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.
- Ruby’s Worry by Tom Percival 8 February 2023Ruby has a Worry that stops her doing the things she loves. When Ruby finds a friend and shares her Worry, she feels like herself again. This story helps children name the feeling of ‘worry’ and understand that other people have worries too. The message? Talking helps. See unit in Talk Through Stories
- Saving Mr Hoot by Helen Stephens 11 September 2023Mr Hoot, the owl, lives in a tree by Ben’s house. Nobody believes that an owl lives there and grown-ups want to chop the tree down. Will Ben manage to stop the tree felling and why is it important to save our trees? A charming book for Reception about nature, family and community.
- Small’s Big Dream by Manjeet Mann and Amanda Quartey 11 September 2023Small is… well, small. Her shoes, her bed, her everything. But her dreams are big! She dreams of ‘scaling the largest mountain, sailing across the oceans, shooting off into space’. Despite people telling her to keep her head down, she reaches for the sky. Dream big and anything can happen.
- So Much by Trish Cooke and Helen Oxenbury 8 February 2023Everyone who visits, loves the baby. They want to squeeze him, love him, kiss him. The big boy cousins want to wrestle him and laugh with him. A book full of the hustle, bustle and joy of family life with words children can’t fail to join in with!
- Speak Up! by Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola 10 July 2023Rocket loves going to the library. When she finds out it will close, she decides to speak up. This little girl has a lot to say. She rallies her friends to have a peaceful protest – ‘like Rosa Parks did!’ A story full of energy, the power of using our voices and the importance of… ...
- Strong Like Me by Kelechi Okafor and Michaela Dias-Hayes 8 March 2024Everyone has things that makes them special; Kamara is strong and can run fast. But sometimes being special makes her sad. A boy calls her a show-off; some girls accuse her of always winning. She finds out there are different ways to be strong and that we should all… stay strong!
- Sunny and the Birds by Wendy Meddour and Nabila Adani 1 November 2023Sunny and his dad have moved to a new country. They miss their old home and in particular they miss the birds.
- Super Duper You by Sophy Henn 8 February 2023A little sister is sometimes silly, sometimes very quiet; sometimes twinkly, sometimes ‘fighty’. Her big brother notices and likes all the things she is. A vibrant story about sibling love and a celebration of children’s full selves.
- Thank you Omu! By Oge Mora 8 February 2023Omu makes a big pot of thick red stew. Knock, knock! One by one, friends and neighbours follow their noses and Omu shares her dinner. A joyful story of food and community with award-winning illustrations.
- That’s not a daffodil! By Elizabeth Honey 8 February 2023Mr Yilmaz, a kindly neighbour, brings Tom a daffodil. ‘That’s not a daffodil’ declares Tom when he sees the brown bulb. Together, they water it and protect it from life’s knocks and bumps. Both friendship and a beautiful yellow flower blossom.
- The Bookworm by Debi Glori 23 February 2023Max is determined to have a pet. He chooses, not a kitten, a puppy or a goldfish but a … worm. He sings it songs, strokes its back and reads it stories. It’s a real bookworm! Soon however, his worm begins to grow spikes and breathe fire. Is this the best pet for him?
- The Boy with Flowers in His Hair by Jarvis 1 November 2023Everybody likes David, the boy with flowers in his hair. He’s sweet and gentle. When his petals begin to fall out, his best friend acts with kindness and creativity to help. Beautiful illustrations and perfect to explore inclusivity for Reception and Year 1.
Cloud Babies by Eoin Colfer and Chris Judge
Erin has a wonderful imagination and sees cloud babies in the sky. She becomes ill and spends lots of time in hospital. Her cloud babies help her and other children. Going back to school is hard; she misses her school friends on hospital days and her hospital friends on school ones. What will Erin’s parents and teachers do to help her?
New to list April ’24
Dadaji’s Paintbrush by Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Ruchi Mhasane
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, of painting and the other village children join in too, ‘grandfather will always be with him’.
New to list April ’24
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.
