Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2002
The Frog Princess
A princess's kiss turns her into a frog, sparking a quest to regain her human form.
240 pages· 49,072 words· Est. 7 hour read
3.9/5 Goodreads · 28,343 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Books About Unlikely Friendships · 21 titles considered
The Best Unlikely Friendships Books for Kids
By the Bookroo Editors
Looking for excellent children's books about unlikely friendships? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.
Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.
The Shortlist
Our 10 Favorite Books About Unlikely Friendships
Sale price
$1799
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2006
Owen & Mzee
An orphaned hippo and ancient tortoise form an unlikely bond, defying nature's odds.
1,691 words· Est. 14 min read-aloud
4.3/5 Goodreads · 2,502 ratings
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2025
Pocket Bear
A tiny bear, born in war, now leads a home for forgotten toys, offering second chances.
272 pages· 28,967 words· Est. 4 hour read
4.4/5 Goodreads · 4,469 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1248
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2017
Historia de Dos Gatitos
By Dav Pilkey · Book #3 in the Hombre Perro series
A dog-headed cop faces a cunning cat and a cute kitten in a battle of wits.
256 pages· 4,221 words· Est. 1 hour read
4.5/5 Goodreads · 20,335 ratings
$12.99Save 4%
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2018
Floaty
A grumpy man discovers a floating dog, leading to unexpected friendship.
32 pages· 497 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud
5.3/7 Bookroo experts·3.8/5 Goodreads · 402 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Sale price
$674
Picture Book · Ages 3–+ · 1984
Moses the Kitten
By James Herriot, Peter Barrett (Illustrator)
A frozen kitten's fate changes on a farm.
32 pages· 1,674 words· Est. 13 min read-aloud
4.3/5 Goodreads · 2,334 ratings
$6.95Save 3%
Sale price
$759
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2014
The Only Thing Worse Than Witches
A boy becomes a witch's apprentice, facing unexpected magical challenges.
266 pages· 41,786 words· Est. 6 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 675 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Sale price
$474
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2010
Quackenstein Hatches a Family
By Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, Brian T Jones (Illustrator)
A lonely duck adopts an egg, unleashing a surprising chase through the zoo.
32 pages· 520 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud
4.0/5 Goodreads · 463 ratings
$4.99Save 5%
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2003
Flawed Dogs
A dachshund seeks revenge and redemption at a dog show after being framed.
240 pages· 30,388 words· Est. 4 hour read
4.0/5 Goodreads · 2,345 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Sale price
$574
Picture Book · Ages 4–6 · 1998
The Lion and the Mouse
By Gail Herman, Lisa McCue (Illustrator)
A tiny mouse faces a giant lion's dilemma. Can the smallest save the mightiest?
32 pages· 88 words· Est. 1 min read-aloud
3.9/5 Goodreads · 199 ratings
$5.99Save 4%
Browse by age
Unlikely Friendships Picture Books
Illustrated read-alouds about unlikely friendships for preschool and elementary-age readers.
Sale price
$799
Betsy Who Cried Wolf
Ages 4–8 · 2002
A determined shepherd faces a cunning wolf with a plan.
Sale price
$1699
Cowboy & Octopus
Ages 3–5 · 2007
Can Cowboy and Octopus bridge their quirky differences to become friends?
Sale price
$1699
The Hideout
Ages 4–8 · 2019
A child's imagination creates a secret world, but reality calls her back. Where is she truly lost?
Sale price
$1799
Return of the Underwear Dragon
Ages 3–7 · 2021
A knight must teach a fire-breathing dragon to read without burning the books.
The Lion and the Mouse
2008
In the wild, unexpected friendships can change everything.
Sale price
$1495
Little Wolf, Big Wolf
Ages 4–8 · 2000
Two wolves clash but find friendship despite differences.
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$699
Friends Do Not Eat Friends
Ages 4–6 · 2021
A dinosaur and a chicken become unlikely friends.
Browse by age
Unlikely Friendships Chapter Books & Middle Grade
Longer stories about unlikely friendships for developing and independent readers.
Sale price
$699
Gossamer
Ages 9–12 · 2006
A tiny dreamgiver battles dark creatures to protect a troubled boy from nightmares.
Sale price
$1099
Lock the Doors
Ages 14–18 · 2022
A dream home hides dark secrets behind locked doors. Can Tom uncover the truth?
Sale price
$550
Shark Detective
Ages 4–7 · 2015
A lonely shark dreams of detective work. Can he solve a missing kitty case?
Sale price
$799
Spies in Disguise
Ages 8–12 · 2019
A suave spy and quirky scientist must team up to save the world from disaster.