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.
- 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 ...
- 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.
My Beautiful Voice by Joseph Coelho and Alison Colpoys
Miss 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
It 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 like ME’.
My Dad by Susan Quinn and Marina Ruiz
A 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
This 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
This 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
Jake’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 Not Refugee by Kate Milner
What 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.’
My Nana’s Garden by Dawn Casey and Jessica Courtney Tickle
A 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
Alvina’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.