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Reading is so important for children! Books are simply awesome and children’s books have the power to create beautiful moments for learning, questioning, imaginative play and possibility. Reading to or with children also has astonishing benefits in building self-esteem, developing confidence, cultivating happiness and feelings of comfort. Reading with children is simple, yet so powerful!
Now more than ever before there are so many fantastic, inspiring and much-needed diverse children’s books entering the market, which made it difficult to choose just 10 for our list of children's books with important life lessons!! So, for this blog, we asked some very special people to help select which books we should include. We give a HUGE thank you to Dana (age 4), Delilah (age 18 months) and mum Hollie, plus Aliana (age 5), Arden (age 2) and mum Sarah for sharing their favourites!
Recommended for ages 3-7 (by Amazon readers)
Ruby’s Worry is a Big Bright Feelings Book and a favourite for Aliana!
No matter how big or small, all children have worries and anxieties and this is the perfect book for opening vital channels for communication and helping children talk about their feelings and concerns. The illustrations are beautiful and uplifting. Ruby’s worry is depicted as a scribbly scrawl that follows her around and starts to grow, until she meets a friend, who also has a worry. Through their friendship and conversation Ruby’s worry lessens and she starts to feel like herself again.
A must have on children’s bookshelves, at homes, in schools, and libraries.
Ruby’s Worry is available at Amazon.
Recommended for ages 4-8 (by Amazon readers)
You might have already heard of this one, as it was a #1 New York Times bestseller and Goodreads Choice Awards picture book winner!
This beautiful, poetic text teaches and reminds young readers about self-worth and diversity by respecting others, being kind, embracing difference and most importantly loving who they are. The powerful message is that we are all here for a purpose and each of us is more than enough. It’s a book of empowerment for young girls that promotes female strength and respect for diversity (although the mantra “I am enough” can be a useful reminder to us all).
Keturah A Bobo’s illustrations beautifully illuminate the messages throughout.
I Am Enough is available at Amazon.
Recommended for ages 3-5 (by Amazon readers)
This lovely story about standing up for yourself and finding your tiger strength from within is our first recommendation from smashing sisters, Dana and Delilah! The book opens dialogues for important discussions about school, bullying and mental wellbeing in a very gentle way, with the important reminder to always be kind resonating throughout.
Today I’m Strong is brought to you by Nadiya Hussain and illustrator Ella Bailey. (If you’re a Great British Bake Off fan you’ll remember author Nadiya Hussain as the winner of season 6!) Other children’s books from the author-illustrator duo include Spreading My Wings and My Monster and Me
Today I’m Strong is available at Amazon.
Recommended for ages 3-7 (by Amazon readers)
This powerful book is a recommendation from sister superstars, Aliana and Arden! It’s also a New York Times bestseller. The story is about the first day of school for two sisters. For the older sister it’s also her first day of hijab: she wears a hijab of beautiful blue fabric, like the ocean waving to the sky.
The book is inspired by the experiences of Olympic medallist Ibtihaj Muhammad and teaches children to be proud of their identity and what makes them different. The universal messages within this story are important for us all, no matter the age of the reader. Hatem Aly’s artwork throughout the book is just beautiful too.
The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family is available at Amazon.
Recommended for ages 4-7 (by Amazon Readers)
Loss is difficult to navigate at any stage of life. It can be especially difficult for children who experience loss at such a young age as there are big emotions that come with this that they don’t know what to do with. This book helps children through this process by saying it’s ok to feel all these big things and that healing takes time. Grief, sadness, and sorrow are sensitively dealt with in ways that feel manageable, hopeful and uplifting.
Although it’s pitched for children, the messages within this book give reminders that grief is a process – adults and children alike can find comfort within this narrative.
My Big, Dumb, Invisible Dragon is available at Amazon.
Recommended for ages 2-6 (by Amazon readers)
Another recommendation from Aliana and Arden! This is a charming story that explores and celebrates creative, playful humans, and being seen for who we are by people who love us. Along with Julian, readers learn that anyone can be a mermaid!
The text is minimal, but that doesn’t detract from the beauty of the powerful themes explored. In fact, the spaces created by the minimalistic text welcome you and your children to fill these with questions and imagination – you can be anyone, after all! Alongside Julian, the wonderful grandmother is a stand-out, heart-warming character who is a great role model for caregivers and teachers. The illustrations are just stunning – every page is a piece of art!
Julian is a Mermaid is available at Amazon.
Recommended for ages 1-4 (by Amazon readers)
This sweet story of Gerald the giraffe has been selected by lovely sisters, Dana and Delilah!
Follow Gerald as he pursues his dreams of being a dancer, despite his bandy legs! This funny tale is about determination and not judging others. Just because Gerald has thin legs and knobbly knees doesn’t really mean that he can’t dance (just wait 'til Gerald finds his groove at the end!) The lessons within the story include building confidence and self-esteem, and being kind to difference. The rhyming verses by Giles Andreae are accompanied by bold, colourful and joyous illustrations by Guy Parker-Rees.
Giraffes Can’t Dance is available at Amazon.
Recommended for ages 2-5 (by Amazon readers)
Another giraffe related story! This is an absolute staple in my yoga for kids teaching kit. It’s a lovely book for little ones that helps to introduce our feelings and behaviours by exploring animals and yoga poses. Although it’s aimed at little yogis it’s totally accessible for all children as a great starting point for conversations about feelings. There is a parent/ teacher guide at the back, so don’t worry if you’re new to yoga, although you don’t necessarily need to follow this – why not be playful and create your own poses, actions, sounds too? (In fact I fully recommend this - my yoga kids love being creative and exploring their own poses and characters for the animals. It brings them a lot of joy!)
The book has a calm, peaceful feel and the illustrations by Valerie Bouthyette are beautiful. Author Giselle Shardlow is the award-winning author of Kids Yoga Stories
The Grateful Giraffe is available at Amazon.
Recommended for ages 3-6 (by Amazon readers)
Get ready for a final recommendation from Aliana and Arden... 3…2… 1… Lift Off!
Look Up is a funny, educational, energetic and passionate book with a loveable, dynamic, strong female protagonist (Rocket) who dreams of being an astronaut when she grows up! Rocket is a refreshingly relatable character and her story is packed with meteor and space facts too! If Rocket’s passion doesn’t awaken your desire to turn off your screens and look up at the night’s sky, we don’t know what will!
Nathan Bryon and illustrator Dapo Adeola won the Waterstones children’s book of the year and the illustrated book category 2020!
Look Up is available at Amazon.
Recommended for ages 3-8 (by Amazon readers)
Our final, inspiring book recommendation is brought to you by Dana!
Oh, the Places You’ll Go is a beautiful exploration of the ups and downs and possibilities that lay ahead of you in life. The book is optimistic but without being unrealistic, as readers understand that “life’s a great balancing act”. Readers are encouraged to take life in their stride, follow their heart and to celebrate the ups and the downs, by acknowledging that highs and lows are all part of living! The philosophy of life and crucial values that are instilled mean that this book can be read and revisited at any age or stage of life.
Oh the Places You’ll Go is available at Amazon.
For even more suggestions of children’s books with important life lessons please get in touch with us and we will happily share! If you’re looking for creative classes for your little one head to our website
If you’re a school or a teacher looking for creative and educational workshops, please email us: info@movingwaves.org. We offer a wide range of workshops in primary schools from dance, music, drama, comedy, arts and crafts, poetry and creative writing. We take bespoke requests too!
And, we can't conclude without one more big thank you to Dana, Delilah, Aliana and Arden for their very special input into this blog! We couldn’t have written it without you. Thank you for sharing some of your favourite books and the important life lessons within them. We really loved reading all of your favourite books too!
All links included in this blog are Amazon Affiliate Links.
