Windows and Mirrors booklist

Windows and Mirrors booklist

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.

  • Geoffrey Gets the Jitters by Nadia Shireen 8 April 2024
    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 ...
  • Girls on Wheels by Srividhya Venhat and Kate Wadsworth 16 January 2024
    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!
  • Grandad’s Camper by Harry Woodgate 27 April 2023
    Grandad and Gramps travelled the world in their camper van but sadly Gramps isn’t around anymore. The child in this story listens as Grandad remembers their joyful trips. Will Grandad take one more trip to the beach? Stunning illustrations and a powerful story of love and loss.
  • Hello! A Counting Book of Kindness by Hollis Kurman 1 June 2023
    Families running away from war, floods or scary places need a safe place to live. This counting book beautifully illustrates hope, action and the importance of kind gestures. From beds ‘to keep us safe and warm’ to ‘sharing new stories and words’.
  • Home for Grace by Kathryn White and Rachael Dean 8 March 2024
    A 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 2023
    Nefertiti’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 2023
    When 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 2023
    A 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 2024
    What 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 2023
    Three 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 2024
    Lola 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 2023
    Sometimes, 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.

A Child’s Garden- a story of hope by Michael Foreman

A little boy lives in a village torn apart by war. He can no longer reach the hills; they are blocked by barbed wire. He finds a little plant that he nurtures. A message of optimism in a world that can seem hopeless. Connection and nature will rise again.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Georgia Ellinas and Jane Ray

Puck, a cheeky sprite, lives in the fairy kingdom. King Oberon and Queen Titiania have a disagreement and ask Puck to help them sort it out. At the same time, there are four young people in love but each with the wrong person. Can Puck sort out the muddles? A retelling of the play by William Shakespeare.



New to list Sept ’24

Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts

Ada’s head is full of questions; why, what, how and when? ‘How does a nose know there’s something to smell? And does it still stink if there’s no nose to tell?’
This fabulous rhyming story is perfect for Year 1+ to inspire curiosity and perseverance in young, would-be scientists. Follow your passion; and your nose!

All the Ways to be Smart by Davina Bell and Allison Colpoys

What does it mean to be smart? It’s not just reading and spelling or knowing all the answers. It’s building boats from boxes; finding treasures; flower picking; making up new games with teams. In fact, ’nobody will ever do the very same smart things as you’. We are all smart in different ways!



New to list Sept ’24

Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao by Kat Zhang and Charlene Chua

Amy loves to eat bao – yummy Chinese dumplings – but she’s not great at making them. Her mum, dad and grandma all try to teach her. Learning to make a bao is not easy! Cooking as a family, sharing food and… patience feature in this story.

Astro Girl by Ken Wilson- Max

Astrid loves the stars and space. While her mama is away, she finds out all sorts of facts with her papa about being an astronaut. When she gets to pick her mama up, there is a surprise. What will it be and why has mama been away?

Billy and the Dragon by Nadia Shireen

Billy and her animal friends are enjoying a party when a dragon swoops down and grabs Fatcat. How will Billy save him? Fortunately, Billy has a great brain and a plan! And maybe the dragon isn’t such a baddy after all! A story with a twist.



See unit in Talk Through Stories

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.

  • Geoffrey Gets the Jitters by Nadia Shireen 8 April 2024
    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 ...
  • Girls on Wheels by Srividhya Venhat and Kate Wadsworth 16 January 2024
    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!
  • Grandad’s Camper by Harry Woodgate 27 April 2023
    Grandad and Gramps travelled the world in their camper van but sadly Gramps isn’t around anymore. The child in this story listens as Grandad remembers their joyful trips. Will Grandad take one more trip to the beach? Stunning illustrations and a powerful story of love and loss.
  • Hello! A Counting Book of Kindness by Hollis Kurman 1 June 2023
    Families running away from war, floods or scary places need a safe place to live. This counting book beautifully illustrates hope, action and the importance of kind gestures. From beds ‘to keep us safe and warm’ to ‘sharing new stories and words’.
  • Home for Grace by Kathryn White and Rachael Dean 8 March 2024
    A 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 2023
    Nefertiti’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 2023
    When 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 2023
    A 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 2024
    What 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 2023
    Three 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 2024
    Lola 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 2023
    Sometimes, 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.

Chapati Moon by Pippa Goodhart and Lizzie Finlay

Mrs Kapoor has just cooked a feast when her freshly baked chappati rolls out the door. There’s a lively chase by people and animals as it bumps, jumps and spins. Where will it end up and will anyone get to eat it? A lovely retelling of the runaway pancake tale.

Clean Up! By Nathan Byron and Dapo Adeola

Rocket visits her grandparents and decides to find a way to clean up the plastic spoiling the beauty of the beach. ‘It feels as though there is more plastic than sand!’ When Rocket decides to do something she does so… with va-va-voom!

Cloud Babies by Eoin Colfer and Chris Judge

Erin has a wonderful imagination and sees cloud babies in the sky. She becomes ill and spends lots of time in hospital. Her cloud babies help her and other children. Going back to school is hard; she misses her school friends on hospital days and her hospital friends on school ones. What will Erin’s parents and teachers do to help her?

Dadaji’s Paintbrush by Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Ruchi Mhasane

A little boy and his grandfather love to paint. When grandfather dies, the boy stops painting. He is just too sad. A little girl asks him to teach her to paint. Together, they discover the joy of colour and soon the other village children join in too. ‘Grandfather will always be with him’.

Dim Sum Palace by X. Fang

Liddy is so excited about her trip to the Dim Sum Palace, she can’t sleep. Soon she finds herself in a real palace where chefs are making dumplings. Yum! She slips into the dumpling mix and soon finds she is a Liddy dumpling! What will happen to Liddy? Let’s hope nobody eats her…



New to list June ’24

Do You Remember? by Sydney Smith

A boy and his mum share memories of when they lived with dad in a faraway place. Some are very beautiful; lying on a blue blanket in the sun. Some more painful; a scary rainstorm and leaving their home. They begin to make new memories together. Lyrical and stunningly illustrated for Year 1+.

Eco Girl by Ken Wilson-Max

Eve loves trees. In fact, she wishes she could talk to them. On a visit to Grandma for her birthday, she gets a magical surprise. A little Baobab tree of her own, just like generations of her family have. Happy Birthday Eco Girl!

Everything Changes by Clare Helen Walsh and Asa Gillard

Mummy and daddy can’t live together anymore; it’s confusing and worrying. The family build a new life, do different things and talk about what it feels like.
‘Sometimes grown-ups separate, but parents are forever’. What keeps them together even if they are apart? Love.

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!

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