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.
- Eco Girl by Ken Wilson-Max 11 October 2023Eve loves trees. In fact, she wishes she could talk to them. On a visit to Grandma for her birthday, she gets a magical surprise. A little Baobab tree of her own, just like generations of her family have. Happy Birthday Eco Girl!
- Everything Changes by Clare Helen Walsh and Asa Gillard 9 February 2024Mummy and daddy can’t live together anymore; it’s confusing and worrying. The family build a new life, do different things and talk about what it feels like. ‘Sometimes grown-ups separate, but parents are forever’. What keeps them together even if they are apart? Love.
- Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen 29 March 2023A girl finds a box filled with ‘yarn of every colour’. She knits a jumper for her dog, her friends, for buildings and trees. The yarn never runs out. A mean person steals the box. Will the magic work for him too? A modern fairy tale about kindness… and baddies!
- Eyes that Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho and Dung Ho 8 February 2023A young girl notices her eyes look different from her friends. Her eyes ‘kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea’ like her mama’s, her amah’s and her baby sister’s. They connect her to her family, to her history. A book to help children recognise their own beauty.
- Faruq and the Wiri Wiri by Sophia Payne and Sandhya Prabhat 11 September 2023Faruq’s granny loves to cook. He wants to be a chef when he grows up, not a doctor like his dad. ‘Why can’t boys learn to cook?’ he wonders. One day, he prepares a fabulous feast for his family with the wiri wiri pepper. What could be more joyful? For everyone! A true celebration! ...
- Finn’s Little Fibs by Tom Percival 11 September 2023Finn loves visiting his beloved grandmother more than anything. One day, he finds himself telling her a little fib. The fib grows; he feels sad and his tummy feels strange. In fact, he feels awful. He takes a big step and tells her the truth. And guess what? He feels so much lighter. A book ...
- Forever Star by Gareth Peter and Judi Abbot 1 June 2023Tim and Tim, the space heroes, would like to be dads and decide to adopt a child who needs a new start. They travel through space and find… Little Jim. ‘I think that’s our boy! Our very own starlight, our very own joy.’ Their very own forever family.
- Full, Full, Full of Love by Trish Cooke and Paul Howard 8 February 2023Jay Jay is at his gran’s house and asks again and again ‘Is dinner ready, Gran?’ Her house is full of warmth, love, affection and… food! ‘Buttery peas, chicken and yams, macaroni and cheese, potatoes and ham’. A perfect book for children in Nursery and Reception.
- Geoffrey Gets the Jitters by Nadia Shireen 8 April 2024Geoffrey sometimes worries and feels as if his tummy is full of wiggly worms. He feels so bad in fact, he just wants to hide. How can he stop feeling so jittery? How about a deep breath and a stretch? Yes, that helps! It’s normal to worry but we can help ourselves feel better. Perfect ...
- Girls on Wheels by Srividhya Venhat and Kate Wadsworth 16 January 2024Three girls who love to skate; except one of them is nervous. Her friends practise with her until she is brave and ready to fly. ‘Like the cool sea breeze, her friends blow away her doubt.’ Hurray for friendship and for the courage to get up again!
- Grandad’s Camper by Harry Woodgate 27 April 2023Grandad and Gramps travelled the world in their camper van but sadly Gramps isn’t around anymore. The child in this story listens as Grandad remembers their joyful trips. Will Grandad take one more trip to the beach? Stunning illustrations and a powerful story of love and loss.
- Hello! A Counting Book of Kindness by Hollis Kurman 1 June 2023Families running away from war, floods or scary places need a safe place to live. This counting book beautifully illustrates hope, action and the importance of kind gestures. From beds ‘to keep us safe and warm’ to ‘sharing new stories and words’.
The Smile by Marie Voigt
A book that explores the gift a smile can be. ‘And if you put a smile on just one face…before long there will be too many to count’. Fabulous illustrations that beautifully show everyday situations where smiling makes a difference.
The Tale of the Whale by Karen Swann and Padmacandra
A whale invites a child to join her in the ocean. They experience things that are funny, beautiful, astonishing. Sadly, they also visit ‘a plastic soup sea’. This story shows us the joy of the natural world and how important it is to act to keep it that way. Poetic, accessible, stunningly illustrated.
The Wall and the Wild by Christina Dendy and Katie Rewse
Ana likes her garden tidy and neat. She plants perfect seeds and throws uneven ones over a wall; ‘YOU stay out THERE.’ Soon she realises that the wilderness is beautiful too. A tale of the beauty of diverse ecosystems; including our human one.
See unit in Talk Through Stories
The Word Collector by Peter H. Reynolds
People collect all sorts of things: stamps, coins, comic books. Jerome collects words. Short and sweet words and two-syllable treat words. The more words he knows, the more he shares his thoughts and feelings. A book to help talk about the fun, the beauty, the power of words.
Tibble and Grandpa by Wendy Meddour and Daniel Egnéus
Grandpa is quiet lately and always gardening so Tibble tries playing his favourite game – Top Threes. Finally, Tibble asks, ‘What were Granny’s Top Three Stars?’ The sorrow and love of family life are explored in this gentle, moving book.
To the Other Side by Erika Meza
Two young refugee children leave home in search of safety. The journey is long and tiring and involves lots of waiting. They try and make it fun but sometimes… it isn’t. Finally they reach a new home where they can grow roots; where they will feel safe.
New to list April ’24
Town is by the Sea by Joanne Schwartz and Sydney Smith
A little boy lives in a seaside mining town. His father works ‘deep down under that sea, digging for coal’. As he works, the boy explores the town, nature, home. A window into the lives of an important community historically.
Two Places to Call Home by Phil Earle and Jess Rose
When Florrie’s mum and dad separate, she lives in two different houses. She finds it hard. Mum and dad both help her feel brave. And when dad is finding it hard too, Florrie knows what to do.
In the end, Florrie loves both her homes. There are lots of ways of being a family.
Valentine’s Guest House by Sam Sharland
A tiger comes to stay at the guest house and the humans all leave. The new guests all have differing needs; Elsie and her mum do their best to make it ‘just right for anyone who came’. A great starting point to discuss inclusion. After all, some guests like to burrow underground.
