Best New Children’s Books of 2024
It’s hard to find new stories for children without deferring to the classics. That’s why I rounded up the best new children’s books of 2024 – to give you an idea of exactly which stories are worth a second glance.
I’ve read dozens of children’s books this year, most from our new kid’s books post, so I have an idea of which stories captured my kids’ attention…or mine for that matter. I’m a proud middle grade book fan!
The Best New Children’s Books of 2024
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre of the best new children’s books of 2024. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
Best New Baby Book
Are You Big? by Mo Willems – Jump to section
Best New Picture Book
The Bakery Dragon by Devin Elle Kurtz – Jump to section
Best New Early Reader Book
Pencil & Eraser by Jenny Alvarado – Jump to section
Best New Tween Book
Not Nothing by Gayle Forman – Jump to section
Best New Teen Book
A Queen’s Game by Katharine McGee – Jump to section
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
New Baby and Toddler Books of 2024
Plot
Mo Willems, of Elephant and Piggie fame, is back with a nonfiction picture book explaining the concept of big to toddlers.
Why Kirsten loves it
I love how each page shows something bigger than the page before and then the book ends with facts for older kids. There is an Are You Small? companion book as well.
Construction Site, A Thankful Night
Author: Sherri Duskey Rinker
Illustrator: Helen Morgan
Release Date: September 3, 2024
Genre: Board Book
Age: 2-4
Plot
A lift-the-flap book perfect for Thanksgiving! This one features all the beloved Construction Site characters kids know and love.
Why Kirsten loves it
Sweet flaps make this story interactive, while the rhyming story tells a nice story of being thankful for the everyday blessings in the trucks’ lives.
Find this book in: Books About Thanksgiving / Best New Children’s Books of 2024
Let’s Put That Away Home Edit
Author: Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin
Illustrator: Hsinping Pan
Release Date: September 3, 2024
Genre: Board Book
Age: 0-3
Plot
The Home Edit team is releasing their first baby book!! It’s the perfect way to teach your kids to tidy up from an early age.
Why Kirsten loves It
I love that this story teaches children to clean up after themselves and take care of their items. It’s an important skill to teach early; these fun colors and illustrations reinforce the message.
Find this book in: Books About Organizing / Best New Children’s Books of 2024
New Picture Books of 2024
Plot
This charming picture book is my most anticipated picture book of the fall! It’s about a tiny dragon who can’t keep up with his dragon brethren in the hunt for gold until he meets a baker! Soon they are working together in the bakery.
Why Kirsten loved it
This is the most charming little story about a dragon that finds joy in baked goods…I mean…don’t we all? The illustrations were incredible and I see this becoming a modern classic.
The Dictionary Story
Author: Sam Winston
Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
Year: 2024
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 3 – 8
Plot
Dictionary wants to bring her story to life after being jealous of all the other storybooks on the shelf. As words come to life and travel through the pages, Dictionary is delighted at first but then everything becomes a hairy, tangled mess and she needs to get everything back in order.
Why Kirsten loves it
With rhyming words and fun illustrations, this story is incredibly unique and simply marvelous. It’s a fun story about alligators and moons and ghosts and puddles and alphabets.
Find this book in: Alphabet Books / Best New Children’s Books of 2024
Busy Betty & the Perfect Christmas Present
Author: Reese Witherspoon
Illustrator: Xindi Yan
Year: 2024
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Age: 3 – 7
More info: Busy Betty #2
Plot
When Betty wants to buy presents for her family but realizes she has no money in her piggy bank, she gets creative and starts a Christmas cookie shop. When she has trouble getting customers, she tries everything she can to get them to arrive, but still to no avail. Instead, Betty makes everyone homemade cookies for Christmas morning.
Why Kirsten loves it
Busy Betty is such a charming book series about an energetic girl that reminds me of author Reese Witherspoon. The timeless lesson of giving gifts from the heart, not expensive presents is delightfully handled with fun prose and whimsical illustrations. #gifted by Penguin Random House
Find this book in: New Christmas Books for Kids for 2024 / Best Christmas Books for Kids / Best New Children’s Books of 2024
The Most Boring Book Ever
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Illustrator: Kazu Kibuishi
Release Date: September 24, 2024
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 4-8
Plot
2 popular creators have teamed up to make a picture book that’s sure to be a hit! It’s about an ordinary boy, on an ordinary day…until it’s filled with adventure! This fantasy picture book has been preordered for my house.
Why Jackie loves it
If you ever have a kid who says they are bored…on repeat… you MUST get this book! It’s about how boring it is to sit in a chair, except when an adventure is happening around someone sitting in a chair and he keeps saying it’s boring sitting in a chair. It’s funny and silly and perfect for any time!
New Early Reader Books of 2024
Pencil & Eraser: We Have a Dull-Emma!
Author: Jenny Alvarado
Release Date: September 10, 2024
Genre: Early Reader
Age: 5-8
More info: Pencil & Eraser #1
Plot
Get ready for back-to-school season with this adorable new early reader series about Pencil & Eraser! These besties are perfect for fans of Elephant & Piggie or Pizza & Taco! This new graphic novel series has charming adventures that are easy to read!
Why Kirsten loves it
I love this new series of graphic novel for early readers. The main characters are charming, the story is sweet, and I just know this series will be a hit with all new readers!
The Kelce Brothers
Author: Apple Jordan
Illustrator: Macky Pamintuan
Release Date: October 15, 2024
Genre: Early Reader
Age: 4-8
Plot
Learn about Travis and Jason Kelce in the latest Little Golden Book series installment. I love this series for introducing nonfiction to new readers.
Why Kirsten loves it
The Kelce brothers shot to fame for being great football players (remember the Kelce Bowl?) but their recent metaphoric rise to superstardom came from their charming personalities and a certain significant other. I love that this story filled me in on their back story in a format that is great for beginning readers.
Murdle Jr.: Curious Crimes for Curious Minds: Solve Your Way Through 40 Puzzle Mysteries!
Author: G. T. Karber
Release Date: 2024
Genre: Middle Grade Mystery
Age: 8-12
Plot
Murdle Jr. is a word puzzle mystery story mixed with a logic game grid. You solve your way through the story in this epic mystery featuring a crew of aspiring detectives!
Why Kirsten loves it
I have Murdle for adults, so when I saw the Kids’ version, I knew it would be an immediate pre-order for my family. My kids love it and so do I! It’s really fun!
New Tween Books of 2024: Middle Grade Novels
Plot
Alex is a twelve-year-old boy who did something very, very bad. When the judge sentences him to community service at a retirement home, he expects the worst. With Maya-Jade – the only other person his age who works there – hovering over his shoulder at all times, he fears that his secret will be revealed.
Alex eventually meets Josey who is a 107-year-old man who lived through the holocaust and hasn’t talked in many years. Josey entrusts his story to Alex, one of sadness, love, and death soon they form a close bond. But, secrets can’t be kept forever, and to do good, Alex has to confront what he has done.
Trigger Warnings
War, Antisemitism, Genocide
Why Jackie loves it
I’m not exaggerating when I say this is one of the best books I have ever read. It’s amazingly well-written, and one of the few books I have read to have made me cry.
Find this book in: Best Books for 11-year-olds / Books about the Holocaust / Giftable Books / Best New Children’s Books of 2024
The Bletchley Riddle
Author: Ruth Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
Year: 2024
Genre: Middle Grade Historical Fiction
Age: 10+
Plot
In 1940, Jakob and his sister Lizzie have always loved riddles and puzzles. Now, after becoming orphaned during the Nazi invasion of Poland, they live at Bletchley Park for the start of WWII. There, Jakob is working to crack the Nazi code while Lizzie is trying to find their missing mother, who she believes didn’t die in Poland.
As the siblings struggle to adjust to their new surroundings and the many secrets they need to keep, they also need to learn to trust one another and fix their broken bond. Along the way, an interesting cast of characters help them solve the puzzle of their missing mom.
Why Kirsten loves it
I could see this turning into a series of stories because the story has a somewhat open-ended conclusion. I really enjoyed this story with precocious Lizzie being one of my favorite characters of Sepetys’ to date. I’d love to see more of this dynamic duo and their quirky group of friends at Bletchley!
Find this book in: WWII Books for Kids / Giftable Books / Best New Children’s Books of 2024 / Books for 12-year-olds
The Misfits
Author: Lisa Yee
Illustrator: Dan Santat
Year: 2024
Genre: Middle-Grade Mystery
Age: 8-12
More info: Newberry Honor Winner and National Book Award Author, Caldecott Medalist Illustrations
Plot
Olive is usually a misfit at every school she attends, but at her latest school, RASCH, her differences are why she’s chosen for an elite crime-fighting squad.
As she and the other Misfits go undercover to nab a prolific jewel thief, they must learn to work together and lean on one another.
Why Kirsten loves it
The diverse cast of characters comes alive in this story – each bringing their own quirks, skills, and differences to create a cohesive team. #Gifted by Penguin Kids
Find this book in: Best Audiobooks for Kids / Books for 12-year-olds / Mystery Books for Kids / Best New Mystery Books 2024
Impossible Creatures
Author: Katherine Rundell
Illustrator: Ashley Mackenzie
Year: 2024
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Age: 10+
More info: Impossible Creatures #1, International Bestseller, New York Times Bestseller
Plot
Bestselling author, Katherine Rundell launched a new fantasy series for the magical creature obsessed! After rescuing a baby griffin, Christopher learns about magical islands where magical creatures have lived in secret for thousands of years. Soon, he’s on a mission to help Mal figure out why the magic is fading from the islands.
Along the way, he meets numerous mythical creatures, discovers the magic of the archipelago, and forms a deep attachment to Mal and two adults who help them on their journey to restore the glimourie.
Trigger Warnings
Animal death, Child death
Why Kirsten loves it
Rundell wove a story that earned its place with the greats like Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. Christopher and Mal’s friendship moved me to tears and the lessons they learned about life, death, and what it all means felt as filled with wisdom as anything Dumbledore ever said.
I listened to this one and can attest that the narrator is marvelous. My boys looked forward to our car rides listening to this epic adventure and we can’t wait for the rest of the trilogy!
Find this book in: Books with Magical Creatures / Dragon Books for Tweens / Giftable Books / Best Children’s Books of 2024
New Teens Books of 2024: YA Novels
A Queen’s Game
Author: Katherine McGee
Year: 2024
Genre: Young Adult Historical Romance
Spice Rating:đź’‹đź’‹
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This is a YA historical romance that is based on the true events of 19th-century Europe. Three princesses: Alix of Hesse, Helen D’Orleans, and May of Teck will find themselves looking for love in the ballrooms of the Victorian era. Each woman is looking for a husband and it may not be the man their parents (or the Queen) want them to marry!
Why Kirsten loves it
American Royals is one of my favorite series so I knew I needed to read McGee’s first historical fiction story and boy was it a doozy! I felt for each of these ladies and their various love triangles… or hexagons? Honestly, their romances and potential matches overlapped so much I’m not sure what shape they would make in the end!
I’ve long been a fan of historical fiction, but McGee made this story feel like the Gossip Girl version of real events. It got juicy and fun and damn would it make an excellent show! It’s Bridgerton for teens and I can’t recommend it more highly! The sequel is gonna be just as great!
Find this book in: Royal Reads / Giftable Books / Best New Children’s Books of 2024
The Grandest Game
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Year: 2024
Genre: Young Adult Mystery
More info: From Bestselling author of Inheritance Games
Age Range: 14+
Plot
Avery and the Hawthorne brothers are back with an annual competition worth millions. It is the second annual Grandest Game in which seven people will receive golden tickets. Some of the competitors were chosen. by the Hawthorne brothers or Avery and the rest had to find their ticket. Every person there has a reason to win the game and they will all do whatever it takes.
The competition starts with the competitors participating in the most complex escape room. Who will make it out before dawn to go on to the next stage of the game?
Why Jackie loves it
I listened to the book and could not believe it was done. There are two reasons, one is that the story is far from over but the second is that I was so invested in the story. I cannot believe I have to wait until the next book comes out.
Find this book in: Giftable Books / Best New Children’s Books of 2024 / Books About Puzzles
Plot
Blum’s debut novel was a brilliant, must-read for every teen and his sophomore novel was equally as good. Yoyo Gold is a Jewish girl from a strict Orthodox community who strives to be perfect by following all the rules, helping at home, and being a good role model as the daughter of the community Rabbi.
When her best friend is cast out of the community, she is outraged at the double standards for girls and boys, as well as the often hypocritical judgment of her community. After meeting and befriending a reform Rabbi’s daughter, she begins testing the boundaries of her religious beliefs, even going so far as making anonymous TikTok videos calling out the rule breakers in her community thinking it’s a safe way to vent. But when those videos go viral, she’s left to contemplate her role in the community and her values.
Why Kirsten loves it
Not as heavy as Blum’s last book, this story still examined parts of orthodox Judaism that I hadn’t considered before. I understood Yoyo’s struggles to figure out her own beliefs in a tight-knit community steeped in strict tradition and the deep judgment that comes along with it. I was rooting for Yoyo as she found a way to marry her moral compass within her religious beliefs.
Find this book in: Best Books for 13-year-olds / Best New Children’s Books of 2024
Zodiac Rising
Author: Katie Zhao
Year: 2024
Genre: YA Fantasy
More info: Descendants of the Zodiac Book 1
Spice Rating:đź’‹
Age Range: 14+
Plot
This is a YA dark academia fantasy book whose main characters are descendants of the Chinese zodiac. When the zodiac statues were vandalized years ago, the Descendants were cursed and forced to hide their true natures.
The Descendants attend a private boarding school in Manhattan where the vampires, werewolves and shapeshifters attend at night and the human students attend at night. When the head of Dragon House is murdered, his sister Evangeline must fulfill the prophecy, restore the zodiac statues, and reverse the curse to restore the balance.
Evangeline brings with her Nicholas (a shapeshifter), Tristan (the werewolf), and a mortal named Alice who is more than meets the eye.
Trigger Warnings
Blood
Why Jackie loves it
I’ve seen mixed reviews about this book, but I personally loved it. I thought the characters were unique, the plot was fast-paced, and the Chinese mythology is a fun base for this story to build upon. Be warned that the story does not end here! This is the first in a series and I cannot wait to read the next book.
Find this book in: Dark Academia Fantasy Books / Giftable Books /Mythology Books / Best New Children’s Books of 2024
Expert Advice for Buying Books for Children
There are so many new children’s books each year, that it can be daunting to find books that will stand the test of time. These are a few tricks Jackie and I use when choosing books
- Take the time to look at the topic of the book
- Choose books that you do mind reading. You will most likely be the person reading picture books to your child.
- Choose books with appealing illustrations
- Pick books that are not too complicated for the intended audience
- Do you have a favorite author? See what new books they have this year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best New Children’s book of 2024?
There are so many great new books this year that it is hard to choose just one. Have a look at each age group. I have chosen my favorite for everyone from babies to teens.
Related Content
Epilogue
Did you find New Children’s books you want to read? I hope this list is helpful for finding some great new books!
