11 Picture Books Celebrating Imagination and Friendship

I’m delighted to have Jackie Azúa Kramer guest posting today with a picture book list that celebrates imagination and friendship. She picked some of my all-time favorite picture books in her ten-book list; half about Imagination and half about Friendship.

Her newest picture book is also a perfect blend of friendship and imagination. We are giving away a copy of The Green Umbrella too! Please see the giveaway at the bottom of the post.

The Green Umbrella by Jackie Azúa Kramer, illustrated by Maral Sassouni

Elephant’s green umbrella is also Hedgehog’s boat, Cat’s tent, Bear’s flying machine, and Rabbit’s cane. Elephant doesn’t limit the use of the green umbrella to keeping himself dry either; it’s his sword, balancing pole, and baseball bat. As the rain clears up, the animals each want their toy back. Instead of fighting, they come up with the perfect solution for more adventures together. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

How about you? What are your favorite books that spark the imagination, celebrate friendship or even BOTH?! Thanks for sharing!

p.s. Here is one more!

Even Better Than Sprinkles: A Story About Best Friends by Linda Skeers, illustrated by Heather Fox

Best friends are better than lots of amazing things including sprinkles because they are generous, supportive, and fun to be around. But when you make a grave error of judgment, a best friend will accept your apology and forgive you. This picture book models what it means to be a best friend, and how to repair a friendship gone awry. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

5 Picture Books to Spark a Kid’s Imagination

1. The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires

A little girl has an amazing idea that she’s going to make the most magnificent thing! All she has to do is make it. But making her magnificent thing leads down a frustrating path of trial and error. This book best reflects–Inspiration + motivation + passion = Endless possibilities. The girl’s emotional journey reminds a child not to quit. [picture book, ages 3 and up]

2. If You Want to See a Whale by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Erin E. Stead

A little boy and his basset hound sit by a window and want nothing more than to catch a glimpse of a whale. As he looks, waits, and wonders about the whale, there are so many beautiful things to distract him in the world of his own imagination. In this place, whale-shaped clouds swim in the sky, and an armchair becomes a boat. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

3. Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

Harold decides to go for a walk in the moonlight. Armed with a large purple crayon, Harold draws himself into a world full of wonder and imagination. There are lots of funny twists and turns, but Harold keeps his cool with imaginative solutions. A wonderful story that reflects creative problem-solving. [picture book, age 4 and up]

4. The Whisper by Pamela Zagarenski

Step inside the pages of a little girl’s magical book as she discovers the inspiring idea that we each bring something different to the same story. Not only is this story rich with the power of imagination, but the illustrations also evoke stories within stories. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

5. Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen

Sam and Dave are on a mission to find something spectacular. So they dig a hole. And they keep digging. And they find nothing. Or have they? Children are often hungry for adventure. Barnett tapped into child think and play. It takes great imagination to know that there’s always something spectacular out there. [picture book, ages 4 and up]

5 Great Picture Books About Friendship

6. Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel

Frog and Toad are always there for each other—just as best friends should be. Follow moments like writing letters to go swimming, and telling stories to find lost buttons. An ‘odd couple’ friendship where the wit, warmth, and caring between Frog and Toad are undeniable. [easy reader, ages 4 and up]

7. Bear Feels Sick by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman

Autumn has come to the woods, and Bear doesn’t feel well. He sniffles and aches all over and can’t sleep. Worst of all, he’s feeling too poorly to play with his friends. We all need friends like this when we have the sniffles. His friends light a fire, fluff his blanket, and make him some broth and tea. [picture book, ages 3 and up]

8. The Happy Lion by Louise Fatio, illustrated by Roger Duvoisin

A friendly lion in a small French zoo enjoys the visits of the townspeople. One day, when the zookeeper forgets to close the lion’s door, he decides to visit his friends from the zoo. Mayhem ensues, to his surprise, until a boy saves the day. A child will learn the power of friendship when fear and prejudice are overcome, a beautiful message. [picture book, ages 3 and up]

9. A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Erin Stead

A lovely friendship between a zookeeper named Amos and the animals he cares for gets turned around when Amos gets sick and the animals come to his house to comfort and care for him. I love the old-fashioned feel of the book where the protagonist, Amos, is an adult. A quiet and sweet tale of good deeds is accompanied by the amazing Caldecott-winning illustrations. [picture book, ages 2 and up]

10. An Extraordinary Egg by Leo Lionni

Three frogs discover a large white egg, and they decide it must be a chicken egg. When the scaly, green creature emerges from the egg, they call it chicken. A hilarious case of mistaken identity and acceptance. [picture book, ages 3 and up]

Win a Signed Copy of The Green Umbrella!

Please fill out the Rafflecopter below to win a copy of The Green Umbrella that includes a signed bookplate. Due to the high cost of shipping, we can only ship to U.S.A. addresses and A.F.O. post boxes.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jackie Azúa Kramer was an actor, singer & school counselor. Now she’s an author and wiles away her time writing children’s picture books. She lives with her husband, ‘Multi-talented Brad’ and amazing kids ‘Jazz-hands Jonah’ & big sis, ‘Free-spirited Daisy’ in Long Island, NY.

p.s. Related posts:

Animal Friendship Picture Books

Feeding Kids’ Imaginations with Food as Art

6 Books on Light Pollution and the Night Sky

Antiracist Books for Kids, Teens, and Adults

Hiking and Camping Books for Kids

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My books:

We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants®  Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court

• Junior Library Guild Gold selection

 Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World

• ⭐ Starred review from School Library Journal!
• Junior Library Guild Gold selection
• Massachusetts Book Award Long List
• dPICTUS 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023
• Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
• 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
• Green Earth Book Award Long List
• Nautilus Silver Winner, Nonfiction Children’s Picture Book
• Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids

 Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me