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.
- Keep Smiling by Flotilla Benjamin and Diane Ewen 7 May 2024Vina loves to smile. When she starts school, she feels scared and her usual smile fades. A little boy gives her ‘a small nervous smile, as gentle as a mouse’. She collects all the smiles people share with her throughout the day. When she gets home, her smile is back. A smile is a superpower! ...
- Little Red by Bethan Woollvin 27 April 2023Some little girls are scared of wolves but not this little girl. Little Red is brave. Little Red is clever. Little Red will not be tricked by a silly wolf. A fabulous retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, perfect for Reception and Year 1 children.
- Look Up! By Nathan Byron and Dapo Adeola 8 February 2023Rocket is a little girl with big ambitions; she wants to be an astronaut one day. The story is full of Rocket’s fabulous facts and contagious enthusiasm. She is a girl on a mission.
- Love Grows Everywhere by Barry Timms and Tisha Lee 11 October 2023Love grows on the street…and reaches out to those we meet. A neighbour from across the way. A friend from school who’d like to play.’ A book that pays homage to the fact that love makes a brighter world. Wonderful illustrations to reflect all children’s lives.
- Luna Loves Christmas by Joseph Coelho and Fiona Lumbers 8 December 2023Sometimes Luna spends Christmas at her mum’s, sometimes at her dad’s. This year, her whole family are doing something special. They are volunteering and making deliveries for the food bank and being part of a Christmas dinner where everyone is welcome.
- 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.’
That’s not a daffodil! By Elizabeth Honey
Mr 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
Max 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
Everybody 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.
The Boys by Lauren Ace and Jenny Lovlie
Four boys; one makes art, one makes music, one tells stories and one likes to understand how things work. As they grow up and difficulties arise, the friends realise ‘the best way to face problems is to talk and listen’. A book to celebrate the value of friendship.
The Can Caravan by Richard O’Neill and Cindy Kang
Mrs Tolen has a broken hip and worries she will have to move from her caravan into a house. Her young friends decide to help. With hard work and a visit to the recycling plant, her home is safe for her. A story celebrating the traditional Traveller values of community and recycling.
The Comet by Joe Todd-Stanton
Nyla’s dad gets a new job and they move from the country to the town. She is used to her dad cooking dinners, reading stories; she is used to seeing the sky. Change is hard but seeing a comet reminds Nyla of what she loves. Can Nyla and her dad make their new house a home?
The Drama Llama by Rachel Morrisroe and Ella Okstad
When Alex worries or has a drama, a llama appears and causes mayhem. Alex can’t get rid of it. We learn that ‘when a fear or worry starts to leave you feeling stressed, find someone to talk to because talking is the BEST.’ A book with fabulous rhymes and funny illustrations.
The Extraordinary Gardener by Sam Boughton
Jo lives in a grey world and has a wondrous imagination. One day, he decides to plant a tiny seed. The seed turns into a plant and he decides to grow all sort of other things, in all sorts of new places. Jo turns the ordinary… extraordinary.
See unit in Talk Through Stories
The Family Tree by Kate Ferdinand
Amongst magical forest families, live Ash, Willow and their dad. Dad introduces them to a new person. The children like her but also miss their mum. What will bring this blended family together? As they bake, they get to know one another and their home starts to glow with love and magic.
