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Windows and Mirrors

Our booklist

In 1990, Professor Rudine Sims Bishop published an article called “Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors”. The article shared the importance of all children seeing themselves reflected in what they read.

 

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.  

Find a printable list of the Windows and Mirrors booklist here. 

Image of a teacher holding up a book featured in our Windows and Mirrors list to show the class the story during Storytime.

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.

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Peace on Earth by Smriti Halls and David Litchfield

Peace on Earth by Smriti Halls and David Litchfield

When words hurt and sting, peace can be hard to find. But with brave hearts and kind hands, we can change angry words. “Peace will lever look away, it lights a candle, here to stay’. There is always a way out of darkness to the light. Peace mends hearts and spreads love.

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Perfectly Norman by Tom Percival

Perfectly Norman by Tom Percival

Norman suddenly grows a pair of wings. At first he loves them, but fear of standing out makes him hide them under a coat which only makes him miserable. As Norman overcomes his fear, he learns that being different is wonderful.

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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

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Ruby’s Worry by Tom Percival

Ruby 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

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Saving Mr Hoot by Helen Stephens

Mr 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.

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Small’s Big Dream by Manjeet Mann and Amanda Quartey

Small 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.

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