Families who loved Franklin's New Friend by Paulette Bourgeois often look for books with a similar feel. These 19 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child expresses anxiety about a new student in class or feels intimidated by someone who looks or acts differently than they do. It is a gentle tool for navigating the common childhood fear of the unknown and the tendency to make assumptions based on physical appearances. The story follows Franklin the turtle as he encounters a new family of moose. Because Moose is so much larger than the other animals, Franklin initially feels shy and even a bit scared. Through school interactions and shared play, Franklin discovers that despite their size difference, he and Moose have a lot in common. This classic picture book is perfect for preschoolers and early elementary students, modeling how to move past first impressions to build meaningful connections.