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: 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.

  • A Child’s Garden- a story of hope by Michael Foreman 1 November 2023
    A little boy lives in a village torn apart by war. He can no longer reach the hills; they are blocked by barbed wire. He finds a little plant that he nurtures. A message of optimism in a world that can seem hopeless. Connection and nature will rise again.
  • Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts 9 February 2024
    Ada’s head is full of questions; why, what, how and when? ‘How does a nose know there’s something to smell? And does it still stink if there’s no nose to tell?’ This fabulous rhyming story is perfect for Year 1+ to inspire curiosity and perseverance in young, would-be scientists. Follow your passion; and your nose!
  • Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon by Kat Zhang and Charlene Chua 8 February 2023
    The class are making dragons. Sadly, none of the ones Amy makes feel right. At home, Amy and her family find a dragon costume in the attic. Teamwork, glue and lots of glitter and… ta da! She has a dragon to proudly show her classmates.
  • Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao by Kat Zhang and Charlene Chua 8 February 2023
    Amy loves to eat bao – yummy Chinese dumplings – but she’s not great at making them. Her mum, dad and grandma all try to teach her. Learning to make a bao is not easy! Cooking as a family, sharing food and… patience feature in this story.
  • And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson & Peter Parnell and Henry Cole 8 February 2023
    Roy and Silo are a penguin couple who are both boys. They swim together, walk together and sing together. One day they begin to take care of an egg in their nest and soon have a baby penguin as part of their family. What do you need to make a family? Love.
  • Astro Girl by Ken Wilson- Max 23 February 2023
    Astrid loves the stars and space. While her mama is away, she finds out all sorts of facts with her papa about being an astronaut. When she gets to pick her mama up, there is a surprise. What will it be and why has mama been away?
  • Billy and the Dragon by Nadia Shireen 8 February 2023
    Billy and her animal friends are enjoying a party when a dragon swoops down and grabs Fatcat. How will Billy save him? Fortunately, Billy has a great brain and a plan! And maybe the dragon isn’t such a baddy after all! A story with a twist. See unit in Talk Through Stories
  • Chapati Moon by Pippa Goodhart and Lizzie Finlay 8 February 2023
    Mrs Kapoor has just cooked a feast when her freshly baked chappati rolls out the door. There’s a lively chase by people and animals as it bumps, jumps and spins. Where will it end up and will anyone get to eat it? A lovely retelling of the runaway pancake tale.
  • Clean Up! By Nathan Byron and Dapo Adeola 8 February 2023
    Rocket visits her grandparents and decides to find a way to clean up the plastic spoiling the beauty of the beach. ‘It feels as though there is more plastic than sand!’ When Rocket decides to do something she does so… with va-va-voom!
  • 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.

Do You Remember? by Sydney Smith

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 about honesty.

Forever Star by Gareth Peter and Judi Abbot

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.

Full, Full, Full of Love by Trish Cooke and Paul Howard

Jay 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.

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: 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.

  • A Child’s Garden- a story of hope by Michael Foreman 1 November 2023
    A little boy lives in a village torn apart by war. He can no longer reach the hills; they are blocked by barbed wire. He finds a little plant that he nurtures. A message of optimism in a world that can seem hopeless. Connection and nature will rise again.
  • Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts 9 February 2024
    Ada’s head is full of questions; why, what, how and when? ‘How does a nose know there’s something to smell? And does it still stink if there’s no nose to tell?’ This fabulous rhyming story is perfect for Year 1+ to inspire curiosity and perseverance in young, would-be scientists. Follow your passion; and your nose!
  • Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon by Kat Zhang and Charlene Chua 8 February 2023
    The class are making dragons. Sadly, none of the ones Amy makes feel right. At home, Amy and her family find a dragon costume in the attic. Teamwork, glue and lots of glitter and… ta da! She has a dragon to proudly show her classmates.
  • Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao by Kat Zhang and Charlene Chua 8 February 2023
    Amy loves to eat bao – yummy Chinese dumplings – but she’s not great at making them. Her mum, dad and grandma all try to teach her. Learning to make a bao is not easy! Cooking as a family, sharing food and… patience feature in this story.
  • And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson & Peter Parnell and Henry Cole 8 February 2023
    Roy and Silo are a penguin couple who are both boys. They swim together, walk together and sing together. One day they begin to take care of an egg in their nest and soon have a baby penguin as part of their family. What do you need to make a family? Love.
  • Astro Girl by Ken Wilson- Max 23 February 2023
    Astrid loves the stars and space. While her mama is away, she finds out all sorts of facts with her papa about being an astronaut. When she gets to pick her mama up, there is a surprise. What will it be and why has mama been away?
  • Billy and the Dragon by Nadia Shireen 8 February 2023
    Billy and her animal friends are enjoying a party when a dragon swoops down and grabs Fatcat. How will Billy save him? Fortunately, Billy has a great brain and a plan! And maybe the dragon isn’t such a baddy after all! A story with a twist. See unit in Talk Through Stories
  • Chapati Moon by Pippa Goodhart and Lizzie Finlay 8 February 2023
    Mrs Kapoor has just cooked a feast when her freshly baked chappati rolls out the door. There’s a lively chase by people and animals as it bumps, jumps and spins. Where will it end up and will anyone get to eat it? A lovely retelling of the runaway pancake tale.
  • Clean Up! By Nathan Byron and Dapo Adeola 8 February 2023
    Rocket visits her grandparents and decides to find a way to clean up the plastic spoiling the beauty of the beach. ‘It feels as though there is more plastic than sand!’ When Rocket decides to do something she does so… with va-va-voom!
  • 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.

Girls on Wheels by Srividhya Venhat and Kate Wadsworth

Three 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

Grandad 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

Families 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’.

Home for Grace by Kathryn White and Rachael Dean

A little girl and her mum befriend a homeless woman called Grace. They share gifts with her; she shares stories with them. Sometimes they eat soup together. Grace tells them how she had to ‘leave her home and cross the sea’. A story to celebrate kindness and connection.



New to list March ’24

I am Nefertiti by Annemarie Anang and Natelle Quek

Nefertiti’s grandma chose her name and she is proud of it. When Nefertiti plays drums with a band, her new music teacher shortens her name to “Nef’. Nefertiti feels her body shrink. Will she be able to play the drums when she feels this way? Our names matter.

I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott and Sydney Smith

When the boy in this story starts to speak, the words get stuck. On bad speech days, he stays ‘quiet as a stone’. His dad helps him see how his voice bubbles and churns like a beautiful river. A book to help children understand stammering.

If I Were Prime Minister by Trygve Skaug and Ella Okstad

What would you do if you were prime minister? This child would buy ice cream for everyone and have cars powered by legs. Anyone who wanted a dog, could have one. Anyone who wanted a friend could have at least two. A funny, lively tale and a great stimulus for writing in Year 2+.

If I Were The World by Mark Sperring and Natelle Quek

Three children explore what the planet is facing: harmful gases, extinction and floods. They also help us see the action we can take as a community. An uplifting, energetic book, stunningly illustrated about looking after our amazing planet.

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