Friendship & Getting Along

Picture Books Library < Behaviour < Friendship & Getting Along

Picture books about Friendship & Getting Along from the Little Parachutes reviews library

It is pretty unrealistic to expect children to play together nicely and be friendly all the time without arguing and fighting, but most parents and carers welcome moments of co-operation and harmony. This collection includes picture books which encourage children to share and play together well. Some books offer strategies to alleviate tension between friends and brothers and sisters.

Medieval Mashup: Leigh’s Wheelie Adventures

In this charming picture book, a group of children (including Leigh, a wheelchair user) work together to support each other to make costumes for a school event. Leigh is struggling with feelings of self-consciousness and frustration, but he successfully overcomes this.

The Invisible Boy

This beautiful book promotes inclusivity and empathy, encouraging children to 'leave no-one behind' in friendship groups and to consider other people's feelings.

Squishy Sand

This engaging picture book features Leigh, a disabled child who uses a wheelchair. It highlights some of the everyday obstacles that wheelchair users have to cope with. A great choice for any child, reinforcing the importance of empathy, resilience, teamwork, kindness and creative thinking.

Ask First, Monkey!

An important introduction to consent and boundaries for young children.

The Only Way is Badger

A book about acceptance, difference and learning to say sorry.

All the Ways to be Smart

So often children are led to believe that being smart is all about academic achievement. This delightful, positive and diverse picture book re-frames the concept of being smart to include many other wonderful qualities.

The Squirrels Who Squabbled

A laugh-out-loud tale about friendship and learning to share, two squirrels squabble over one nut but ultimately put their differences aside and co-operate.

The Suitcase

This simple and powerful story about the arrival of a stranger could be a catalyst for exploring so many concepts and themes with young children: trust, curiosity, tolerance, hope, kindness, making amends, friendship, ‘doing the right thing’ and telling the truth to name just a few.

Kind

A beautiful picture book which explores and encourages kindness in many forms. It promotes sharing, acceptance, tolerance and empathy.

Jungle Jamboree

A lovely reminder for children that true beauty comes from the inside: kind thoughts and deeds are far more important than physical appearance.

How to be a Lion

A brilliant and entertaining story with a strong and clear message: Don't be afraid to be yourself; embrace the differences in yourself and others.

What’s worrying you?

A great picture book to help children explore their worries. While it is normal to feel anxious now and then, when anxiety escalates and can't be controlled, sitting down with your child and reading this book together should help.

Grumpy Frog

A thoroughly entertaining and engaging book which explores some important themes: forgiveness, tolerance, co-operation, and how moods and behaviour affects others.

Yummy Ice-Cream

The book has the simple but effective message that sharing with friends is a good thing

Good Little Wolf

Although predominantly an entertaining story, this quirky picture book also explores the idea of being true to oneself and defying stereotypes. It reinforces the message that you don't need to 'go with the crowd' if the crowd's actions are not wise.

Mine!

A light-hearted way to introduce the concepts of sharing and co-operation to young children.

This Book Belongs to Aye-Aye

This entertaining book explores the idea of 'being different'. The central character has less conventional looks than his classmates, but the story reveals that his kindness and intelligence are more important than the way he looks. The book also has an anti-bullying message.

Christopher Nibble

This book is a great way to introduce the 'green' issue of food sustainability in a very child-friendly way. It also promotes sharing and co-operation.

Funny Face

A good starting point to chat to a very young child about emotions, for example, how they feel during a tantrum.

I’m the Happiest

A lovely story which teaches children that the path to true happiness is to be content with what you already have. While all the other animals compete and compare, Racoon is happy to be himself.

Brush your teeth, Max and Millie

An ideal book to encourage a toddler to have a go at brushing their teeth independently.

Take turns, Max and Millie

An ideal book to encourage a toddler to share.

I Am Not a Copycat! (Hugo & Bella)

This book comically reflects a behavioural quirk that many children display at some point: imitating those around them to the point of extreme annoyance! The story gently promotes tolerance in others.

What Makes Me Happy?

May help a child to identify emotions they are experiencing and encourage them to discuss any they feel uncomfortable with. Reassures children that it is normal to experience a wide range of emotions.

This is Our House

Promoting tolerance, co-operation and acceptance. Celebrating diversity.

Sharing a Shell

Encouraging sharing and co-operation.

The Happy Book

A great starting point for talking about both positive and negative feelings with very young children. This book may gently encourage co-operation and good behaviour.

Looking after Louis

Explaining to young children how autism can affect behaviour and promoting tolerance and understanding of others.

Milo’s Monster

This is another book in the Big Bright Feelings series by this author which deals with friendship, jealousy and what happens when a new friend comes along. It looks at what happens when the friendship dynamic changes and how to deal with this in a child friendly way.

Off to School in my Wheelie Chair

A light-hearted and engaging picture book that focusses on a young boy’s journey to school in his manual wheelchair. The story gives a very positive view of wheelchair use, emphasising that it can be fast and fun, while at the same time making the reader more aware of the challenges and obstacles that wheelchair users face each day. Promotes resilience, kindness and acceptance.

While We Can’t Hug

To comfort and support young children who are missing being able to hug their friends and extended family because of social distancing

Harrison Spader, Personal Space Invader

This book discusses the importance of considering other's personal space, and offers practical tips for "personal space invaders".

We Are Together

A visually pleasing book about togetherness.

Perfectly Polite Penguins

A book that encourages good manners and co-operation, and reminds us that nobody is perfect.

Insults Aren’t Funny: What to Do About Verbal Bullying

When Charlie is verbally bullied by his team mate, his thinks about quitting football all together. Luckily, with some help from a friend, Charlie learns what to do to get help when he is being bullied.

Too Many Carrots

A sweet book that encourages children to share, and gently reminds the reader of what is really important in life.

Horrible Bear!

A sweet picture book with an important message: looking for the good in people and situations and learning to apologise will lead to more happiness than being angry, judgemental and stubborn.

That Fruit Is Mine!

An entertaining picture book that encourages children to co-operate and share.

That’s NOT how you do it!

This book demonstrates how we can all be good at things - but we don't always do them the same way. There are many different ways of doing things which are equally valid.

AdoraBULL

Separation can be hard for children, and in this original story, young Tom is devoted to his wonderful pet bull, Alfred. When he starts school, Tom starts searching for a strategy to help Alfred whilst he is absent, and in the end, finds a way to keep everyone happy!

Where Happiness Lives

Encourages children to appreciate what they have and realise that family and friendship generates more happiness than wealth and material possessions.

Along Came A Different

A fun story about different shapes who learn to put aside their differences and get along. Promotes open-mindedness, kindness and tolerance.

Lula and the Sea Monster

This quirky and empowering story of the friendship between a girl and a rapidly-growing sea creature contains lots of helpful messages about the importance of kindness and perseverance, standing up for your beliefs and protecting the environment. It also acknowledges how difficult it is for children to leave their family home.

When a Dragon Comes to Stay

This lovely picture book promotes positive behaviour, but also gently suggests that even the most good-mannered and co-operative amongst us may struggle to be 'good' sometimes. A great starting point for a conversation about manners, treating others well and sharing.

Banana!

A simple and funny tale of two monkeys showing the importance of sharing, co-operation and saying "please".

Peace Lily

A moving story of friendship, bravery and perseverance which is sure to inspire young children, this beautiful picture book pays tribute to the contribution of women during World War One.

The Bumblebear

An amusing story that tells children about the importance of friendship, and that our differences can be our strength.

Hortense and the Shadow

This book encourages the reader to see strengths within themselves that they may have originally thought were weaknesses. It uses a quirky, abstract message to promote self-respect. It would be a good starting point for a conversation about tolerance and respect for others too.

Odd Dog Out

This appealing and witty picture book has a very important central message for children: you don't have to be like everybody else - be who YOU are.

Will You Be My Friend?

This is a very useful guide to help children understand how friendships work. The content can be discussed with an adult, but could also be used as a self-help guide - a go-to resource if needed - to help children through tricky situations with their friends.