Friendship Books for 1st Graders
We believe every child deserves access to quality reading materials that nurture a lifelong love of learning. Discover heartwarming friendship books for 1st graders ages 5-6. Our children’s books feature best friends, kindness, and sharing perfect for beginning readers. These picture books and storybooks build reading confidence through stories about making friends.
Ned Has Too Much Stuff
Ned is a miner with a big problem—he has way too much stuff to carry! The Book gives him some helpful advice, and soon Ned finds a furry friend to help him. Will this new companion solve Ned’s problem? Join Ned on his adventure in the mine to discover how friendship and teamwork can help when you need it most!
The Butterfly Garden
Diya is shy and loves butterflies, but she’s nervous about talking in class. When her school visits the park, something magical happens—her passion for butterflies gives her the courage to speak up! Will Diya discover that sharing what she loves can help her make new friends and find her voice?
The Quiet Hut
Brat Cat feels overwhelmed by the busy, noisy town and needs a peaceful escape. With her friends Fig Pig and Tip by her side, she discovers a quiet wood and decides to build something special. What will they create together, and how will it help Brat Cat find calm?
I am a Bot
Meet a friendly robot who lives in a scientist’s lab and loves building clever machines! One day, the robot creates something special—a pet dog named Sparky who can grow bigger and smaller. But when an older robot named Cog decides she wants a pet too, she brings home a real cat called Whiskers. Two very different pets in one busy lab! Can a robot dog and a real cat learn to share their home together?
Let's Bee Friends
Zom the zombie is lonely. He doesn’t fit in with other zombies and wants to find a new friend. When he discovers a buzzing beehive in spring, he thinks he’s found the perfect place to make pals. But when Zom shakes the hive to meet more bees, things don’t go as planned! The bees are NOT happy, and their eyes turn angry red. Can Zom find a way to make friends with these buzzing creatures?
Ned Gets Metal
Ned and The Book are on an exciting adventure to explore a mysterious cave! With a torch to light the way and clever problem-solving skills, they face unexpected challenges and discover amazing treasures. What will Ned find in the darkness, and how will he use his discoveries? Join Ned on this thrilling quest where bravery and creativity lead to wonderful surprises!
Ned and the Wolf Pack
Ned is just taking a walk when he encounters five hungry wolves! What will happen when these wild animals surround him? Find out how Ned uses his quick thinking and kindness to turn a scary situation into something amazing. Perfect for young readers who love animal adventures!
Ned's Metal Pal
Ned wants a friend, but where will he find one? With help from a mysterious Book, Ned discovers he can build his very own pal! Together, they gather special materials and create something magical. But will Ned’s creation be the friend he’s always hoped for? Read on to discover what happens when Ned brings his metal pal to life!
Pests!
Skel is tired of cleaning while his friends Zom and Jack ignore the mess. When Skel goes on strike, the house quickly becomes a disaster! Silverfish, flies, and spiders take over. Can Skel’s friends learn that teamwork makes the dream work—or will pests rule their home forever?
Snow!
When Tip the dog wakes up to a strange smell in the air, he discovers something magical has happened overnight - the world is covered in snow! Excited, Tip and his friends Brat Cat and Fig Pig head outside to decorate for Christmas and build snowmen. But then another mysterious smell drifts through the air, something sweet and spicy. What could it be, and where is it coming from? Join Tip as he follows his nose on a snowy adventure!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do friendship books for 1st graders support both reading development and social-emotional learning?
Friendship books for 1st graders give children practice with decoding while simultaneously modeling social skills like empathy, sharing, and conflict resolution. Li et al. (2025) found that reading narratives about social situations strengthens children’s emotional understanding alongside their literacy skills. On Bookbot, friendship picture books for first grade use decodable text matched to 1st grade phonics patterns, so children build reading fluency through stories that also help them navigate real-world relationships. See our article on laying the foundations for a love of reading.
Why are friendship stories for 5 year olds effective for building reading fluency?
Friendship stories for 5 year olds are effective for fluency because the emotionally engaging content motivates children to reread favorite stories, which builds automatic word recognition. The National Reading Panel (2000) identified repeated reading practice as one of the most effective strategies for developing fluency in early readers. Bookbot’s friendship books for beginning readers use decodable text so each rereading reinforces the phonics skills 1st graders are learning. For more on how phonics instruction works, see what is phonics.
Can friendship picture books for first grade help children who are starting school?
Friendship picture books for first grade are especially valuable for children entering school because they introduce the social vocabulary and scenarios children encounter in the classroom. Wang (2025) found that early reading experiences play a significant role in shaping children’s social and emotional development. Bookbot’s friendship books for 1st graders combine these relevant themes with structured phonics practice, and books are available to browse on the Bookbot website by grade and skill level.
How do I choose the right friendship books for my beginning reader?
Choose friendship books for beginning readers based on your child’s current phonics level rather than age alone, since reading ability varies widely among 1st graders. Ehri et al. (2001) showed that matching text difficulty to a child’s decoding stage produces the strongest reading gains. Bookbot organizes friendship stories for 5 year olds by phonics skill using a clear scope and sequence, making it simple for parents to find the right level.