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Books & resources

Best Friendship & Sharing Books Ages 4–8

For joining in, being left out, sharing, and everyday conflict with friends or siblings.

Illustration of two siblings in conflict over a toy

Friendship problems at this age are rarely about one child being "bad" at friendship; more often it's sharing, timing, or not yet having the words to ask to join in. A story can give your child a way to talk about what happened without it feeling like a lecture about their own behaviour.

These are the books we think are most useful for talking about inclusion, sharing and safer hands during conflict with children aged around 4–8.

Quick picks

From Growing WisePrincess Rose Strawberry
Best overallThe Invisible Boy
Best for neurodivergent friendshipA Friend for Henry
Best for safer hands during conflictHands Are Not for Hitting

Compare the books

BookBest forAgeFormat
The Invisible BoyExclusion and noticing a left-out child5–8Picture book
A Friend for HenryAutism, friendship and sensory differences4–8Picture book
Hands Are Not for HittingSafer hands during conflict4–8Board/picture book

Our recommendations

Cover of Princess Rose Strawberry and Miss Muffin
Growing Wise original

Princess Rose Strawberry and Miss Muffin

A picture book written and published by Growing Wise.

Discover the book →
The Invisible Boy children's book cover
Growing Wise pick

If your child feels left out or overlooked

The Invisible Boy (Trudy Ludwig)

Best for
Friendship, exclusion, quieter children and inclusion
Age
5–8
Why we chose it
Starts a conversation about noticing a child who is left out, and the small actions that can help someone feel included.
Try asking
"How could you tell if someone wanted to join in?"
This may be useful ifyour child is quiet or on the edge of a group, or you want to talk about noticing someone who's left out.
Choose something else ifthe friendship difficulty is more about a specific sensory or social difference: A Friend for Henry below may fit better.
View on Amazon →
A Friend for Henry children's book cover
Growing Wise pick

If friendship looks a little different for your child

A Friend for Henry (Jenn Bailey)

Best for
Autism, friendship and sensory/social differences
Age
4–8
Why we chose it
Henry wants a friend, but experiences the classroom and friendship a little differently to his classmates. Henry's experience is one autistic child's experience, not a stand-in for all autistic children.
Try asking
"What makes someone feel like a good friend to Henry?"
This may be useful ifyour child experiences friendship or classroom noise/busyness a little differently to their peers.
Choose something else ifyou're looking for a more general story about being left out: The Invisible Boy above is a broader starting point.
View on Amazon →
Hands Are Not for Hitting children's book cover
Growing Wise pick

If disagreements are turning physical

Hands Are Not for Hitting (Martine Agassi)

Best for
Talking about safer hands during conflict
Age
4–8
Why we chose it
It talks directly and calmly about what hands can do instead of hitting, without shaming a child for the impulse.
Try asking
"What else could hands do here instead?"
This may be useful ifyour child is still learning impulse control during conflict with siblings or friends.
Choose something else ifthe issue is exclusion rather than physical conflict: The Invisible Boy above is a better fit.
View on Amazon →

Want to practise this together?

Your child can practise a friendship scenario in our free 5-minute game, or read our full guide to sibling and friendship conflict for words to use in the moment.

Try a friendship scenario →

Is something else going on?

Siblings specificallySibling conflict →
Big reactions to small thingsBig feelings →
Communicating differentlyCommunication →

By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 8 September 2026

Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice.