Books about community

Benjamin Zephaniah’s People Need People

Author: Benjamin Zephaniah Illustrator: Nila Aye
Publisher: Hachette Children’s Group
Interest age: 4-5

A joyous book that celebrates community and human connection, with gorgeous illustrations.

Mae testun odledig Benjamin Zephaniah yn un sy'n codi calon ac yn rhannu llawer rheswm pam fod angen pobl eraill ar bobl – i chwarae gyda nhw, i ddysgu oddi wrthyn nhw ac i'w cwtsio!

Luna Loves Gardening

Author: Joseph Coelho Illustrator: Fiona Lumbers
Publisher: Andersen
Reading age: 4-8

Luna is off to the community garden with her dad. There, she learns how to grow plants and discovers each one has its own story to share.

Maya & Marley and the Great Big Tidy Up

Author: Laura Henry-Allain MBE Illustrator: Yabaewah Scott
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 4-5

This sweet picture book about keeping our environment neat and well-tended is a lovely book with a great message about the power of communities to band together and get things done.

Speak Up!

Author: Nathan Byron Illustrator: Dapo Adeola
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+

Rocket loves visiting her local library every week, but on one visit, she discovers it will be closing. It’s time to speak up and see if she and the local community can save their beloved library.

Mae Rocket wrth ei bodd â mynd i'r llyfrgell leol bob wythnos gyda'i mam a'i brawd hŷn. Felly mae hi'n torri ei chalon pan ddaw i wybod y bydd y llyfrgell yn cau …

Flower Block

Author: Lanisha Butterfield Illustrator: Hoang Giang
Publisher: Puffin Books
Interest age: 4-5

Theo’s sunflower has grown right through the tower block! A delightful celebration of nature and community.  

Papa’s Butter Chicken

Author: Monica Saigal Illustrator: Abeeha Tariq
Publisher: Little Tiger
Interest age: 4-5

Monica loves her papa’s butter chicken – and so does everyone else! Will Monica get a special time, just her and her papa? A heartwarming celebration of family and community. 

The Concrete Garden

Author: Bob Graham
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 7+

Children join in to draw a beautiful garden with chalk. A gorgeous picture book celebrating community and the positive effect art has on everyone. 

Little Glow

Author: Katie Sahota Illustrator: Harry Woodgate
Publisher: Owlet Press
Interest age: 3-5

This glimmering, gorgeous book is a gentle story that showcases the amazing celebrations of light across different communities, including Lunar New Year, Diwali, Hanukkah and Ramadan.

The Invention

Author: Julia Hubery Illustrator: James Munro
Publisher: Graffeg
Interest age: 3-5

When Fili sees that her neighbours in her tower block don't talk to each other, she invents something to change it. Championing community and connection through imagination and creativity, this is delightful.

Too Small Tola Makes It Count

Author: Atinuke Illustrator: Onyinye Iwu
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+

Three excellent short stories about the irrepressible Tola, a little girl with a big heart, living at the centre of her community in Lagos. Warm, fun and full of compassion.

Mae'r straeon byrion yn gwneud y llyfr hwn yn un hawdd troi ato, ac mae'r darluniau annwyl yn dod â bywyd Tola'n fyw gyda hiwmor. Dathliad hyfryd o gymuned, teulu a chariad.

Pizazz

Author: Sophy Henn
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 6+

Meet Pizazz - a superhero who hates her superpower! Sophy Henn’s new illustrated adventure aimed at younger to middle-primary school aged readers is perfect for fans of her previous series Bad Nana, with the same level of illustration and zany text throughout. 

Bobby Bains Plays a Blinder

Author: Bali Rai Illustrator: Daniel Duncan
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

Bobby wants his nana-ji and Trevor to be friends because they both love football. A heart-warming story of community and kindness – and football! Dyslexia friendly, and appealing to all readers. 

A Different Kind of Freedom: A Romani Story

Author: Richard O’Neill
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 7+

Lijah loves football, but his Romani father doesn’t want him to play. How can Lijah follow his passion if he has to hide it from his dad?

Alyssa and the Spell Garden

Author: Alexandra Sheppard Illustrator: Bex Glendining
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

Touching on social anxiety and divorce as well as featuring a non-binary child and characters of many ethnicities, this is a truly inclusive tale of magic, community and healing.

The Magician’s Daughter

Author: Caryl Lewis Illustrator: George Ermos
Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

Abby finds a book that will allow her and her magician dad to perform real magic! A miraculous story about the magic of community, family and friendship from an award-winning Welsh author.

Secrets of a Rebel Rock Star

Author: Nat Amoore
Publisher: Rock the Boat
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

Can Mac and his new friend Flynn create a musical to save their teachers? Pulsing with a love of music, this is funny and heart-warming – and a call to save the arts in education.

The Secret Sunshine Project

Author: Benjamin Dean Illustrator: Sandhya Prabhat
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Interest age: 9-12
Reading age: 9+

How will a sleepy village react when Bea attempts to bring the glitter and rainbows of Pride to their doorstep?