10 Books about Love and Friendship

February is the month of love, and what better way to celebrate it than with great Canadian kids' books about love and friendship. I've put together a list of 10 books that explore all sorts of love: love between friends, between siblings, and between a parent and a child. This list is by no means exhaustive - there is so much out there in the world of Canadian children's literature - but it's a nice place to start!

BOOKS FOR PRESCHOOLERS (AGES 2 TO 5)

Without You, by Geneviève Côté
Without You is the follow-up to Geneviève Côté's Me and You. In Without You, friends Rabbit and Pig have a falling out, and decide they'd each be perfectly happy without the other. Only, it's not so much fun being alone, and the friends discover that "Together we can fly, me and you." Accompanied by gentle, warm watercolour illustrations, this book is a celebration of friendship.

Stella, Star of the Sea, by Marie-Louise Gay
Stella and her younger brother, Sam, are visiting the sea. It's Sam's first time, and he's a little nervous. He has lots of questions, which Stella patiently answers in her creative way as she gently encourages Sam to join her in the water. The story sweetly captures the essence of sibling love. The illustrations are rich and colourful, and give the reader lots to explore.

Boo Hoo Bird, by Jeremy Tankard
When Bird gets bonked on the head, all his friends want to make him feel better. A kiss, a hug, a cookie, a game of hide-and-seek, a band-aid - nothing works! His friends are so distraught that in the end, Bird must do something to cheer them up. Jeremy Tankard's vibrant illustrations infuse this humorous story of friendship and empathy with an energy that young readers will enjoy again and again.

A Visitor for Bear, by Bonny Becker; illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton
Bear is a bit of a recluse. He likes to be on his own. Hence, the sign on his door that reads, "NO VISITORS ALLOWED." But when a quiet little mouse relentlessly insists on staying for tea and a sit by the fire, Bear discovers there's something to be said for having a friend. Bonny Becker's text is quietly humorous and works beautifully with the pastel-toned illustrations by Kady MacDonald Denton.

Love You Forever, by Robert Munsch; illustrated by Sheila McGraw
What book list about love would be complete without Love You Forever? This classic of kids' Can Lit is about the unconditional love between a parent and a child, and reassures that no matter what you do, no matter how old you are, you will always be loved. Also to be noted is the nurturing role given to the son as he grows. As the mother of a boy, this book has always held a special place on my bookshelves.

BOOKS FOR THE SCHOOL-AGED (AGES 6 TO 9)

Mattland, by Hazel Hutchins and Gail Herbert; illustrated by Dušan Petricić
Moving can be really hard when you're a kid. You leave your friends behind and you have to get used to all new surroundings. In Mattland, Matt is displeased with his new home. There's not much to it except a bunch of dirt. So he begins to create his own world out of mud, sticks and debris, and before long, he's joined by other kids all united in a common goal.

I'm Here, by Peter Reynolds
The main character in I'm Here sees the world a wee bit differently. A little set apart from the other children, he senses the world around him, the wind and the sounds, intensely. And he imagines himself travelling on a paper airplane. In the end, he is joined by another child, a friend, and he pronounces once again, "I'm here." This book will have special interest to those with autistic children in their lives.

Ninja Cowboy Bear Presents the Way of the Ninja, by David Bruins and Hilary Leung
The ninja loves to play with his friends Cowboy and Bear, but sometimes they have trouble agreeing on what's fun. Ninja is a bit too daring for his friends' tastes. This quirky book is a reminder that having fun with our friends involves a bit of compromise.

Yuck, a Love Story, by Don Gillmor; illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay
Austin has a brown dog and a best friend. In other words, his life is full. So when Amy moves in next door, all he can say is, "Yuck." Why do girls have to live anywhere at all? And yet, Austin can't seem to get his mind off Amy. In Yuck, a Love Story, Don Gillmor's text and Marie-Louise Gay's whimsical illustrations capture a first crush with warmth and humour.

Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend, by Mélanie Watt
Scaredy Squirrel is afraid of just about everything. He'd like to have a friend, but he'd rather be alone than risk coming across someone "dangerous." So he puts a hilarious plan in motion to win himself a perfectly risk-free friend. When things don't go as planned, Scaredy redefines his idea of a friend. Parents and youngsters alike will be entertained by Scaredy's antics and the chuckle-inspiring illustrations.

Do you have a favourite Canadian children's book about love or friendship? Tell us about it in the comments below.