Almost every situation we encounter in life, there is a certain amount of teamwork involved to help others thrive. Whether we are at work, playing with friends, attending school, or spending time with family at home, we will be faced with situations where it is beneficial to know how to be a good teammate. The following five books are my favorites for talking about teamwork.
By Ashley Spires
Toronto, ON: Kids Can Press, 2025. Picture Book.
I love Ashley Spires and was very excited for The Most Magnificent Team. It was one of those times I squealed when I saw the book on the shelf! I appreciate her lovely, engaging artwork, the humor packed into learning situations, and the realistic portrayal of young kids.
As our main character is getting ready to go to work on something magnificent, she discovers someone else is already in her usual spot, waiting to build. This new development totally shocks her. She is used to working with her best friend (her pup) but not people. There are some glitches as she figures out this new situation. A lot of frustration ensues, but in the end lessons are learned, realizations are made, and persistence pays off. This book would be a beautiful addition for anyone who needs an easy discussion-starter related to teamwork.
Written by Susan Edwards Richmond
Illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman
Atlanta, GA: Margaret Quinlin Books. 2025. Picture Book.
At the start of this book, our main character Mellie is super excited for her time in Science Club, where she's going to be counting pollinators with her best friend. Soon she finds out her teacher has paired her with someone new: Jason. Jason doesn't like bees! Mellie doesn't know how to work with someone who hates bees.
Gradually, Mellie teaches Jason some concepts that get him more interested. Along the way, the duo find out they have more things in common than they thought at the start. Both kids learn great things about each other and how valuable teamwork is. I enjoyed this book, and think that kids who are interested in science and insects would enjoy it, as well as people who want to talk about building relationships.
By Hannah Salyer
Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2020. Informational.
This delightful informational book focuses on animals in nature, and the strength that comes from being together. We learn the names for various animal groupings, and are presented with different characteristics a species needs to accomplish the tasks for survival and recreation.
There are suggestions for further reading at the back of the book, as well as a great summary about how packs and groups are beneficial not just to animals, but to humans as well. I appreciated the plea by the author for readers to remember that kindness and teamwork make the world a better place for all of us.
By DK Ryland
Salem, MA: Page Street Kids, an imprint of Page Street Publishing Co., 2025. Picture Book.
I adore this book. Not only is it a great book for discussing teamwork, it is great for talking about the process of writing! And the animals on the cover are delightful. Be prepared for any child you are reading this with to call out answers to questions the animals ask. I love that built-in opportunity for engagement.
As the book continues on and the story develops, more and more elements are added in. Writers will learn about the importance of sentences being formed using words, and how individual elements need to be cohesive. I loved this book and the focus on teamwork as a necessary skill to bring about a fabulous finished product.
Written by Traci Sorell
Illustrated by Joseph Erb
Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge, 2024. Picture Book.
I definitely wanted to include one book on teamwork that had a sports focus. Vann is our main character, who doesn't feel like he is very good at sports. He isn't fast, he isn't big, and he messed up in the last loss that the team had. Fortunately, Vann is surrounded by good teammates and an understanding coach.
As you may have guessed, teamwork prevails, and Vann's team pulls off a victory. I enjoyed that this book talks about stickball, which is a sport many people probably aren't familiar with, and that the author was able to introduce the reader to some words from the Cherokee language. There is a glossary included at the back, as well as a few photos of a tournament game that was actually played and the equipment used in stickball.
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