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.
Many schools also read these wonderful picture books to children in Key Stage 2.
How many of these books do you have in your school?
Find a printable list of the Windows and Mirrors booklist here.
Read our Diversity and Inclusion statement here.
- Keep Smiling by Flotilla Benjamin and Diane Ewen 7 May 2024Vina loves to smile. When she starts school, she feels scared and her usual smile fades. A little boy gives her ‘a small nervous smile, as gentle as a mouse’. She collects all the smiles people share with her throughout the day. When she gets home, her smile is back. A smile is a superpower! ...
- Little Red by Bethan Woollvin 27 April 2023Some little girls are scared of wolves but not this little girl. Little Red is brave. Little Red is clever. Little Red will not be tricked by a silly wolf. A fabulous retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, perfect for Reception and Year 1 children.
- Look Up! By Nathan Byron and Dapo Adeola 8 February 2023Rocket is a little girl with big ambitions; she wants to be an astronaut one day. The story is full of Rocket’s fabulous facts and contagious enthusiasm. She is a girl on a mission.
- Love Grows Everywhere by Barry Timms and Tisha Lee 11 October 2023Love grows on the street…and reaches out to those we meet. A neighbour from across the way. A friend from school who’d like to play.’ A book that pays homage to the fact that love makes a brighter world. Wonderful illustrations to reflect all children’s lives.
- Luna Loves Christmas by Joseph Coelho and Fiona Lumbers 8 December 2023Sometimes Luna spends Christmas at her mum’s, sometimes at her dad’s. This year, her whole family are doing something special. They are volunteering and making deliveries for the food bank and being part of a Christmas dinner where everyone is welcome.
- Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai and Kerascoet 8 March 2024When she was young, Malala wished that all girls in her country could go to school like her. When girls were no longer allowed to, she spoke up. And, although people tried to silence her, she continues to help ‘make the world a more peaceful place’.
- Mama’s Sleeping Scarf by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Joelle Avelino 1 November 2023While she’s at work, mama lets Chino play with her special scarf. All day, Chino plays, runs and eats with it. The scarf connects her to mama, papa, her grandparents. It wraps them in love until they all come together for a family dinner. The delight of everyday things!
- Max and the Tag-along Moon by Floyd Cooper 8 February 2023Max loves his granpa. When he leaves his house one night, granpa reminds him that the moon will follow Max home. Once in his dark bedroom, Max misses granpa and the moon. But as granpa says, ‘That ol’ moon will always shine for me… on and on!’ And it does. A reassuring story of ...
- Meesha Makes a Friend by Tom Percival 8 February 2023Meesha loves making things but finds it difficult to make friends. Hiding in a quiet corner at a noisy party Meesha discovers she is not the only person who finds it tricky. A book to help children recognise their own feelings and how others might be feeling too.
- My Beautiful Voice by Joseph Coelho and Alison Colpoys 8 February 2023Miss 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 11 September 2023It 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 ...
- My Dad by Susan Quinn and Marina Ruiz 8 December 2023A 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.’
The Girl Who Planted Trees by Caryl Hart and Anastasia Suvorava
A small girl decides she wants to bring the forest back to her mountain. She plants pips and seeds and gives them water and love. Despite storms and the blazing sun, she never gives up. And soon the whole community is involved. A beautiful tale of hope, resilience and connection.
The Girls by Lauren Ace and Jenny Lovlie
Four little girls are best friends and ‘as different as they are the same’. One is an adventurer, one has good ideas, one is practical and one makes everyone laugh. They stay rooted together as they grow, just like the tree they used to play beneath. A book for children in Year 1 and above.
The Great Storm Whale by Benji Davies
Grandma tells Noi a story about a storm that destroyed a little girl’s home. And how, bit by bit, things from her old home began to turn up on the beach. Who has been bringing them to her? A tale of family, history and connection to nature.
The Invisible by Tom Percival
When Isabel’s family don’t have enough money to pay the bills, they move to the other side of the city. In this new part of town, she feels invisible. Isabel begins to build a community. ‘The more people came together… the more they could all be seen’. A book about hope and belonging.
See unit in Talk Through Stories
The Journey by Francesca Sanna
A family’s life changes forever when a war begins. They say goodbye to everyone they know and leave for a new country. When they reach the border, they are told to go back by an angry guard. Finally they take a boat, many trains. What are they looking for? Safety. A home.
New to list May ’24
The Kindest Red by Ibtihaj Muhammed, S.K Ali and Hatem Aly
The children at Faizah’s school spend the day deciding the sort of world they would like. Faizah chooses kindness and spends the day being kind to friends. At the end of the day, her friend Sophie shares something precious with her. Kindness can come back to you.
The Many Colours of Harpreet Singh by Supriya Kelkar and Alea Marley
Harpeet loves to wear colourful patkas (turbans); yellow when he feels sunny and red for courage. When he moves schools, he feels shy and wears his white patka. What might make him feel colourful again? Making a friend, of course.
The Missing Piece by Jordan Stephens and Beth Suzanna
Granny gives Sunny a puzzle to complete. A piece is missing so she sets off to see if neighbours have it. Along the way she gains a window into their homes, gardens and stories and meets new friends. Find stunning, colourful illustrations in this story of community.
The New Small Person by Lauren Child
When a new brother arrives, Elmore Green is not pleased. And, even worse, ‘one awful day the small person moved its bed into Elmore Green’s room’. One night the two brothers connect over ‘making long lines of things’ and… jelly beans! Many children will relate to this funny story.
