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.
Making friends and being a good friend
24 books in this theme
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.