Best of 2025: Children's Books

The less-than-well-known history of the massacre in early Chinatown in Los Angeles, meticulously researched.

Multilayer, mythical, with a healthy dose of magical realism, migrant story of the Vargas Ramírez family’s travel from Mexico into the United States, using modern-day reinterpretations of the iconography of the Aztec codices. Extremely timely and beautiful.

Join Phoebe and her unicorn friend Marigold as they form a book club, and get into all sorts of strange and fun adventures!

A companion to the bestselling picture book Buffalo Fluffalo, this story of finding friendship in unknown places is complemented by beautiful illustrations.

A mayfly lives its very best life in the course of a day. The text is elevated and positive, but it’s Michael Speechley’s powerful, dizzying, and funny illustrations that make this one really special.

Nana’s beloved xoloitzcuintle Popo (the national dog of Mexico) accompanies her on her final journey to Mictlān in this sweet and comforting story.

Kindred spirits, appreciation of art, and madcap antics collide in this lovely wordless book. A member of the Harlem Children’s Ballet and a polar bear meet during a photo shoot and share an instant connection that culminates in a bunch of disgruntled audience members glaring at the thoroughly enraptured bear as he watches his friend pirouette across the stage.

A thoughtful and (dare we say it) stylish look at Mars in general, what it would take for humans to get there, and what it might be like to live there. Fascinating stuff, beautifully presented.

This charming and inspirational picture book biography introduces Claudia Sheinbaum, the first woman, Jewish person, and scientist to lead the country of Mexico.

As forest animals prepare for winter, a family gathers to share a meal, stories, and songs around a backyard fire. Beautiful and aspirational.

Sometimes, fulfilling a dream takes a really long time. Barbara Hillary, a 75-year-old cancer survivor, proved that when your world is made up of "you can" and not "you can’t," you can achieve extraordinary things.

It starts as a riff on Goodnight Moon for a child not excited about bedtime, then expands into a comforting celebration of the interconnectedness of all things.

Story of hope through a baseball boy from Ejutla de Crespo, Oaxaca.

Kids love a good monster story—and Iniguez and Kwan, the author-illustrator team behind The Fib, deliver one with heart and meaning. This engaging picture book introduces a different kind of monster: a clever metaphor for how even the smallest untruths can grow... and spiral out of control. Ultimately, The Fib offers young readers a fun, imaginative, and visually rich way to explore an age-old lesson: telling the truth helps to keep our monsters small.

This cutely illustrated picture book is about a fish named Eustace who washes up on an island and begs Bear, the lighthouse keeper, not to eat him. Fortunately, there are plenty of distractions from other animals that keep Eustace from becoming dinner! A quirky and delightful read.

A young Korean-American boy observes that his mother is very confident and loud at home, but outside, she's very shy. He wants everyone to know how cool his mom is. At the same time, he knows he's different at school and at home as well. They encourage each other to be comfortable as their true selves in this sweet picture book.

According to Mabel, Monday is the best day of the week. Why? It's trash day and the garbage truck is coming!

A gentle, affirming poem for Indigenous peoples across the Americas from the past to the present and into the future.

Another magical book by Pam Muñoz Ryan. With mythology and reality beautifully mixed together. Illustrations by Joe Cepeda bring the mythology alive while Kai struggles on the swim team and with the loss of his sister.

A historical fiction book written in verse about the first successful desegregation case, which happened right here in California. Two decades before the Brown v. Board of Education ruling. Twelve-year-old Robert Alvarez bravely represented the Latino students of his community.

This delightful and magical new series for emerging readers is about two puppies hoping to be adopted. Getting into silly trouble with humans is what they excel at, but they might find their new home after all.

Inspired by the author's grandfather, this beautifully illustrated picture book shows a young girl learning about her cultural heritage from her family as they look through family photos and work in their garden. 

This perfect read-aloud celebrates the spontaneous spirit of play between a grown-up and child.

Axolotls are having a moment in children’s publishing. Among the glut of recent publications starring those awesome amphibians from Mexico, this picture book stands out for its cute illustrations (by Sarah Rebar) and relatable sibling story. 

A picture book biography of a California artist who turned his childhood passion for Japanese kaiju into a toy business. Illustrated by Inko Ai Takita.

Whenever Bruce Banner feels upset or annoyed (pickles, yuck!), he transforms into the Hulk. After a few too many uncomfortable situations, the Hulk starts to think that Bruce might need some help managing his emotions. An adorable introduction to the big green superhero.

A "puzzle" page with an altered photo allows children to guess what animal is being hinted at; then they can find out the answer and learn additional fun facts on the next page. This nonfiction book series from Highlights for Children also includes a volume on Pandas and Other Bears.

Historical fiction that weaves together the stories of two children, Han Yu in 8th-century China and Luli Lee in 1930s New York. A page-turner!

When the Goldilocks family walks away from their campsite, Bear comes in and makes a mess. Horne flips the traditional folktale on its head in a way that’s predictable yet still satisfying, with delightful illustrations by Dan Yaccarino.

A timely middle grade book about fighting antisemitism in your own community.

Henry Cole's detailed black and white line drawings of an oak tree's ecosystem, over seasons and through the years, is a meditation for readers on the interconnectedness of humans, animals and nature.

Wonderful historical account of the origins of Jewish Book week, which eventually turned into Jewish Book Month, now in its 100th year of celebrating!

In 1996, during his Carnegie Medal acceptance speech, author Philip Pullman stated that "There are some themes, some subjects, too large for adult fiction; they can only be dealt with adequately in a children's book." Pádraig Kenny’s Stitch is a perfect example of how this can be true. Kenny tells a story that is a variation on themes of Mary Shelley’s classic novel, boiled down to their barest elements. Kenny explores loss, grief, loneliness, and loyalty in ways that are accessible and enjoyable to both children and adults. And he does so through the perspective of the titular character Stitch, who has an endearing, child-like quality that is maintained even during some of the novel’s darkest moments.

Stitch is a primer for its intended, middle-school audience and a solace for readers who may be a bit older, but still seeking answers to some of those unanswerable questions.