Children's books about unlikely friendship
Books in the library where unlikely friendship is a central thread — a substantial shelf of 47 titles. Picture-book gateways for the youngest readers, chapter-book exploration for older children, ranked here by how widely each is known and loved.
Chapter book
The BFG
by Roald Dahl · age 7–11
Chapter book
Picture book
A Mouse Called Julian
by Joe Todd-Stanton · age 3–7
Picture book
Early reader
Frog and Toad All Year
by Arnold Lobel · age 4–8
Early reader
Early reader
Frog and Toad Together
by Arnold Lobel · age 4–8
Early reader
Graphic novel
Hilo: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth
by Judd Winick · age 7–11
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
Owly: A Time to Be Brave
by Andy Runton · age 5–8
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
Owly: Flying Lessons
by Andy Runton · age 5–8
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
Owly: Just a Little Blue
by Andy Runton · age 5–8
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
Owly: The Way Home
by Andy Runton · age 5–8
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
Nimona
by ND Stevenson · age 13–17
Graphic novel
Picture book
The Storm Whale
by Benji Davies · age 3–6
Picture book
Picture book
Colin's Castle
by Holly Swain · age 3–6
Picture book
Picture book
Grandma Bird
by Benji Davies · age 3–6
Picture book
Early reader
Fox & Chick: The Party
by Sergio Ruzzier · age 5–8
Early reader
Picture book
The Capybaras
by Alfredo Soderguit · age 4–8
Picture book
Picture book
The Great Storm Whale
by Benji Davies · age 3–6
Picture book
Picture book
The Storm Whale in Winter
by Benji Davies · age 3–6
Picture book
Graphic novel
Hilda and the Troll
by Luke Pearson · age 7–11
Graphic novel
Picture book
Room on the Broom
by Julia Donaldson · age 3–6
Picture book
Picture book
The Snail and the Whale
by Julia Donaldson · age 3–7
Picture book
Graphic novel
Hilda and the Bird Parade
by Luke Pearson · age 7–11
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
Hilda and the Black Hound
by Luke Pearson · age 7–11
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
Hilda and the Midnight Giant
by Luke Pearson · age 7–11
Graphic novel
Illustrated
Hilda and the Nowhere Space
by Stephen Davies · age 7–10
Illustrated
Graphic novel
Hilda and the Stone Forest
by Luke Pearson · age 8–12
Graphic novel
Chapter book
Pax
by Sara Pennypacker · age 9–13
Chapter book
Picture book
Gustavo, the Shy Ghost
by Flavia Z. Drago · age 3–6
Picture book
Graphic novel
Batcat: Sink or Swim!
by Meggie Ramm · age 5–8
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
Pluto Rocket: New in Town
by Paul Gilligan · age 5–8
Graphic novel
Picture book
Cyril and Pat
by Emily Gravett · age 3–7
Picture book
Picture book
How to Be a Lion
by Ed Vere · age 3–7
Picture book
Graphic novel
Pablo and Splash
by Sheena Dempsey · age 6–9
Graphic novel
Picture book
Duck, Death and the Tulip
by Wolf Erlbruch · age 6–10
Picture book
Illustrated
Earl & Worm: The Bad Idea and Other Stories
by Greg Pizzoli · age 4–8
Illustrated
Graphic novel
Pluto Rocket: Full Blast
by Paul Gilligan · age 5–8
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
Pluto Rocket: Over the Moon
by Paul Gilligan · age 5–8
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
Tiny Fox and Great Boar: There
by Berenika Kołomycka · age 3–8
Graphic novel
Illustrated
Earl & Worm: Snow Problem and Other Stories
by Greg Pizzoli · age 4–8
Illustrated
Illustrated
Earl & Worm: The Big Mess and Other Stories
by Greg Pizzoli · age 4–8
Illustrated
Chapter book
My Life on Fire
by Cath Howe · age 9–12
Chapter book
Illustrated
Dork Diaries: Frenemies Forever
by Rachel Renée Russell · age 9–12
Illustrated
Picture book
The Bridge
by Eva Lindstrom · age 4–8
Picture book
Graphic novel
Tiny Fox and Great Boar: Further
by Berenika Kołomycka · age 4–8
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
Pluto Rocket: Joe Pidge Flips a Lid
by Paul Gilligan · age 5–8
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
Eowulf: Of Monsters and Middle School
by Mike Cavallaro · age 9–12
Graphic novel
Graphic novel
Eowulf: The Creature Connection
by Mike Cavallaro · age 9–12
Graphic novel
Illustrated
Worst Week Ever! Wednesday
by Eva Amores · age 8–11
Illustrated