Discover Ten Heartwarming Tales of Unexpected Friendships

Kids sitting around a table playing with colorful blocks

In Pirkei Avot, an ancient collection of Jewish wisdom, the sages advise each of us to “acquire for yourself a friend.” There’s nothing better than knowing that someone understands you and is there for you. In Jewish tradition, it’s even customary to pair up when studying religious texts. These study buddies are called hevruta, which is Hebrew for friendship. Friendship enhances everything!

The ten books in this list feature delightful stories about interesting, unexpected, and absolutely wonderful friendships. Each of these stories remind us that friendship can be found in the most unexpected of places and that true connections can be formed between people (and even animals) of all backgrounds.


Apple & Magnolia book cover

Apple & Magnolia

by Laura Gehl

Britta knows that Apple and Magnolia are best friends, even if they are just trees. Britta gets a chance to be a good friend, too, as she helps the pair get through a tough winter. Enchanting illustrations accompany a sweet story about taking care of nature and each other.


Barefoot in the Sand book cover

Barefoot in the Sand

by Hava Deevon

Saul from Romania has always dreamed of living in Israel, and so has Solomon from Yemen. When these two travelers meet on the shores of Tel Aviv, they share their stories and their joy.


Bitter and Sweet book cover

Bitter and Sweet

by Sandra V. Feder

Hannah’s family is moving -- and Hannah feels bitter about it. Her grandmother tells her that when she left the old country, she felt the same way, but reminds her that every hard time has a little bit of sweetness, too. When Hannah meets a new neighbour her age, she begins to see what her grandmother means.


The Forever Garden book cover

The Forever Garden

by Laurel Snyder

Honey takes care of her garden every day -- even though she's going to be moving away soon. Laurel, her neighbour next door, knows she's going to miss her. But Honey explains to her that friendship, like her garden, has a way of growing -- despite time and distance.


A Hat for Mrs. Goldman book cover

A Hat for Mrs. Goldman

by Michelle Edwards

Mrs. Goldman is always knitting for everyone else in the neighborhood, and young Sophie helps her out by making pom-poms. But one day Sophie decides she wants to go beyond pom-poms and knit something for Mrs. Goldman, too. Who knew knitting could be so tricky? But Sophie gets an idea that ends up with a one-of-a-kind hat for her friend.


How to be a Mensch, by A. Monster book cover

How to be a Mensch, by A. Monster

by Leslie Kimmelman

Do you have three heads? Or green skin? No matter who you are or what you look like, you too can be a mensch! Doing good deeds can be enjoyed by all, even a monster.


Maddi's Fridge book cover

Maddi's Fridge

by Lois Brandt

When Sofia learns that her best friend, Maddi, doesn't have enough food in her fridge, she wants to help -- but Maddi has asked Sofia not to tell anyone. What should Sofia do?


Miriam and the Sasquatch book cover

Miriam and the Sasquatch

by Eric A. Kimmel

Miriam goes out to the woods to practice blowing the shofar (ram’s horn) for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. When she hears munching and crunching, she realizes she’s not alone: A Sasquatch is sitting in the tree, eating the apples her family will need for the holiday! Miriam rushes to judgment, but eventually she understands that she and the Sasquatch have more in common than she realized — and that there are plenty of apples to go around.


Mrs. Katz and Tush book cover

Mrs. Katz and Tush

by Patricia Polacco

A long-lasting friendship begins between Larnel, a young African American, and Mrs. Katz, a lonely Jewish widow, when Larnel presents Mrs. Katz with a scrawny kitten.


Snow in Jerusalem book cover

Snow in Jerusalem

by Deborah da Costa

Two boys living in Jerusalem — one Muslim, the other Jewish — are surprised to discover they’ve been looking after the same stray cat.


Discuss

  • Do your friends help you feel happy?
  • What can you do to help a friend or family member?
  • Why is it important to learn from other people?

More

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7 Ways to Teach Kids About Friendship
How to Keep In Touch With Faraway Friends