EIN FREUND, EIN GUTER FREUND.... BEST KIDS' BOOKS IN GERMAN ON FRIENDSHIP

We all long to be part of a group, have a friend with whom we can laugh, but also vent or cry - who helps us out and we can support. And so do kids. Though not really forming friendships yet, even babies are drawn to others, - and starting at age 3 toddlers will play together. They will form bounds, but also have to navigate conflict and sometimes exclusion. As they grow older, they learn to share toys, then interests, feeling and secrets.

There are a ton of kids' books on starting at a new school or a new town and finding friends, on being bullied just for that reason - but they sometimes can be a heavy read. So here some amazing books that celebrate friendship.

Axel Scheffler

PIP UND POSY - DER TOLLE ROLLER

Pip is scooting around in the park, when Posy come along and just takes his scooter without asking! Pip is not too happy about that - but when she trips and falls, he is there to her rescue.

The board books about the two animal friends tell about typical everyday relationships tots can relate to, this one is about sharing and forgiving. You might have to read this one (and all the others in the series) again and again. And again.

2 years and up

Linda Sarah, Benji David

BESTE FREUNDE

Ben and Eddi are besties. They play together all the time and nothing can get between them, it seems. But then another boy shows up - can that work?

Beautiful illustrations and a story about jealousy easy to relate to, makes this a modern classic.

3 years and up

Helme Heine

FREUNDE

This all time German classic from the 1980s starts with a group of friends of three: the mouse Johne Mauser, the rooster Franz von Hahn and the pig Der dicke Waldemar. They live together on the farm and have wonderful adventures together: biking, playing hide and seek and some expedition on the local pond... no matter what happens, they will be friends forever!

3 years and up.

Chris Naylor-Ballesteros

FRANK UND BERT

Frank and Bert are best friends. And they love playing hide and seek. Even though it always unfolds in the exact same way: Frank counts, Bert hides. Frank finds him quickly.. Maybe Bert does not have enough time to find a good hiding spot? What if Frank counts until 100?

A super fun picture book with some unexpected twists and adorable illustrations

on empathy. First of a series.

4 years an up

Luise Holthausen

ALLERBESTE FREUNDIN GESUCHT

At school Suna is asked to draw her very best friend. But it seems she does not have the one and only bestie. So her mom recommends to test her friends so she can find out who of her friends qualifies. But somehow it does not quite turn out as expected...

Suna realizes she can have more friends than one, and that we all have different strength.

A great book to read aloud or book for beginning reader, with short sentences.

6 years and up