Books that make great conversation starters with kids
Sometimes it can be hard to know how to talk to children about what's going on in the world, especially if the subject is something difficult like war. A book to read together - or for them to read alone - can be a great way of starting a conversation.
Here we've pulled together a collection of thoughtful, thought-provoking reads for children of all ages.
Climate change
Somebody Swallowed Stanley by Sarah Roberts, illustrated by Hannah Peck
4-7 years
This beautifully illustrated book for younger children tells the story of Stanley, a discarded plastic bag who ends up drifting through the ocean. The rhythmic text explores the damage that plastic waste can do to the environment, as Stanley is mistaken for a jellyfish and gets eaten by a range of different creatures. Eventually, a child rescues Stanley from the sea and puts him to better use, highlighting the role that children can play in protecting our planet and all the living things that call it home.
Clean Up by Nathan Bryan, illustrated by Dapa Adeola
3-6 years
This beautifully illustrated picture book is set on a Carribbean island. When Rocket goes on holiday to visit her grandparents, she's shocked by the pollution that's spoiling their island home and putting the local sea life at risk so recruits locals and holiday makers to clean up.
The Last Wild by Piers Torday
9-12 years
The first in a trilogy, The Last Wild is set in the midst of a pandemic that has wiped out the world’s wild animals – or so the humans think. When a boy named Kester is visited by a flock of talking pigeons that only he can understand, they lead him into the wilderness to a place where the last wild creatures – the last of their species – have survived. But this proves to be just the start of Kester’s quest to save the animals. A brilliantly written adventure that is great for starting discussions about extinction and what we can do to prevent it, and the importance of biodiversity.
Green Rising by Lauren James
12+ years
This book tells the story of a young environmental activist who discovers she has an unusual superpower: the ability to grow plants from her skin. Against the backdrop of the climate crisis, other teenagers with the same gift come forward – but will their abilities make things better or worse? An inventive story that explores the importance of collaboration in finding solutions to the climate crisis and the agency of young people. Contains some strong language.
LGBTQIA+
The Pirate Mums by Jodie Lancet-Grant, pictures by Lydia Corry
4-6 years
Billy's family isn't what you'd call normal; his two mums are both pirates! He wishes they could be a bit more ordinary - until they come to the rescue on a school trip that goes awry!
Julian Is A Mermaid by Jesica Love
4-6 years
A joyously inclusive story about a little boy who loves bright colours and dressing up.
Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
14+ years
This heart-warming graphic novel captures first love between an unlikely couple: rugby jock Nick and book-lover Charlie.
Disability
Mama Car by Lucy Catchpole and illustrated by Karen George
4-6 years
This lovely book is a celebration of a mother's wheelchair and the cosy comfort it provides for her child. Mama Car comes directly from Lucy's experience as a disabled mother and her aim for more representation of disabled parents.
Wonder by RJ Palacio
11-13 years
Born with a facial abnormality, August has been home-schooled by his parents his whole life but now he’s being sent to school - and he’s dreading it. A wonderful story about kindness and tenacity.
Mental health
Ruby's Worry by Tom Percival
3-7 years
This thoughtful book is a great springboard for encouraging young children to talk about their worries.
The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson
9-12 years
Twelve-year-old Matthew is trapped in his bedroom by crippling OCD until he becomes the last person to see his neighbours toddler, Teddy, before he goes missing. His obsessive attention to detail means he's able to help solve a disappearance. This thoughtful novel explores a mental health condition in a holistic way and looks at the way his parents view and react to his condition, which is a brilliant way of starting conversations with children about how they would like to be supported, what it feels like to be them, what they want their parents to know about how they feel and why it’s not always easy to communicate that.
War
Boy, Everywhere by AM Dassu
7-11 years
This eye-opening novel chronicles the journey taken by Sami and his family as they are forced to leave behind their comfortable life in Syria and travel across land and sea to start a new life in the UK.
The Skylark's War by Hilary McKay
9-11 years
A beautiful story about a brother and sister growing up against the harsh backdrop of World War One and their summer escapes to their grandparents' home in Cornwall.
Grief
The Girl Who Became A Tree by Joseph Coehlo
11-13 years
A series of beautiful, linked poems that tell the story of Daphne who is mourning the loss of her dad.
Race and identity
Our Diversity Makes Us Stronger by Elizabeth Cole
Ages 4-7
This thoughtful read is a great way to start the conversation with younger children about how everyone is unique and has their own strengths.
Chik Chak Shabat by Mara Rockliff, Kyrsten Brooker
3-7 years
Goldie makes the most amazing dinners every Friday night to celebrate Shabbat and her neighbours love it! However, when Goldie gets ill, her neighbours come together to take care of her. A story of friendship between communties, this will also introduce children to Judaism's most important festival: Shabbat.
Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman and Caroline Binch
Ages 5-8
This classic book has a lovely message about accepting people for who they are. Grace wants to be Peter Pan but is convinced by her class mates that she can't because she is a girl and black. Her grandmother shows her that she can be whatever she wants to be.
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
14+ years
Although this book was not published for children, it's a great read for teenagers looking to connect with Jewish experience. Set in an imaginary medieval kingdom, it's a fairytale/folktale combination suffused with Jewish history and culture, and depicts a metaphorical telling of the dangers of antisemitism.
All That It Ever Meant by Blessing Musariri
14+ years
This impactful story is set between England and Zimbabwe and is the story of three siblings grieving the loss of their mum.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
14+ years
Life changes forever for 16-year-old Starr when she witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend by a police officer.
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