IDENTITY
BEAUTIFUL LAYERS OF ME (Sophia Payne, Ruchi Mhasane)
In The Beautiful Layers of Me, (Walker 2025) Sophia Payne and Ruchi Mhasane offer young readers a heartfelt and reassuring story about self-confidence, tradition and belonging. This picture book is a gentle but powerful affirmation for any child who has ever felt unsure or anxious about standing out - especially when it comes to cultural clothing.
The story follows a young girl who’s navigating uncertainty about wearing her salwar kameez at a wedding. She begins to understand that her cultural identity is not something to hide, but something to celebrate.
What sets this book apart is its emotional honesty. It doesn’t shy away from the very real fears children may feel - the fear of being different, of being laughed at, of not fitting in. The vulnerability of the main character and the softness if the illustrations compliment each other an exquisitely, as the story gently guides the reader towards confidence and self-acceptance.
A tender and beautifully illustrated celebration of identity that empowers children to wear their heritage with pride.
LITTLE BAD WOLF (Before the Fairy Tale) (Abie Longstaff, Leire Martin)
Little Bad Wolf (Happy Yak, 2025), is the first in a clever, funny new picture book series that reimagines the early lives of familiar fairy-tale characters. With vibrant, energetic illustrations by Leire Martin, this is a witty, action-packed adventure through the ‘before’ of the Big Bad Wolf’s story.
In this version, the Big Bad Wolf isn’t big or bad - yet. He’s just Little Wolfie, a spirited youngster with sharp teeth, a short fuse and a tendency to gobble annoying things. So when a certain red-haired girl makes off with his special cloak, Wolfie’s path to becoming the Big Bad Wolf we all know, is set in motion…
Full of cheeky humour and lots fairy tale details for readers to spot, this ‘before the story’ flips the traditional narrative. It encourages readers to think how reputations are made and whether someone really is as bad as they seem - or if there’s more to the story.
SQUIRREL AND BIRD (Laura Baker, Stacey Thomas)
Squirrel and Bird (Little Tiger, 2025) is a witty and visually striking picture book that invites children to explore the complexities of identity and self-expression. This is a story that flips expectations - and labels - on their head.
We meet Squirrel, who is LOUD, and Bird, who is quiet. And we’re told by the narrator that is all there is to know. But what unfolds is a playful narrative that challenges the reader to look beyond labels and embrace the many sides of themselves and others.
Stacey Thomas’s limited colour palette is striking and full of charm, sometimes working in contrast to Laura’s funny text, encouraging discussion.
A joyful, thought-provoking picture book about identity, individuality and the freedom to be more than one thing.