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Windows and Mirrors

Our booklist

In 1990, Professor Rudine Sims Bishop published an article called “Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors”. The article shared the importance of all children seeing themselves reflected in what they read.

 

Our list of suggested books for children aged 4 to 7 offers: 

  • windows into the lives of all children 
  • mirrors for children’s own lives. 

 

All children see themselves in stories. All children are seen. Stories help children become empathetic and reflective. Themes on our list include: family and friendship; exploring feelings; kindness and community; our planet; change and bereavement; moving home or country; the power of speaking up.  

Find a printable list of the Windows and Mirrors booklist here. 

Image of a teacher holding up a book featured in our Windows and Mirrors list to show the class the story during Storytime.

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.

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My Name is a Gift by Zeshan Akhter and Asa Gilland

When Sitara is born, her name is the first present she gets from her mum and dad. It’s from Pakistan and means ’shine like a star’. People tumble up her name and say it wrongly. She wishes they would ask her how to say it. When people say her name carefully it lights up her heart.

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Love, the Earth by Frances Stickley and Tim Hopgood

A poem from the Earth to inspire us to love and look after our world. The Earth gives us animals, weather, forests, oceans and plants. ‘Please share my food, my lakes, my land, but try to lend a helping hand’. If we take care of the planet, it will take care of us.

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All the Ways to be Smart by Davina Bell and Allison Colpoys

What does it mean to be smart? It’s not just reading and spelling or knowing all the answers. It’s building boats from boxes; finding treasures; flower picking; making up new games with teams. In fact, ’nobody will ever do the very same smart things as you’. We are all smart in different ways!

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The Bridges by Tom Percival

Mia is a little girl who feels lonely. One day, a book mysteriously appears. The first book she has ever owned and, as she reads it, she begins to cross bridges. Bridges that lead her to new places, new people, new adventures. When she meets a little boy who seems lonely, she knows what to do.

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Flower Block by Lanisha Butterfield and Hoang Giang

One night, Jeremiah plants tiny seeds and makes a wish. The next day, vines magically sprout through his ceiling and up to the floors of his tower block. As he and his brother explore, they discover more flowers and more new people. How will the community feel about their tower full of flowers?

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A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Georgia Ellinas and Jane Ray

Puck, a cheeky sprite, lives in the fairy kingdom. King Oberon and Queen Titiania have a disagreement and ask Puck to help them sort it out. At the same time, there are four young people in love but each with the wrong person. Can Puck sort out the muddles? A retelling of the play by William Shakespeare.

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Whirly Twirly Me by Manjeet Mann and Amanda Quarty

A girl wakes up feeling whirly and twirly; her stomach in a knot, she’s in a strop! Her favourite cereal runs out, a boy takes her favourite pencil. She’s angry but doesn’t know why. Mum helps her see that sometimes she might be sad, worried or nervous. Being whirly twirly is normal. Some days are like that…



New to list June ’24

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The Ocean Gardener by Clara Anganuzzi

Ayla lives on a tiny island where her mum takes care of the coral reef. Sadly, the sea becomes too warm, the reef starts to fade and the fish disappear. Ayla and her mum decide to grow a coral nursery at home and plant it in the sea. Will the fish return? ‘Be patient; change doesn’t happen overnight’ says mum.

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