
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.


My Beautiful Voice by Joseph Coelho and Alison Colpoys
Miss Flotsam’s clothes are ‘a flutter of fabric filled with the spice of colour’. She loves poetry. A little girl in her class rarely speaks. Inspired and nurtured by Miss Flotsam, she slowly finds her voice. And when she does… it is beautiful.

My Bindhi by Gita Varadarajan and Archana Sreenivasan
It is an important moment in Divya’s life; time to wear a bindhi. She is nervous about what her school friends might say and is ‘all mixed up’. Is she scared or is she proud? She bravely stands up in class and explains, ‘it can see inside me and protect me. It makes me feel like ME’.

My Bright Shining Star by Fatima Whitbread and Rhian Wright
A little girl whose mummy finds it hard to look after her, moves to a big house with other children. She waits for a new family to take care of her but none ‘feel like home’. So, she stays at the children’s home where Aunty Rae is her bright, shining star.

My Dad by Susan Quinn and Marina Ruiz
A little boy tells us what’s so special about his dad: from baking the best cookies to bathtime fun.
‘I love the time I spend with Dad – he’s the best a dad can be. And every day is special when it’s just my Dad and me.’

My Dad is a Grizzly Bear by Swapna Haddow and Dapo Adeola
This dad is a grizzly bear with fur that scratches and scritches and a very loud roar. Sometimes he laughs and teases. Sometimes he’s grumpy and sleepy. But he always gives the very best hugs. A fun, lively story for Nursery and Reception.

My Monster and Me by Nadiya Hussain and Ella Bailey
This little boy has a worry monster. ‘It was always BIG. When it stood in front of me, I could see nothing but it’s tummy’. Talking to gran one day, helps the monster get smaller. A book to help children make friends with their monsters.
See unit in Talk Through Stories

My Must-Have Mum by Maudie Smith and Jen Khatun
Jake’s mum can ‘make something new out of any old thing’. Their flat is full of things she has tinkered with, mixed or mended. Jake worries she might want to change him too. A heart-warming bond between a mum and her son with an ‘upcycling’ theme.
See unit in Talk Through Stories

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.

My Name is Not Refugee by Kate Milner
What is it like to leave your home, your town and your community? To hear words you don’t understand, to taste new food? The child in this story reminds us; ‘You’ll be called Refugee but remember Refugee is not your name.’