Book picks similar to
A Friend Like You by Tanja Askani


picture-books
animals
friendship
children

Tiny T. Rex and the Impossible Hug


Jonathan Stutzman - 2019
    Meet Tiny, a diminutive but determined T-Rex in a big world, as he embraces all obstacles against him in his quest to learn how to hug.

Sweety


Andrea Zuill - 2019
    She has protruding front teeth, thick glasses, and some very unusual hobbies, including interpretive dance and fungus identification. She's intense and passionate--and her peers don't always get her. But surely there are other mushroom lovers out there? As Sweety sets out to find them, she comes to realize--with a little help from her cool Aunt Ruth-- that being Sweety is actually pretty awesome. With heart and humor and a whole lot of charm, Andrea Zuill delivers a story about learning to embrace everything that makes you you--and that's something many kids are going to relate to.

Otto the Book Bear


Katie Cleminson - 2011
    Otto is no ordinary storybook character: when no one is looking, he comes to life! Otto loves to walk off of his book's pages, but when his book is taken away while Otto is off exploring, the book bear sets off on a grand adventure to find a new home. Except...it's an awfully big world for such a small bear and Otto misses his warm book. Will Otto ever find the perfect home?With sweet, timeless illustrations and a story that will have young readers watching their bookshelves in hopes of spotting wandering book creatures, this charming story is sure to delight book lovers everywhere.

Katie Loves the Kittens


John Himmelman - 2008
    She loves them so much!But Katie's enthusiasm frightens the kitties, and she's sad when they run away from her. Don't they know that she just wants to play?Katie Loves the Kittens is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Lemons Are Not Red


Laura Vaccaro Seeger - 2004
    Apples are red. Lemons are yellow. . . .Clever cutouts in the pages make a simple, original, and utterly beguiling introduction to color.Laura Vaccaro Seeger, whose The Hidden Alphabet dazzled critics and readers alike, introduces young children to color in this unique concept book with die cuts. The opening spread features a big, bright red lemon and the simple text, "Lemons are not RED." When the spread is turned an equally bright yellow lemon appears ("Lemons are YELLOW") across from a luscious red apple ("Apples are RED").And so it goes, from carrots that are not purple through reindeer that are not white, et al. The book ends with "The moon is not BLACK / The moon is SILVER / The night is BLACK / Good night! And the reader sees a tranquil night landscape and a house with the lights turned out.This title has Common Core connections.

Please, Mr. Panda


Steve Antony - 2014
    Panda for doughnuts?Patiently and politely, Mr. Panda asks the animals he comes across if they would like a doughnut. A penguin, a skunk, and a whale all say yes, but they do not remember to say "please" and "thank you." Is anyone worthy of Mr. Panda's doughnuts?Steve Antony has captured a cute panda, delightful animals hungry for doughnuts, and a manners lesson. With the black-and-white animals, plain backgrounds, and brightly colored doughnuts, Antony's art is bold, striking, and engaging.

Bird, Balloon, Bear


Il Sung Na - 2017
     Bird is new to the forest, and he's looking for a friend. Bear could use a friend, too. But Bird is too shy to introduce himself. Just as he musters the courage to say hello . . . it's too late! Bear has already found a friend: a bright, shiny red balloon.Has Bird missed his chance?From the acclaimed Il Sung Na comes a charming and beautifully illustrated story about courage, kindness, and friendship.Peek inside the jacket for a special poster!Praise for Il Sung Na:"Na brings fresh energy to the familiar. With a coloring style that feels as if someone took a firecracker to a box of crayons, Na makes turtle shells as dynamic as a peacock's plumage." --The New York Times (The Opposite Zoo)"Il Sung Na's illustrative art is so joyous, so jubilantly colorful, it feels celebratory and poetic even when the story is simple and spare." --The Boston Globe (A Book of Babies)★ "[A] grand read-aloud." --Kirkus Reviews, Starred (Welcome Home, Bear)★ "It's the rare picture book that, upon arrival, feels as though it has been around for years already; Na's belongs to this group." --Publishers Weekly, Starred (A Book of Sleep)★ "Vibrant [and] whimsical." --School Library Journal, Starred (Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit)

The Grumpy Pets


Kristine A. Lombardi - 2016
    He’s a bit moody, a bit cranky, a bit . . . grumpy. In hopes of cheering him up, his mom takes him and his sister to the animal rescue one Saturday morning. All the animals are cute and playful, but they’re a little too happy for Billy’s taste. When Billy wanders into another section of the store, however, he stumbles across a different group of animals awaiting adoption. These pets are grouchy and scruffy. In fact, they seem downright grumpy—just like Billy! He catches the eye of a particularly grumpy pup—could this be the friend Billy has been looking for? Grumpy Pets shows that there’s a perfect match for everyone, if you stay true to yourself.

Rex Wrecks It!


Ben Clanton - 2014
    Every time they build something with their blocks, Rex wrecks it! Whether it’s an out-of-this-world rocket, a magical heart, or the biggest, strongest, most awesomerific castle ever, Rex sends it crashing down with a "Rawr!" (and sometimes a sheepish"Rawry!"?). Isn’t there any way to make playtime fun for everyone? With Rex-size humor, Ben Clanton explores the challenges of friendship, the benefits of working together, and the joys of destruction.

Wild About Us!


Karen Beaumont - 2015
    Whether it’s Crocodile's toothy grin or Kangaroo’s huge feet or Leopard’s spottiness, each animal is different. Wouldn’t it be dull if all the animals at the zoo—and all the people in the world—looked alike? A joyful picture-book celebration of everything that makes us individuals!

I'm My Own Dog


David Ezra Stein - 2014
    Not this dog. He fetches his own slippers, curls up at his own feet, and gives himself a good scratch. But there is one spot, in the middle of his back, that he just can’t reach. So one day, he lets a human scratch it. And the poor little fella follows him home. What can the dog do but get a leash to lead the guy around with?

Chu's Day


Neil Gaiman - 2013
    Chu is a little panda with a big sneeze.When Chu sneezes, bad things happen.In dusty library, diner pepper, circus tent, Will Chu sneeze today?

Cha-Cha Chimps


Julia Durango - 2006
    Counting and dancing gohand in hand at Mambo Jamba's, the place where hippos hokey-pokey and meerkats macarena and ten little chimps do the Cha -- Cha -- Cha until Mama Chimps says, "Time for bed!"

A Small Thing . . . but Big


Tony Johnston - 2016
    That's where Lizzie meets an elderly man and his companion, Cecile, a dog about her size.But Lizzie is afraid of dogs, so she'll have to rely on her new friend to help her take things one step at a time.Getting over your fears may seem like a small thing . . . but it sure can feel big.

Hooray for Amanda & Her Alligator!


Mo Willems - 2011
    Sometimes Alligator surprises Amanda by eating them.But what happens when Amanda brings home a special—and not entirely welcome—surprise? The result might be unexpected indeed.Beloved author-illustrator Mo Willems has created a funny and tender portrait of friendship that readers of any age will love.