I Am a Good Friend by Charise Mericle Harper

This humorous friendship story cleverly explores what it truly means to be a good companion through the misadventures of a confident girl and her increasingly disgruntled animal pals. Young readers will follow along as she plans a day of games, picnics, and storytelling with two squirrels, a snail, and three crows, only to discover that her ideas of fun aren't always shared by her friends. The narrative provides a gentle, accessible lesson in empathy and perspective-taking, showing how good intentions don't always translate to good friendship practices.

What makes this social-emotional learning book particularly effective is how it uses comedy and relatable scenarios to deliver its message without feeling preachy. The girl's growing realization that she needs to listen to her friends' preferences creates a wonderful opportunity for parent-child discussions about consideration and respect. Children who enjoy character-driven stories with expressive animal characters will find both laughter and meaningful insight in this engaging tale about the fundamentals of being a thoughtful playmate.