Picture books about friendship, love and kindness are, I think, always welcome! We get a lot of questions at our library regarding the aforementioned themes, and I’ve slowly been cultivating my list of favourites over the a number of years.
Here, in no particular order, are my favourite picture books about love and friendship. (…This list could also come in handy for any Valentine’s Day themed storytimes…!)
Scrawny Cat by Phyllis Root, illus. Alison Friend
Plant a Kiss by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illus. Peter H. Reynolds
Chopsticks by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illus. Scott Magoon
Katie Loves the Kittens by John Himmelman
Chick ‘n’ Pug by Jennifer Sattler
Say Hello to Zorro! by Carter Goodrich
Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson, illus. E.B. Lewis
Bear’s New Friend by Karma Wilson, illus. Jane Chapman
Gossie and Gertie by Olivier Dunrea
Mr. Pusskins: A Love Story by Sam Lloyd
The Bear Who Shared by Catherine Rayner
A Kiss Like This by Mary Murphy
Oliver by Birgitta Sif
Henry in Love by Peter McCarty
I’m Not. by Pam Smallcomb, illus. Robery Weinstock
City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Willems, illus. Jon J. Muth
Boy & Bot by Ame Dyckman, illus. Dan Yaccarino
Friends by Eric Carle
Enemy Pie by Derek Munson, illus. Tara Calahan King
South by Patrick McDonnell
Hug Machine by Scott Campbell
The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat
Jennifer Jones Won’t Leave Me Alone by Frieda Wishinsky, illus. Neal Layton
A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead, illus. Erin E. Stead
Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers
The Heart and the Bottle by Oliver Jeffers
The Farmer and the Clown by Marla Frazee
Princess Hyacinth: The Surprising Tale of a Girl Who Floated by Florence Parry Heide, illus. Lane Smith
A Splendid Friend, Indeed by Suzanne Bloom
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, illus. Anita Jeram
Very Special Friends by Jane Chapman
Boot & Shoe by Marla Frazee
A Home for Bird by Philip C. Stead
My Friend is Sad by Mo Willems
Sylvia and Bird by Catherine Rayner
Harris Finds His Feet by Catherine Rayner
Forever Friends by Carin Berger
Owl Babies by Martin Waddell, illus. Patrick Benson
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn, illus. Ruth E. Harper, illus. Nancy M. Leak
Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend by Melanie Watt
The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? by Mo Willems
Hooray for Amanda & Her Alligator! by Mo Willems
You Will Be My Friend! by Peter Brown
Fab Book Reviews 
This is a great list! Sylvia and Bird looks especially enticing! Thank you for taking the time to put this together!
I hope you enjoy Sylvia and Bird! I am such a fan of Catherine Rayner’s titles- her illustrative style is (I think!) so gorgeous and warm, and this story is just lovely. 🙂