- Picture Books
- Ages 7–12
- Social History
Begin Again
Part of the Oliver Jeffers universeOpen the collection
A large, thoughtful Oliver Jeffers book about humanity, mistakes, progress and the possibility of starting again. It is more reflective than story-led, best for older children and families who enjoy big conversations about the world.
- Best for7–12
- FormatPicture
- Length112 pp
- Read aloud~22 min
The vibe
What it’s like.
Style
- Literary
- Conversational
Tone
- Thought provoking
- Inspirational
- Bittersweet
- Warm
Themes
- History and heritage
- War and conflict
- Responsibility
- Nature and environment
- Fairness and justice
- Community
Experience meters
What’s it about?
The story.
Oliver Jeffers looks at the story of human beings: how we have built, travelled, fought, created, damaged and tried again. Begin Again is not a conventional plot-led picture book, but a visual meditation on where we have been and what kind of future we might choose. It moves between history, environment, technology, power, conflict and responsibility, using Jeffers' instantly recognisable art to make complex ideas feel approachable. The book is optimistic without being simplistic: it acknowledges that people have made serious mistakes, but insists that creativity, cooperation and care can still shape what happens next. Because of its scale and conceptual weight, it is best suited to slightly older picture-book readers or family sharing rather than very young bedtime reading. It pairs naturally with Here We Are and Meanwhile Back on Earth.
Fit check
Right for your child?
Where it lands by age
- 1
- 3
- 5
- 7
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- Best fit · 7–12
- Read aloud · 7–12
- Independent · 9–13
Prose load
Moderate
Visual support
Very high
Reluctant-reader friendly
Tougher fit
Read-aloud quality
Strong
Works well for
- Reading aloud
- Reading together
- Gift-buying
Preview before sharing if a child is sensitive to: war or conflict.
Bedtime suitability
2 / 5 · Better outside bedtime
Sensitive-child
4 / 5 · Good fit
Graphic intensity
1 / 5 · None
Best for
- Big questions
- Older picture book
- Planet earth
- Family discussion
- Visual essay
Avoid if
- Wants plot driven story
- Wants light funny read
- Very sensitive to world problems
- Bedtime only
Particularly good for children who are…
- Interested in science
- Anxiety and worry
In the classroom
How it works in school.
An ambitious, thought-provoking picture book about human history and how we might do better — a strong discussion text and companion for history and citizenship.
A book children love that happens to support school — never a stand-in for the texts a class is taught with. Reviewed for the classroom · June 2026.
Why it lands
Why they love it.
Why kids love it
The specific feeling is being trusted with a big question — Jeffers asking a child to imagine starting the world over and what they would do differently, treating them as capable of the conversation. The picture book that gives a primary-school reader the dignity of being asked to think.
- Making a difference
- Adventure and freedom
Why parents love it
The Oliver Jeffers most likely to start a serious family conversation — humanity's mistakes and the possibility of starting again, painted in his familiar style. More reflective than story-led, best for slightly older picture-book readers ready for an idea. Pairs naturally with Here We Are.
- Beautiful illustrations
- Conversation starter
- Great writing
- Educational for adult too
About the author & illustrator
Oliver Jeffers.
If you liked this
Three ways out of this book.
If you liked this, try…
Lateral matches. Same shelf, different texture.
Come into this from…
Easier or preparing reads — perfect lead-ins.
Where to go next…
Escalation reads — a step up in scale, silliness, or stakes.
More like this…
Books that share themes and topics with this one.
Buy or borrow
Pick up a copy.
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- Waterstones ↗
- Amazon UK ↗
- Hive ↗
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