Caring, Sharing, and Growing: Books To Show Kids How To Be a Friend

by Janssen Bradshaw

Illustration: Penelope Dullaghan

One of the most exciting and nerve-wracking parts of a new school year is friendship. Which friends will be in your class? Will you make new friends? Who do you sit by?

These books are a perfect way to bring up the topic of friendship with your children as you prepare for that big first day and the various issues that can come up, from friends that look different, to adding new friends to old friendships, to solving conflict together.

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2017 and updated in 2021.