University of Kwazulu-Natal

Best Kids Books In 2025 Fun Educational Future Ready Reads

Bonisiwe Shabane
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best kids books in 2025 fun educational future ready reads

From bedtime stories and schooltime tales to unbelievable facts and illustrated books for children of all ages, these are some of the most exciting books young readers can discover in bookshops this year –... Find a bookshop near you July to December edition It’s been a year since a devastating storm ripped Liz's world apart... Now she's holed up in the only place she felt safe before her world fell away: the bookstore where she used to work. And now another storm is coming. A heartbreaking and high-stakes story of queer love and survival set against the backdrop of a climate change apocalypse.

Three 13-year-old strangers are connected by one big secret. What happens when their paths cross... ? We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Since kids know best what other kids will like, a panel comprised of 125 bookworms and reluctant readers helped us choose the top children’s books of the year. Reading to your kids is one of the best gifts you can give them, but finding story time favorites and, eventually, a series that they’ll want to explore on their own grows more difficult... Good thing that we have a secret weapon to help uncover the most engaging book picks—the ones that your kids may boss you into reading or request a bedtime extension to finish “just one... The crop of contenders for our fourth-annual Kids’ Book Awards turned out to be the strongest so far. Authors pumped up the interactivity for every age group, from babies to tweens. Kids liked more overall this go-around than any other year, giving us hope for the future and a lot of gems to share with you.

From a sensory-focused board book that legit helps cranky kids self-soothe to a boisterous, fact-packed dinosaur treasury that will make young readers feel like they’re in the jungle, our 56 winning titles cover all... Scoop ’em up for gifts before they become extinct, er, sold out (that happened last year). 2025 has already been a great year for children’s books. From picture books and board books to chapter books and young adult, books flood the shelves each year. Many are good, some are amazing. These are the children’s books that I have loved so far in 2025

(I will continue to update this list as the year progresses and I find new favorites. These are my favorites of 2025 as of July) Note: affiliate links will be included below. Who Ate Steve? by Susannah Lloyd and Kate Hindley This is a hilarious book to read aloud.

Intending to teach about size, the book starts with a bird named Marcel and a worm named Steve being asked to help demonstrate big and small. Marcel however has other priorities. The excellent voice and pacing will engage kids. I loved the comically expressive illustrations that only add to the humor. Great for fans of We Don’t Eat Our Classmates or Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and best read with lots of enthusiasm. To create Literary Hub’s inaugural list of the most anticipated children’s books of the year, we turned to the experts, asking authors and illustrators of books for young people to share which upcoming releases...

Here are their choices: a wonderfully eclectic range of books to keep readers of all ages and interests turning pages throughout the year. Drew Daywalt, Little Freddie Two Pants (The Dog with Too Many Pants) Illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins Philomel, February 25 Recommended for ages 3-7 As soon as I saw its bright, bold cover, Little Freddie Two Pants went right to the top of my list of most anticipated books of 2025! From the creators of The Day the Crayons Quit (Daywalt) and Stumpkin (Cummins), this one is bound to be a big hit at any storytime as it dares to ask the question, “How many... Quartez Harris, Go Tell It: How James Baldwin Became a Writer

Are you wondering what children’s picture books to read or buy from 2025 so far? Here are my favorite picture books of 2025, both fiction and nonfiction, from January to July! This list shares silly stories that will make kids laugh, exciting informational books that will teach a thing or two, warm-hearted social emotional stories, and much, much more! Don’t Trust Fish written by Neil Sharpson, illustrated by Dan Santat ANIMALS / FUNNYMammals, reptiles, and birds are straightforward but NOT FISH. Fish don’t follow the rules. Some have gills.

Others have lungs. Some live in fresh water. Some in salt water. The author continues with all sorts of fish weirdness and keeps warning readers: DON’T TRUST FISH. Cheeky humor shows the possible leader of the fish named Jeff and fish spies who report back to King Jeff. Readers, be warned — you will be tested!

You have been warned multiple times. Hilarious with emotive illustrations! The Interpreter written by Olivia Abtahi, illustrated by Monica Arnaldo BILINGUALISM / TRANSLATIONCecelia has two jobs…and her second job is special but it’s a lot of work. What is it? She gets to translate English to Spanish for her parents! But her second job doesn’t leave much time for her to play with friends.

So finally she blurts out ALL of her feelings at once to her parents who listen with understanding. I love this beautiful story about a helpful daughter who finds her own words and boundaries. Nearly Exactly Almost Like Me written by Jennifer Bradbury, illustrated by Pearl Auyeung ADOPTIONWhen standing in line at the ice cream truck, and someone asks if the brothers are related. One brother elaborates on everything they have in common. And it’s beyond sweet. Things like their parents met them in a photograph, both of them hated baths at first, they both love trampolines and breakfast for dinner.

But there’s more, and you will melt your heart when you read it. This story is a sweet way to introduce and discuss adoption and family. Don’t miss out on the Best Children's Books Coming in 2025—this year promises some truly amazing releases for kids of all ages. As we step into a new year, the world of children’s literature is buzzing with excitement for the incredible books set to hit the shelves in 2025. From magical adventures to heartfelt stories of resilience, this year promises an unforgettable reading experience for young readers. Whether your child is a fan of fantasy, mystery, or heartwarming tales, there’s something on the horizon for every age and interest.

In this blog post, we’re highlighting 25 of the best children’s books to look out for in 2025. Get ready to discover the books that will spark imaginations, inspire adventures, and capture the hearts of readers young and old! This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. From heartfelt tales to epic adventures, here are the Best Children’s Books Coming in 2025 that every young reader will love.

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From Bedtime Stories And Schooltime Tales To Unbelievable Facts And

From bedtime stories and schooltime tales to unbelievable facts and illustrated books for children of all ages, these are some of the most exciting books young readers can discover in bookshops this year –... Find a bookshop near you July to December edition It’s been a year since a devastating storm ripped Liz's world apart... Now she's holed up in the only place she felt safe before her world fe...

Three 13-year-old Strangers Are Connected By One Big Secret. What

Three 13-year-old strangers are connected by one big secret. What happens when their paths cross... ? We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Since Kids Know Best What Other Kids Will Like, A

Since kids know best what other kids will like, a panel comprised of 125 bookworms and reluctant readers helped us choose the top children’s books of the year. Reading to your kids is one of the best gifts you can give them, but finding story time favorites and, eventually, a series that they’ll want to explore on their own grows more difficult... Good thing that we have a secret weapon to help un...

From A Sensory-focused Board Book That Legit Helps Cranky Kids

From a sensory-focused board book that legit helps cranky kids self-soothe to a boisterous, fact-packed dinosaur treasury that will make young readers feel like they’re in the jungle, our 56 winning titles cover all... Scoop ’em up for gifts before they become extinct, er, sold out (that happened last year). 2025 has already been a great year for children’s books. From picture books and board book...

(I Will Continue To Update This List As The Year

(I will continue to update this list as the year progresses and I find new favorites. These are my favorites of 2025 as of July) Note: affiliate links will be included below. Who Ate Steve? by Susannah Lloyd and Kate Hindley This is a hilarious book to read aloud.