Children's book series
Helping every child see themselves, recognise others, and discover their own gift.These heartwarming picture books celebrate curiosity, creativity, kindness and belonging through stories where every child can see themselves, recognise others and discover that everyone has something valuable to contribute.
Wonder neighbourhood bookshelf:
These are the current titles available on Amazon for purchase but more titles are being released soon.
Ruby can't wait for race day!
She's practised hard, her friends are cheering her on, and she's ready to race. But when excitement gets the better of her, Ruby remembers her coach's advice: slow down, breathe and focus.
With one deep breath, Ruby discovers that staying calm helps her notice what's important and enjoy every moment of the race.
A heartwarming Wonder Neighbourhood story celebrating perseverance, mindfulness and the confidence that comes from believing in yourself.
Leo's gift is curiosity.
When an ordinary day in Wonder Neighbourhood takes an unexpected turn, Leo's questions help everyone discover something they might otherwise have missed.
A heartwarming Wonder Neighbourhood story celebrating curiosity, confidence and the wonderful things that happen when children are encouraged to look a little closer.
Building a giant marble run should be easy... shouldn't it?
When Mateo and his friends discover that their ideas don't fit together, frustration starts to grow. But with a little teamwork, lots of problem-solving and a willingness to keep trying, they learn that the best creations are built one small step at a time.
A heartwarming Wonder Neighbourhood story celebrating teamwork, perseverance and the power of solving problems together.
Ben loves building and creating.
When Ben and his friend Leo bring one of their imaginative creations to kindergarten, Miss Jen is inspired to fill the classroom with boxes, cardboard tubes and recycled treasures for everyone to explore. Soon, an ordinary cardboard tube becomes a telescope, a robot, a rocket... or something nobody has imagined yet! Join Ben and his friends as they discover that sometimes the biggest ideas begin with the simplest things.
A heartwarming Wonder Neighbourhood story celebrating creativity, imagination and the joy of seeing the world in a brand-new way.
Noah loves hip hop dancing.
He's determined to master a tricky new spin, but the harder he tries to make it perfect, the more frustrated he becomes. When his friend Finn shares a different way of experiencing music, Noah begins to see dancing—and himself—in a whole new way.
A heartwarming Wonder Neighbourhood story celebrating perseverance, friendship and the joy of trusting yourself.
About the books
In Wonder Neighbourhood, every child is the hero of their own story. Families come in many forms, abilities are celebrated, and differences are simply part of everyday life. These stories help children see themselves, recognise others, and discover that everyone has something valuable to contribute.
Everyone belongs and every story reminds us that our differences help make our neighbourhood stronger. Through kindness, curiosity and belonging, children discover that communities grow stronger when everyone is welcomed, valued and included.
Looking for a book your child can see themselves in?
Looking for characters your child can relate to?Every Wonder Neighbourhood story celebrates a different child's gift, but their family, culture, abilities and everyday life are simply part of who they are
—not the focus of the story.As a teacher, many parents have told me:
"I wish I could find more books with children who use wheelchairs."
"I wish there were stories with two mums."
"I wish my child could see a family like ours in a picture book."That's exactly why Wonder Neighbourhood was created.If you're looking for a particular family structure, disability, or representation, this guide will help you find stories where those children and families naturally appear. They're not there to teach a lesson—they're simply part of Wonder Neighbourhood, just as they are in real life.Wonder Neighbourhood helps you find the stories that feel like home.
| Book | Representation | Child's gift | Themes and lessons explored |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruby's Race Day | Two mums • Child who uses a wheelchair | Persistence | Perseverance • Mindfulness • Emotional regulation • Self-belief • Resilience |
| Leo's Little Discovery | Single father • Child with Down syndrome | Curiosity | Curiosity • Observation • Asking questions • Scientific thinking • Wonder |
| Mateo's Marble Run | Child who uses a wheelchair • Raised by grandparents | Problem solving | Teamwork • Cooperation • Flexible thinking • Persistence • Problem solving |
| Ben's Big Ideas | Two dads • Interracial couple | Creative thinking | Creativity • Imagination • Innovation • Open-ended play • Confidence to share ideas |
| Noah's New Move | Twins • Child with a hearing aid • Child who uses a wheelchair • Three legged dog | Joyful movement | Friendship • Inclusion • Confidence • Empathy • Perseverance • Celebrating progress • Enjoying the journey |
Copyright
Wonder Neighbourhood
Copyright © 2026 Janet Caddick
Illustrations and text copyright © 2026 Janet Caddick.
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher, except for brief quotations used in reviews or educational references.