BROWSE OUR BOOKS BY THEME
A story cannot be reduced to the themes it addresses, nor can all our books be represented by a few dozen themes... but you will find in these lists titles that address emotions, the search for identity, relationships with others, understanding society, discovering the world around us, and stories with specific narrative styles...
All stories deal with emotions in one way or another — even a character who wouldn't feel anything would tell us something about emotions!
Stories help children recognise their emotions. They give them a safe space to step back and see that others might feel the same way they do, even when those feelings are a bit embarrassing or uncomfortable. They also make it easier for parents to talk about sensitive topics. Discover a selection of children's books where feelings take center stage.
EMOTION MANAGEMENT / FEAR AND COURAGE / LOVE / KINDNESS, COMPASSION
What a long, lifelong process it is to figure out who we are, what we value, and how we fit into the world!
In childhood, the sense of self begins with recognizing personal preferences, emotions, and a basic identity tied to family and familiar environments. Children start understanding that they are separate individuals, forming the earliest foundations of who they might become.
It tends to intensify as we grow up because different stages of development bring new cognitive abilities, social pressures, and emotional needs.
BEING A CHILD, SMALL VS BIG / AUTONOMY & INDEPENDENCE / FINDING YOUR OWN PLACE AND VOCATION / INTROVERTS AND LONERS / ACCEPTING THE UNEXPECTED / TIME, PATIENCE, PERSEVERANCE / THE POWER OF CREATIVITY / GAINING SELF-CONFIDENCE
Stories told from the point of view of a fountain or a raindrop, stories featuring invented characters with runny noses called "blebleks", fast-paced travel adventures or quiet contemplative texts, fairy tales, humour, interactivity, investigation, fiction to learn and non-fiction to dream... there are infinite tones and ways of telling stories!
Here are stories from very classic genres to unexpected narrators and original interactive styles.
FAIRY TALES, FOLK TALES AND MYTHS / MYSTERY & INVESTIGATION / MAGIC, GNOMES, GIANTS, GHOSTS etc. / TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE / UNEXPECTED NARRATORS / HUMOUR AND LAUGHTER / AT A CHILD'S LEVEL / POETIC NON-FICTION / LOOK AND FIND
Children begin to understand society through everyday routines, like school and play, where they learn rules, fairness, and cooperation. They watch adults and peers, observing how people solve problems, communicate, and navigate relationships. Over time, asking questions and gaining small responsibilities helps them see how larger systems and social norms shape the world around them. Stories and play act as safe spaces to explore social roles. Stories also help readers understand and raise awareness of difficult issues such as justice, war, refugees, and poverty. Here is a selection of books that focus on societal topics.
CONSUMER SOCIETY, WEALTH DIFFERENCES / HISTORY / CULTURAL DIFFERENCES / WAR, REFUGEES / INSPIRING FIGURES / JUSTICE
We are social animals. Artistotle said so and neuroscience backs him up: our brains literally light up when we feel seen, heard, or understood. Connections give us perspective, humour, and the reassuring sense that we’re not the only ones improvising our way through life.
As Maya Angelou liked to remind us, people may forget what we say, but they never forget how we make them feel. But navigating through human connections - friends, family, teachers, unknown people - understanding others, speaking, sharing, is not always easy.
Here are a selection of books where relationships with others are central to the story.
FRIENDSHIP / FAMILY - PARENTS / GRANDPARENTS / SIBLINGS / COMMUNITY & NEIGHBOURHOOD
Art, Music, Dancing, Fashion, Evolution, Numbers and Sciences, Care for the Planet, Shapes, Space, Seasons, Animals, Poo and Waste, Water and Oceans, Trees and Forests, Incredible Abilities of Living Beings, Impressive Nature: the world doesn't come in organised categories, and it takes a lifetime to make this big enthusiasting mess a structured knowledge...
Books can help, here are a shortlist of books to marvel at the world that surrounds us!
ART, MUSIC, FASHION / SHAPES / NUMBERS, SCIENCE, CURIOSITY / EVOLUTION / SPACE / SEASON / ENVIRONMENT / ANIMALS / INCREDIBLE ABILITIES OF LIVING BEINGS / IMPRESSIVE NATURE / WATER, RIVERS, SEA / FORESTS AND TREES / POO AND WASTE
Getting dressed, going to daycare, school, bedtime, food, sleep, illness, the dark, birthdays, getting bored... Days go by, same and different, with their routines and new learnings!
Discover a selection of books that deal with daily life matters.
SLEEP / FOOD / ILLNESS / BIRTHDAYS, CELEBRATIONS & GIFTS
From top left: art by Lidia Brankovic (from The Grand Hotel of Feelings, Cicada UK)
art by Quim Torres (The Rare, Tiny Flower, Tra USA)
art by Anouk Ricard (Three Cute Babies, Comme des géants Canada)
art by Sophie Guerrive (The Friends' Club, 4048/2042 France)
art by Lorenzo Sangiò (The Night Giant, Palomita France)
art by Jérémie Decalf (Sky is Not the Limit, Amaterra France)
art by Joaquín Camp (A Sleepless Night, Lecturita Argentina)