List compiled by Anne Coppell (aka Auntie Anne).
When Anne suggested a book list about imaginary friends I was immediately delighted! What a whimsical suggestion! And what a lovely way to talk about complicated feelings.
During the pandemic, many children found themselves socially distanced from their usual playmates. And, I expect, imaginary friends filled the gap at least a little bit. I’m so glad Anne decided to put together this list so we can share in the magic that is the friendship of a being who, strictly speaking, does not exist.
~ Kate, Founder and Director, Storytime Solidarity
PS – We love using movies as a way to help families explore more books! Let us know if there are other films you’d like to have made into StS booklists!
- REAL TO ME by Minh Lê and Raissa Figueroa.
- IMAGINARY FRED by Eoin Colfer and Oliver Jeffers.
- THE ADVENTURES OF BEEKLE: THE UNIMAGINARY FRIEND by Dan Santat.
- WE FORGOT BROCK! by Carter Goodrich.
- LEON AND BOB by Simon James.
- SCRIBBLY: A REAL REAL IMAGINARY FRIEND TALE by Ged Adamson.
- RUBY’S SWORD by Jacqueline Veissid and Paola Zakimi.
- BEAR IS A BEAR by Jonathan Stutzman and Dan Santat.
Who else has been mesmerised by the trailer for the movie, IF — featuring imaginary friends?
We were inspired to create a booklist featuring imaginary friends.
I was inspired to spend my weekend staging photo shoots for these magical books.
Anne, Deputy Director, Storytime Solidarity
- HAVE YOU SEEN MY INVISIBLE DINOSAUR? by Helen Yoon.
- MARILYN’S MONSTER by Michelle Knudsen and Matt Phelan.
- SLIGHTLY INVISIBLE by Lauren Child.
- JIM’S LION by Russell Hoban and Ian Andrew.
- ELLIE’S DRAGON by Bob Graham.
- MY SCHOOL UNICORN by Willow Evans and Tom Knight.
- EMMA KATE by Patricia Polacco.
- LITTLE FRIDA by Anthony Browne.
- THE BOY WHO DREAMED DRAGONS by Caryl Lewis and Carmen Saldaña.
- JESSICA by Kevin Henkes.
Can you imagine a blue, pink, and yellow monkeycorn named Luke? How about a red ant named Charlie? These are the imaginary friends in my home, doing the important work of being helpful, consoling, funny, naughty, and otherwise just there. Always being there. And never getting dirty, damaged, or lost. Luke and Charlie are very excited to watch the movie IF, and read all the wonderful books listed here — where imaginary friends are seen and celebrated for the real benefits they bring.
~Ingrid Christina, Deputy Director Storytime Solidarity
