Windows and Mirrors
Windows and Mirrors
Our booklist
Windows and Mirrors is a list of suggested books for children aged four to seven that represents the diversity of our world.
Our list gives:
- windows into the lives of all children
- mirrors for children’s own lives.
We include books that help children establish their place in the world, books where all children – especially those from underrepresented groups – get to be the main protagonist in a story.
Windows and Mirrors is updated regularly.
Windows and Mirrors is now interactive!
If you have the School Portal, you’ll enjoy discovering the best books using our interactive booklist – now with the power to search, filter and share.
The engagement factor
All books on our booklist engage children, both emotionally and intellectually. They:
- elicit a response – excitement, interest, curiosity, empathy
- have a strong narrative structure and intriguing illustrations
- extend vocabulary
- connect with something that children already know.
Maryanne Wolf says:
“Emotional engagement is the tipping point between leaping into the reading life or remaining in a childhood bog where reading is endured only as a means to other ends.”
Booklist themes
Themes include:
- family and friendship
- exploring feelings
- kindness and community
- our planet
- change and bereavement
- moving home or country
- the power of speaking up.
Our inspiration
Windows and Mirrors is inspired by the work of Professor Rudine Sims Bishop. Her 1990 article “Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors” shares the importance of all children seeing themselves reflected in what they read.
Farrah Serroukh says:
“To find a fragment of yourself in the pages of a book is a profound and powerful experience; it holds a mirror up to your existence and suggests that you’re not alone. For children in their formative years, this is life-affirming.”
Olu’s Teacher by Jamel C. Campbell and Lydia Mba
It’s Olu’s first day at nursery and he’s nervous. What is a teacher? What do they look like? The classroom feels big and he feels small. By the end of the day, Olu is smiling. His teacher reminds him of someone… who could it be?
One Day at a Time by Rachel Ip and Natelle Quek
When their parents make the painful decision to live in separate houses, Poppy and Robin have mixed-up feelings. Their school and friends stay the same.. But sometimes… it feels like something is missing. It takes time but they know there will always be hugs, laughter and love. Plenty of love.
One Little Word by Joseph Coelho and Allison Colpoys
Two best friends argue; the argument grows until they feel more like enemies. A rollercoaster of shouting, shoving and tears ensues.
What will it take to heal their friendship? Why, one little word of course. Oh, and a hug.
Our Nipa Hut by Rachell Abalos and Gabriela Larios
Yelena and papa live in a nipa hut; a Filipino house built on stilts. The hut is part of their family. When a storm comes (and they come more often these days), the hut shudders and flinches. ’The wind is strong, but together, Yelena, papa and the nipa hut are stronger’.
Our Tower by Joseph Coelho and Richard Johnson
Despite the grey, concrete tower the children live in, there is ‘a power that resides in the smiles of our neighbours. A magic that seeps out when we swap our home-baked flavours.’ A moving and important story to share with children in Key Stage 1 and 2.
Out of the Blue by Robert Tregoning and Stef Murphy
The child in this story feel sad and alone. Everything in the world is the colour blue; including the grass and he loves… yellow. Is it okay to love yellow? Will his dad still love him? ‘Life is like a rainbow – we all love different things.’ A story to celebrate individuality and diversity.
Papa’s Butter Chicken by Monica Saigal and Abeeha Tariq
Dad is making butter chicken, everyone’s favourite. Monica loves to cook with him and listen to his stories. Soon family and neighbours arrive with all sorts of yummy food. It’s a feast! We all have our favourite dishes… what’s yours?
Peace on Earth by Smriti Halls and David Litchfield
When words hurt and sting, peace can be hard to find. But with brave hearts and kind hands, we can change angry words. “Peace will lever look away, it lights a candle, here to stay’. There is always a way out of darkness to the light. Peace mends hearts and spreads love.
People Need People by Benjamin Zephaniah and Nila Aye
A fabulous poem that bounces along, why not join in as if it’s a song? A celebration of connection, family, friendship; ‘to make life appealing and give life some meaning, it’s useful to have other people’. Oh yes, people will always need people.