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Books Like Room on the Broom

A personal project — every book hand-picked by a London dad 🇬🇧

These next reads carry forward Room on the Broom’s rhyme, accumulating cast, and belief that generosity becomes a practical strength when trouble arrives.

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12 hand-picked books

How to use this shelf

Choose another cumulative story if remembering each new arrival was the pleasure, or favour friendship and kindness if the rescue mattered more. A slightly wider age range can preserve the teamwork while introducing a longer plot.

Quick comparison

6 varied places to start. Compare the age, format, and themes, then read the notes or check current UK editions.

Monkey Puzzle
Julia Donaldson · Picture Book · ages 3–6 · kindness and friendship
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The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
Charlie Mackesy · Picture Book · ages 4–16 · kindness and friendship
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Can't You Sleep, Little Bear?
Martin Waddell · Picture Book · ages 2–5 · family and kindness
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Elmer
David McKee · Picture Book · ages 3–6 · courage and kindness
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Lost and Found
Oliver Jeffers · Picture Book · ages 3–6 · friendship and kindness
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Mr Gumpy's Outing
John Burningham · Picture Book · ages 2–5 · kindness and friendship
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Monkey Puzzle book cover
Monkey Puzzle
Julia Donaldson
Ages 3–6
Monkey Puzzle
Julia Donaldson · Axel Scheffler
On the shelf for children aged 3 to 6: Monkey Puzzle, a picture book by Julia Donaldson. It is illustrated by Axel Scheffler. It connects with kindness, friendship and family.
Why it fits: another title by Julia Donaldson, the same picture book format and shared themes of kindness and friendship.
Picture Book2000
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The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse book cover
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
Charlie Mackesy
Ages 4–16
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
Charlie Mackesy
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy is a picture book for readers aged 4+. A useful choice for reading about kindness, friendship and courage.
Why it fits: the same picture book format, shared themes of kindness and friendship and overlapping age guidance for 4–16.
Picture Book2019
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Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? book cover
Can't You Sleep, Little Bear?
Martin Waddell
Ages 2–5
Can't You Sleep, Little Bear?
Martin Waddell · Barbara Firth
Can't You Sleep, Little Bear?, a picture book by Martin Waddell, is selected for children aged 2 to 5. It is illustrated by Barbara Firth. Compare it with other books exploring family, kindness and courage.
Why it fits: the same picture book format, shared themes of kindness and courage and overlapping age guidance for 2–5.
Picture Book1988
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Elmer book cover
Elmer
David McKee
Ages 3–6
Elmer
David McKee
Elmer is a brightly patchworked elephant in a herd of ordinary grey elephants.
Why it fits: the same picture book format, shared themes of courage and kindness and overlapping age guidance for 3–6.
Picture Book1989
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Lost and Found book cover
Lost and Found
Oliver Jeffers
Ages 3–6
Lost and Found
Oliver Jeffers
Choose Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers for children aged 3 to 6. This picture book is shelved with books about friendship and kindness.
Why it fits: the same picture book format, shared themes of friendship and kindness and overlapping age guidance for 3–6.
Picture Book2005
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Mr Gumpy's Outing book cover
Mr Gumpy's Outing
John Burningham
Ages 2–5
Mr Gumpy's Outing
John Burningham
Choose Mr Gumpy's Outing by John Burningham for children aged 2 to 5. This picture book is shelved with books about kindness, friendship and humour.
Why it fits: the same picture book format, shared themes of kindness and friendship and overlapping age guidance for 2–5.
Picture Book1970
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After the Storm book cover
After the Storm
Nick Butterworth
Ages 3–6
After the Storm
Nick Butterworth
For readers interested in kindness, nature and resilience, compare After the Storm by Nick Butterworth. It is a picture book for children aged 3 to 6.
Why it fits: the same picture book format, shared themes of kindness and overlapping age guidance for 3–6.
Picture Book1992
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Alfie Gets in First book cover
Alfie Gets in First
Shirley Hughes
Ages 3–5
Alfie Gets in First
Shirley Hughes
Alfie Gets in First by Shirley Hughes is a picture book for children aged 3 to 5. A useful choice for reading about family, humour and courage.
Why it fits: the same picture book format, shared themes of courage and overlapping age guidance for 3–5.
Picture Book1981
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Blown Away book cover
Blown Away
Rob Biddulph
Ages 3–6
Blown Away
Rob Biddulph
Choose Blown Away by Rob Biddulph for children aged 3 to 6. This picture book is shelved with books about adventure and friendship.
Why it fits: the same picture book format, shared themes of friendship and overlapping age guidance for 3–6.
Picture Book2014
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Burglar Bill book cover
Burglar Bill
Janet Ahlberg
Ages 3–7
Burglar Bill
Janet Ahlberg · Allan Ahlberg
For readers interested in honesty, humour and kindness, compare Burglar Bill by Janet Ahlberg. It is illustrated by Allan Ahlberg. It is a picture book for children aged 3 to 7.
Why it fits: the same picture book format, shared themes of kindness and overlapping age guidance for 3–7.
Picture Book1977
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Sharing a Shell book cover
Sharing a Shell
Julia Donaldson
Ages 3–6
Sharing a Shell
Julia Donaldson · Lydia Monks
First published in 2004, Sharing a Shell is a picture book by Julia Donaldson for children aged 3 to 6. It is illustrated by Lydia Monks. Its themes include friendship, kindness and nature.
Why it fits: another title by Julia Donaldson, the same picture book format and shared themes of friendship and kindness.
Picture Book2004
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Farmer Duck book cover
Farmer Duck
Martin Waddell
Ages 3–6
Farmer Duck
Martin Waddell · Helen Oxenbury
On the shelf for children aged 3 to 6: Farmer Duck, a picture book by Martin Waddell. It is illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. It connects with justice, friendship and kindness.
Why it fits: the same picture book format, shared themes of friendship and kindness and overlapping age guidance for 3–6.
Picture Book1991
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