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.
- Home for Grace by Kathryn White and Rachael Dean 8 March 2024A 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.
- I am Nefertiti by Annemarie Anang and Natelle Quek 27 April 2023Nefertiti’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 8 February 2023When 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 all the world were… by Joseph Coelho and Alison Colpoys 10 July 2023A stunningly illustrated book about the love between a little girl and her grandad. When he passes away, she has a ‘kaleidoscope of memories’ that she writes and draws. A book to explore families, love and loss.
- If I Were Prime Minister by Trygve Skaug and Ella Okstad 16 January 2024What 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 23 February 2023Three 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.
- Islandborn by Junot Diaz and Leo Espinosa 8 April 2024Lola left the Island as a baby. Her teacher asks the class to draw a picture of where they are from, so Lola asks her community for memories. She hears of mangoes, music and dolphins. Also a scary monster; a hurricane. She may have left the island but she still belongs.
- It’s a No-Money Day by Kate Milner 23 February 2023Sometimes, in this girl’s house, it’s a no-money day. There are still fun things to do; go to the library or practise your singing. Today, they are going to the food bank. This simple story explores the reality of some children’s lives with dignity, positivity and gentleness.
- Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall 8 February 2023‘I’m jumping off the diving board today’ says Jabari when he visits the swimming pool with his dad and sister. It’s a bit high, a bit scary. ‘It’s OK to feel a little scared,’ says his dad. Children will identify with Jabari’s fear and bravery in this story.
- Jabari Tries by Gaia Cornwall 8 February 2023One day in the garden with his dad and sister, Jabari decides to make a flying machine. Planning and building can be frustrating. Jabari’s dad encourages him to ‘blow away all the mixed feelings inside’. The moment of achievement makes Jabari, his family and the reader smile!
- Julian at the Wedding by Jessica Love 8 February 2023Julian and Marisol are all dressed up to go to the wedding of two brides. When Marisol’s dress gets dirty, Julian has an idea. Julian is very good at dressing up and the party continues with dancing and joy. A book to celebrate love in all its glory.
- Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love 8 February 2023Julian decides he wants to be a mermaid and creates an outfit for himself. How does his nana respond? Why, she takes him to visit other mermaids. ‘Like you, honey’ she says. ‘Let’s join them’. A story of love, acceptance and swishy tails that challenges gender stereotypes.
Never Show a T-Rex a Book by Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Diana Ewen
A 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
This 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 inspire us all.
New to list May ’24
One Little Word by Joseph Coelho and Allison Colpoys
Two 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
Yelena 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’.
New to list May ’24
Our Tower by Joseph Coelho and Richard Johnson
Despite 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
The 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
A 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
Princess 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
Like 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 Talk Through Stories
