Books for Young Readers about Friendship Recommended by the Teen Reading Ambassadors

by Nomar Perez
Ages 5–8
Recommended by Izabell M., Macomb’s Bridge Library 

Miguel lives on the island of Puerto Rico with his special friend, a frog called Coquí! Miguel brings Coquí everywhere, like to his abuelo’s house, and even to play baseball! But one day, Miguel finds out some important news: he’s moving to the United States! But, that means Miguel will have to leave everything he loves behind in Puerto Rico. Will Miguel find things that remind him of home in a new city? Coquí in the City by Nomar Perez is filled with super colorful illustrations and many references to Puerto Rican culture. Join Miguel as he explores a new area and realizes that home may not be that far away after all.

written by Hilda Eunice Burgos and illustrated by Gaby D’Alessandro
Ages 5–8
Recommended by Malaya G., Kingsbridge Library 

Have you ever wanted something so badly that when you see your friends get it, you feel jealous? In a small apartment in Washington Heights, a family keeps a cot in the living room for kids who need to stay the night. To one little girl, sleeping on the cot in the living room sounds like so much fun! She imagines watching TV and playing in the living room all night long. But she has never slept on the cot in the living room. When other kids come, they get to sleep on the cot because their parents work late. The little girl is jealous—the other kids must have so much fun on the cot in the living room! But when she finally gets a turn sleeping on the cot, she realizes that maybe it isn’t as fun as she thinks. Sleeping in an unfamiliar room can be scary! Do the kids who come to her home ever get scared when they have to sleep on the cot in the living room? Read The Cot in the Living Room by Hilda Eunice Burgos and follow along with this little girl as she learns about jealousy, empathy, and what it means to be a good neighbor.

written by Kelly Starling Lyons and illustrated by Nneka Myers & Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Ages 6–9
Recommended by Li L., Seward Park Library

“I couldn’t believe all of my friends wanted to leave. My happiest day ever was turning into my worst. The sleepover was crashing fast. What was I going to do?”

Jada wants to do a science sleepover with her two best friends, Lena and Simone. Who doesn’t love science? But after hearing failed sleepover stories from other kids, Jada begins to worry. Will her friends like her first ever sleepover? If only her best friend Mari, who loved science as much as she did, didn't move away.

On the big day, Jada has everything organized and decorated. When the doorbell rings, she discovers that the first friend to arrive is none other than Mari ... in town for a wedding. What a great surprise! And when the other girls arrive, everyone is excited. Will Jada be able to make all of her friends happy or will things start to go wrong from the very first experiment?

written by Carrie Finison and illustrated by Daniel Wiseman
Ages 5–8
Recommended by Muslimat O., Baychester Library

Is there something you don’t like but people keep pushing on you because they like it? Well, you’re in luck because you are not the only one. Doug doesn’t like hugs. However, people keep trying to give him hugs no matter how many times he says no. The book Don't Hug Doug (He Doesn’t Like It) teaches you how to maintain boundaries like Doug did by saying “NO” and making it clear what is ok and what is not. This isn't to say that Doug doesn't like anything. As a matter of fact, he likes a BUNCH of things. He just thinks that hugs are “too squeezy and squashy” and that's okay! This book will teach you how to say “no” if you don’t like something and how to respect people’s boundaries and ask permission before you give someone a hug or do anything else because everyone should have a right to decide on what they want to do with their bodies, whether that is to give a hug or not! 

by Dr. Eileen Kennedy-Moore and Christine McLaughlin
Ages 6–10
Recommended by Reign H., Francis Martin Library

In this book you will explore the different aspects of building healthy friendships. Sometimes it can be a struggle to make new friends, because you may feel nervous. Building friendships can help your relationships grow with all of your friends. Here's one tip to growing friendships: If one day you have a problem with your friend, talk about it with them! Following this tip will help you become a better communicator and problem-solver which will greatly improve your friendship with someone. When reading this book think to yourself: What’s one thing I can do to make new friends?

written by Stephanie Campisi and illustrated by Shahar Kober
Ages 5–8
Recommended by Kel A., Woodstock Library

We are introduced to a dumpling who is un-eaten and ignored. One day a roach comes and notices this “ugly” dumpling. They become friends and through this friendship the ugly dumpling notices that there are other dumplings that look just like them. This causes the dumpling to feel more welcome into the community and they end up befriending the other dumplings. This book touches on themes such as friendship, beauty, self-esteem, and diversity. This book is targeted towards ages 5–8 and encourages important conversations that children should discuss at young ages. This book has elements of playfulness, while also letting the audience learn a lesson at the very end.
 

written by Mariana Llanos and illustrated by Elena Napoli
Ages 6–8
Recommended by Malaya G., Kingsbridge Library
 
Can a ballerina be best friends with an astronaut? Eunice and Kate are best friends. They play together, share secrets with each other, and go to school together every day. But Eunice and Kate are pretty different. Eunice dreams of being a ballerina and dancing on stage while Kate dreams of being an astronaut and visiting Mars one day. Eunice thinks Kate should be a ballerina instead of an astronaut. And Kate thinks Eunice should be an astronaut instead of a ballerina! One day, the girls get into some conflict and wonder if they can even still be friends. Can Eunice and Kate still be friends, even if their dreams are so different from each other? Find out in Eunice and Kate by Mariana Llanos. 
 
Also recommended by Caleb D-P., Hamilton Grange Library
 
Eunice and Kate by Mariana Llanos and illustrated by Elena Napoli details a story of two friends who lived next to each other and did most of their activities together. Both Eunice and Kate had big dreams for their lives. Yet when they find out they don't share some of the same dreams their friendship is put to the test. With the help of their moms throughout the story the two friends come to a new realization. The fun and vibrant illustrations help us understand the importance of friendship. This book helps us see how two friends, even through different ideas and paths, were able to come back together after a tough time. This is a great read for yourself or even with a friend.

written by Fran Manushkin and illustrated by Tammie Lyon
Ages 5–9
Recommended by Nolan L., Seward Park Library 
 
This is a collection of not just one, nor two but three stories! The reader can pretend to be part of the three musketeers since there are colorful pictures on every page of Katie and her two best friends, Jojo and Pedro. The characters in this book are all from different cultures so many children can relate to them. Katie is Asian American; Jojo is African American, and Pedro is Hispanic American. The author discusses the different adventures they go on together like camping or finding shells on the beach. These fun activities will get every reader excited. Who knows maybe this will allow them to go on their own mission outside with their pals? However, like every friendship, there will always be ups and downs because nobody in this world is perfect. Nevertheless, there is always a happy ending. When things go wrong, the characters in the book always find a way to make things right. For me, the most important part is that the young readers can learn from the characters in the book. The readers can use the lessons they learn in real life to try to be the best friend in the world to whomever they choose. It was such a great book!

by Deborah Marcero
Ages 5–8
Recommended by Valentina S., Seward Park Library 

This book tells the story of a little bunny named Llewellyn. Llewellyn is an explorer and whenever he discovers something new or something he likes he puts it in a jar so he can always remember that special moment. One day Llewellyn went out to explore and ran into another little bunny named Evelyn. Soon they became best friends! They go out and collect all their favorite moments together into jars—including rainbows, stars, snow, and anything else they could imagine. But one day Evelyn had to leave. Llewellyn felt so sad without his best friend next to him so he went out and collected a sky full of stars, and he sent it to Evelyn so she could share this special moment with him. From that moment on they sent each other jars of memories and shared all their moments together even though they weren't next to each other. The story is great because it teaches you that your friends will always be there for you no matter how far apart you are. The story is full of bright colors and fun leaves and snow and all the best parts of the different seasons. You can save all your favorite memories into your head just like Llewellyn does with his jars and always remember the special people you shared it with.

by Emma Reynolds
Ages 5–8
Recommended by Emelyn B., High Bridge Library

Have you ever had a passion that would take hours of your life? In Amara and the Bats by Emma Reynolds, we follow the very ambitious Amara who seems to have dedicated her life to learning about bats. For fun, she writes down facts about bats in her notebook and loves to tell her mom and her older brother Samir all about what she has learned. We see how devoted Amara is when she moves and discovers that in her new neighborhood there are no bats, she takes a leadership role with a group of new friends dedicated to bringing back the bats. How will she bring them back? Will she succeed? Will anyone agree to help her? Read to find out how she handled it all!

by Arnold Lobel
Ages 6–9
Recommended by Yesenia L., Washington Heights Library

Frog and Toad are the best of friends and they help each other out. Whenever they need help, one is always there for the other. They go through all kinds of adventures together. Sometimes Toad needs help getting out of bed. Other days Frog gets sick and needs a story to fall asleep. Whatever it is, Frog and Toad are always ready to go through the troubles that life gives them. It’s hard to find a friend who will be there for you when you need them. Read about all the adventures that Frog and Toad encounter and how their friendship grows stronger each day.
 
Also recommended by Melana L., Mosholu Library 

This book is a series of short stories that focuses on two characters—Frog and Toad. Although they face times of difficulties, the pair of amphibians manage to be there for each other no matter what. They experience problems that everyday people face, like loneliness, embarrassment, and sickness. However, their constant care for each other leads them to be successful and happy by the end of each story. 

Even though this story is meant for those in 2nd grade, even I, as a 12th grader, enjoyed the stories tremendously. The friendship portrayed is both humorous and relatable to people of all ages. I found myself laughing at the blatant sarcasm and wholesomeness of the friendship. This book teaches people how important friendship is and how to both have fun and help each other.