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Friendship

Making friends and being a good friend

24 books in this theme

View details for A Pair of Pears and an Orange
A Pair of Pears and an Orange book cover

A Pair of Pears and an Orange

by Anna McGregor

Ages 3-6 years

When a pair of pears are joined by an orange, they worry there isn't room for everyone. A gentle story about friendship dynamics and the joy of including others.

Emotions Problem Solving
View details for Amy and Louis
Amy and Louis book cover

Amy and Louis

by Libby Gleeson Illustrated by Freya Blackwood

Ages 5-8 years

Amy and Louis live next door to each other. They build towers together and dig holes together. They do everything together…until Amy moves away and the colour drains out of their lives. Then Louis discovers how to rebuild their special bond. A touching story about friendship that transcends distance and the power of connection.

View details for Circle
Circle book cover

Circle

by Mac Barnett Illustrated by Jon Klassen

Ages 3-7 years

Circle and Square are friends, but when Circle tells Square about a scary shape-shifter, they decide to investigate. This gentle story explores friendship, truth-telling, and facing fears together.

Numeracy Courage and Bravery
View details for Florette
Florette book cover

Florette

by Anna Walker

Ages 4-8 years

When Mae moves from her country garden to a concrete city apartment, she feels lost without her green world. With patience, determination, and a few seeds, she discovers that even the smallest urban spaces can bloom with life and possibility.

Environment and Sustainability Resilience
View details for How to Catch a Star
How to Catch a Star book cover

How to Catch a Star

by Oliver Jeffers

Ages 3-7 years

Once there was a boy who loved stars so much that he wished he had one of his very own. Every night he watched the stars in the sky from his bedroom window and dreamed of how he could be their friend. A magical story about determination, creativity, and the joy of pursuing your dreams.

Problem Solving Adventure and Exploration
View details for Hunwick's Egg
Hunwick's Egg book cover

Hunwick's Egg

by Mem Fox Illustrated by Pamela Lofts

Ages 4-8 years

Hunwick the bandicoot finds an egg and dreams of the wonderful creature that will hatch from it. When the egg doesn't hatch as expected, Hunwick learns about disappointment, acceptance, and finding joy in unexpected places.

Emotions Animals Australia
View details for Jungle Drums
Jungle Drums book cover

Jungle Drums

by Graeme Base

Ages 4-8 years

Ngiri the warthog feels different from the other animals and wishes he could be like them. When he discovers his own special talent for drumming, he learns to appreciate his unique qualities and brings the jungle together through music. A heartwarming story about self-acceptance, celebrating differences, and the unifying power of music.

Self Identity Creativity Animals
View details for Lost and Found
Lost and Found book cover

Lost and Found

by Oliver Jeffers

Ages 3-7 years

There once was a boy and one day a penguin arrives on his doorstep. The boy decides the penguin must be lost and tries to return him. A touching story about friendship, understanding, and discovering that sometimes what we think others need isn't what they actually need.

Empathy and Kindness Animals Problem Solving
View details for Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley
Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley book cover

Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley

by Aaron Blabey

Ages 3-7 years

Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley are the best of friends, but they are different in almost every way. A delightful story about how opposites attract and true friendship celebrates our differences.

Self Identity Collaboration
View details for Square
Square book cover

Square

by Mac Barnett Illustrated by Jon Klassen

Ages 3-7 years

Square works every day to push blocks out of a cave, but when his friend Circle declares him an artist, Square tries to create a sculpture. A simple story about art, friendship, and self-discovery through creative expression.

Numeracy Creativity
View details for Stanley Paste
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Stanley Paste

by Aaron Blabey

Ages 4-7 years

Stanley Paste is small. Really small. And he hates it. But when a new girl arrives at school, Stanley learns that perhaps being small is not so bad after all. A touching story about self-acceptance and discovering that our perceived weaknesses can actually be strengths.

Self Identity Empathy and Kindness
View details for Strictly No Elephants
Strictly No Elephants book cover

Strictly No Elephants

by Lisa Mantchev Illustrated by Taeeun Yoo

Ages 4-8 years

When a boy's tiny pet elephant is banned from Pet Club Day, he discovers that being left out can lead to creating your own inclusive space where everyone belongs. A story about friendship, acceptance, and standing up for what's right.

Animals Empathy and Kindness Self Identity
View details for The Big Ball of String
The Big Ball of String book cover

The Big Ball of String

by Ross Meuller Illustrated by Craig Smith

Ages 4-8 years

Two friends discover a giant ball of string and decide to follow it to see where it leads. Their journey takes them on an unexpected adventure through various landscapes as they unravel the mystery of the string's destination. An adventurous tale about curiosity, friendship, and the joy of following where wonder leads.

Creativity Problem Solving
View details for The Colour Thief
The Colour Thief book cover

The Colour Thief

by Gabriel Alborozo

Ages 4-8 years

A greedy thief steals all the colors from the world, leaving everything gray and dull. When he realises what he has done, he must learn about sharing and generosity to restore color and beauty to the world.

Empathy and Kindness Emotions Responsibility
View details for The Day the Crayons Came Home
The Day the Crayons Came Home book cover

The Day the Crayons Came Home

by Drew Daywalt Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

Ages 3-8 years

The sequel to the beloved 'The Day the Crayons Quit,' this story follows Duncan as he receives postcards from his lost crayons who want to come home. Each crayon has had its own adventure and needs Duncan's help to return safely. A delightful continuation that combines humour with problem-solving and empathy.

Emotions Creativity Problem Solving Literacy Adventure and Exploration
View details for The Pear in the Pear Tree
The Pear in the Pear Tree book cover

The Pear in the Pear Tree

by Pamela Allen

Ages 3-7 years

When John and Jane went out walking what did they see? They saw a pear in the pear tree. This humourous rhyming story tells of their attempts to reach the pear through persistence and teamwork, and the sweet reward of sharing success with friends.

Problem Solving Collaboration Persistence
View details for The Way Back Home
The Way Back Home book cover

The Way Back Home

by Oliver Jeffers

Ages 3-7 years

When a boy's airplane crashes on the moon, he meets a stranded Martian, and together they must find a way back to their respective homes. A story about unlikely friendship and creative problem-solving.

Creativity Adventure and Exploration
View details for The Whale Who Wanted More
The Whale Who Wanted More book cover

The Whale Who Wanted More

by Rachel Bright Illustrated by Jim Field

Ages 3-8 years

Humphrey the whale thinks bigger is always better and wants everything in the ocean for himself. When his greed leads to loneliness, he learns that sharing and contentment bring true happiness and friendship.

Emotions Animals
View details for Thelma the Unicorn
Thelma the Unicorn book cover

Thelma the Unicorn

by Aaron Blabey

Ages 3-7 years

Thelma the pony wishes she was a unicorn, and when her wish comes true, she learns that being yourself is more important than being famous. A delightful story about authenticity, friendship, and learning that true happiness comes from being comfortable with who you are.

Self Identity
View details for This Moose Belongs to Me
This Moose Belongs to Me book cover

This Moose Belongs to Me

by Oliver Jeffers

Ages 4-8 years

Wilfred believes he owns a moose named Marcel, but the moose has other ideas about independence and freedom. This humourous story explores themes of friendship, respect, and understanding that some things cannot be owned.

Responsibility Animals
View details for Triangle
Triangle book cover

Triangle

by Mac Barnett Illustrated by Jon Klassen

Ages 3-7 years

Triangle decides to play a sneaky trick on his friend Square, but his prank doesn't go as planned. A clever tale about friendship, feelings and learning that our actions have unexpected consequences.

Numeracy Emotions
View details for Up and Down
Up and Down book cover

Up and Down

by Oliver Jeffers

Ages 3-6 years

A delightful story about a penguin and a boy's friendship, exploring themes of cooperation, problem-solving, and the ups and downs of relationships. A heartwarming tale about working through challenges together and the resilience of true friendship.

Collaboration Emotions Adventure and Exploration Problem Solving
View details for We Found a Hat
We Found a Hat book cover

We Found a Hat

by Jon Klassen

Ages 3-8 years

Two turtles find a hat that looks good on both of them, but there's only one hat. This story explores friendship, fairness, and doing the right thing even when it's difficult.

Honesty and Integrity Animals
View details for Where to Hide a Star
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Where to Hide a Star

by Oliver Jeffers

Ages 3-7 years

When a boy finds a star that has fallen from the sky, he faces a dilemma about where to keep it safe. This gentle story explores themes of friendship, care, and the joy of sharing something special with others.

Problem Solving Collaboration