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38 Picture Books about Loneliness and Uncertainty

38 Picture Books about Loneliness and Uncertainty

These picture books about loneliness focus on characters who deal with feelings of isolation by making new friends, talking with adults and starting new hobbies.

38 Picture Books about Loneliness and Uncertainty

Loneliness and Uncertainty

Feelings of loneliness are normal and many children suffer from some form of isolation. There are many reasons children may suffer from isolation. One obvious reason could be Covid 19.

Millions of children will have been stuck in their homes during lockdowns. Many may be back attending school face to face, but we don’t know what the long term effects could be. Here are a few articles related to Covid and loneliness for you to read or share with the parents of your students.

 

Picture Books about Loneliness and Uncertainty

Feelings of loneliness are normal and many children suffer from some form of isolation. Use these picture books about loneliness as discussion starters to help your students understand they are not alone. They will see characters learn to deal with feelings of isolation and uncertainty by making new friends, talking with adults and starting new hobbies.

AAAlligator! by Judith Henderson

AAAlligator! by Judith Henderson

A boy overcomes his fears to get to know and make friends with a lonely alligator. The townsfolk are not so accepting and the mayor insists it is driven out of town. Once the community sees the kind and helpful side of the alligator they help it hide from the mayor. Use to discuss social justice, empathy, kindness, loneliness, acceptance and inferring.
AMAZON
Be a Friend by Salina Yoon

Be a Friend by Salina Yoon

Dennis looks at the world differently, but he is lonely and misunderstood by his classmates. In the playground, Dennis kicks “an IMAGINARY ball…” and is surprised when a girl kicks it back, starting a new friendship for two lonely characters. Promotes open-mindedness, relationship skills and self-esteem.
AMAZON

The Bear and the Wildcat by Kazumi Yumoto

Devastated Bear finds his friend Bird dead and shuts himself away while he grieves. In the spring, Bear meets Wildcat who he confides in about his friend Bird. Through this new friendship, Bear feels ready to start the grieving process. This Japanese book deals with acceptance, grieving, self-management and friendships.
AMAZON
Beegu by Alexis Deacon book cover

Beegu by Alexis Deacon

Beegu is lost on Earth. Despite her friendly nature, she finds the Earth unwelcoming, except for a litter of puppies and a group of children. Reinforces themes of acceptance, belonging, differences, friendship and loneliness.
AMAZON
The Colour of Home by Mary Hoffman

The Colour of Home by Mary Hoffman

When Hassan and his family are forced to move to England because of war he feels lonely and out of place. He finds his new environment cold and grey compared to his colourful life in Somalia. Hassan feels more settled as he makes new friends and begins to appreciate the colours of his new home. Promotes a sense of community, creativity and resilience.
AMAZON
The Dinner That Cooked Itself by J.C. Hsyu

The Dinner That Cooked Itself by J.C. Hsyu

Tuan is a hardworking and lonely man living in ancient China. He has no luck looking for a wife, even the local matchmaker couldn't help. One day a dinner appears on its table and his luck changes forever.
AMAZON
The Farmer and the Clown by Marla Frazee

The Farmer and the Clown by Marla Frazee

After a young clown bounces from a train, a reluctant farmer saves him. The grumpy, lonely farmer cleans off the happy clown’s makeup to reveal a scared child. Their growing friendship is interrupted as the train reappears and the clown is returned to his family.
AMAZON
The Fox and the Star by Coralie Bickford-Smith

The Fox and the Star by Coralie Bickford-Smith

The light of a star helps a lonely Fox forage for beetles, chase rabbits, dance in the rain’s tapping beat. One day, Star isn’t there and everything changes. Fox sets out to find the star. Tired from his journey he falls asleep. On awakening, the fox looks up to see a sky full of stars and his heart burst with happiness.
AMAZON
Herman and Rosie by Gus Gordon

Herman and Rosie by Gus Gordon

Musicians Herman and Rosie were both lonely. Herman hears Rosie singing from the street and Rosie hears Herman playing the Oboe from the building next door. One day Rosie follows the music until these two lonely characters meet and a new friendship begins.
AMAZON
Imaginary Fred by Eoin Colfer

Imaginary Fred by Eoin Colfer

The first of two books about loneliness involving Oliver Jeffers. Imaginary Fred appears when a lonely child wishes hard enough for a friend. This time it is Sam. They have a special relationship, but Fred expects to fade away when Sam makes a new friend, Sammi. But Sammi has her own imaginary friend, Frieda, and the group does everything together.
AMAZON
The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig

The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig

Brian struggles to make himself stand out. When he befriends a new student from Korea, she helps him grow in confidence and feel less invisible. Promotes themes of loneliness, kindness and relationship skills.
AMAZON
Journey by Aaron Becker

Journey by Aaron Becker

A lonely girl escapes into a mysterious world and witnesses an evil emperor capture a majestic bird. With courage, the girl outsmarts the emperor's army to set the bird free. Journey is a wordless picture book that promotes confidence, independence, perseverance, problem-solving, risk-taking and creative thinking.
AMAZON
King of the Sky by Nicola Davies

King of the Sky by Nicola Davies

A lonely, Italian boy moves to the Welsh countryside. An unexpected friendship with an old man who races pigeons helps him feel like he is no longer a stranger and that he belongs in his new home. Reinforces themes of belonging, friendship, immigration, loneliness, and patience.
AMAZON

The Last Chip by Duncan Beedie

A homeless pigeon is weak with hunger, but every time Percy spots some food more dominant birds get it first. A homeless woman takes pity on the pigeon and offers Percy her last chip. Includes themes of hunger, kindness, overcoming adversity and friendship.
AMAZON
Leaf by Sandra Dieckmann

Leaf by Sandra Dieckmann

A polar bear floats on an iceberg into a wood. The native animals are too frightened to approach the stranger. They watch the bears strange actions until they realise the bear is attempting to get home. The animals come together to help the stranger return to their home and family. Promotes compassion, environment, fears and loneliness.
AMAZON
Lila and the Crow by Gabrielle Grimard

Lila and the Crow by Gabrielle Grimard

Lila's dark skin, hair and eyes make her stand out at her new school. She is bullied and likened to a crow. At the autumn festival costume party, she embraces who she is and dresses as a crow. Promotes self-acceptance, self-awareness, discrimination, resilience, and loneliness.
AMAZON
A Lion in Paris by Beatrice Alemagna

A Lion in Paris by Beatrice Alemagna

After a weary day exploring Paris, a lion finds the perfect place to call his new home - on the plinth where the real lion statue, at the Place Denfert-Rochereau, stands today. Promotes a sense of belonging and loneliness.
AMAZON
Little Beauty by Anthony Browne

Little Beauty by Anthony Browne

A lonely gorilla learns sign language to communicate with his zookeepers. They bring him a tiny cat called Beauty and the two become inseparable. When the gorilla gets angry, his keepers threaten to separate the pair, until the kitten steps into the keep them together. Use to discuss communication, friendship, kindness, loneliness and self-management.
AMAZON
The Lonely Book by Kate Bernheimer

The Lonely Book by Kate Bernheimer

A lonely library book sits on a shelf until a girl takes it home. Separated, the book and girl wonder what happened to each other. Will they be reunited?
AMAZON
Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers

Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers

The second of two books about loneliness involving Oliver Jeffers. When a boy finds a penguin at his door he sets out to help the sad-looking bird find its way home. After dropping the penguin on the ice he starts his journey home. It felt strange to be on his own so he searched for the penguin. After a fruitless search, the boy sets off home only to discover the penguin searching for the boy. Promotes compassion, loneliness and a sense of belonging.
AMAZON
The Lost Horse by Mark Nicholas

The Lost Horse by Mark Nicholas

A young girl longs for a horse of her own. When one appears, she doesn’t realise it is missing from a museum. They enjoy each other’s company for a few days until a figure come to return the horse to its home. Use to discuss freedom, dreams, friendship, inferring, prediction, and loneliness.
AMAZON
Lotus and Feather Ji-li Jiang

Lotus and Feather by Ji-li Jiang

Lonely Lotus cares for Feather, a crane injured by a bullet. They grow closer and the crane follows Lotus everywhere. One day, the little girl knew she had to let Feather migrate with the other cranes. Promotes discussions on empathy, kindness, loneliness and friendship.
AMAZON
Me and My Fear by Francesca Sanna

Me and My Fear by Francesca Sanna

A girl’s fear and anxiety grow when she moves to a new country. She feels isolated and worries about making new friends because of the language barrier. When she finds a new friend who has his own fears, her anxiety eases. Use to discuss coping with change and anxiety, immigration, fears, and making friends.
AMAZON
My Two Blankets by Irena Kobald

My Two Blankets by Irena Kobald

Cartwheel’s new home is an immigration camp where she struggles to settle. With the help of a new friend she makes a smooth transition and is no longer lonely. Reinforces themes of acceptance, belonging, friendship and immigration.
AMAZON
Oliver by Birgitta Sif

Oliver by Birgitta Sif

Oliver loves playing with his friends, a collection of toys. He enjoys his solitude and with his vivid imagination he is never bored. A chance encounter with Olivia helps him realise having a real friend is not too bad. This Amnesty endorsed book promotes individuality, making friends, self-acceptance, play and imagination.
AMAZON
The Only Child by Guojingy

The Only Child by Guojing

In this wordless graphic novel, a lonely girl runs away from home to visit her grandma. On her way, she finds herself in a magical and wonderful world after befriending a mysterious stag. But she starts to worry about how she will find her way back home.
AMAZON
Over the Rooftops, Under the Moon by JonArno Lawson

Over the Rooftops, Under the Moon by JonArno Lawson

A bird sometimes feels part of his flock and other times full of loneliness. The bird unexpectedly connects with a young girl and starts to wonder about life. Lost in its thoughts, the bird is separated from its flock leaving it to its own adventures.
AMAZON
The Red Tree by Shaun Tan

The Red Tree by Shaun Tan

A small child is overwhelmed by a complex, puzzling and alienating world. She returns to the bedroom, full of emotions to find a tiny red seedling has grown to fill the room with a warm, comforting light.
AMAZON
The Scarecrow by Beth Ferry

The Scarecrow by Beth Ferry

An old scarecrow successfully keeps all the animals away from his field until a baby crow crashes at his feet. Having never known friendship, the lonely scarecrow adopts and cares for the fragile bird. A loving bond develops between two should be rivals and lasts for many years.
AMAZON
Singing Away the Dark by Caroline Woodward

Singing Away the Dark by Caroline Woodward

A brave girl narrates how she walks a mile to the school bus stop every day. She travels through the morning darkness, with sights and sounds that frighten her. Instead of being afraid, she sings away the dark and her fears. Use to discuss courage, fears and, resilience.
AMAZON
Stanley Paste by Aaron Blabey

Stanley Paste by Aaron Blabey

Stanley Paste is small, and he hates it. When he meets new student Eleanor Cabbage, the tallest person he has ever met, he finds out she hates being tall as much as he hates being small. These two lonely children become friends and develop their self-esteem together. Promotes resilience, belonging, relationship skills and self-esteem.
AMAZON
The Storm Whale by Benji Davies

The Storm Whale by Benji Davies

Lonely Noi finds a baby whale washed up on the beach and brings it home for company. Noi’s father finds the whale in the tub and realises how isolated his son is. They return the whale to the sea and Noi’s father gives his son more attention. Promotes compassion, responsible decision-making and family.
AMAZON
Sumi's First Day of School Ever by Soyung Pak

Sumi's First Day of School Ever by Soyung Pak

Sumi is overwhelmed on her first day of school partly because she doesn't speak English. A kind teacher helps Sumi discover that school may not be as lonely and scary as she first thought.
AMAZON
Suri’s Wall by Lucy Estela

Suri’s Wall by Lucy Estela

Read about the impact of war and the separation of families. This story is very relevant today, but also reflect on the effects of past conflicts. Reinforces themes of immigration, loneliness and conflicts.
AMAZON
Teacup by Rebecca Young

Teacup by Rebecca Young

A boy has to leave his home and takes with him a teacup full of earth from his home. Some days his journey is peaceful and other days are stormy. When he finds land another traveller, carrying a seed, makes him feel complete.
AMAZON
There Is a Tribe of Kids by Lane Smith

There Is a Tribe of Kids by Lane Smith

A story of a lonely child who struggles to find friends among different groups of animal, starting with ‘a tribe of kids’. The illustrations show his joy in finding new friends and the sadness he feels as they leave. He finally finds acceptance with a different tribe of kids, children. Reinforces resilience, belonging and relationship skills.
AMAZON
The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles by Michelle Cuevas

The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles by Michelle Cuevas

A lonely man delivers messages found in bottles in the sea. His loneliness grows as his wish of receiving a message are never realised. When he finds a message with no name he wonders how to deliver it he starts an amazing chain of events.
AMAZON
The Visitor by Antje Damm

The Visitor by Antje Damm

One day a blue paper aeroplane flies through Elsie's window. This event leads to a knock at the door which she opens to a boy who asks for his plane. An unexpected friendship develops and brings colour and light to Elsie’s lonely life. Promotes themes of loneliness, fears, cause & effect, relationship skills and risk-taking.
AMAZON

Videos to use with Books about Loneliness

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38 Picture Books about Loneliness and Uncertainty
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