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Being a Friend

Books about being a good friend, for the preschool and early elementary set. For this list, picture books will be listed first followed by non-fiction.

Library Staff
New Westminster Public Library

34 items

  • Amelia is shy finding solace in fairy tales but finds the courage to make friends with her new neighbors and embark on an adventure in her new wheelchair with the help of a litte bird outside her window.
    BookNew York : Two Lions, [2023] — PIC Nas
  • Lucy, a young bear, starts her day determined to make a new friend but her enthusiasm leads to all sorts of problems until, just as she is about to give up, an unexpected friend finds her. Also available as a readalong.
    BookNew York : Little, Brown, 2011. — PIC Bro
  • Paired with colorful and vibrant art by Lenny Wen, Old Friends by Margaret Aitken is an inventive and heartfelt debut picture book that celebrates found family, caregiving, and the value of intergenerational friendships.
    BookNew York : Feiwel and Friends, 2022. — PIC Ait
  • Pete the Cat and his animal friends welcome Gus the Platypus, who discovers his own special talent.
    BookNew York, NY : Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers [2014] — PIC Pet
  • Slow Lizard lives a slow life in the forest and has lots of time to help friends, such as Little Bird, Mighty Elephant, and Speedy Rabbit. And friends help Slow Lizard, too.
    BookBrooklyn, New York : Restless Books, 2021. — PIC Yoo
  • Ana and Harwin's friendship has been off the charts since day one! But when Harwin learns her family is going to move far away, the duo isn't sure how their friendship can survive the move.
    BookNew York, N.Y. : Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2023. — EASY FIC Fis
  • When Potato hurt Flamingo's feelings a friend helps him realize the power of an apology.
    BookNew York : Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, [2021] — PIC Bla
  • Oona the mermaid is friends with everyone, but when her attempts to befriend a shark with sensory issues fail miserably she realizes what may be fun for her may be overwhelming for him.
    BookNew York : Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers [2022] — PIC Dip
  • 'The Go-Away bird sat up in her nest, With her fine grey wings and her fine grey crest.' One by one, the other birds fly into her tree, wanting to talk or to play, but the Go-Away bird just shakes her head and sends them all away. But then…
    BookLondon : Macmillan Children's Books, 2019. — PIC Don
  • A young boy building a train track with his friend is headed for trouble until a teacher steps in and helps him learn social cues of anger and happiness
    BookNew York : Dial Books for Young Readers, [2020] — PIC Cot
  • This ode to unconditional love is a brand new adventure for Stick and Stone, in which Stick searches for his family tree and discovers the importance of found family and forever friends.
    BookBoston : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, [2021] — PIC Fer
  • Eddy the goldfish makes a leap of faith to become closer to new friends.
    BookNew York : Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2024. — PIC Kim
  • Cat learns how a good friend can become even better by trying new things and putting others first.
    BookNew York : Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, [2023] — PIC Ber
  • In this picture book featuring Coast Salish art and Traditional Storytelling techniques, a wood duck and a crow turn a mistake into an opportunity for friendship and growth
    Book[Victoria, BC] : Orca Book Publishers, 2024. — PIC Fri
  • When a friend holds a grudge against the Sour Grape without listening to an explanation, the Sour Grape realizes how unfair grudges can be. Could a bunch of forgiveness and compassion be enough to turn a sour grape sweet?
    BookNew York : Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, [2022] — PIC Joh
  • Sisters Faizah and Asiyah learn how to spread kindness on school picture day.
    BookNew York : Little, Brown and Company, 2023. — PIC Muh
  • A picture book based on the author's own immigration story, the infinite impact of friendship, and passing on love and kindness around the world.
    BookNew York : Godwin Books/Henry Holt and Company, 2021. — PIC Liu HOLIDAY
  • Ruby the fox uses tools to overcome her social anxiety during a class project at her new school.
    BookNew York : Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, [2024] — PIC Sto
  • Evelyn Del Rey is Daniela's best friend. They do everything together and even live in twin apartments across the street from each other: Daniela with her mami and hamster, and Evelyn with her mami, papi, and cat. But not after today--not…
    BookSolon, OH : Findaway World, LLC, [2021] — PIC READALONG Med
  • Little Blue Truck Makes a Friend

    A Friendship and Social Skills Book for Kids

    Schertle, Alice
    Have you heard the news? There is someone new on the farm! All the animals are curious and cautious about the newcomer—what will he be like? Does he neigh like a horse or oink like a pig? Does he have fur or feathers? Does he swim? Does he…
    eBook2022. — DOWNLOADABLE eBOOK