10 Must-Read Picture Books for Kids Aged 3–7
Written by Elen Fichou
When young children begin learning about the world around them, books can become some of their most important companions. This non-exhaustive list might help you find what they are looking for! These picture books talk about discovery, emotions, community, love and life in general. The lovely illustrations and gentle words will accompany children on their journey through life and across the world.
1. A Poem for every question
Children love to ask questions, sometimes very smart ones, sometimes very funny ones. A Poem for every question by Brian Bilston and Joe Berger will answer them all for you! From dinosaurs and jet streams to farts and pee, no topic is off limits. Combining poetry with a playful question-and-answer format, the book introduces children to science, history and even migration in an engaging and accessible way.
2. The Forest That Grows Around Me
Children’s curiosity often brings them into nature and The Forest That Grows Around Me by Charlotte Guilliain can help them learn more about it. This colourfully illustrated book explores forest life and the rich ecosystem concealed beneath in both the northern and tropical hemisphere. This engaging story raises awareness about deforestation and encourages kids to appreciate and explore nature around them.
3. Sips, The Magic Pony
Children who want to learn more about animals and farm life may enjoy Sips, The Magic Pony, written by Tiernan Dolan. Told through the warm and funny perspective of a talking pony writing letters to her friend Anna, who stays in the hospital, the story explores friendship, seasonal changes and life on a farm. Sips, The Magic Pony is a warm and emotionally meaningful story with a magical atmosphere and gentle humour, ensuring an entertaining and cosy reading.
4. The Search for Our Cosmic Neighbours
Being curious about the world can often be linked with discovering new emotions, which Chloe Savage explores in The Search for Our Cosmic Neighbours. Who has never dreamt of going into space and meeting aliens? This author has for sure and brings us with her on a journey about discovery and curiosity, but also about finding the meaning of life and appreciating what we already have. The author doesn’t shy away from showing real and unmasked feelings, like frustration, with gentle humour, making this book full of emotional depth and a great adventure for little and not so little ones.
5. A Very VERY Angry Book
Helping kids deal with their emotions is actually essential part of growing up. That’s why A Very VERY Angry Book by Halyna Budilova helps little ones deal with the strong and sometimes overwhelming feeling of anger. Together with Grizzlepuff – who roars, stomps, throws things and yells – children can begin recognising their own emotions and discovering healthier ways to express them. The book works especially well for circle time, wellbeing lessons and interactive storytelling activities.
6. A Totally Big Umbrella
Sometimes instead of regulating our big feelings, we can be tempted to conceal them. Can an umbrella be a way to hide beneath your emotions? Tallulah is convinced of it as she keeps her umbrella close at all times, even if it gets in the way of climbing, bathing and seeing the teacher. Over time, she learns that feeling messy, uncertain or scared is completely normal. Sarah Crossan in A Totally Big Umbrella shows an insightful approach to anxiety of the unknown, teaching kids how to accept big and scary emotions.
7. Now My Life Is New
Moving across countries and saying goodbye to everything you know can be sad and scary. Natasha Chellan and her son Satyam tackle this difficult subject in Now My Life Is New through the story of a little boy who has to leave South Africa for Australia and adapt to new people and a new culture. With soft illustrations and an honest but hopeful tone, the book encourages empathy and helps children better understand the emotional impact of change and migration.
8. What We’ll Build
Building a new home can indeed bring its challenges. Oliver Jeffers in What We’ll Build explores the relationship between a father and daughter as they build a new life together. Through storms, challenges and moments of joy, the story celebrates forgiveness, resilience and love. The warm rhyming text and charming illustrations create a comforting reading experience for young children. Teaching them about forgiveness, learning to adapt and choosing love above all.
9. The Home that Love Built
Community and kindness are often what help us through difficult times. Jessica Meserve beautifully captures this idea in The Home that Love Built when a storm shatters the homes of the forest creatures and they all come together to rebuild. Animals from different sizes and species join forces and show the power of community. Thanks to the natural colours and soft illustrations, this heartwarming story shows that we all need kindness, no matter how different we are.
10. Badger Books
It is also important to show little ones that having a community in day to day life can be very rewarding. Paddy Donnelly in his story Badger Books celebrates togetherness, learning and helping others.. Badger loves recommending a perfect book to his customers, and when his neighbor Rory comes in with a very specific idea, Badger has to do something he has never done before - write a book himself! This charming picture book highlights creativity, kindness and the importance of sharing stories with others.
These books explore many of the emotions, questions and experiences children encounter as they grow. While no story can answer every question, books can help children feel understood, supported and less alone. Read and reread them multiple times and be amazed at how much warmth, imagination and wisdom children’s literature can offer.
