Championing inclusion

We take a look at some of the best inclusive books released in 2025 for under-fives

Inclusivity is one of the core themes in education – from early years onwards – as one of the things most conducive to flourishing children is a sense of belonging and understanding from both adults and peers. This means ensuring that, at a minimum, children see themselves, their families and their cultures reflected in positive examples throughout their lives. This is particularly effective when applied to books, media and resources that children engage with on a regular basis.

We talk a lot about ensuring children have a wide range of examples to hook their knowledge and understanding of the world on, but a lot of the inclusive, culturally diverse texts promoted and chosen by settings focus specifically on religious and cultural festivals – and they’re often only out for the children to read when that particular festival or cultural event is taking place. While this is, in its way, beneficial for all children, it’s also limiting and suggests to children of different cultures and faiths that their identity is only relevant at certain times of the year.

What’s more powerful than this is to show a range of skin tones, cultures, abilities and disabilities, positive gender role models, home languages, religions, unique families and home environments in everyday books throughout the year. It’s this that helps to build a secure sense of belonging among children – all year round.

We make a look back at some of 2025’s best inclusive books for under-fives, featuring a range of stories, topics, settings, and styles for different ages!

Baby’s Very First Faces by Jo Lodge

It’s time to Hush and Say Goodnight by Chitra Soundar

Waiting for baby by Rachel Fuller

What Makes a Family by Molly Potter

My Daddies by Gareth Peter

A Home can be by Stephanie Seidler

Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry

Susan Laughs by Jeanne Willis