Me and My Non-Human BFF: 6 Picture Books Featuring Unlikely Friendships
There is nothing like a first best friend. This friend might be a classmate or a cousin or even a stuffed animal! In fact, for many of us, our first friend was not human. This is certainly the case for the kids featured in the following picture books.
Each book tells the story of a friendship between a child and their non-human BFF. For some, the friend is furry and inanimate. For others, the friend is magical and imaginary. Read on for a collection of picture books about friendships that shouldn’t be, but totally are.
Leonardo, the Terrible Monster
Hardcover $18.99
Leonardo, the Terrible Monster
By Mo Willems
In Stock Online
Hardcover $18.99
Leonardo, the Terrible Monster, by Mo Willems
This tale of friendship centers around an unsuccessful monster and a boy who is frightened of nearly everything.
Leonardo, the Terrible Monster, by Mo Willems
This tale of friendship centers around an unsuccessful monster and a boy who is frightened of nearly everything.
Leonardo is a monster who is terrible at being scary. No matter how he tries, he can inspire neither a shriek nor a scream. Still, Leonardo remains determined. With some research, the monster finds the world’s biggest scaredy-cat, a boy named Sam. Surely Leonardo can frighten this boy?
Of course, things don’t go as planned when Leonardo pounces on Sam. The boy is in very poor spirits, but not because he is frightened of the monster. Leonardo decides to make his peace with being a terrible monster. Instead, he will excel at friendship! The monster comforts Sam and the two become fast friends.
Corduroy
Paperback $7.99
Corduroy
By Don Freeman
In Stock Online
Paperback $7.99
Corduroy, by Don Freeman
Corduroy remains one of the greatest picture books of all time. It’s amazing to think that Freeman’s book was first published over 50 years ago! Even after all these years, this sweet story of a stuffed bear and his first friend continues to add joy to the lives of young readers.
Corduroy, by Don Freeman
Corduroy remains one of the greatest picture books of all time. It’s amazing to think that Freeman’s book was first published over 50 years ago! Even after all these years, this sweet story of a stuffed bear and his first friend continues to add joy to the lives of young readers.
For those who have never read the book, Corduroy is a toy bear who lives at the mall. One day a young girl sees Corduroy and asks her mother to buy him. The girl’s mother declines because Corduroy’s overalls are missing a button. Once the mall closes, the bear searches high and low for his missing button. Though he does not find the button, the girl returns the next day and buys the bear using money from her piggy bank.
The last few pages of the book are immensely heartwarming. Corduroy is brought home and the girl sews a new button on his overalls. She then shows the bear where he will sleep, in a tiny bed that is right next to hers.
Imaginary Fred
Hardcover $18.99
Imaginary Fred
By
Eoin Colfer
Illustrator
Oliver Jeffers
In Stock Online
Hardcover $18.99
Imaginary Fred, by Eoin Colfer and Oliver Jeffers
Did you know that imaginary friends live in the clouds? They flit and float above until they are needed by a child. An imaginary friend will stay with a child in need until the child makes a real friend. Finding a real friend is wonderful for the child, but not so great for the imaginary friend.
Imaginary Fred, by Eoin Colfer and Oliver Jeffers
Did you know that imaginary friends live in the clouds? They flit and float above until they are needed by a child. An imaginary friend will stay with a child in need until the child makes a real friend. Finding a real friend is wonderful for the child, but not so great for the imaginary friend.
Fred has been an imaginary friend to many children. He loves making new friends but is always sad when he begins to fade from a child’s life. Fred dreams of finding a friend that he can stay with forever. Will Fred’s dreams come true?
Eoin Colfer is the author of the Artemis Fowl series. Oliver Jeffers is the author and illustrator behind Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth. As you would imagine, a collaboration between the two is terrific.
Love Is: (Illustrated Story Book about Caring for Others, Book About Love for Parents and Children, Rhyming Picture Book)
Hardcover $16.99
Love Is: (Illustrated Story Book about Caring for Others, Book About Love for Parents and Children, Rhyming Picture Book)
By
Diane Adams
Illustrator
Claire Keane
In Stock Online
Hardcover $16.99
Love Is, by Diane Adams and Claire Keane
In Diane Adams’s book, a beautiful friendship begins when a young girl discovers a lost duckling. As the girl cares for the growing bird, the reader learns that the nature of love is selfless, patient, and kind. In time, the bird grows from fragile duckling to creature ready for flight. A charming story told in rhyme, this picture book about love and friendship is a must-read.
Love Is, by Diane Adams and Claire Keane
In Diane Adams’s book, a beautiful friendship begins when a young girl discovers a lost duckling. As the girl cares for the growing bird, the reader learns that the nature of love is selfless, patient, and kind. In time, the bird grows from fragile duckling to creature ready for flight. A charming story told in rhyme, this picture book about love and friendship is a must-read.
Uni the Unicorn
Hardcover $17.99
Uni the Unicorn
By
Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Illustrator
Brigette Barrager
In Stock Online
Hardcover $17.99
Uni the Unicorn, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Brigette Barrager
Uni the Unicorn is a picture book filled with sparkle and magic. In Rosenthal’s much celebrated book, a unicorn named Uni dreams of finding a smart, strong, and wonderful little girl to become her best friend. Uni happily pictures the adventures she will have with the girl. They will run fast through meadows, spin and twirl in the sunlight, and slide down rainbows together.
Uni the Unicorn, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Brigette Barrager
Uni the Unicorn is a picture book filled with sparkle and magic. In Rosenthal’s much celebrated book, a unicorn named Uni dreams of finding a smart, strong, and wonderful little girl to become her best friend. Uni happily pictures the adventures she will have with the girl. They will run fast through meadows, spin and twirl in the sunlight, and slide down rainbows together.
Though Uni doesn’t know it, the little girl she has imagined is real! This girl is smart, strong, and completely wonderful. It is clear to the reader that the two are destined to find each other. Fans of this book should also check out its fantastic sequel, Uni the Unicorn and the Dream Come True.
Jessica
Paperback $7.99
Jessica
By
Kevin Henkes
Illustrator
Kevin Henkes
In Stock Online
Paperback $7.99
Jessica, by Kevin Henks
Everywhere Ruthie goes, Jessica goes too. The two friends share meals, toys, and afternoons at the playground. There’s just one problem: Ruthie’s parents don’t think Jessica exists. That’s because Jessica is Ruthie’s invisible friend.
Jessica, by Kevin Henks
Everywhere Ruthie goes, Jessica goes too. The two friends share meals, toys, and afternoons at the playground. There’s just one problem: Ruthie’s parents don’t think Jessica exists. That’s because Jessica is Ruthie’s invisible friend.
Ruthie’s parents are eager for their daughter to make a “real friend.” When it comes time for Ruthie to go to school, her parents suggest that Jessica stay at home. Then, something unexpected happens. Ruthie does make a new friend, one that everyone can see. Her new friend is a fellow classmate, a girl named Jessica!
What picture books featuring non-human BFFs do you love?