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Books about friendship

Noughts and Crosses

'We'll be Friends Forever, won't we, Pooh?' asked Piglet.
'Even longer,' Pooh answered.

Can you imagine Pooh without Piglet? Or Frodo without Sam?

Here are some children's books that celebrate the power, fun and wonder of friendship.

After all, we can all do a bit more when we're supported by our friends.

  • The Secret Garden

    The Secret Garden

    Author:
    Publisher: HarperPress
    Interest age: 9+
    Reading age: 9+

    When the spoilt and bad-tempered Mary is orphaned at the age of ten, she is sent from India to live with her hunchback uncle on the Yorkshire Moors. This classic novel is a satisfying and absorbing read.

  • Lost and Found

    Lost and Found

    Author: Oliver Jeffers
    Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books
    Interest age: 3-5

    Once there was a sad, lonely penguin who appeared at the door of a young boy. The boy decided he must be lost, so he set off to find his home.

  • Matilda

    Matilda

    Author: Roald Dahl Illustrator: Quentin Blake
    Publisher: Puffin
    Interest age: 7+
    Reading age: 8+

    This modern fairy-tale with a brilliantly inspiring young heroine is one of Roald Dahl's best loved stories.

  • Skellig

    Skellig

    Author: David Almond
    Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
    Interest age: 10+
    Reading age: 11+

    Exploring a ramshackle garage with his new-found friend Mina, Michael discovers a strange, magical creature who needs his help. A contemporary classic. 

  • Noughts and Crosses

    Noughts and Crosses

    Author: Malorie Blackman
    Publisher: Random House
    Interest age: 12+
    Reading age: 12+

    Callum is a Nought but his best friend Sephy is a Cross - the daughter of one of the most influential politicians in the country.

  • Diary of a Wimpy Kid

    Diary of a Wimpy Kid

    Author: Jeff Kinney
    Publisher: Puffin
    Interest age: 8+
    Reading age: 8+

    Greg Heffley is a normal American kid, albeit one with a habit of getting into (and out of) trouble.

  • Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

    Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

    Author: J K Rowling
    Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
    Interest age: 8-13
    Reading age: 10+

    After the misery of life with his ghastly aunt and uncle, Harry Potter is delighted to have the chance to embark on an exciting new life at the Hogwart's School of Wizardry and Witchcraft.

  • Winnie-the-Pooh

    Winnie-the-Pooh

    Author: A A Milne Illustrator: E H Shepherd
    Publisher: Egmont Books
    Interest age: 4+
    Reading age: 7+

    No child's library could be complete without A A Milne's stories about Pooh, Christopher Robin and their friends in the Hundred Acre Wood.

  • Charlotte's Web

    Charlotte's Web

    Author: E B White Illustrator: Garth Williams
    Publisher: Puffin
    Interest age: 6+
    Reading age: 7+

    This is the tale of how a little girl named Fern - with the help of a friendly talking spider called Charlotte - saved her pig, Wilbur, from the usual fate of nice fat little pigs.

  • The Fellowship of The Ring

    The Fellowship of The Ring

    Author: JRR Tolkein
    Publisher: HarperCollins
    Interest age: 11+
    Reading age: 12+

    The first part of J R R Tolkien's epic masterpiece The Lord of the Rings, this is the story of young hobbit Frodo Baggins, who finds himself faced with an immense and terrible duty.

  • Colin and Lee: Carrot and Pea

    Colin and Lee: Carrot and Pea

    Author: Morag Hood
    Publisher: Two Hoots
    Interest age: 3-5

    Colin is a carrot, and Lee is a pea. An amusing and deceptively simple look at friendship and difference, this is a lovely book for young readers.