List
Books about Making Friends for Ages 3–5 and Caregivers
As young children move beyond family, they have the opportunity to make friends. While exciting, making friends requires social and emotional skills and resilience. Here are some of our favorite picture books to foster these skills in a fun way, as well as parent guides.
Note: Originally developed for D69 TOPS Preschool Parent Group.
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How to Two
2019 by Soman, DavidGet this itemThis joyous counting book celebrates creative ways to include new friends. One child playing alone becomes two on a seesaw, grows to three jumping rope, until ten children are playing together.
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Friendshape
2015 by Rosenthal, Amy KrouseGet this itemA blue circle, yellow square, red rectangle, and green triangle show all the different ways friends interact with each other through illustrations, dialogue, and simple text. This title is also available as a downloadable video on Hoopla.
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How to Grow a Friend
2015 by Gillingham, SaraGet this itemThis story compares building a friendship to growing a plant. Detailed, colorful illustrations and simple phrases about ways to be friends are delightfully featured in this lovely book.
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Be a Friend
2016 by Yoon, SalinaGet this itemDennis, who mimes to express himself, feels lonely and invisible to the other school kids. While kicking an imaginary ball, Joy comes over to catch it, sparking an instant friendship between them.
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Manners with Friends
2016 by Plattner, JoshGet this itemEach page in this short book features a type of etiquette that is used with friends, like saying sorry, giving hugs, and inviting people over to play.
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My New Friend Is So Fun!
2014 by Willems, MoGet this itemGerald and Snake fear that Piggie and Brian Bat are having so much fun playing together that they will no longer need them as their best friends. Every book in the Elephant and Piggie series is a showcase for their not always easy, but always wonderful, friendship.
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CY Makes a Friend
2017 by Stephens, Ann MarieGet this itemCY loves to make all kinds of things. One thing he can't make, though, is friends. Scared of venturing out of the house, CY works up the courage to go outside and meet people. Then, he creates something he and a friend can do together.
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Mimi and Bear Make a Friend
2017 by Trasler, JaneeGet this itemMimi and her bear go to the park where they are the best at doing everything. Then one day, they see another child who seems to be the best at doing other things. When the boy hurts himself, Mimi is a friend by helping him.
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Will You Be My Friend? A Bunny and Bird Story
2000 by Tafuri, NancyGet this itemBunny asks a bird to be his friend, but the bird is too shy to respond. Until, that is, a storm forces the bird to take shelter in Bunny's hole. When Bunny helps the bird rebuild her nest, the bird sings her new friend a special song of thanks.
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All Kinds of Friends
2018 by Rotner, ShelleyGet this itemAn array of sweet, colorful photographs and simple phrases showcase all the different places and ways kids become friends.
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How to Be a Friend: A Guide to Making Friends and Keeping Them
1998 by Brown, Laurene KrasnyGet this itemStraightforward advice for preschool through early elementary-aged children learning how to navigate new friendships and gain social skills.
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Raising the Shy Child: A Parent's Guide to Social Anxiety
2015 by Fonseca, ChristineGet this itemA practical guide for parents who are looking for help with shyness and social anxiety in their child. Fonseca includes worksheets, case studies, and practical advice for helping kids overcome shyness and make friends, and when to seek help.
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Socially Strong, Emotionally Secure: 50 Activities to Promote Resilience in Young Children
2011 by Bruce, NefertitiGet this itemThe fun and easy activities in this book help build resiliency by teaching social skills and building emotional strength.
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