Best New Kids' Books of 2024
Last updated: December 21, 2024
We've picked our favourite new books for kids of 2024. From beautiful picture books for children as young as two years old, to novels for 8-12 year olds to read by themselves, our book recommendations for kids include something for everyone. 2024 is a particularly good year for chapter books for emerging readers; it can be hard to find good books for 5-8 year olds to read for pleasure (as opposed to learning to read), but this year has a great crop of entertaining easy reads.
If you are looking for books for older children, check out our 2024 book recommendations for teens.
Salvatore and the Goats of Mount Etna
Uschi Müller, Brittany Lane (illustrator)
Salvatore lives with his family and their goats at the foot of Mount Etna. Today it is his first time to herd the goats on the mountain slopes by himself. “Don’t let those goats boss you around”, says his father as Salvatore sets off. But the goats refuse to stay on the mountain, and soon Salvatore realises why. The volcanic eruption and Salvatore’s relationship with his family’s herding dog and goats are an appealing picture book combination. The story is based on real-life studies of changes in animal behaviour hours before volcanic activity, and other disaster forecasting by animals.
Ages 3-6
The Paper Bridge
by Joëlle Veyrenc, Seng Soun Ratanavanh (illustrator) & translated by Katy Lockwood-Holmes
The artwork in this picture book is amazing. Anya lives in a fragile paper village threatened by unseasonal winds. Determined to understand the cause of the strange weather, she builds a bridge to the sturdier cardboard village on the neighbouring mountain. To illustrate this delicate world, the artist has used pencil and watercolour on paper and cardboard, cut and arranged into scenes. The visual detail and depth will appeal to readers of any age, whilst the story provides an excellent springboard for explaining to children about climate change.
Ages 4-7
When the Stammer Came to Stay
Maggie O'Farrell, Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini (illustrator)
This is the story of two sisters, Min and Bea. Bea is very tidy, and a bit of a worrier. Min is wilder, and very chatty. That is, until one day when – in the middle of a sentence – she suddenly can’t speak. The sisters set out to discover what has happened to Min’s voice, and Min comes to realise that she has to make her peace with her stammer. A beautiful book based on the multi-award-winning author’s own experience of living with a stammer.
Ages 5-8
Insectarium
by Dave Goulson & Emily Carter (illustrator)
This is a gorgeous large format science book by a biology professor and an award-winning artist. Published in collaboration with the UK’s Royal Entomological Society, it is part of the well-designed and informative ‘Welcome to the Museum‘ series. Through chapters on all sorts of bugs, flies, beetles, moths & butterflies, ants, wasps & bees, readers learn about this ancient and highly successful part of the animal kingdom, without which humans would not survive.
Ages 9-12
Olivetti
by Allie Millington
This playful and bittersweet novel is alternately narrated by Olivetti, a witty typewriter, and Ernest, a 12 year old boy who would prefer to be left alone to read the Oxford English dictionary. One day, Ernest’s mother Beatrice abandons Olivetti at a pawn shop. When Olivetti learns that Beatrice has gone missing afterwards, he needs to help Ernest solve the mystery of Beatrice’s disappearance. Ernest and his family have to confront some difficult issues and put their family back together.
Ages 8-12
The Curse of Madame Petrova
Marjolijn Hof, Annette Fienieg (illustrator), translated by Bill Nagelkerke
We’re in Holland in an earlier century. Brother and sister Janis and Silke are on the run from the cousins who have taken over their family home. Just as they think the future is looking more secure, they find themselves in debt with interest piled on interest. Can they trust anyone, and what does the curse of Madame Petrova mean for them? Soon they have to come to terms with the power of a few words to upend everything they think they know. Award-winning novel for tweens and young teens.
Ages 10-14
Circus Maximus: Return of the Champion
by Annelise Gray
The first book in the Circus Maximus series, Race to the Death, made our list of the best books for kids 2021. The series, which is set in 1st century Rome and Roman North Africa, has kept its quality across all four books, and this elegant conclusion works well as a standalone novel. Dido has been keeping a low profile but when she is asked to shelter the runaway son of her chariot-racing rival, can she find it in her to help him fulfil his dream? And will she manage to stay away from the thrill and danger of Rome's Circus Maximus? Great historical fiction for kids age 9-12.
Miss Leoparda
by Natalia Shaloshvili & translated by Lena Traer
Miss Leoparda drives a bus (when she isn’t sleeping). All the seats are taken, until one day when they see something amazing: a little black car speeding into the distance. Soon, the community of the bus is gone as all the passengers opt for individual car travel. Traffic jams ensue. This picture book is full of personality, combining deadpan humour with expressive acrylic and crayon illustrations.
Ages 3-6
Nose to Nose
by Thyra Heder
Toby, the new dog in the neighbourhood, is finding it difficult to make friends. Other dogs are leaving each other urine-scented messages, but Toby's message is misunderstood after being partly washed away by the rain. This picture book is a fun starting point for a conversation about the danger of rumour and miscommunication, while the illustrations brim with joyful dog-chaos.
Ages 3-6
The Most Boring Book Ever
by Brandon Sanderson & Kazu Kibuishi (illustrator)
This is a humorous collaboration between bestselling fantasy author Brandon Sanderson and graphic novel author and illustrator Kazu Kibuishi. The total disconnect between text and illustration gives kids a great perspective on using your imagination and the different ways of telling a story. Together, the deliberately dry text and the lively Hayao Miyazaki-inspired illustrations are a lot of fun.
Ages 4-8
The Band in Our Basement
Kelly J Baptist, Jenin Mohammed (illustrator)
A lovely picture book with upbeat rhyming text, filled with family bonding time and love of music. Whilst the main vibe is lively fun, this book is also perfect as a bedtime story.
Ages 3-6
Chronicles of Whetherwhy: The Age of Enchantment
by Anna James & David Wyatt (illustrator)
An immersive new magical world by Anna James, author of the bestselling Pages & Co series. Twins Juniper and Rafferty get separated when it turns out Juniper is an enchanter and gets sent to a special boarding school to learn to channel all four seasons to do magic. Meanwhile Rafferty encounters both a mystery and a dragon. An enchanting adventure novel wrapped within storytelling by a grandfather to his grandchildren.
Ages 9-12
Finding Home: Amazing Places Animals Live
Mike Unwin, Jenni Desmond (illustrator)
This is an informative book with gorgeous illustrations by the award-winning team behind Migration: Incredible Animal Journeys. Each of the 20 double-page spreads is about a different type of animal and its home, from a polar bear’s snow den to a beaver family’s lodge, from a wasps’ nest to an orangutan’s jungle treehouse. A beautiful book to look at for children who are interested in animals, and an excellent resource for teaching kids about biodiversity and different habitats around the world.
Ages 6-10
No. 5 Bubblegum Street
Mikołaj Pa, Gosia Herba (illustrator), translated by Scotia Gilroy
In this whimsical picture book readers get a tour through the house at number 5 Bubblegum Street. We meet the residents and encounter some unexpected things including a recipe and a dance routine. The lively and colourful illustrations contain plenty of detail to look at and talk about. A delightful treat by an author-illustrator team from Wroclaw, Poland.
Ages 4-7
Miss Cat: The Case of the Curious Canary
by Jean-Luc Fromental, Joëlle Jolivet (illustrator) & translated by Jill Phythian
This is the first volume in a quirky and stylish new graphic novel series. Miss Cat has the air of a noir detective, and there is a little bit of menace in the story. Adults reading for children will enjoy various references, but most of all this is an excellent chapter book for kids who have recently learnt to read by themselves. The second volume is Miss Cat: The Gnome's Nightmare.
Ages 6-9
Movies Showing Nowhere
Yorick Goldewijk, translated by Laura Watkinson
Every object carries traces of its past. For 12 year old Cate, they can reveal enough history to enable time travel. More sci-fi than magic, this is a thought-provoking adventure about treasuring memories whilst living in the present and giving thought to the future. Now available in English, it was awarded the Golden Pencil for best children’s novel in the Netherlands in 2022.
Ages 9-12
There's a Tiger on the Train
by Mariesa Dulak & Rebecca Cobb (illustrator)
This charming picture book is a joyful celebration of a child’s imagination. A lively crowd of animals gets into a train carriage where they invite our protagonist to play games and eat sweets. Glued to a screen, his father isn’t paying any attention and misses all the fun. Fortunately, when they get to their destination the tiger runs off with the phone, so father and son are fully able to enjoy their day at the seaside together. A lovely story to read aloud, and an excellent starting point to discuss the importance of time away from screens.
Ages 3-6
Orris and Timble: The Beginning
Kate DiCamillo, Carmen Mok (illustrator)
This is a simple chapter book for early readers by a Newbery medal-winning author, richly illustrated by an award-winning artist. Orris is a rat who, despite the risk of being eaten, decides to rescue the young owl Timble from a trap. Themes of friendship and storytelling.
Ages 5-8
The Magic Paintbrush
Kat Zhang and Eric Darnell, Phoebe Zhong (illustrator)
Amy is prepared for an uneventful summer with Grandma in Flushing’s Chinatown when she picks up an ancient brush that changes everything. Amy has been missing the childish fun she used to have with art and, afraid to make mistakes, struggles with creativity. With the magic brush Amy’s paintings come to life, and not just metaphorically! An action-packed fantasy adventure follows, complete with greedy adversary, chase to China, and battles with terrifying beasts. Inspired by a traditional Chinese story, this novel is the first part of a planned collaboration with Baobab Studios, which specialises in interactive animation.
Ages 8-12
Measuring Me!
by Nicola Kent
This is a lovely introduction to the concept of measuring, by an award-winning illustrator. It is also a celebration of the amazing human body. There is lots for kids to enjoy in this bright and lively picture book that is all about them.
Ages 3-6
Bringing Back Kay-Kay
by Dev Kothari
Lena narrates this story as if talking directly to her older brother Karthik, who has gone missing from a train after a summer camp in Goa. The police think Karthik has run away and aren’t doing much to find him. Lena decides it is up to her to figure out what happened. Convinced that Karthik’s friend Samir is hiding something, Lena starts to retrace the events of the summer. A well written mystery suffused with sibling love.
Ages 9-12
Bad Panda: Mites, Camera, Action!
by Swapna Haddow
This is the third hilarious book featuring Lin, aka Bad Panda. In this story, a documentary crew has come to film life in the zoo, then decide to bring in animal actors instead as they find the zoo animals boring. Lin and her friends are affronted, and she is determined to be on camera to send a message to her brother back at the panda sanctuary. A delightfully silly chapter book series by an award-winning author, perfect for kids starting to read by themselves.
Ages 6-9
Mouse on the River
by Alice Melvin
This is the sequel to the award-winning Mouse’s Wood, which made our Best Books for Kids 2022 list. This picture book also has quite a Wind in the Willows vibe with a nostalgic take on the English countryside. The rhyming text describes Mouse’s journey down the river, past homes and village stores with lots to look at and talk about with young kids. There are flaps to lift, a page depicting everything that Mouse packed for the trip, and keen observation of nature.
Ages 3-6
The Pinchers and the Diamond Heist
by Anders Sparring, Per Gustavsson (illustrator) & translated by Julia Marshall
Lots of silly humour in this fun chapter book, richly illustrated by an award-winning artist. The Pinchers are a crime family who have a bit of a problem with their son Theo. Not only is he incapable of lying or stealing, he even wants to be a policeman when he grows up! This book is an excellent springboard for a chat with kids about lying, stealing and family loyalty, but mainly it’s just good entertainment for newly confident readers. The first in a series.
Ages 7-10
A Family of Trees: My First Book of Forests
Peggy Thomas, Cookie Moon (illustrator)
This is a very attractive fold-out book about different types of forests and the animals that live in them, appealing to kids across quite a wide age range. Young kids can relate to the concept of forest families in which big and small trees play different roles. Older kids can engage with all the information in the extensive pull-out that features nine different forests around the world — from mountainous forest in Uganda to frozen spruce in Finland — introducing them to an intriguing variety of forest ecosystems.
Ages 2-6
Can I Sit in the Middle?
by Susanne Strasser & translated by Melody Shaw
This is a fun picture book that builds nicely. Children will recognise themselves in the child in the story who is ready to read on the sofa. With clear lines and colours, the illustrations add expression and humour to the chaos that ensues when the animal friends come to join.
Ages 2-5
Good Night, Good Beach
Joy Cowley, Hilary Jean Tapper (illustrator)
A simple and evocative picture book with rhyming text about a day of holiday by the sea, by an award-winning New Zealand author and illustrator team. Perfect as a bedtime story.
Ages 2-5
Bang: The Wild Wonders of Earth's Phenomena
Jennifer N. R. Smith, Jon Cannell (consultant)
This is the sequel to Glow, which made our Best Books for Kids 2023 list and was selected by our Children’s Editor as one of the most Beautiful Science Books for 9-12 year olds. Bang is equally gorgeous and informative. Each double-page spread in this large format book is a chapter on a topic such as volcanoes, mountains, earthquakes, caves and crystals, and the power of ice. There is a useful glossary at the back.
Ages 9-11
Rumi
by Rashin Kheiriyeh
Subtitled Poet of Joy and Love, this is a lovely picture book that traces the life of Rumi, the celebrated 13th century poet and scholar. The art is bright and colourful and reminiscent of Persian miniature paintings. The author/illustrator is an award-winning artist from Iran.
Ages 3-6
Ajay and the Treasure of Thar
Varsha Shah, Sònia Albert (illustrator)
Ajay and his friends are back in the third novel about the energetic newspaper-publishing Mumbai railway kids. In this volume the children embark on a quest with a legendary map of the desert outside Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. Their adventure is all the more perilous as they are being chased by a ruthless billionaire treasure hunter. Among the many resources at the villain’s fingertips is the rival newspaper he publishes, which pretends that there is no difference between truth and lies and uses the confusion to stir up hate. Illustrated and with big font, this is an excellent series to thrill newly confident readers.
Ages 8-11
Mushrooms Know: Wisdom from Our Friends the Fungi
by Kallie George & Sara Gillingham (illustrator)
The kingdom of fungi is just as important as flora and fauna but much less known, so this introduction for children to mushrooms is very welcome. It contains two stories in parallel. On the one hand it’s a scientific picture book teaching us about the importance of mushrooms in ecosystems. On the other, there are lessons we can learn from mushrooms, such as taking care of our neighbourhood and of ourselves, coping with challenges and staying connected. The eye-catching illustrations in vibrant colour are by an award-winning artist.
Ages 4-8
Houses with a Story
by Seiji Yoshida & translated by Jan Mitsuko Cash
🏆 2024 Mildred L. Batchelder Award for outstanding children’s book translated into English
Subtitled A Dragon's Den, a Ghostly Mansion, a Library of Lost Books, and 30 More Amazing Places to Explore, this is an intriguing book that invites readers to explore some unique houses and their contents, and to meet the inhabitants. From an abandoned subway to a lighthouse, from a dragon tamer’s post office to the hideout of a timid ogre, each place can be a source of inspiration for readers to spin their own stories. By an illustrator with a background in anime and video game art, this book will appeal across quite a wide age range.
