Friends can come in all shapes, sizes, and species. Our friends comfort us, keep us company, and show us how strong we can be. In this week’s Butler Bookshelf, we are featuring books about friendship, like Saki Tanaka’s Between Words: A Friendship Tale. With colorful and whimsical illustrations made with watercolor and colored pencil, Tanaka tells the story of a young boy named Kai and his journey to making friends. Kai and his father live nomadically, and a constant language barrier has made it difficult for Kai to make friends in the new places they live. However, with the help of a magical friend and a special stone, Kai learns that words are not the most important tool for making new friends. Between Words: A Friendship Tale is a touching story with beautiful illustrations that shows the power and beauty of friendships that come in all forms.

Check out more books about friendships below!

Between Words: A Friendship Tale
Written and illustrated by Saki Tanaka
Published by Orchard Books
Available now

Even Better Than Sprinkles: A Story About Best Friends
Written by Linda Skeers
Illustrated by Heather Fox
Published by Random House Studio
Available now

Pig in Jeans
Written and illustrated by Brenda Li
Published by Orchard Books
Available now

The Secret Elephant: Inspired By a True Story of Friendship
Written and illustrated by Ellan Rankin
Published by Random House Studio
Available now

Shermy & Shake, the Not-So-New Kid
Written by Kirby Larson
Illustrated by Shinji Fujioka
Published by Candlewick Press
Available now