! | Julia Cook | 5-9 | kids who feel left out |
| Frog and Toad Are Friends | Arnold Lobel | 4-8 | early readers |
| Strictly No Elephants | Lisa Mantchev | 3-7 | inclusive kids |
| A Splendid Friend, Indeed | Suzanne Bloom | 2-5 | toddlers |
| Be a Friend | Salina Yoon | 4-8 | quiet kids |
| Llama Llama Time to Share | Anna Dewdney | 2-5 | preschoolers |
| My Friend Is Sad | Mo Willems | 4-8 | Elephant & Piggie fans |
| Leonardo, the Terrible Monster | Mo Willems | 4-8 | silly story fans |
| Big Al | Andrew Clements | 4-8 | kids judged by looks |
| Gossie and Gertie | Olivier Dunrea | 2-5 | the youngest readers |
| Amos & Boris | William Steig | 5-9 | classic fans |
| Chester's Way | Kevin Henkes | 4-8 | kids nervous about new friends |
| Enemy Pie | Derek Munson | 5-9 | kids with a rival |
| The Invisible Boy | Trudy Ludwig | 5-9 | quiet kids |
How We Chose These Books
We looked for real, widely available titles that match the theme and the age range, and we favoured books with clear storytelling and strong reputations with parents, teachers and librarians. Age ranges are suggestions, not rules, so you know your reader best. Previewing a book before you hand it over is always a good idea, especially for sensitive topics.
The 15 Books
1. How to Be a Friend by Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown
Dinosaur characters show friendly ways to play and solve problems. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: kids who want simple tips.
2. Making Friends Is an Art! by Julia Cook
Brown the pencil learns how to be a better friend. Recommended ages: about 5-9.
Best for: kids who feel left out.
3. Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel
Two best friends share small adventures and look after each other. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: early readers.
4. Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev
A boy and his tiny elephant start a club where everyone is welcome. Recommended ages: about 3-7.
Best for: inclusive kids.
5. A Splendid Friend, Indeed by Suzanne Bloom
A goose keeps interrupting a polar bear until they become friends. Recommended ages: about 2-5.
Best for: toddlers.
6. Be a Friend by Salina Yoon
Dennis, who expresses himself through mime, finds a true friend. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: quiet kids.
7. Llama Llama Time to Share by Anna Dewdney
Llama Llama learns to share his toys. Recommended ages: about 2-5.
Best for: preschoolers.
8. My Friend Is Sad by Mo Willems
Piggie tries everything to cheer up Gerald. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: elephant & Piggie fans.
9. Leonardo, the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems
A monster who can't scare anyone decides to be a friend instead. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: silly story fans.
10. Big Al by Andrew Clements
A big, scary-looking fish just wants friends. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: kids judged by looks.
11. Gossie and Gertie by Olivier Dunrea
Two goslings learn that friends don't always have to follow. Recommended ages: about 2-5.
Best for: the youngest readers.
12. Amos & Boris by William Steig
A mouse and a whale become unlikely lifelong friends. Recommended ages: about 5-9.
Best for: classic fans.
13. Chester's Way by Kevin Henkes
Chester and Wilson learn to welcome Lilly. Recommended ages: about 4-8.
Best for: kids nervous about new friends.
14. Enemy Pie by Derek Munson
A boy's dad suggests a recipe for getting rid of an enemy. Recommended ages: about 5-9.
Best for: kids with a rival.
15. The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig
One kind classmate helps Brian feel seen. Recommended ages: about 5-9.
Best for: quiet kids.
How to Choose the Right Book
For toddlers, start with A Splendid Friend, Indeed, Gossie and Gertie and Llama Llama Time to Share. Kids who want practical tips will like How to Be a Friend and Making Friends Is an Art!. For warm stories about loyalty, Frog and Toad Are Friends, My Friend Is Sad and Amos & Boris are classics.
Tips for Choosing and Sharing These Books
- Read it first. A quick skim lets you spot anything that might need a conversation.
- Match the book to the child. A reader who loves jokes may prefer a funny pick, while a quiet reader may prefer a gentler story.
- Read together. Pausing to ask what a character might feel or do next turns a story into a conversation.
- Visit the library. Borrowing a few titles from this list lets you find the ones your child returns to.
- Revisit favourites. Children often ask for the same book again and again, and rereading builds confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best book on this list to start with?
How to Be a Friend by Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown is a strong place to start, and every book on this list is a good option.
What age are these books for?
The books on this list suit roughly ages 2 to 9, and each entry shows its own suggested range.
Should I read these books aloud?
Many of them work well read aloud, especially with younger children, and older readers may enjoy reading them independently.
Where can I find these books?
Most of these titles are easy to find at public libraries, school libraries and bookshops, and many are available as ebooks or audiobooks, which can help reluctant or struggling readers.
Related: 15 Best Books for Kids About How to Be a Good Friend · 15 Best Books for Kids About Being a Good Friend