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.
- My Dad is a Grizzly Bear by Swapna Haddow and Dapo Adeola 17 January 2023This 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 8 February 2023This 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 8 February 2023Jake’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 Not Refugee by Kate Milner 29 March 2023What 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.’
- My Nana’s Garden by Dawn Casey and Jessica Courtney Tickle 8 February 2023A child explores her nana’s garden with her through the seasons. When nana passes away, the little girl and her mum sing nana’s songs, remember her words and plant her seeds. In time, the garden is once again ‘blooming with life’.
- My Two Grannies by Floella Benjamin and Margaret Chamberlain 8 February 2023Alvina’s two grannies like different things. One likes rice and peas, the other likes steak and kidney pie. When both look after her, they squabble. Alvina suggests they take turns doing the things they like. Will they get along better? A tale of respect and friendship.
- Never Show a T-Rex a Book by Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Diana Ewen 8 February 2023A little girl starts to imagine what would happen if she read to a T-Rex; the dinosaur might ‘get all excited and want to read even MORE.’ A fun celebration of the magic of stories and what might, just might happen to a T-Rex (or you) if you carry on reading and reading!
- Now We’re Together by Nicola Edwards and Jenny Bloomfield 7 May 2024This beautiful story encourages us to get off our phones; stop ’tap-tapping away’. And what adventures we can have! ‘We dance and we swish and we swirl and we run, and no one’s recording, we’re just having fun’. We notice colours, light and nature and of course… each other. A book to ...
- One Little Word by Joseph Coelho and Allison Colpoys 9 February 2024Two 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 7 May 2024Yelena 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’. New to list ...
- Our Tower by Joseph Coelho and Richard Johnson 23 February 2023Despite 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 27 April 2023The 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.
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.
