The Power of Friendship: 5 Books that Encourage Positive Peer Relationships & Every Bookshelf Needs

Published on July 5, 2025

June 8th is National Best Friend Day, and therefore a perfect time to learn how we can encourage more positive peer relationships, and how we can nurture these with literature

Friendships: We All Need Them

Childhood friendships and memories are crucial to our growth, and that is why we are discussing the power of friendship and how we can encourage positive peer relationships. Friendship is vital in early development stages, as it helps build identity, emotional security, and social skills.

Literature can serve as a gateway for conversations, promoting higher emotional resilience and more inclusive environments. It enables children to navigate intrapersonal and interpersonal challenges, modeling positive behavior and laying the foundation for emotional intelligence.

5 Friendship Books To Add To Your Bookshelf

1. Written by C.M. Harris, Seen depicts a story of how one friendship can change everything. Whether a person is ignored or uplifted, the friendship between Ariana and Elisha within the book demonstrates how one person can have a profound impact. Elisha alone can show Ariana that she is not alone, and when she sees her, she recognizes her presence and never ignores her.

This is an excellent book to read to young ones, considering that in adolescence, it is hard to escape the tunnel vision of oneself. It shows positive interactions between friends, reinforcing healthy behaviors, helping kids understand how specific actions impact others. It also helps build social awareness, providing certain feelings that one might not encounter on a day-to-day basis but can now look out for and recognize. The book shows authentic characters promoting caring behavior, showing the power of offering consistent support. It also encourages reflection on one’s actions while building relationships, making sure to be inclusive.

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2. Another book about caring for others, especially when it comes to our differences, is Erin, Roderick, & the Diffability Bunch, written by Fliss Goldsmith. This book promotes diversity and openness, highlighting the challenges one can face alone. These charming characters show how friendships can grow by accepting our differences, particularly those with functional needs.

This book explores how our diverse backgrounds, alongside our differences, are a positive thing, and we are always able to learn and grow, a valuable lesson for young children. It is especially effective at teaching kids how to work through conflict resolution, encouraging them to come together and brainstorm solutions. The pages and illustrations show how children can feel compassion, with physical, cognitive, or emotional differences being a part of their diverse friendships. It celebrates respectful and inclusive learning, while also highlighting people’s abilities in a way that highlights their strengths.

3. The Weirdots, written by Steffanie Najera, co-written by C.M. Harris, shows dots of different colors embracing their differences to come together and shine. They eat, play, dance, and paint, creating an inclusive environment. They are including all these different dots, and doing something each of them will enjoy, showing cooperation and the value of friendship.

The colors are bouncing off the page, showcasing how fun reading can be with vibrant imagery, yet filled with metaphors that celebrate everyone’s uniqueness. This book encourages the celebration of differences, reinforcing that everyone has something to contribute, and group bonding is a socially emotional lesson that combines fun with creativity. Highly acclaimed for its use of humor and heartfelt storytelling, this story is a testament to how peer relationships can positively impact our everyday lives.

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4. What if we were All Friends! Written by C.M. Harris, this book covers how we are all different, whether it be in our interests or hair color; we are unique. However, as long as we lend a helping hand, we can all come together and grow or succeed. Whether it's listening to another person’s problems over the phone or celebrating one’s cultural holidays, good times will be experienced, and the importance of building and maintaining friendships remains prevalent in our lives.

This book conveys love as a message and asks how we can become united through kindness. It teaches social skills, including listening to others and playing with them, while also promoting patience. Learning how to listen to others is always important. The book encourages the importance of building trust with others and learning how to help, hear, and celebrate with each other. It showcases many scenarios with diverse friendships, calling for reflections on real-life situations, encouraging kids to think about how to be a better friend in real-life situations with cultural and personal differences.

5. The last book, The Lonely Zebra, written by C.M. Harris, covers inclusivity and models positive social behavioral actions. The zebra Zola is afraid to approach the watering hole, but is scared of what Hank the Hyena will say. However, Sara the swan provides Zola with the bravery and companionship she needs to confront her fears. The book has deep emotions of empathy, respect, and how to manage conflict while including others. It also encourages group play and praises collaboration. The pages explore the concept of fear of exclusion and can help kids learn to doubt with peer support in a healthy manner to overcome self-doubt. It also encourages kids to speak out and stand up when someone is being excluded, with a strong message about cooperation and taking chances with unique peer dynamics. This is the perfect book to show how important group inclusion is alongside shared problem-solving in positive peer relationships.

Kids can relate better to stories, as books can serve as mirrors and windows, allowing children to see themselves and others through vibrant stories. Friendships formed in young adolescence can significantly impact how we become adults, and that is why encouraging story-based learning with peer-based empathy can help prevent long-term problems. These five books feature positive friendships, surrounded by key values of acceptance, compassion, and joy.

Using these books in the classroom can spark key conversations, specifically by utilizing The Lonely Zebra Kindness Challenge and "What if we were All Friends?" Discussion Questions, Seen’s good friend guide, or Erin, Roderik, & the Diffability Bunch definition story guidelines, all offered at the end of the book! These allow for guided personal conversations and reflections. These guides and definitions are just the beginning of more inclusive and positive peer relationships.

Order your copies today! Visit Purple Diamond Press to explore more books like the What If We Were series and discover additional resources for educators and parents.

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A Fish In A Tree

$12.00

A fish in a tree? How could that be?

Follow the whimsical journey of a fish-shaped balloon as it floats into trouble and must be saved by a helpful hand. When the balloon lands in a tree, the animals around it are curious. When it lands in the ocean they see what shouldn't be until the pesky balloon is rescued by a kind and caring young boy who knows just what to do.

Through rhyme and beautiful illustrations, this book educates readers on the importance of recycling and balloon safety. With a message of environmental protection, this story is sure to captivate readers of all ages.

If you enjoy rhyme and colorful illustrations, you'll love A Fish in a Tree. Join this wild adventure to a greener world.

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Haisley's Birthday Money

$12.00

⭐️ 1st Place, Children's Poetry, Purple Dragonfly Award

"An approachable introduction to budgeting for the very young." - Kirkus Review

"Haisley, wake up. It's your birthday today! Your friends and your family are coming to play."

"When it's time to go shopping, that's what we'll do. Let's go! Grab your bucket. It's just me and you."

Today is Haisley's birthday, and she's ready to celebrate! But this is no ordinary birthday--Haisely has been gifted birthday money but is unsure what to do with it all. Haisley embarks on an adventure full of discovery and growth with her mother by her side.

Join her as she discovers a new responsibility and learns the importance of money in Haisley's Birthday Money. With fun rhymes and whimsical illustrations, this book will surely be a hit with children. If you enjoy rhyming and life-changing lessons, you'll love Haisley's Birthday Money!