Each year, we follow the latest children's book releases and publish an annual roundup of our favorites. Discover something great for all the young readers in your life!
Board Books | Picture Books | Beginning Readers | Chapter Books | Graphic Novels | Nonfiction
Get giggling with your little one as they tell you their very first jokes! Knock Knock on the door and wait to be asked "Who's there?" before turning the page to discover a different googly-eyed animal with a funny punchline.
Recommended by Nora
This little one is eager to help and be 'just like you'. With a big heart and little hands, picnic messes ensue. Lucky for our little one, joy, acceptance, love, and even messes are a family trait!
Recommended by Rachel
A young boy admires his mother's body art and each part of her life her tattoos show.
Recommended by Nora
Four neurodivergent kids, who face stressful moments throughout their day, use body movements, called stims, to self-regulate their emotions.
Recommended by Cherie
A shy girl finds friendship and is inspired to express herself during a transformative experience in nature.
Recommended by Nora
Just look at what you can build out of ordinary stuff when you follow your imagination!
Recommended by Maureen
Playing the güira reminds Angélica of the people she loves and misses, especially her grandfather in the Dominican Republic.
Recommended by Nora
Following the success of Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox and Sometimes I Feel Like a River, this companion book explores the nature and beauty of trees. Twelve lyrical poems look at twelve different trees, from early spring to deep winter. In each poem, a child identifies with a feature of the tree -- such as the smooth trunk of a birch whose bark has peeled away, the strong branches of a spruce that shelter small birds or the pink flowers of a cherry blossom that tumble like confetti.
Recommende by Ashley
It's hard to wait for an exciting new baby to join the family, especially when it's still growing inside Mom's tummy. But when her dad tells her the size of the baby at each stage, one little girl imagines all the fun she can have with her baby brother as a teeny-tiny poppy seed, then a grape, then a lemon... but she's not quite sure how she feels about having an avocado for a brother. Or an onion. Or--gulp--a watermelon!
Recommended by Cherie
Born with a purple thumb, Prunella prefers her to cultivate her strange, noxious garden over the company of people until a little boy visits and admires her prickly plants.
Recommended by Nora
Bear learns to face his fear of the outdoors and ice skating with a little help from his friends and his comforting bathrobe that acts as a security blanket.
Recommended by Nora
For as long as she can remember, Joy has wanted a dog. It doesn't matter what kind: big, little, spotted, curly. She wants one so fiercely, she makes dogs out of snow, seashells, or whatever's at hand! However, none of the dogs Joy makes are quite what she yearns for. The seashell dog washes away, and the snow dog melts into a puddle. Little does Joy know that her perfect dog friend is just around the corner - wishing just as fiercely for a kid - and waiting to be discovered.
Recommended by Meredith
The candles are lit, the food is prepared, and the sweet smell of copal floats in the air on Día de Muertos. Built with love and dedication, the family ofrenda stands with pride. As everyone gathers to share in this ritual, each element added to the ofrenda is infused with significance-from the sugar skulls placed with care on top of the embroidered cloth to the golden petals that guide the way. Told after the style of the English nursery rhyme "The House That Jack Built," The Ofrenda That We Built invites readers to learn about and celebrate the Day of the Dead by joining in the building of a family ofrenda. With warmth and brightness, this gorgeously illustrated book is a joyful ode to family traditions, bonds that transcend time, and the memory of loved ones who have passed but who we continue to remember.
Recommended by Crystal
Told through the parallel stories of the butterflies' journey and Lucía's migrant farmer father, Cynthia Harmony's A Flicker of Hope is a love letter to the power of families and nature, both of which know no borders.
Recommended by Crystal
A joyful and rhyming picture book showcases a colorful South American bus, the collective spirit of its people, and the vibrant power of community when trouble comes.
Recommended by Nora
Every child has the right to be free, the right to reach, the right to dream. This lyrical affirmation of what freedom truly means celebrates the principles of Colin and Nessa's Know Your Rights Camp--an international movement that has inspired thousands of young people to rejoice in their inherent goodness [and worth].
Recommended by Jameka
Ibraheem and his cat Mitu join Baba on a rickshaw trip through the big city, where vehicles of all sorts and sizes have their own language to help them navigate the busy streets. ... With its poetic text and bright, friendly art, Ibraheem's adventure comes alive with the exciting sounds, movement and personality of the drivers, and vehicles that share the road.
Recommended by Nora
A group of diverse kids turn to the mythical monsters from their respective cultures to help them save the only home they have ever known.
Recommended by Nora
A young girl hears messages that she's too sensitive and needs to change. The messages travel into her body, and she ultimately changes the negative comments into an affirmation that being sensitive is her strength.
Recommended by Lily
When a little girl asks meaningful questions about creating art, her questions are answered by a diverse group of artists throughout time and history. This inspiring picture book about making art doubles as an introduction to the multifaceted and global history of art. Making both art history and art creation accessible to all, Time to Make Art nourishes creativity, encouraging young readers to see the artist in themselves.
Recommended by Cherie
Nathan doesn't say much. He sure has a lot on his mind, though. At school, Nathan quietly observes the ways his peers communicate. Even when they're not talking, they're expressing themselves in all sorts of ways! By witnessing the beauty of communication diversity, Nathan learns and shows his classmates the essential lesson: Not only does everyone have something to say, but seeking to understand one another can be the greatest bridge to friendship and belonging. This illustrated picture book explores and celebrates the many forms of expression--signing, speaking, singing, smiling, among others--and culminates in a story about connection and understanding.
Recommended by Melody
When El Dragón attacks, artistic Miguel must save his family and prove his colored pencils are mightier than their swords.
Recommended by Crystal
Carmencita doesn't like eating mangoes, but her grandmother shows her how to appreciate the fruit using the five senses.
Recommended by Nora
Miguel's grandmother warns him that opening an umbrella inside the house will bring bad luck that will follow him everywhere.
Recommended by Nora
Two children lost at sea must overcome a language barrier if they want to find a way home.
Recommended by Nora
Illustrations and easy-to-read text urge the reader to be mindful by seeking out patterns in the world around us.
Recommended by Nora
A child explores the magical world of Treehouse Town--from Sap Street to Willow Way--where all children and animal inhabitants work together and have fun.
Recommended by Cherie
When Abuela comes to visit from Peru, she brings a suitcase full of treasures and her granddaughter learns that home is not just a place, but the love between family no matter the distance.
Recommended by Nora
A child gets ready for a wonderful day. They gleefully get dressed, hug their parents, go to school, and play with friends. All the while, unapologetically reminding themselves that they are and can only be themselves. The nonbinary experience is brightly illustrated as we follow our main character through their typical day. The story's bouncy and fun refrain reminds all readers of gender-neutral pronouns and affirms the identities of nonbinary children - encouraging readers to practice empathy for themselves and others.
Recommended by Lily
A grandfather shares with his grandson the story of Mouse and Squirrel, who are eager to join the lacrosse game between four-legged and winged animals.
Recommended by Rachel
This collection of three interconnected stories follows the life of Little Shrew as he goes about his everyday activities of commuting to work to reflecting on his hopes and dreams to welcoming his friends for a visit.
Recommended by Nora and Rachel
Wini's family of enchanters runs a little bakery, but with the prices of magical ingredients skyrocketing, they're going under. Desperate to save her family's business, Wini takes a risk by casting a (sort of illegal) spell that would allow them to gather their own supply of their most needed magical ingredient: Love. But the spell doesn't work. And Wini soon discovers that it didn't just not work, it backfired. Badly. Now the whole town is in danger, and the Enchantment Bureau is sniffing around for whoever cast the wayward spell. It's just been Kal and her dad for as long as she can remember. They've weathered everything together, including Kal's mental health struggles. But just as they're about to move to a new town for a fresh start, Kal's grandfather--who mysteriously vanished years ago--has suddenly reentered their lives with a desire to make amends. He joins them in opening their bookstore in the new town, but Kal can't help but wonder if he has anything to do with the whispers around her new home about wicked magic. And it's not just the whispers of the magical books in their shop. When Wini and Kal cross paths--both hoping for the chance to finally make a friend without worrying about their family histories following them--the girls bond over being fellow outcasts. Together they search for the solution to fixing the magic gone awry in their beloved town--and just maybe get their dads to go out on a date.
Recommended by Meredith
Poverty-stricken Joseph bravely rides out all the storms life keeps throwing at him.
Recommended by Maureen
Rachel is not one for rules, but when a meet-and-greet with her favorite gymnast is at risk, she must be on her best behavior, especially at synagogue.
Recommended by Rachel
When Ridge, a time-traveling teenager from the future, gets trapped in 1999, he befriends Michael, a lonely twelve-year-old boy, changing the course of their lives forever.
Recommended by Rachel
Convinced that a Bigfoot-like creature took her best friend during a scouting trip, eleven-year-old Jenna sets out into the woods to find her.
Recommended by Nora
Twelve-year-old Wednesday discovers she isn't the only one at her new school who can see ghosts.
Recommended by Olivia
The house seemed to sit apart from the others on Katydid Street, silent and alone, like it didn't fit among them. For Violet Hart-whose family is about to move into the house on Katydid Street-very little felt like it fit anymore. Like their old home, suddenly too small since her mother remarried and the new baby arrived. Or Violet's group of friends, which, since they started middle school, isn't enough for Violet's best friend, Paige. Everything seemed to be changing at once. But sometimes, Violet tells herself, change is okay. That is, until Violet sees her new room. The attic bedroom in their new house is shadowy, creaky, and wrapped in old yellow wallpaper covered with a faded tangle of twisting vines and sickly flowers. And then, after moving in, Violet falls ill-and does not get better. As days turn into weeks without any improvement, her family growing more confused and her friends wondering if she's really sick at all, she finds herself spending more time alone in the room with the yellow wallpaper, the shadows moving in the corners, wrapping themselves around her at night. And soon, Violet starts to suspect that she might not be alone in the room at all.
Recommended by Rachel
Thirteen-year-old Isaiah grapples with the loss of his best friend as he strives to fit into a world that expects him to toughen up, which leads him on a exploration of identity and vulnerability.
Recommended by Rachel
After ice-skater and Olympic hopeful Mina wipes out at her biggest competition she gets recruited by a squad of vampires who need a human player to complete their Paranormal Roller Derby team.
Recommended by Nora
Best friends Ivy and Ash arrive for a third summer at arts camp, but Ash struggles to tell Ivy about their developing feelings for her.
Recommended by Audrey and Rachel
Eight-year-old Evelyn is beyond excited to enter her town's annual art show! She joins two of her friends with a plan to submit a group project, but Dylan and Avery (a playful and imaginative skunk kit) start butting heads early on in the creative process. When Evelyn tries to diffuse the tension, both friends end up angry at her and the group splits apart. What will this mean for their art--and, more importantly, for their friendships? The first book in a new graphic novel series for young readers, Evelyn and Avery is all about navigating friendship and emotions, fostering different kinds of creativity, and forgiveness. Set in a world with both human and animal characters, the series is both relatable and whimsical.
Recommended by Nora
Indu, a boy from the moon, feels like he doesn't belong. He hasn't since he and his adoptive mom disembarked from their spaceship--their home--to live on Earth with their new blended family. The kids at school think he's weird; he has a crush on his pen pal, who might not like him back; and his stepfamily doesn't seem to know what to do with him. Worst of all, Indu can't even talk to his mom about how he's feeling because she's so busy. In a moment of loneliness, Indu calls out to the moon, begging them to take him back. And against all odds, the moon hears him and agrees to bring him home of the first day of the New Year. But as the promised day draws nearer, Indu finds friendship in unlikely places and discovers that home is more than where you come from. And when the moon calls again, Indu must decide: is he willing to give up what he's just found?
Recommended by Rachel
Crows may not have flashy feathers, beautiful songs, or fancy flying skills, but if a crow looks at you with its small, round eye, you can be sure that it's thinking, as these birds have very big brains. Did you know that crows will use a stick to poke into a crevice to tease out tasty bugs? Or that they like to play like kids by tumbling down a snowy roof? Or that they remember where they hide their food--but sometimes only pretend to bury a treat to fool other birds?
Recommended by Meredith
A survey of thirteen unusual animals, from the secretarybird to the tuatara, unique due to their adaptations and isolation on their own branch of the evolutionary tree. Includes a map, glossary, and recommended resources.
Recommended by Nora
Antarctica is a land of extremes--the coldest, windiest, highest, and driest place on the planet. It's a world where the sun stays hidden half of the year and where visitors must undergo a week of special training before it's safe to go outside (watch out for lava bombs!). It's also a place of stark beauty, history, and endless scientific research. Join beloved author G. Neri on his long-dreamed-of voyage to the ice, where he taps into his inner child and encounters sea angels, mummified seals, space robots, inquisitive penguins, and so much more. Abundant full-color photographs (many by the author) and annotated comics and illustrations from Corban Wilkin depict an unforgettable stay in a land of baffling mysteries to uncover, epic questions to ponder, and bigger-than-life stories to tell. Robust back matter includes more facts and history, recommended source material, and answers to questions about everything from logistics (how do you sleep?) to cool science (why is Blood Falls red?). This eye-opening, information-packed memoir--shaped by the author's visits with school groups upon his return--sparkles with his heartfelt journey of discovery.
Recommended by Rachel
Before dinosaurs were big, most of them came from small eggs and were tiny but mighty babies.
Recommended by Meredith
Traces the process of defining--and redefining--the dinosaur called Iguanodon.
Recommended by Rachel
A little girl moves with her family from China to Canada and must find a way to learn English in order to make friends.
Recommended by Rachel