The best children's books about the value of friendship

Why am I passionate about this?

I feel passionate about the topic of friendship because I haven’t been a great friend to all the people that have mattered to me. I’ve learned the value of friendship by making a lot of mistakes. I’m very lucky to be in my 40’s, have an amazing family, and still have a few individuals that I’ve known my entire adult life, who I still talk to on a regular basis. These people are really good friends, because, to be honest, they’ve seen me at my worst, and still love me. I consider myself a wealthy man, in no small part because of my friends. 


I wrote...

A Friend for Yoga Bunny

By Brian Russo,

Book cover of A Friend for Yoga Bunny

What is my book about?

In his second outing, Yoga Bunny finds a new friend... Bear! Bear is nervous about her birthday party and Bunny shows her how he uses yoga to feel more relaxed. He then invites her to do yoga with him and some other animals the next day. When she doesn’t show up, Yoga Bunny is sad at first, but then let's go and wishes her the best. I hope this will show young readers an important aspect of friendship: we can’t always fix our friend’s problems, and they won’t always do what we want. But if we stay open and respect what they’re going through, everything will turn out for the best.

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Do Not Go in There

Brian Russo Why did I love this book?

I was friends with the author in high school, and we co-edited the comedy section of the school paper together. Reading her book as an adult is such a joy. Her irreverent sense of humor really shines through. It's a very simple story about two (monster) friends who find a red door. One imagines all the worst things that could be behind it, while another imagines all the best. It's a great example of how different points of view make for the best teams. Also, the illustrations by Burton are both playful and breathtaking, with colors and characters that really pop!

By Ariel Horn, Izzy Burton (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Do Not Go in There as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

Monsters Morton and Bogart are best friends. But they don't always see eye to eye. So when they encounter a closed door, anxious Bogart wants to keep it closed, because there must be something really bad on the other side. But Morton thinks it'll be something amazing! Which is it?

Readers learn that, while not knowing can be frightening, being brave can lead to new discoveries. And even though your imagination can make it easy to worry, it can also make life better, less scary, and more fun.


Book cover of Ira Sleeps Over

Brian Russo Why did I love this book?

I discovered this book at a library storytime when I was five. The kids were invited to wear their pajamas, making it feel just like a sleepover! I was the perfect age for this story, as I had just made my first best friend in my kindergarten class and was starting to do sleepovers for the very first time. Revisiting this story as an adult, I'm struck by how well it captures the intensity of what should be a very simple decision: bring a teddy bear to a sleepover or not. The author understands how high the stakes are in childhood friendships, where one moment of embarrassment can feel like the end of the world! 

By Bernard Waber,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked Ira Sleeps Over as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 2, 3, 4, and 5.

What is this book about?

From the beloved author-illustrator of Lyle, Lyle Crocodile comes a charming and relatable picture book about a child's first sleepover experience.

Ira is thrilled about his first sleepover at his friend Reggie's house, until his sister makes him question taking his favorite teddy bear! Will Reggie laugh at his teddy bear? Can Ira sleep without it? A hilarious back-and-forth ensues in this classic picture book about staying true to yourself. A perfect read-aloud for every young reader with their own bedtime friends.


Book cover of Frog and Toad Together

Brian Russo Why did I love this book?

I didn’t read these stories until I was an adult; a dad actually. My wife loves them and we read them to our son at night when he was first born. The story ‘Cookies’, in which Frog and Toad try to stop themselves from eating too many cookies, has a special meaning for my wife and her friends from college. I’ve always admired my wife’s genuine and wonderful friendships, and to me, this book symbolizes what friendship is really about: having someone to eat too many cookies with. 

By Arnold Lobel,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked Frog and Toad Together as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

An Essential Picture Book Classics this book contains five engaging, warm and very funny stories about Frog and Toad.

A collectable classic picture book that every child should read and own. Julia Donaldson says "I hugely admire and envy Arnold Lobel; he is my hero".

Once upon a time there were two good friends, a frog and a toad...

From writing letters to going swimming, telling stories to finding lost buttons, Frog and Toad are always there for each other - just as best friends should be.

The Frog and Toad stories from Arnold Lobel have been loved by generations.…


Book cover of Dream Friends

Brian Russo Why did I love this book?

Eight years ago, when I was living in Brooklyn and looking for direction in my children’s book career, I was lucky to know this wonderful artist who gave me a signed copy of her book. It’s been a great inspiration to me professionally, and has a very sweet story as well. It’s about a girl who has a ‘Totoro’-esque best friend in her dreams, and then uses that friendship to make a new best friend in real life. I can really relate to the new-kid-in-town anxieties around friendship, and I love the illustrations. The dream-like images and colors in this book are cozy and sublime, making for a perfect bedtime read.  

By You Byun,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Dream Friends as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, and 5.

What is this book about?

“[Reminiscent] of the classic 'Goodnight Moon' with its haunting, twilight-inflected color scheme.” – The New York Times Book Review

You Byun’s sparkling debut establishes her as a major picture book talent.

Melody has the most wonderful friend in her dreams. They do all sorts of magical things together. But when Melody wakes up, she’s back in the real world, where she hasn’t yet made a friend. Then her dream friend inspires her to make some moves that help Melody’s dream of friendship come true.

Ms. Byun's art is full of delightful details and fantastic scenes that children will want to…


Book cover of Will Giraffe Laugh?

Brian Russo Why did I love this book?

The fact that I’ve read this book to my son nearly every night for the past year and am not sick of it yet is a testament to how charming it is. This book is about a group of friends and one of them, Giraffe, is very grumpy. The friends take turns in trying, then failing, to cheer him up, until finally they all become sad and it’s up to Giraffe to cheer up his friends. The story is a great reminder that our emotions are not just ours. They’re contagious and affect those we love most. Also, if I had to pick a book to represent my son, who usually has a grumpy look on his face, this would be the one! 

By Hilary Leung,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Will Giraffe Laugh? as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

You loved Will Bear Share?, Will Sheep Sleep?, and Will Ladybug Hug?. Now only one question remains: Will Giraffe Laugh?

One giraffe.One bad mood.One timeless question: Will Giraffe Laugh?Meet Giraffe. Giraffe loves to laugh, but today is different. Giraffe is cranky! All of Giraffe's friends want to cheer him up . . . but is laughter the best medicine for such a grumpy guy? Find out in this surprising and memorable storybook all about friendship, feelings, grumpiness, and of course, laughter!A fresh and funny new book in creative talent Hilary Leung's memorable series of animal question stories all about preschool…


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The Hummingbird & The Narwhal

By Annie Higbee,

Book cover of The Hummingbird & The Narwhal

Annie Higbee

New book alert!

What is my book about?

This is the story of two creatures who look alike, but come from completely different worlds.Their unlikely meeting on the horizon begins a journey of kindness, friendship, purpose, and magic!

The Hummingbird & The Narwhal

By Annie Higbee,


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