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 Pirate Mums by Jodie Lancet-Grant and Lydia Corry
Billy’s two mums like sea shanties, dancing jigs and anything to do with the sea. Billy wishes they could be like normal families. One day however, on a school boat trip, his mums save the day and Billy couldn’t be prouder of his pirate mums.
The Pirate Tree by Brigita Orel and Jenny Poh
Sam loves to play pirate ships on an old, gnarled tree. One day another sailor arrives, a little boy new to the street. ‘No one wants to play with him because he’s a newcomer.’ Will Sam and Agu play on the ship together? A book to celebrate the value of friendship.
The Power of One by Trudy Ludwig and Mike Curato
Small acts of kindness make a big difference; a good listener, a shy smile, a caring friend, a sincere apology or a warm hug.
‘One thoughtful idea can bring a community together.’ It all starts with… one act.
The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad, S.K Ali and Hatem Aly
A younger sister is worried for her older sister on the first day she wears hijab. But she needn’t be. Written by the first Muslim American woman to compete for the United States in the Olympics – an empowering, beautiful book.
The Queen Next Door by Marcela Ferreira and Sally Agar
There was once a queen who was happy and loved. Until… a new queen moves next door. The first queen becomes angry; she wants a throne like the new queen has! Her people try to please her but she remains cross. Will the queen return to her fair, friendly and kind self? A modern day fairy tale; perfect for Reception.
New to list May ’24
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.