Amos and Boris by William Steig

Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1971.

Amos is a mouse who lives on the beach. Because he wonders about other lands across the ocean, he builds a boat and sets sail. He has a wonderful time until he falls off the boat and can't get back aboard. A whale named Boris rescues Amos and takes him home, and the two become close friends. They realize that although they can't live in the same place, they can still be friends and will always remember each other. Many years later, Boris is washed ashore in a storm, and Amos finds him. Boris doesn't think Amos can help him, but Amos brings two elephants who push Boris back into the water. Although it's painful for them to part again, they know they'll always be in each other's hearts. This story shows children how acts of kindness can lead to deep and long-lasting friendship, and how even friends who are apart can feel close to each other.

Ages: 5-9
Cultural Context: non-human