Windows and Mirrors booklist

Windows and Mirrors booklist

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.

  • Dadaji’s Paintbrush by Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Ruchi Mhasane 8 April 2024
    A little boy and his grandfather love to paint. When grandfather dies, the boy stops painting. He is just too sad. A little girl asks him to teach her to paint. Together, they discover the joy of colour and soon the other village children join in too. ‘Grandfather will always be with him’.
  • Dance Just Like So by Annemarie Anang and Natelle Quek 11 November 2024
    Gran loves to dance the Shooby-Dee Mambo and decides to teach it to the community. She twirls and shimmies and everyone bops, taps, wiggles and shakes along. Gran hurts her knee, ouch. Kwesi has a great idea to keep the joyful dance classes going. Find out how Gran joins in! New to ...
  • Dim Sum Palace by X. Fang 20 June 2024
    Liddy is so excited about her trip to the Dim Sum Palace, she can’t sleep. Soon she finds herself in a real palace where chefs are making dumplings. Yum! She slips into the dumpling mix and soon finds she is a Liddy dumpling! What will happen to Liddy? Let’s hope nobody eats her… New to ...
  • Do You Remember? by Sydney Smith 9 February 2024
    A boy and his mum share memories of when they lived with dad in a faraway place. Some are very beautiful; lying on a blue blanket in the sun. Some more painful; a scary rainstorm and leaving their home. They begin to make new memories together. Lyrical and stunningly illustrated for Year 1+.
  • Eco Girl by Ken Wilson-Max 11 October 2023
    Eve 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 2024
    Mummy 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 2023
    A 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 2023
    A 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 2023
    Faruq’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 2023
    Finn 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 ...
  • Flower Block by Lanisha Butterfield and Hoang Giang 27 September 2024
    One night, Jeremiah plants tiny seeds and makes a wish. The next day, vines magically sprout through his ceiling and up to the floors of his tower block. As he and his brother explore, they discover more flowers and more new people. How will the community feel about their tower full of flowers? New to ...
  • Forever Star by Gareth Peter and Judi Abbot 1 June 2023
    Tim 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.

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.

The Ocean Gardener by Clara Anganuzzi

Ayla lives on a tiny island where her mum takes care of the coral reef. Sadly, the sea becomes too warm, the reef starts to fade and the fish disappear. Ayla and her mum decide to grow a coral nursery at home and plant it in the sea. Will the fish return? ‘Be patient; change doesn’t happen overnight’ says mum.



New to list June ’24

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 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.

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.

  • Dadaji’s Paintbrush by Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Ruchi Mhasane 8 April 2024
    A little boy and his grandfather love to paint. When grandfather dies, the boy stops painting. He is just too sad. A little girl asks him to teach her to paint. Together, they discover the joy of colour and soon the other village children join in too. ‘Grandfather will always be with him’.
  • Dance Just Like So by Annemarie Anang and Natelle Quek 11 November 2024
    Gran loves to dance the Shooby-Dee Mambo and decides to teach it to the community. She twirls and shimmies and everyone bops, taps, wiggles and shakes along. Gran hurts her knee, ouch. Kwesi has a great idea to keep the joyful dance classes going. Find out how Gran joins in! New to ...
  • Dim Sum Palace by X. Fang 20 June 2024
    Liddy is so excited about her trip to the Dim Sum Palace, she can’t sleep. Soon she finds herself in a real palace where chefs are making dumplings. Yum! She slips into the dumpling mix and soon finds she is a Liddy dumpling! What will happen to Liddy? Let’s hope nobody eats her… New to ...
  • Do You Remember? by Sydney Smith 9 February 2024
    A boy and his mum share memories of when they lived with dad in a faraway place. Some are very beautiful; lying on a blue blanket in the sun. Some more painful; a scary rainstorm and leaving their home. They begin to make new memories together. Lyrical and stunningly illustrated for Year 1+.
  • Eco Girl by Ken Wilson-Max 11 October 2023
    Eve 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 2024
    Mummy 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 2023
    A 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 2023
    A 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 2023
    Faruq’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 2023
    Finn 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 ...
  • Flower Block by Lanisha Butterfield and Hoang Giang 27 September 2024
    One night, Jeremiah plants tiny seeds and makes a wish. The next day, vines magically sprout through his ceiling and up to the floors of his tower block. As he and his brother explore, they discover more flowers and more new people. How will the community feel about their tower full of flowers? New to ...
  • Forever Star by Gareth Peter and Judi Abbot 1 June 2023
    Tim 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.

The Secret Elephant by Ellen Rankin

During a terrible war, a baby elephant in a zoo became scared of the bangs and flashes. Her keeper sneaks her home at night to comfort her. The elephant gets bigger… and bigger and soon the secret is out. What will become of her? Will she go back to the zoo? Will she be okay without her keeper?



New to list June ’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.

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.

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.

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