On a trip to visit his grandparents, a young boy and his Granddad leave the house with a list from his Nan of food to pick up for her to make dinner. But instead of completing the errand with maximum efficiency, as the boy expects, Granddad suggests going berry picking, and even sneaking in ice cream before dinner. And while they are “spendin’ time” together, Grandad points out the important places and memories in their Nova Scotia town. The sweetness continues when the duo is greeted by Nan’s delicious apple pie. Nobody will spoil you like your grandparents! And this book celebrates that special relationship and the connections older generations give young people to the past.

Etta and Grandma Maisie have been going on adventures together for years. Etta’s mom and dad think their love of earthworm castles, gnome mazes, and bizarre food combinations is a bit odd, but Etta and Grandma Maisie have always understood each other. This year, they are both facing big changes: Etta is going to kindergarten, and Grandma Maisie is moving into a retirement home. At first, both of them feel misunderstood and weird, and it makes them each avoid meeting new people. But both learn to let their guard down when they find a pair of kindred spirits at the Grandparents’ Picnic. And they decide that they can still keep some things special to themselves, while still making new friends as well.

A grandfather and granddaughter take a walk through the forest. As they walk, they make connections between different elements in nature and their own family’s story. The granddaughter reflects on how her family worked hard to find the perfect place to both literally and figuratively put down roots. And she thinks about how this has influenced her life and will influence the future generations of her family. With soft illustrations and beautiful, sparse text, this book is a beautiful reflection on how grandparents connect children to larger family journeys.

On the first day of summer, Becca learns about the concept of a bucket list from her Bubbe, who has crossed all but one item off hers. Together, they make a summer bucket list and work together to cross off Becca’s items. Having a water balloon fight is easy. And it’s delicious to order the giant ice cream sundae. But some items, like swimming in the ocean, are too hard to do without the help of Bubbe. And then at the end of summer, Becca gets the help of the other neighborhood grandmas to give Bubbe the chance to cross the last item off her bucket list.

This story begins with the narrator’s A-ma telling her that in their family, care flows between members like a river. This causes the child to look closer at the ways different people within their intergenerational family unit take care of each other in their daily lives. Her A-gong picks her up from school, and she translates for him when he has a doctor’s appointment. Her mother helps to bathe and dress A-ma, the way A-ma dressed her mother when she was a little girl. With extended family, there are care packages, gatherings for celebrations, and thoughtful check-ins as signs of care. This story really highlights how central the grandparents are to setting the tone of the family’s values of love, care, and reciprocity.

Soft pinks, greens, and creams combine to deliver a sense of calm the second you take in the cover of How Many Babies? As you continue to absorb the art, you will feel a smile grow directly inside your soul. Look at the pile of babies softly gripping each other’s heads and feet! When you open the book, the goodness continues. The warmth and safety conveyed in the simple illustrations is undeniable–I love the enormity of the adults and the squishiness of the babies. This counting book has rocketed to the top of my gifting list.

As an ignorant American, I’ve never been very involved in following the World Cup. Luckily, I have many students with international ties who have helped me understand what an amazing, unifying experience it is to celebrate this sport alongside most of the world. Timed well to coincide with the 2026 World Cup, this newest title in the Celebrate the World series teaches the history of the competition. Whether you’re in the stadium or partying at a parade afterward, there are many ways to join in!

Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen are kid lit royalty. Even their most celebrated picture book collaborations typically feature sparse text and minimalist illustrations, making their work perfect for a board book project. This collection of books celebrating the seasons is as aesthetically pleasing as it is engaging for young readers. Highlighted here is the Fall entry, but all four are available now.

Yayoi Kusama’s art, featuring bold contrasts comprised of dots, is practically begging to be an early-infant board book–this particular kind of visual contrast is really engaging for new babies as their eyesight develops–and Kusama has delivered. Add in the tactile sensory touches and the unique shape of the book itself, and you’ve got a special book that will delight everyone from the newest babies to age-old fans of Kusama’s career.

Suzy Ultman’s series My First Books of Jewish Culture is currently comprised of four lovely books that pair stylized, kid-friendly illustrations with explanations of both Jewish traditions and Jewish culture. How Do You Jew? celebrates the many ways that people can live their faith, and it identifies Jewish communities around the world. The illustrations emphasize the message that there is not one single way to be Jewish, making this a perfect addition to all bookshelves. Whether you’re teaching a child about their own culture or just reminding a young reader of the world’s vastness and the ways people live in it, this is a book for you.

I was drawn to Lora’s art style before I even realized this book was about one of my favorite topics: baby sign language. The 123s of Baby’s Needs packs a punch, combining counting (one bottle, two shoes, three cats) with a clearly illustrated sign for each featured word. The gorgeous pictures are what bring this simple book to life, featuring adorable babies and ending with a guide to counting in American Sign Language.

This is another book that is simply nice to look at. With such a range of available titles, it’s wonderful to be a little picky with the kind of illustrations you want to buy and potentially read 37 times a day. I love that this is a bilingual English/Spanish title. I love that the concept of shape recognition goes beyond abstract and includes real-world examples. This is a no-brainer for a little one’s library.

Bonus title incoming! While this book is not technically a board book, it has a unique paper-over-board format that makes its pages much more durable than a typical picture book.

I am forever searching for books that feature body diversity, and this fun, bright, engaging story is perfect. The sing-song rhyming text will delight young readers, and the reminder that “normal” bodies show up in every size, shape, and ability is important for all ages.

This book is a love song to lowrider culture. It centers on young Gabi, who loves her family’s lowrider (named Pico Nights) immensely. So of course she’s devastated when her dad puts Pico Nights up for sale, and she’s determined to save the day… and the car. I adored the way Gabi’s character slowly realizes that while the car itself is special, the memories she’s made together with her Papi and her Abuelo are priceless. Vanessa Morales’ vibrant illustrations are the perfect counterpart to Laura de la Cruz’s story. Between the colorful graphics and the alliterative writing, this book is highly engaging.

Every community has that special person at its heart—the person who wears many hats and supports people in whatever way is needed. Mamá Elena is that person in Paola Santos’ book. Featuring colorful collage-like illustrations by Olivia Sue, A House in My Barrio shows a community coming together to support the elder who usually supports them. Sue’s illustrations drain of color when Mamá Elena is struggling, but as Manuel rallies the community to come together and support the beloved woman in her moment of need, color returns once again, paralleling the way they reinvigorate her. The animal friends add a fun extra touch to the story, too (I mean, who doesn’t love a toucan??).

With Peruvian American writer and artist Martinez-Neals’ exquisite pencil illustrations and lovingly told story, it’s no wonder this book earned a Caldecott. It opens with Alma expressing frustration that her name is “too long.” From there, her dad tells her the story behind each of her six names. As his reasons for selecting these names for her come to light, the visuals help young readers see the ways our ancestors live on in us. It’s a simple enough premise, but this book has so much depth. I love that it’s told in a way that young readers can both understand and connect with.

This award-winning book is based on author/illustrator Yuyi Morales’ own experiences immigrating from Mexico to the United States as a young mother. The multimedia illustrations alone will transport you, embodying one aspect of the title’s meaning. The nonfiction story itself will also move you, as it touches on everything from the challenges of immigrating to a new country, the impact of literacy and libraries, and the contemporary political context impacting undocumented immigrants and their children. It’s a beautiful book with a broad appeal and an important takeaway.

Originally published in 1996, this holiday tale of a potential cooking disaster has become a staple in Latine picture books. Ed Martinez’s realistic illustrations depict the combined warmth of winter holidays and family gatherings. They’re a beautiful complement to the humorous story of a girl who’s afraid she may have committed the ultimate double-whammy: losing her mama’s ring in the masa for the tamales. And the book is also offered in Spanish under the title ¡Que Montón de Tamales!

This is a mixed media novel of verse, comics, and prose about three boys from different backgrounds who meet in detention and discover they’re not so different after all.

An exciting, joyous new work from the author of Accountable and The 57 Bus, this is the true story of citizens in a San Francisco neighborhood who worked together to save four rabbits abandoned in a local park.

In the first book of a new middle grade mystery series, four young friends snowbound in a book-themed inn decide to solve the murder of one of the inn’s customers.

In the follow-up to the award-nominated Mystery James Digs Her Own Grave, Mystery must deal with the fallout from her supernatural crime-solving caper, work out why her best friend has become distant, and solve the mystery of her aunt’s sudden illness.

Barrow, author of Ivy and Bean, turns her talents to supernatural stories with this series about three siblings who are new ghosts trying to figure out the afterlife.

Since spooky season is almost upon us, it’s a great time to pick up a new chilling read. This one is about a young boy whose problems with bullies manifests itself in the form of a shadow monster who feeds off his fears.

From the creators of Grumpy Monkey comes this delightfully silly story of a dragon dog created by an evil wizard, who tries to work out where he belongs in the world after the wizard kicks him out of the castle.

The duo behind the best-selling Gruffalo books is back with their first Gruffalo story in over two decades. In this rhyming tale, Granny comes to visit with the Gruffalo family.

Award-winning author and artist Shaun Tan has created a new book of striking art, about a young girl in an unusual world who questions if she really belongs there after a stranger appears.

Best-selling cartoonist and writer Kate Beaton, famous for The Princess and the Pony, King Baby, and Shark Girl, has written a beautiful story about family, loss, and grief.

This fun book, translated from Japanese, is a celebration of the sounds of snow during a gentle storm.

Meg Cabot, the author of the Princess Diaries series, returns with a new mystery series about a babysitter with the ability to understand baby talk. With the help of her young charge, Jenny is determined to find the dance team’s missing money.

Detective Beans is back in another adorable adventure! This time, Beans and his best friend, Biscuits, follow a treasure map all around their town, hoping to solve the case of misdelivered mail.

This is an exciting account of when world chess champion Garry Kasparov agreed to a contest against the IBM supercomputer Deep Blue in 1997.

Sashimi the Fishboy is back, and this time he’s accidentally gotten himself into all kinds of trouble on the class field trip, and maybe a little danger, too.

For young readers who can’t wait to start the Halloween celebrations, But I’m a Pumpkin! is a charming Summerween story that bridges the gap from August to October. A little girl plants a seed that she hopes will grow into a giant pumpkin. It grows a little differently from the other pumpkins, with different leaves and a strange shape. By the end of summer, the girl’s dad informs her that she’s actually grown a watermelon. But who said a watermelon can’t turn into a spooky jack-o-lantern?

The Haunted Playground is an eerie new picture book by powerhouse writing team R.J. Palacio, best-selling author of Wonder, and Brett Helquist, illustrator of A Series of Unfortunate Events. Once a year, a popular children’s playground gets taken over by a group of playful ghosts. Watch as they try on discarded costumes, test out the rides, and take a break from being scary to be a little silly instead.

Born under a blood moon in a graveyard, Vampurr is a sweet, tiny vampire kitten. But her unusual looks and supernatural gifts scare off most humans. One night, a creeping fog brings a new friend who might help Vampurr find a home. This adorable picture book is a perfect Halloween read, and the audiobook is equally endearing, full of spooky music and sound effects.

Vlad is a little vampire with big feelings. This grumpy little guy doesn’t know how to handle his anger. Luckily, his dad has learned a thing or two about managing emotions and gives Vlad some tips. It’s a spooky Halloween-time story with a helpful message by debut author/illustrator Su Moon, a cartoonist and character designer for Disney, Nickelodeon, and Warner Bros.

Wolf pup Luna is howling with excitement for the annual Spooky Scouts camping trip, led by their Yeti troop leader. But then she realizes that the trip falls during a full moon — a time when Luna turns into something strange and frightening. Can she avoid scaring her friends by finding a way to stop her transformation? With an outdoorsy camp setting and a cast of paranormal characters, it’s a perfect October read.

This is possibly my (and my child’s) favorite nonfiction children’s book about hospitals. Written by a doctor, it’s a thorough yet accessible tour of a busy hospital that follows several families. A couple is having a baby; a child has a broken arm after a playground accident; a family is visiting a grandparent in the intensive care unit. By following a handful of families and their medical stories, Nwora explores many areas of the hospital and the people who make it hum, from lab techs to laundry room staff. Illustrations show patients and healthcare workers from diverse backgrounds. It’s a longer nonfiction at 64 pages, ideal for readers ages 5+, depending on the kid.

With bright and engaging illustrations, this joyful nonfiction picture book also takes readers on a tour of the hospital, though in less detail for younger readers. While written in second person to tell readers what to expect when they arrive at the hospital, it centers three children — Momo, Rani, and Henry — and their experiences in the hospital. Momo is having an asthma attack, Rani has a broken arm, and Henry is receiving cancer treatment.

I think what I like best about this picture book is how it normalizes crying as part of the hospital experience. While many picture books set in hospitals are gentle and reassuring, they sometimes gloss over the pain that is so often present. Brown frames the narrative with a young girl counting all the times she cried when she had to get emergency appendicitis surgery. It’s a simple yet effective framing device that provides narrative tension and invites readers to empathize with the narrator. And don’t worry, it ends on happy tears! I love this picture book, and it’s a great read-aloud.

Translated from Swedish, I doubt this picture book could get published in mainstream children’s publishing in the U.S., because it is rather realistic and sad, with no neat, happy ending. Yet it’s steeped in children’s imaginations and very child-centered. It’s about two brothers who love to pretend-play they’re lions chasing prey in the savanna. When the youngest gets cancer and is hospitalized, the oldest takes him on a wheelchair ride around the hospital to chase wildebeests (aka other patients), until the hospital staff and parents catch them. There’s a disjointedness to the illustrations that feels very much like how a preschooler would experience a hospital in these circumstances. It’s a unique picture book, if sad.

This is the 16th chapter book in the popular Owl Diaries series, but they can be read in any order. When everyone’s favorite owl, Eva Wingdale, gets hurt in a game of wingball, she has to go to the hospital and get her wing in a sling, and she gets a wingchair (wheelchair) until it heals. At the hospital, Eva befriends another owl who was injured on his way to vacation in Treetopolis for the town’s annual carnival. Eva wonders how she can help her new friend enjoy the carnival while he’s in the hospital. This series is a great first chapter book for kids, with heaps of illustrations and lots of text bubbles.

A twisted game show story, Game of Pets is set in a world where our beloved animals are more sinister than you might think. In this first book in a hilarious new series, Griff is thrust into a game show being broadcast across the universe, run by Earth’s pets. With his talking axolotl sidekick, Griff has to outsmart the animals and save the world.

Sit’s sequel to Land of the Last Wildcat comes out this fall, and it sees young adventurer Puffin return to Linger Island, where she finds a new magical wildcat. This time, it’s a kitten called Noma. Puffin already has enough on her plate looking after Noma when a disaster means her scientist mother needs her help. So Puffin, Lance, and kitten Noma have to head out into the wilds to save her.

Fans of novels in verse will love this beautifully written, heartwarming story about two sisters and their bond. Rama and Leena are very different, and the death of their mother has put an even greater strain on their relationship. When a snowstorm traps them, they must work through their differences and the difficulties they have faced to survive.

In the sequel to Evie and Maryam’s Family Tree, the two titular friends once again find themselves in difficult situations. Maryam is having trouble settling in at her new boarding school. Although she was excited to attend, none of the other students seemed to want to befriend her. Meanwhile, Evie is dealing with creative criticism. The play that she and Maryam wrote about their earlier adventures has drawn the ire of a theatre director. The friends come up with a plan to fix their respective problems, but this soon spirals out of control, and the girls don’t know how to get out of the tangle they’ve created.

Fans of historical fiction will love Girl With a Sabretooth Tiger, a tale set in the prehistoric British Isles. When Swallow’s baby sister becomes ill, Swallow has to go on a journey to find the cure. Along the way, she meets a sabretooth tiger, a creature that at first seems frightening, but will help her on her quest.

This action-adventure story follows Jordi, a young boy who’s sick of standing out. Six feet tall at 12 years old, he doesn’t fit in with his classmates. He spends his spring break with his mother at a wildlife refuge. When he gets there, though, he discovers that his mom actually looks after cryptids – and that he needs to defend these magical creatures from a sinister corporation that wants to eliminate them.

Maia is one of a rare group of children in her society who are born with shapeshifting powers, developing animal-like traits whenever they shift. Unlike her other shapeshifter friends, Maia isn’t happy about her moth wings, which grow whenever she feels strong emotion. Things only get worse when adults begin blaming shapeshifter children for a strange illness that is spreading through the town, and they decide that the shapeshifters need to be made into “normal” children. Maia and her friends have to fight back against the prejudice and prove that they are a wonderful and important part of their town.

Twin detectives Ming and Wah make their debut in this fun story that sees them solving multiple mysteries over their summer break. After setting up a detective agency in their town, the twins are brought in to solve all kinds of cases, from rigged competitions to the discovery of a burglar’s identity. Perfect for newly independent readers, Summer Drama will get young detectives’ brains working overtime.

This is the latest heartwarming addition to the All Are Welcome series. The teacher is the narrator telling the kids in the class what they can expect from their school year: joys as well as challenges. The illustrations are warm and bright against a white background, and carry the message of honoring cultural diversity in the classroom.

If you’re worried about oopsies (which I fully understand why you would be), Tiny is here to go through them with you. Tiny has many first-day oopsies, learns from them, gets better, and realizes that everybody does oopsies. The illustrations are absolutely adorable.

Fall is for doing new things and Ravi is so looking forward to it. He wants to get back to school and spend time with his best friend Joe. However, what he doesn’t see coming is that the new girl, Ellie, would like to be his friend. Ravi isn’t ready for his duo to become a trio. We watch him struggle, have a lovely conversation with his sister, and in the spirit of welcoming newness, make space for a new person.

I think Loops is a very fitting book to read before getting back to school because it shows a big kid doing a big kid task by learning how to wear his big kid pair of shoes. Learning to tie your shoelaces is a childhood milestone and the big kid in this one is full of tender perseverance. I would’ve loved to read it as a child, and I hope you enjoy it!