The Best Gift of All. Written by Jonathan Emmett. Illustrated by Vanessa Cabban. Candlewick Press, 2008. 32 pages. Mole has not seen Rabbit for days. Concerned, he begins searching for his pal. As Mole digs a long tunnel, he runs into Squirrel and Hedgehog who join him on his adventure. Rabbit, feeling under the weather and convinced her friends have forgotten her, is pleasantly surprised when they all drop in. A cute story about friendship and an engaging read-aloud. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr PreS-1.

Finding a Friend in the Forest: a True Story. Written and illustrated by Dean Bennett. Down East Books, 2005. 32 pages. Jasper the beagle encounters a variety of wild animals after moving to Maine and befriends one, a crippled doe. A wonderful story about an unusual friendship. Nonfiction picture book. Interest level: Grades PreS-3.

Fred Stays With Me! Written by Nancy Coffelt. Illustrated by Tricia Tusa. Little, Brown Young Readers, 2007. A great story about a girl's best friend and constant companion who gets into trouble at each of her parents' homes where she splits her time. Fortunately the girl is as loyal as her dog and stands by him as they resolve the conflict with her parents through training and better housekeeping. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Grades PreK-2.

The Gift of Nothing. Written and illustrated by Patrick McDonnell. Little, Brown, 2005. 56 pages. Mooch the cat searches for the perfect gift for his best friend Earl the dog who has everything. The simple text and illustration convey an important message: friends are more important than the latest stuff. A wonderful gift book for people of all ages. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. 1 and up.

Owen & Mzee: the Language of Friendship. Told by Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff, and Dr. Paula Kahumbu. Photographed by Peter Greste. Scholastic, Inc., 2007. 40 pages. This title continues the story about the orphaned baby hippo and the 130-year-old tortoise whose unique friendship caused them to became worldwide celebrities. The pair's first year and a half are chronicled, focusing on how the two communicate. Nonfiction photo essay. Interest level: Grades 2-6.

Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship. Told by Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff, and Paula Kahumbu. Photographed by Peter Greste. Scholastic, Inc., 2006. 40 pages. A baby hippo orphaned after the 2004 tsunami is brought to a wildlife refuge where he befriends a 130 year-old tortoise. A remarkable story. Nonfiction photo essay. Interest level: Gr. 2-6.

Rickie & Henri: a True Story. Written by Jane Goodall. Illustrated by Alan Marks. Penguin Young Readers Group, 2004. 32 pages. An orphaned chimp is rescued by a kind man at a market in Africa. The man's shaggy dog nurtures the chimp until she is placed at the Jane Goodall Institute's Tchimpounga Sanctuary. A beautifully written and illustrated book. Nonfiction picture book. Interest level: Grades 2-6.

Sam's New Friend. Written by Thierry Robberecht. Illustrated by Philippe Goossens. Clarion Books, 2008. 32 pages. Only boys are strong and brave, or so Sam thinks. Once Sam befriends a girl, he discovers just how strong and brave girls can be. An excellent story about empathy delivered by two adorable characters. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Grades PreK-1.

South. By Patrick McDonnell. Little, Brown and Co., 2008. 48 pages. After a long nap, a bird awakens to find his flock has flown south. In this nearly wordless picture book, Mooch the cat (from the popular Mutts cartoon), lends the bird a helping paw. They walk and walk until they find the flock. After a hug goodbye, the little bird rejoins his flock and Mooch returns home for a well earned rest. A simple yet powerful story about compassion. Fiction picture book. Interest level: Gr. PreK-3.

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