Barbapapa

Reach for this book when your child feels like they do not quite fit in or when they are struggling to find their place in a group. Barbapapa is a gentle, pear-shaped creature who grows from a garden but is initially rejected by the local zoo because he is too big and too different. He eventually wins over the community by using his unique ability to change shape to save people from a fire and catch an escaped leopard. This whimsical 1970s classic is perfect for children aged 3 to 7, offering a reassuring message that being 'unusual' is actually a superpower. It normalizes the feeling of displacement and celebrates how kindness and flexibility of character (and body!) can turn a stranger into a hero.