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 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 Day at a Time by Rachel Ip and Natelle Quek 11 November 2024When their parents make the painful decision to live in separate houses, Poppy and Robin have mixed-up feelings. Their school and friends stay the same.. But sometimes… it feels like something is missing. It takes time but they know there will always be hugs, laughter and love. Plenty of love. New to list Nov ’24 ...
- 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’.
- 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.
- People Need People by Benjamin Zephaniah and Nila Aye 8 December 2023A fabulous poem that bounces along, why not join in as if it’s a song? A celebration of connection, family, friendship; ‘to make life appealing and give life some meaning, it’s useful to have other people’. Oh yes, people will always need people.
- Princesses Break Free by Timothy Knapman and Jenny Lovlie 27 April 2023Princess Tilly is no ordinary princess. She doesn’t wait to be rescued and inspires other princesses to do the same. ‘For the first time, princesses everywhere were doing exactly what they’d always WANTED to do!’ Soon princes, witches and fairy godmothers join in the revolution!
- Ravi’s Roar by Tom Percival 8 February 2023Like all children, Ravi sometimes feels cross. One day he becomes so furious, he turns into a tiger and ROARS. At first, it feels good. But soon nobody wants to play. A book to help children learn to understand anger – even if they do sometimes still need ‘a bit of a growl!’ See unit in ...
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!
