Owen and Mzee: the True Story of a Remarkable Friendship

Title: Owen and Mzee: the True Story of a Remarkable Friendship
Author: Isabella Hatkoff, Craig hatkoff and Dr. Paula Kahumbu
Photographs by Peter Greste
Publisher / Date: Scholastic Press / 2006
Genre: Nonfiction, Picture Book
Themes: friendship, animals, adaptation
Summary: Remarkable true story of a baby hippo that was rescued from danger after being washed up on Kenya shore after the devastating tsunami of 2004. The authors tell how Owen was all alone when he was rescued. They took him to an animal sanctuary where Owen met Mzee, an Aldabra tortoise. Owen found comfort in the old turtle in the midst of his turmoil and the two have been inseparable ever since.  
Curriculum Connection: Grades K-5 Science: weather (effects of a tsunami), animal adaptation; Geography: Africa
Notes:  Remarkable photojournalism; wonderful read aloud and discussion starter! 

City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Willems

Title: City Dog, Country Frog
Author: Mo Willems
Illustrator: Jon J. Muth
Publisher / Date: Hyperion / 2010
Genre: Fiction Picture Book
Themes: friendship, seasons, animals
Summary: City dog finds a friend in country frog. They play games in the spring and summer but when winter comes, city dog can't find country frog. When Spring comes around again, city dog finds friendship again.
Curriculum Connections: Preschool- Kindergarten: Science: Seasons; Language Arts: Beginning, Middle, Ending (parts of a story)
Notes: Cheerful read aloud for preschool / Kindergarten about friendship. See Mo Willems website for more info.
http://www.mowillems.com/