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.
- Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai and Kerascoet 8 March 2024When she was young, Malala wished that all girls in her country could go to school like her. When girls were no longer allowed to, she spoke up. And, although people tried to silence her, she continues to help ‘make the world a more peaceful place’.
- Mama’s Sleeping Scarf by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Joelle Avelino 1 November 2023While she’s at work, mama lets Chino play with her special scarf. All day, Chino plays, runs and eats with it. The scarf connects her to mama, papa, her grandparents. It wraps them in love until they all come together for a family dinner. The delight of everyday things!
- Max and the Tag-along Moon by Floyd Cooper 8 February 2023Max loves his granpa. When he leaves his house one night, granpa reminds him that the moon will follow Max home. Once in his dark bedroom, Max misses granpa and the moon. But as granpa says, ‘That ol’ moon will always shine for me… on and on!’ And it does. A reassuring story of ...
- Meesha Makes a Friend by Tom Percival 8 February 2023Meesha loves making things but finds it difficult to make friends. Hiding in a quiet corner at a noisy party Meesha discovers she is not the only person who finds it tricky. A book to help children recognise their own feelings and how others might be feeling too.
- My Beautiful Voice by Joseph Coelho and Alison Colpoys 8 February 2023Miss Flotsam’s clothes are ‘a flutter of fabric filled with the spice of colour’. She loves poetry. A little girl in her class rarely speaks. Inspired and nurtured by Miss Flotsam, she slowly finds her voice. And when she does… it is beautiful.
- My Bindhi by Gita Varadarajan and Archana Sreenivasan 11 September 2023It is an important moment in Divya’s life; time to wear a bindhi. She is nervous about what her school friends might say and is ‘all mixed up’. Is she scared or is she proud? She bravely stands up in class and explains, ‘it can see inside me and protect me. It makes me feel ...
- My Dad by Susan Quinn and Marina Ruiz 8 December 2023A little boy tells us what’s so special about his dad: from baking the best cookies to bathtime fun. ‘I love the time I spend with Dad – he’s the best a dad can be. And every day is special when it’s just my Dad and me.’
- 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 a Gift by Zeshan Akhter and Asa Gilland 11 November 2024When Sitara is born, her name is the first present she gets from her mum and dad. It’s from Pakistan and means ’shine like a star’. People tumble up her name and say it wrongly. She wishes they would ask her how to say it. When people say her name carefully it lights up her ...
- 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.’
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.
Flower Block by Lanisha Butterfield and Hoang Giang
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?
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.
Geoffrey Gets the Jitters by Nadia Shireen
Geoffrey 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 for Reception.
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!
