New Kids’ Books
Trying to weed through the best new kid’s books can be a difficult challenge. There are so many new children’s books released each year for each age group so what should you read?
I scour the upcoming releases and have relationships with publishers who let me in on the hottest new kids’ books of the season. Below is my list of the best upcoming releases of 2025.
The Best New Children’s Books
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre. 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.
For Babies & Toddlers
Good Night, Stars Hollow by Morgan English – Jump to section
For Picture Book Lovers
Marianne The Maker by Kelly Corrigan and Claire Corrigan Lichty- Jump to section
For Beginning and Early Readers
Clue by Megan Roth – Jump to section
For Older Chapter Book Readers
J vs K by Kwame Alexander and Jerry Craft – 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 Kids’ Books for Babies and Toddlers (0-2)
Papa Doesn’t Do Anything!
Author: Jimmy Fallon
Illustrator: Miguel Ordóñez
Release Date: May 13, 2025
Genre: Board Book
Age: 1 – 3
Plot
Jimmy Fallon is back with his latest kids’ book. This time, the story tackles a grandpa’s accomplishments in his lifetime and the idea of retirement.
Gilmore Girls: Goodnight, Stars Hollow
Author: Morgan English
Illustrator: Vivian Minekar
Release Date: July 8, 2025
Genre: Board Book
Age: 0 – 3
Plot
Say goodnight to Stars Hollow with this fun board book perfect for your bedtime routine. Plus, you can spot all your favorite Gilmore Girls characters in the delightful illustrations.
Walk with Me: A Counting Adventure
Author: Nancy E. Uslan
Illustrator: Nancy E. Uslan
Release Date: August 25, 2025
Genre: Board Book
Age: 0 – 3
Plot
Count zebras, monkeys, and other safari animals in this adorable introduction to counting. Proceeds of the book support the children of Rwanda.
Let’s Find Yaya and Boo on the Go!: A Hide-and-Seek Adventure
Author: Andrew Knapp
Release Date: September 16, 2025
Genre: Board Book
Age: 2 – 5
Plot
This fun hide-and-seek board book is perfect for dog-loving littles. Where are Yaya and Boo hiding throughout this book? Peak around and find out!
Merry Christmas, My Little Cuddle Bug
Author: Nicola Edwards
Illustrator: Natalie Marshall
Release Date: October 14, 2025
Genre: Board Book
Age: 0 – 2
Plot
The newest installment in the bestselling Cuddle Bug series is releasing just in time for the holidays!
New Picture Books for Kids (3-5+)
Beatrix Butterfly Wings It for Once
Author: Maren Morris and Karina Argow
Illustrator: Kelly Anne Dalton
Release Date: April 8, 2025
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 3 – 8
More info: Part of the Addie Ant Garden Friends Series
Plot
In this sweet continuation of the bestselling series, Beatrix is having a bad day. She woke up on the wrong side of the bed, is behind on her to-do list, and she wants to avoid it all – until her friends come to help!
Finally Home
Author: Cortney Cino
Illustrator: Tim Deberd
Year: May 6, 2025
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 3 – 8
Plot
In this sweet story, Sara finally gets to see her dad after he’s been deployed for six months. The book walks us through her nervous energy as she joins all the other military families awaiting their reunion.
Why Kirsten loves it
I love the retro-inspired illustrations in this story, but I dare anyone not to get choked up when the Marine Corps parents are reunited with their families.
Papa’s Coming Home
Author: Chasten Buttigieg
Illustrator: Dan Taylor
Release Date: May 20, 2025
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 3 – 7
Plot
Jojo and Rosie are ready to welcome their Papa home from his long business trip. With their Daddy’s help, they bake a cake, load the car with goodies, and head to the airport to pick up their Papa.
Marianne the Maker
Author: Kelly Corrigan and Claire Corrigan Lichty
Illustrator: George Sweetland
Release Date: June 3, 2025
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 4 – 8
Plot
Marianne is a maker who values the freedom to create above everything else. But her days are filled with soccer and other scheduled events that don’t leave her much time to invent. Will her dad understand when she finds a way to skip practice?
The Day the Books Disappeared
Author: Joanna Ho and Caroline Kusin Pritchard
Illustrator: Dan Santat
Release Date: July 15, 2025
Genre: Picture Books
Age: 3 – 7
Plot
When a little boy wants everyone to read his favorite book, he accidentally makes all the other books disappear. Now he needs to figure out what to do so his friends can read about their favorite things too.
Tomatoes on Trial: The Fruit v. Vegetable Showdow
Author: Lindsay H. Metcalf
Illustrator: Edwin Fotheringham
Release Date: August 12, 2025
Genre: Nonfiction Picture Book
Age: 7 – 10
Plot
This nonfiction picture book tells the story of the Supreme Court Justice trial about if tomatoes are a vegetable or a fruit. It was Nix vs the Government and it’s a true story!
Glitter Kittens
Author: William Joyce
Illustrator: William Joyce
Release Date: October 21, 2025
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 4 – 8
Plot
Joyce wrote The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, which I adore, so this is one of my most anticipated kids’ books of 2025. It’s about 4 glitter kittens who are obsessed with themselves and it bothers all their non-glittery friends. When a glitter-eating monster tries to eat them for a snack, they need to see if they can step out of the spotlight and rely on the friends they made feel unimportant.
New Early and Beginning Reader Books (6-9)
Taylor Swift: Superstar!
Author: Shana Corey
Illustrator: Chloe Quinn
Release Date: February 25, 2025
Genre: Early Reader
Age: 4 – 6
More info: Part of the Step into Reading Series
Plot
In this fun early reader story Swifties can learn to read with their favorite star as inspiration! With short sentences, easy-to-sound-out words, and fun illustrations, the book is a great way to get fans reading.
Will the Pigeon Graduate?
Author: Mo Willems
Illustrator: Mo Willems
Release Date: March 4, 2025
Genre: Early Reader
Age: 4 – 7
Plot
The pigeon is ready to graduate – or is he? Everyone knows that Mo Willems is a genius when it comes to funny and engaging stories for kids, so of course it makes sense that this book will be a graduation classic for years to come.
Brain Quest Phonics Workbook: Grade 1
Author: Workman Publishing
Release Date: June 3, 2025
Genre: Phonics
Age: 6-7
More info: Brain Quest Phonics #3
Plot
Brain Quest has always been a favorite of mine for teaching kids in a fun way. I used their smart cards as a kid and then their summer workbooks to keep my kids on track between grades at school. As soon as I saw their new line of phonics books, I knew they would be a hit! This new line comes in grade-appropriate workbooks (pre-k to 2nd) to help your child on the path of reading.
Clue: A Little Golden Book
Author: Megan Roth
Illustrator: Meg Dunn
Release Date: July 1, 2025
Genre: Early Reader
Age: 3 – 8
Plot
Solve a classic clue mystery with this new Little Golden Book. See all your favorite game characters come to life in this clever story!
Upcoming and New Middle Grade Books (10-13+)
A Study in Secrets
Author: Debbi Michiko Florence
Release Date: March 11, 2025
Genre: Middle Grade Mystery
Age: 8 – 12
More info: Last Chance Academy #1
Plot
Meg is starting at a brand new boarding school, which appears normal until her classmates invite her on a secret scavenger hunt. Billed as a cross between Only Murders in the Building and the Mr. Lemoncello’s Library series, this looks like exactly the middle-grade mystery I need in my life! And it’s going to be a series.
Plot
Lucretia and her mother have moved to Candle Island, Maine, to keep her secret hidden. They didn’t know that the small coastal island had a bit of a turf-war problem in which the year-round inhabitants despised the summer folks and vice versa.
As Lucretia settles in, she befriends some locals, finds and cares for an osprey chick, paints in her barn, and explores the island. Everything sounded idyllic until some summer kids started making trouble for her and the burgeoning friendships. Can Lucreita find her inner strength and stand up to these bullies?
Why Kirsten loves it
I loved both the setting and the characters in this sweet summer novel. The osprey chick, the Maine coast, and the beautiful descriptions of the art enhanced the story of friendship, bravery, and standing up for what is right.
Find this book in: Best Books for 8-Year-Olds
J vs. K
Author: Kwame Alexander, Jerry Craft
Illustrator: Jerry Craft
Release Date: May 6, 2025
Genre: Middle Grade Graphic Novel
Age: 8 – 12
Plot
When two award-winning, bestselling writers team up – you know a hit is being born! K and J are the most creative students at their school. But now they need to compete against one another to try to win the school’s writing contest. Can they survive the rivalry?
The Wish Switch
Author: Lynn Painter
Release Date: May 13, 2025
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Age: 9 – 12
Plot
Bestselling author Lynn Painter is releasing her children’s book debut. In it, Emma has just gained access to an ancient wishing well and the magic inside it. She’s ready to wish for the best middle school year yet… until Jackson comes along and messes with her wishes while wishing for his own dreams.
Blood in the Water
Author: Tiffany D. Jackson
Release Date: July 1, 2025
Genre: Middle Grade Mystery
Age: 8 – 12
Plot
This murder mystery set on Martha’s Vineyard will be perfect for any tween’s summer reading list. Brooklyn native, Kaylani McKinnon doesn’t feel like she fits in around Martha’s Vineyard, but that isn’t going to stop her from trying to solve the murder of a teenager’s strange death.
The Memory Spinner
Author: C. M. Cornwell
Release Date: August 12, 2025
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Age: 8 – 12
Plot
This debut fantasy is about 13-year-old Lavender, who has been suffering from memory issues since the death of her mom. Desperate to get her memories back and learn her lessons to become an apothecary, Lavendar seeks out Frey, an enchantress. But Frey is not all she seems and Lavendar might need to make some tough choices around her memories.
Dream
Author: Barbara O’ Conner
Release Date: August 26, 2025
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
Age: 8 – 12
Plot
Barbara O’Conner is well-known for her bestselling children’s fiction. Idalee Lovett is determined to become a songwriter this summer, and she’s going to prove herself by winner the local radio station’s songwriting contest. But first, she needs enough money to buy herself a new guitar, so she will go hunting for her grandpa’s buried treasure.
More Upcoming Children’s Book Releases
Helpful Tip
- Use this list to get your library holds in early!
- Many of these books make perfect presents for the holidays!
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose a good children’s book?
I find it best to lean into your child’s interests. Look for books in the genre they like, but be specific. If they love dragons, don’t just get them any old fantasy book – look for one with dragons within the pages.
Are children’s books still popular?
Of course! Children’s books will always be popular because of the importance of enhancing literacy skills. Children who read for 20 minutes a day rank in the 90% when taking tests.
Related Content
Epilogue
These are our most anticipated new children’s books for 2025. Did you find anything you wish to get for a child in your life?
The Best Book Lists by Age for 2024
Looking for books for a specific age group? We’ve got lists divided by age for 1 to 13-year-olds!
