Families who loved Alice Through the Looking-Glass by Lesley Sims often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is beginning to navigate complex social dynamics, especially the sting of sibling rivalry or the weight of a past mistake that feels impossible to fix. While it serves as a bridge for emerging readers ready for longer chapters, it also provides a safe, metaphorical space to discuss how small lies can spiral and why we cannot change what has happened, only how we act in the future. In this adaptation of the classic adventure, Alice returns to a topsy-turvy world to save the Mad Hatter by traveling through time. Along the way, she discovers the secret origin of the friction between the White and Red Queens, rooted in a childhood lie and a moment of unfair blame. It is a whimsical but thoughtful exploration of accountability, family reconciliation, and the courage required to own one's truth.