What would we do without a best friend? June 8th is National Best Friends Day in the USA and we had great fun looking through our book collection to find some of our favourite fictional best friends.
Pip and Posy – Axel Scheffler: We have several Pip and Posy stories and they make a great introduction to the concept of best friends. They show that although best friends enjoy doing things together disagreements are often part of friendship too. In Pip and Posy: The Super Scooter Posy borrows Pip’s scooter without asking and in Pip and Posy: The Snowy Day they have a big argument but the issues are resolved by the end of the stories.
Whiffy and Dotty – Caryl Hart and Leonie Lord: We love the relationship between Whiffy Wilson and his friend Dotty. Dotty is a true best friend when she helps a flea infested Whiffy take a bath in Whiffy Wilson, The Wolf who wouldn’t Wash. In Whiffy Wilson, The Wolf who wouldn’t go to School Dotty provides valuable support and ensures that Whiffy’s first day at school is a fun experience.
Otter and Teddy – Sam Garton: Otter and Teddy share a strong bond although Otter often blames Teddy when things go wrong. In I am Otter Teddy goes missing after he muddles up orders at Otter’s toast restaurant and Otter is distraught. Teddy isn’t gone for long but the incident shows Otter how important her best friend is.
Herman and Henry – Tom Percival: Herman and Henry are separated when Henry moves away in Herman’s Letter but best friends will do anything to be with each other as Herman proves when he makes an epic journey to visit Henry.
Lola and Lotta – Lauren Child: We have several Charlie and Lola stories but one of our favourites is We completely must Go to London in which best friends Lola and Lotta (along with best friends Charlie and Marv) show us the London sights in their own inimitable style.
Dixie O’Day and Percy – Shirley Hughes and Clara Vulliamy: Best friends Dixie and Percy enjoy the comradeship of a car race in Dixie O’Day In the Fast Lane. Their relationship goes back a long way and an important element is their mutual enjoyment of good food.
Claude and Sir Bobblysocks – Alex T. Smith: Claude is always accompanied by Sir Bobblysocks and is careful to watch out for the effect that his exciting adventures can have on Sir Bobblysocks’ nerves. Claude is a kind and caring best friend and in our favourite story, from Claude in the City, Claude looks after sick Sir Bobblysocks and takes him to the hospital (in a very unusual ambulance!).
Pig and Duck – Emer Stamp: Best friends Duck and Pig unite when the Evil Chickens hatch a plan to send Pig to Pluto in The Unbelievable Top Secret Diary of Pig. Duck is such a loyal best friend that, unbeknown to Pig, he accompanies him on his daring mission and helps to ensure that the farmer and the Evil Chickens get their comeuppance!
Wilbur and Charlotte – E. B. White: I enjoyed Charlotte’s Web as a child and my daughter also loved it when we read it earlier in the year. The story of the friendship between Charlotte, a grey spider, and Wilbur, a piglet, has captivated readers over several generations and shows that you can find a true best friend in the most unlikeliest of places!
Winnie the Pooh and Piglet – A. A. Milne and Ernest Shepherd: Winnie the Pooh and Piglet have a wonderfully easygoing relationship and there are several occasions when they have helped each other out. They have some wonderful conversations which I find very amusing but my daughter doesn’t yet fully understand. Pooh and Piglet are definitely my favourite fictional best friends.
Do you have any fictional best friends to add to our list? We would love to hear who you would choose in the comments below.
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