Families who loved Alfie and His Secret Friend by Gunilla Bergström often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child starts talking about an imaginary friend or when they seem to need a little extra magic to navigate the quiet moments of their day. It is a gentle, validating look at the world of a preschooler who uses his imagination to solve problems and find companionship. Alfie is a young boy who shares his adventures and secrets with Malcolm, a friend who only Alfie can see. While his father remains a calm, grounding presence in the background, Alfie navigates the boundaries between reality and make-believe. This classic story normalizes the presence of imaginary friends, showing them not as a cause for concern, but as a healthy tool for emotional development and creativity in children aged 3 to 6.