Children's Books About Belonging and Mattering
I am absolutely passionate about reading as an essential relational (shared reading or in relationship with a character for older readers) modality to explore feelings, experiences and development. This is especially true when thinking about belonging and mattering, which can help children and young people understand their place in the world. Stories validate children's experiences, highlighting to them that they're not alone and provide a framework for understanding complex emotions about identity, acceptance and self-worth.
Accessing one’s own inner world through relatable and accessible characters, supports navigating questions of fitting in, being valued and finding community. Children can learn that everyone deserves to belong and that their presence matters. Books can spark important conversations between children and parents/carers about identity, difference, friendship and the courage it takes to be yourself.
NOTE - I haven’t added links to the books, leaving you to choose where to purchase them from and I have tried to cover all age groups. This is a just a small selection of books available exploring themes of belonging and mattering. You can read a further selection that I have chosen for adults HERE.
1. The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Raúf
Age range: 8-12 years
When Ahmet, a refugee from Syria, joins the class, he's lonely and silent. The narrator and their friends decide to help him feel welcome and reunite him with his family. This moving novel tackles themes of displacement, empathy and the power of friendship in creating belonging. Written by British author Onjali Q. Raúf, it directly addresses contemporary issues of immigration and helps children understand what it means to be forced from your home whilst showing how small acts of kindness can make someone feel they matter.
Raúf, O.Q. (2018). The Boy at the Back of the Class. London: Orion Children's Books.
2. The Lion Inside by Rachel Bright, illustrated by Jim Field
Age range: 3-6 years
A tiny mouse admires a lion's confidence and roar, wishing he could be brave and noticed too. But when he finally roars, he discovers that even the lion has fears and that being small doesn't mean you don't matter. This picture book uses gentle rhyme to explore themes of self-worth and courage. It's particularly effective for shy children or those who feel overlooked, demonstrating that everyone has value regardless of size or volume.
Bright, R., & Field, J. (2015). The Lion Inside. London: Orchard Books.
3. Mixed: A Colourful Story by Arree Chung
Age range: 4-8 years
In a world where Reds, Yellows and Blues keep to themselves, one daring friendship creates something new; Purples, Oranges, and Greens. But when the new colours also separate into groups, one mixed child shows everyone that life is better when we all blend together creating a sense of belonging. This clever picture book uses colour as a metaphor for race and difference, making it an accessible way to discuss diversity, prejudice and the richness of mixed identities. It's particularly valuable for mixed-race children or those in diverse communities.
Chung, A. (2018). Mixed: A Colourful Story. London: Macmillan Children's Books.
4. The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson
Age range: 12+ years
David Piper has been keeping a huge secret; he's transgender and longs to live as a girl. When new boy Leo arrives at school with secrets of his own, an unlikely friendship forms. This novel sensitively explores gender identity, acceptance and the courage required to be yourself. Williamson handles the complexities of teenage transgender experience with authenticity and compassion, showing readers that everyone deserves to be seen for who they truly are, that they matter and that finding your people can make all the difference in feeling you belong.
Williamson, L. (2015). The Art of Being Normal. London: David Fickling Books.
5. You Matter by Christian Robinson
Age range: 2-6 years
With minimal text and expansive illustrations, this contemplative picture book reminds children that they matter, to their families, their communities and the world. It acknowledges that sometimes you might feel small or insignificant, but emphasises that everyone is important and connected to something larger. The book's simplicity makes it accessible to very young children whilst its message resonates with older readers too. It's a lovely tool for building self-esteem and a sense of purpose.
Robinson, C. (2020). You Matter. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
6. The Way Back Home by Oliver Jeffers
Age range: 4-8 years
When a boy's aeroplane runs out of petrol on the moon, he meets a Martian whose spacecraft is similarly stranded on Earth. Together, they solve each other's problems and form an unlikely friendship. This charming story explores themes of difference, cooperation and belonging across boundaries. Belfast-born author Oliver Jeffers creates a world where help and friendship matter more than where you're from, making it valuable for discussing inclusion and what it means to welcome strangers.
Jeffers, O. (2007). The Way Back Home. London: HarperCollins Children's Books.
7. Heartstopper: Volume One by Alice Oseman
Age range: 12+ years
Charlie Spring, an openly gay student, develops feelings for his rugby teammate Nick Nelson in this tender graphic novel. As their friendship deepens into something more, both boys navigate questions of identity, coming out and finding acceptance. Author Alice Oseman creates an authentic, hopeful story about LGBTQ+ belonging that has resonated with countless teenagers. The book beautifully captures the anxiety of being different, whilst showing that you deserve love and acceptance exactly as you are.
Oseman, A. (2019). Heartstopper: Volume One. London: Hodder Children's Books.
8. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Age range: 14+ years
Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter witnesses the fatal shooting of her unarmed best friend Khalil by a police officer. As she navigates between her poor, predominantly Black neighbourhood and her posh, mostly white private school, Starr must find her voice and decide what matters most. This powerful novel explores code-switching, racial identity and the courage it takes to speak truth when your communities are divided. Though American in setting, its themes of belonging across different worlds and mattering enough to stand up resonate universally with teenagers grappling with identity and justice.
Thomas, A. (2017). The Hate U Give. London: Walker Books.
9. The Thing Lou Couldn't Do by Ashley Spires
Lou loves adventure with her friends until they want to climb a tree and Lou is secretly afraid of heights. Rather than faking it or feeling ashamed, Lou eventually admits her fear and finds her own way to participate. This honest story about facing limitations and asking for what you need shows children that belonging doesn't require pretending to be someone you're not. It demonstrates that true friends make space for our differences and that we matter even when we can't do everything others can.
Spires, A. (2017). The Thing Lou Couldn't Do. Toronto: Kids Can Press.
10. Julian Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
Age range: 4-8 years
After seeing three women dressed as mermaids, Julian dreams of becoming a mermaid himself. When his grandmother discovers him dressed in curtains and ferns, she responds with love and takes him to the Coney Island Mermaid Parade. This groundbreaking book celebrates gender expression, imagination,and unconditional acceptance. It shows children that who they are and what they love matters and that the right people will celebrate rather than constrain their authentic selves.
Love, J. (2018). Julian Is a Mermaid. London: Walker Books.
*Discover more ‘Ways of Belonging’ HERE.
