10 inspirational children's books about identity and belonging

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

One night Max puts on his wolf suit and makes mischief of one kind and another, so his mother calls him 'Wild Thing' and sends him to bed without his supper.

That night a forest begins to grow in Max's room and an ocean rushes by with a boat to take Max to the place where the wild things are.

Max tames the wild things and crowns himself as their king, and then the wild rumpus begins!

But when Max has sent the monsters to bed, and everything is quiet, he starts to feel lonely and realises it is time to sail home to the place where someone loves him best of all.

My Two Grannies written by Floella Benjamin and illustrated by Margaret Chamberlain

Alvina has two grannies who she loves with all her heart. Grannie Vero is from the Caribbean island of Trinidad. Grannie Rose is from the north of England. When Alvina's parents go away on holiday, both the grannies move in to Alvina's house to look after her. But the two grannies want to do different things, eat different food, play different games and tell different stories. The grannies get crosser and crosser with each other, but Alvina thinks of a way they can do all the things their own way so the grannies can become the best of friends.

Nen and the Lonely Fisherman written by Ian Eagleton and illustrated by James Mayhew

Far out to sea and deep below the whispering waves lives a merman called Nen. Nen spends his days exploring his underwater kingdom, but something is missing: his heart is empty. So, Nen ventures to the forbidden world above and it is here that he meets Ernest, a lonely fisherman. But can two people from different worlds be together and what will happen when a terrifying storm gathers?

A lyrical, beautiful celebration of love, acceptance and faith, with a gentle message about how we treat our oceans, and each other.

Grandad's Camper by Harry Woodgate

A long time ago, Grandad and Gramps spent many happy days travelling the world together in a camper van. But now Gramps isn't around any more, Grandad doesn't feel much like having adventures. As she listens to his wonderful stories, Grandad's granddaughter has an idea to cheer him up...

Granny Came Here on the Empire Windrush written by Patrice Lawrence and illustrated by Camilla Sucre

One day, Ava is asked to dress as an inspirational figure for assembly at school, but who should she choose? 

When Ava finds a mysterious old suitcase, Granny begins to share her own history, and how she came to England on the Empire Windrush many years ago. As Ava listens to how Granny built a life for herself in England, determined to stay against the odds and despite overwhelming homesickness, she realises that there is a hero very close to home that she wants to celebrate more than anyone – her very own brave and beloved granny.

Laxmi's Mooch written by Shelly Anand and illustrated by Nabi H. Ali

Laxmi never paid much attention to the tiny hairs above her lip. But one day while playing farm animals at recess, her friends point out that her whiskers would make her the perfect cat. She starts to notice body hair all over – on her arms, legs, and even between her eyebrows.

With her parents' help, Laxmi learns that hair isn't just for heads, but that it grows everywhere, regardless of gender. Laxmi's Mooch is a celebration of our bodies and our body hair, in whichever way they grow.

Libba: The Magnificent Musical Life of Elizabeth Cotten written by Laura Veirs and illustrated by Tatyana Fazlalizadeh

This lyrical, loving book from acclaimed singer-songwriter Laura Veirs and debut illustrator Tatyana Fazlalizadeh tells the story of the determined, gifted, daring Elisabeth Cotten – one of the most celebrated American folk musicians of all time. Elisabeth Cotten was only a little girl when she picked up a guitar for the first time. It wasn't hers – it was her big brother's – and it wasn’t strung right – she was left-handed. But she flipped that guitar upside down and backwards and taught herself how to play it anyway. By eleven, she'd written "Freight Train", one of the most famous folk songs. And by the end of her life, everyone from the California beaches to the rolling hills of England knew her music.

Matilda written by Roald Dahl and illustrated by Quentin Blake

Matilda is a brilliant child with a magical mind.

Her parents have decided she is a waste of space.

And her headmistress Miss Trunchbull is a terrible bully, who thinks children are rotten and awful and should be locked up.

But it's time for Matilda to find the power to change her story, and show them just how extraordinary children can be...

I Am Nefertiti written by Annemarie Anang and illustrated by Natelle Quek

When Nefertiti plays the drums, the band plays as one. 'I am Nefertiti' she says, and she feels ten feet tall. But when the new music teacher shortens her name to 'Nef', bit by bit, she starts to shrink. Without Nefertiti to keep the beat, the band is in disarray... 'I am Nefertiti!' she whispers to herself. Drawing on her inner strength and with the support of the other children, they help Miss Potts recognise the importance of honouring Nefertiti's name. Now, when Nefertiti keeps the beat, the music sounds so sweet! A heartwarming, joyous, empowering story of identity and belonging.

Dance Just Like So! written by Annemarie Anang and illustrated by Natelle Quek

It's dance class day and Gran will teach Kwesi and the neighbours her trophy-winning dance, the Shooby-Doo Mambo. But Gran hurts her knee before Kwesi can learn all the steps. How will he learn the special dance now? Slowly Kwesi finds the confidence to practice the steps on his own, but dancing without Gran is not the same... Kwesi's inventive solution delivers a heartwarming surprise. Next dance class day, he and Gran dance the new Shooby-Doo Mambo. Twirling their glittery canes in the air while seated on chairs, they wow all the neighbours – Just Like So!