53+ New Children’s Books for 2023 to Enjoy
Are you looking for new children’s books for 2023? This list of upcoming books has some that we are most looking forward to reading. The post is divided by age so you can look for new release books for babies, picture books, early readers, chapter books, middle grade, and YA books.
From new authors to old favorites, this list has some fantastic new books that we cannot wait to read. What are the best new children’s books for 2023? We’ve got them all right here.
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For more new kids and adult book releases, head to our new releases page for the latest books by season!
New Children’s Books for 2023: Books for Babies
Baby Ballers: Venus and Serena Williams by Bernadette Baille
Release Date: January 3
Plot: Before they were serving up grand slam victories, Venus and Serena Williams were just two sisters growing up in Compton, California. Follow along as they go from learning tennis with their dad to winning Wimbledon! Introduce little ones to the lives of two true game changers in this inspiring board book perfect for baby ballers!
Vegetables in Pajamas by Jared Chapman
Release Date: January 10
Plot: What’s the best part of getting ready for bed? Picking out pajamas, of course! There are pajamas for when it’s cold and pajamas for when it’s hot. Pajamas that are mixed and pajamas that match. Pajamas for sleeping over and pajamas for sleeping in. No matter what kind of pajamas you choose, they’ll help you sleep tight.
My First Brain Quest ABCs: A Question-and-Answer Book
Release Date: January 10
Plot: Introduce your child to the foundational skill of learning their ABC’s with this fun and engaging guide to the alphabet.
My First Brain Quest: ABCs is a delightful alphabet book that helps babies and toddlers learn the letters of the alphabet, expand their vocabulary, and develop phonics skills. Each letter of the alphabet is showcased with engaging alliteration, a fun illustration, and questions that support conversation about counting, colors, comparison, and more.
The Honeybee by Kirsten Hall
Release Date: January 24
Plot: Buzz from flower to flower with a sweet honeybee in this gorgeous Classic Board Book from critically acclaimed author Kirsten Hall and award-winning illustrator Isabelle Arsenault!
Llama Llama Shapes by Anna Dewdney
Release Date: February 7
Plot: Llama Llama spends the day at the farmers market surrounded by shapes. From rectangles, squares, triangles, circles, and stars, children will enjoy this look-and-find format as they search for each shape.
We love Llama Llama so much, we have a post dedicated to our favorite critter! Check out our Anna Dewdney guide.
Eric Loves Animals: (Just Like You!) by Eric Carle
Release Date: February 14
Plot: Explore the animal kingdom through the eyes of bestselling author and illustrator Eric Carle with this alphabetized treasury of animal illustrations, featuring beloved classic characters as well as exclusive, never-before-seen art.
Spinderella by Julie Donaldson
Release Date: February 28
Plot: Spinderella the spider has a passion for football! She tries to play a match with her brothers and sisters but she doesn’t know how many spiders should be on each team. Even worse, she can’t count the goals! Luckily for Spinderella, her Hairy Godmother has a plan!
Who Is Barack Obama?: A Who Was? Board Book by Lisbeth Kaiser
Release Date: March 21
Plot: The latest addition to the Who HQ program: a biography of Barack Obama, created specifically for the preschool audience!
The #1 New York Times Bestselling Who Was? series expands into the board book space, bringing age-appropriate biographies of influential figures to readers ages 2-4. What fun new children’s books for little readers!
You’re My Little Bookworm by Natalie Marshall
Release Date: March 21
Plot: You’re My Little Bookworm is a cute rhyming story that celebrates the love between a parent and child. Each colorful spread features a sweet sentiment—a smart cookie, a gold star, and more—paired with a die-cut shape that provides a tactile reading experience.
With chunky pages for little hands and heartfelt text, this book is the perfect read for back-to-school or any time of the year! This is one of the new children’s books perfect for book lovers!
Bugblock by Christopher Franceschelli
Release Date: April 4
Plot: In this follow-up to Alphablock, Countablock, Dinoblock, Cityblock, Buildablock, Farmblock, Loveblock, Sharkblock, and Spaceblock, readers will learn about all the things that make bugs incredible—from spider crickets that can jump 60 times their own length to Chinese stick insects that can grow to be over two feet long to caterpillars that transform into stunning butterflies.
Daddy’s Beard by Pete Hinckley
Release Date: April 11
Plot: Soft or scratchy, thick or patchy, babies love Daddy’s beard! In this adorable touch-and-feel board book, little hands can feel beards, mustaches, and more of all types and colors on their favorite person in the world: Daddy!
7 Gender-Neutral Baby Books for Families to Cherish Forever
If you are looking for the best books to start your babies first library, we have some amazing picks.
The Best Books for a 1-Year-Old Your Baby will Love
Are you looking for more? These are the best books for a 1-year-old!
The Best Books for a 2-Year-Old Your Toddler will Love
If you are looking for more books for a 2-year-old, check out these amazing books.
For more books for baby’s first library, head here.
Looking for more books for babies? Have a look at Language development: Books for a 1-year-old or Making Story Time Interactive: Books for 2-year-olds
New Children’s Books for 2023: Picture Books
Very Good Hats by Emma Straub
Release Date: January 10
Plot: The first picture book by bestselling novelist Emma Straub, this joyous and inventive read-aloud will inspire kids to see ordinary objects in a whole new way.
The Kindest Red: A Story of Hijab and Friendship by Ibtihaj Muhammad
Release Date: January 10
Plot: The sequel to the acclaimed New York Times bestseller The Proudest Blue shows the power of friendship and kindness, from Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad.
The Bright Side by Chad Otis
Release Date: February 21
Plot: This endearing book about making the most of any situation is also a heartfelt and meaningful portrait of houselessness that’s just right for young children.
The Best Worst Day Ever by Mark Batterson
Release Date: February 21
Plot: This delightful picture book from best-selling author Mark Batterson and his daughter encourages young children to make the most of each day—even when they encounter frustrations along the way. What fun new children’s books for little readers!
Mary Can! by Mary J. Blige
Release Date: March 8
Plot: From multi-award-winning singer, artist, actress, and icon Mary J. Blige comes a fun and inspirational story that teaches young readers they can be anything, and they are enough.
Welcome, Rain by Sheryl McFarlane
Release Date: March 28
Plot: In this charming picture book, a young child’s conversation with the rain poetically captures the ever-shifting feelings we have when it comes to drizzles and downpours. She thanks the rain for helping the strawberries and carrot seeds to grow, and delights in splashing in the puddles with her little brother. What fun new children’s books for little readers!
I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know by Leslie Odom Jr
Release Date: March 28
Plot: I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know is a touching and heartfelt ode about the love we feel for our children, by award-winning actors of stage and screen Leslie Odom, Jr. and Nicolette Robinson, and illustrated by Joy Hwang Ruiz.
I plan to get this new children’s book for my hamilton loving child!
Way Past Sorry by Hallee Adelman
Release Date: April 1
Plot: Kat promised to be Sage’s buddy on the class trip, but when it was time to board the bus, Kat sat with someone else. Now Sage is ignoring Kat, and won’t talk to her even after she apologizes. Kat is way past sorry. Somehow, she needs to make this right again with her best friend.
Dolly Parton’s Billy the Kid Makes It Big by Dolly Parton
Release Date: April 25
Plot: From the legendary Dolly Parton comes a story about her god-dog and Instagram personality, Billy the Kid, who is hoping to make it big as a country music star in Nashville, Tennessee. This is one of the new children’s books I plan to pre-order.
The Noise Inside Boys: A Story About Big Feelings by Pete Oswald
Release Date: May 2
Plot: Pete Oswald, the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator and father of three sons unravels the confusing emotions inside boys today against the backdrop of a day at the beach.
When two older brothers tease their younger brother, overwhelming feelings surface, along with the urge to push them away. Highlighted with a rainbow of vibrant colors, this important book shows how the turbulent emotions we experience can be managed by naming and understanding them. This is one of the new children’s books I plan to buy for my own house.
What Will I Discover by Tanya Lloyd Kyi
Release Date: May 9th
Plot: Sometimes, it seems as if scientists know everything about the world. They’ve recorded the songs of humpback whales, dug up the bones of dinosaurs, and even tracked the storms of Jupiter. This is one of the new children’s books from an indie publisher.
The Stars by Jacques Goldstyn
Release Date: May 16
Plot: A dazzling story about love—for the stars, and for one another—between two young people, set in the multicultural city of Montréal. What fun new children’s books for little readers!
Bitsy Bat, School Star by Kaz Windness
Release Date: June 6
Plot: A sweet new school picture book for 2023! In this one, Bitsy Bat wants to fit in at her new school and make friends. She learns to celebrate difference. This one talks about school from an autistic perspective in ways all kids can understand.
The Skull: A Tyrolean Folktale by Jon Klassen
Release Date: July 11
Plot: Jon Klassen’s signature wry humor takes a turn for the ghostly in this thrilling retelling of a traditional Tyrolean folktale. In a big abandoned house, on a barren hill, lives a skull. A brave girl named Otilla has escaped from terrible danger and run away, and when she finds herself lost in the dark forest, the lonely house beckons. Her host, the skull, is afraid of something too, something that comes every night.
Bruce and the Legend of Soggy Hollow by Ryan T. Higgins
Release Date: July 11
Plot: A Halloween Bruce book? You better believe this is one of my top picks for best picture books 2023! Bruce hates Halloween, but the mice and the geese are determined to change his mind with a spooky story.
A Little Ferry Tale by Chad Otis
Release Date: August 2
Plot: In the spirit of The Little Engine That Could, this sweet picture book introduces Little Ferry, who yearns to be more like the faster or stronger boats in the harbor only to find out her uniqueness can be her strength. This is one of the new children’s books I plan to pre-order.
Dear Unicorn by Josh Funk and Charles Santoso
Release Date: September 19
Plot: Josh Funk always had the best storylines. In this story, two pen-pals trade pictures and letters. -but when they meet for the first time, they realize one is a human and the other is a unicorn! This is definitely in the running for best picture books 2023.
There’s a Beach in My Bedroom by Kevin and Danielle Jonas
Release Date: July 11
Plot: Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, have written the next picture book in their “in my bedroom” series. In this story, it’s raining outside but the girls are yearning for a beach day. Can they salvage the day?
Witch & Wombat by Ashley Belote
Release Date: July 4
Plot: Wilma the witch wants her first kitten, but she comes home with a wombat instead! She decides to dress up her wombat with kitten accessories and see if anyone notices a difference. This is a fun pick for a Halloween library!
Are you looking for more reasons reading is so important for language development? Check out our posts!
The Best New Children’s Books for 2023: Early Readers
Poppelton in Summer by Cynthia Rylant
Release Date: May 2
Plot: Any new children’s books about Poppelton are perfect for beginning readers.
There’s so much fun in the sun with Poppleton, the posh and persnickety pig created by Newbery Medalist Cynthia Rylant and acclaimed illustrator Mark Teague!
Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends by Kaz Windness
Release Date: January 31
Plot: This Level 1 reading book tells the story of best friends Worm and Caterpillar. After Caterpillar turns into a butterfly, they need to figure out if they can still be friends! What fun new children’s books for little readers!
A Super Scary Narwhalloween by Ben Clanton
Release Date: July 4
Plot: In the hilarious eighth book of this blockbuster graphic novel series, Narwhal and Jelly celebrate the spookiest time of the year — Halloween — with a super twist!
The InvestiGators: The Agents of S.U.I.T.
Release Date: February 21
Plot: The world of John Green’s kid-favorite InvestiGators series expands with the first volume of AGENTS OF S.U.I.T., a brand-new spinoff shining a light on some of Mango and Brash’s colorful coworkers.
Pug’s New Puppy by Kyla May
Release Date: April 4
Plot: Bub the pug and his human, Bella, are taking care of Nana’s new puppy, Harlow. They can’t wait to teach Harlow some new tricks! But training a puppy isn’t an easy job. Will they be able to teach Harlow anything before Nana comes home? What fun new children’s books for little readers!
Horse & Buggy on Ice by Ethan Long
Release Date: January 17
Plot: Horse and Buggy are back in the next installment of this beginner reader series. Horse is a skating fiend until he falls. But Buggy is there to help him get back to skating!
Welcome to Sparklegrove by Rebecca Elliot
Release Date: April 4
Plot: Bo Tinseltail and friends welcome a new jackalope family to Sparklegrove Forest in the latest installment of this USA Today bestselling early chapter book series! What fun new children’s books for little readers!
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh by Mo Willems
Release Date: September 5
Plot: Mo Willems is back with a charming new early reader book for Christmas! That rascal pigeon is trying to drive Santa’s sleigh in the latest installment of the beloved series.
Flat Cat by Tara Lazar
Release Date: September 19
Plot: This early reader book for 2023 is all about a cute flat cat who becomes fluffy after a trip through the dryer. He’s not happy about the change, but your kids will enjoy it!
Are you looking for books to help develop reading skills? Check out our Best Books for Beginning Readers or Early Reader Books for Emergent Readers
The Best New Children’s Books for 2023: Chapter Books
Finally Seen by Kelly Yang
Release Date: February 28
Plot: Kelly Yang, author of Front Desk, is once again tackling the immigrant experience in this new book. In this story, Lina is coming to America to reunite with her parents who have been living in the US with her little sister for the past 5 years. But Lina’s life isn’t what she expected it to be. I’ll be reading this story with my kids for sure. This is one of the new children’s books I plan to pre-order.
Mission: Arctic: A Scientifc Adventure to a Changing North Pole by Katharina Weiss-Tuider
Release Date: May 23
Plot: The Arctic is changing—fast. The once-frozen landscape is melting before our eyes, and the effects can be felt around the world. But the Arctic is also the region we know the least about. Thick ice, extreme cold, and total darkness have always prevented scientists from uncovering its secrets. Until now.
Bad Kitty School Daze by Nick Bruel
Release Date: January 10
Plot: The Bad Kitty series has recently started coming out in a graphic-novel format that’s great for early chapter book readers! The latest story to get the graphic-novel treatment features Bad Kitty heading to obedience school!
Doggo and Pupper Search for Cozy by Katherine Applegate
Release Date: March 28
Plot: In Doggo and Pupper Search for Cozy ― the conclusion to the Doggo and Pupper early readers trilogy by New York Times-bestselling author Katherine Applegate with a brightly colored palette from Charlie Alder ― the canines help Cat adjust to a big change: A new bed!
The Secret Explorers and the Desert Disappearance by SJ King
Release Date: January 10
Plot: The brainy explorer kids are back on an adventure – this time in the desert! There, they will put their scientific knowledge to use as they rescue wolf cubs and evade sand storms! Filled with desert facts, this book is sure to please your science-loving early reader.
She Persisted: Florence Nightingale by Chelsea Clinton and Shelli R. Johannes
Release Date: March 7
Plot: Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger, a chapter book series about women who spoke up and rose up against the odds–including Florence Nightingale!
Keeper of the Lost Cities: The Graphic Novel by Shannon Messenger
Release Date: November 7
Plot: The middle-grade hit series is getting the graphic novel treatment! Since the content isn’t too difficult for newer readers, this easy-to-read format is perfect for them. Not to mention series fans will be eager to see their favorites illustrated!
The Best New Children’s Books for 2023: Middle-Grade Books
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling (Minalima Edition)
Release Date: October 3
Plot: Book 3 in the Harry Potter series has been out for a while, but now it’s getting the pop-up Minalima treatment. The gorgeous illustrations and interactive elements are sprinkled throughout the story to make reading an adventure. I own the first two Minalima editions and I know I’ll be preordering this one too.
The Vanderbeekers Ever After by Karina Yan Glaser
Release Date: September 19
Plot: In the 7th book of my favorite middle-grade series, one of the Vanderbeekers gets an awful diagnosis. Soon the whole family (and neighborhood friends too) are tackling the latest! This is one of my personal most-anticipated new children’s books for 2023.
From the World of Percy Jackson: The Sun and the Star Hardcover by Rick Riordan
Release Date: May 2
Plot: Percy Jackson fans, rejoice! Nico and Will have a book of their own!
As the son of Hades, Nico di Angelo has been through so much, from the premature deaths of his mother and sister, to being outed against his will, to losing his friend Jason during the trials of Apollo. But there is a ray of sunshine in his life—literally: his boyfriend, Will Solace, the son of Apollo. Together the two demigods can overcome any obstacle or foe. At least, that’s been the case so far…
This is one of the new children’s books I plan to pre-order.
The One and Only Ruby by Katherine Applegate
Release Date: May 2
Plot: Ruby’s story picks up a few months after the events of The One and Only Bob. Now living in a wildlife sanctuary, Ruby’s caretaker from the elephant orphanage in Africa where she grew up is visiting. Seeing him again brings back a flood of memories both happy and sad of her life before the circus, and she recounts the time she spent in the African savannah to Ivan and Bob.
Percy Jackon and the Chalice of the Gods by Rick Riordan
Release Date: September 26
Plot: One of the most anticipated new children’s books of the year is the return of Percy Jackson. After years and many other series, Rick Riordan is back with a new sequel featuring a college-aged Percy Jackson!
In order to get letters of recommendation from the gods, he needs to complete 3 quests. Could this be the start of a new trilogy? We want all of these new children’s books for our Percy Jackson fans!
If you are eagerly waiting until September, check out our guide to Percy Jackson and our list of books just like the Percy Jackson series.
Bea Wolf by Zach Weinersmith
Release Date: March 21
Plot: This middle-grade graphic novel is a retelling of the classic story, Beowulf. It features a group of kids defending their treehouse from adults who want to turn children straight into grown-ups!
My Not-So-Great French Escape by Cliff Burke
Release Date: March 14
Plot: When Rylan’s best friend ditches him for the cool kids, Rylan thinks a summer spent working on a French farm will be the perfect chance to reconnect. But he doesn’t count on his long-lost father showing up. This funny, touching novel is perfect for fans of Gary D. Schmidt and John David Anderson. It’s one of the new children’s books that we’ve already read!
Lasagna Means I Love You by Kate O’Shaughnessy
Release Date: February 21
Plot: After her Nan dies, Mo is sent into the foster care system. In a note her Nan left behind, she urges Mo to find a hobby. So Mo decided to start cooking.
Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy by Angie Thomas
Release Date: April 4
Plot: Internationally bestselling superstar author Angie Thomas makes her middle-grade debut with the launch of an inventive, hilarious, and suspenseful new contemporary fantasy trilogy inspired by African American history and folklore.
Winston Chu vs. the Whimsies by Stacey Lee
Release Date: February 7
Plot: In this new Rick Riordan presents story, Stacey Lee reimagines a classic Chinese folktale. Winston is on his way home from cooking school when he thwarts a robbery in progress at Mr. Pang’s oddity shop. Mr. Pang is sending him home with a broom and dustpan as a reward.
But when his stuff starts disappearing, he wonders if there is more to the cleaning duo than meets the eye. It might just be time for him to fight magic with magic. This is one of the new children’s books we recommend for tweens who love fantasy.
I’m Still Here (Adapted for Young Readers) by Austin Channing Brown
Release Date: April 4
Plot: Austin Channing Brown’s first encounter with race in America came at age seven, when she discovered that her parents had named her Austin to trick future employers into thinking she was a white man. Growing up in majority-white schools and churches, Channing Brown writes, “I had to learn what it means to love Blackness,” a journey that led to a lifetime spent navigating America’s racial divide as a writer, speaker, and expert helping organizations practice genuine inclusion.
The Big Sting by Rachelle Delaney
Release Date: February 7
Plot: Leo is having a normal visit to his grandparent’s farm when suddenly his grandmother’s beehives go missing! Soon Leo, his little sister Lizzie, and his grandpa are off to solve the crime and find the culprit.
Ghosts, Toast, and Other Hazards by Susan Tan
Release Date: April 25
Plot: Mo is not afraid of toast. Just to be clear. She is afraid of fires, though. Which can be caused by everyday appliances, like toasters. So toast isn’t the problem, but you could say it’s the start of a slippery slope. Since her family’s recent move, Mo’s been eating oatmeal for breakfast.
Moving to a new town is never easy, but it’s even harder when you’re dealing with a stepdad who just left and a mom who can’t get out of bed long enough to find a new a job.
Whale Done by Stuart Gibbs
Release Date: February 21
Plot: This is the eigth book in the FunJungle series by beloved author, Stuart Gibbs. After a dead whale washes up on shore, Teddy Fitzroy is looking for answers for what killed it. And then someone makes it explode. Can he figure out who blew up the whale and why tons of sand have gone missing? This is one of the new children’s books we recommend for tweens who love animals.
Mixed Up by Gordon Korman
Release Date: July 18
Plot: Reef and Theo don’t know what’s happening to them. They’ll be going about their days and then suddenly they’ll have these strange flashes of memory — but the memories don’t belong to them. And at the same time, their own memories are starting to… vanish. This is one of the new children’s books I plan to pre-order.
The Swifts by Beth Lincoln
Release Date: February 7
Plot: It’s time for the Swift family reunion and Shenanigan is busy plotting her treasure hunt…until her aunt falls to her death after someone pushes her down the stairs. Now Shenanigan finds herself in a new role – detective! Can she figure out what happened?
Cookie Monsters by Erika J. Kenrick
Release Date: January 17
Plot: In this middle-grade story, Brooklyn wants to win the cookie-selling competition to make her recently deceased mother proud. But the new girl, Piper, is out to beat her. With the help of her friends, her grandma, and her therapist, maybe Brooklyn still has a chance to win! This is one of the new children’s books we recommend for tweens.
