Best Books for Kids
recommended by librarians, teachers, authors and kids
Last updated: October 29, 2026
Novels for Kids Based on Fairy Tales, recommended by Cornelia Funke
If you haven’t read any books by German children’s author Cornelia Funke yet, you have a treat in store. The multi-award winning writer of imaginative fiction talks us through her books and explains why fairy tales continue to fascinate her and her readers.
Books for Kids Based on True Stories, recommended by Geraldine McCaughrean
Not all kids want to read about magic and fairytales and many have an unquenchable thirst for reading about reality. Geraldine McCaughrean talks us through five of her own books and recommends five by other writers that were inspired by true stories.
The Most Beautifully Illustrated Children’s Books, recommended by Ella Beech
What makes a picture book book stand out? Ella Beech, the artist who has just completed a beautiful new edition of The Night Before Christmas for the Folio Society, talks us through some of her favourite illustrated books for kids.
-
Full of Life: Exploring Earth’s Biodiversity
by Isabel Thomas & Sara Gillingham (illustrator) -
The Accidental Stowaway
by Judith Eagle & Kim Geyer (illustrator) -
How Was That Built? The Stories Behind Awesome Structures
Roma Agrawal, Katie Hickey (illustrator) -
An Illustrated Collection of Nordic Animal Tales
Pirkko-Liisa Surojegin, translated by Jill G. Timbers -
Shuna's Journey
by Hayao Miyazaki & translated by Alex Dudok de Wit
Best Children’s Books of 2022
Best Children’s Books of 2022
2022 has turned out to be a great year for picture books, but we made sure to include plenty of novels and nonfiction for older children as well.
-
1
Battle Angel Alita
by Yukito Kishiro -
2
The Promised Neverland
Kaiu Shirai, Posuka Demizu (illustrator) -
3
The Count of Monte Cristo
Alexandre Dumas, adapted by Crystal S. Chan, illustrated by Nokman Poon -
4
Pokémon Adventures (Red and Blue)
Hidenori Kusaka, Mato (illustrator) -
5
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
by Koyoharu Gotouge
Best Manga for Children and Teens, recommended by Oscar
Best Manga for Children and Teens, recommended by Oscar
Long associated with Japanese popular culture, manga are now found in translation across the world. In North America, this dynamic form of visual narration is overtaking comics and graphic novels in popularity. Oscar, age 13, recommends his favourite manga for children and teenagers.
Best Children’s Books of 2021
A lot of excellent books for kids have come out in 2021. It’s turned out to be a very strong year for middle grade fiction (novels for children age 8-12), especially fiction in a historical setting. We made sure to include plenty of picture books and nonfiction as well.
Best Series for 10 Year Olds, recommended by Izzy
Everyone wants to get their kids reading, and a really gripping series is a great way of developing their inner bookworm. Izzy, a 10-year-old girl living in the UK, talks us through her favourite series for kids.
The Best Rick Riordan Books, recommended by Alex (age 13)
Alex, a 13-year-old boy living in Oxford, explains what Rick Riordan’s books are about, why he finds them so mesmerizing, and which book you might want to start with if you’re interested in reading them.
-
1
All Bodies Are Wonderful
by Beth Cox & Samantha Meredith (illustrator) -
2
The Expanding World of Data
Tom Jackson, Ekaterina Gorelova & Ana Seixas (illustrators) -
3
Can You Get Rainbows in Space?
Dr Sheila Kanani, Liz Kay (illustrator) -
4
Where Are You Really From?
Adam Rutherford, Adam Ming (illustrator) -
5
Engineers Making a Difference
Dr Shini Somara, Adam Allsuch Boardman & Manuel Šumberac (illustrators) -
6
Mission: Arctic — A Scientific Adventure to a Changing North Pole
Katharina Weiss-Tuider, Christian Schneider (illustrator), translated by Shelley Tanaka
Top Science Books for Children: Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize 2024, recommended by Dorothy Bishop
Top Science Books for Children: Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize 2024, recommended by Dorothy Bishop
The Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize recognises the best science books for under 14s. Professor Dorothy Bishop, psychologist and chair of the 2024 judging panel, introduces the wonderful titles on this year’s shortlist and explains why she thinks they will inspire children to become scientists.
The Best Ocean Novels for 10-14 Year Olds, recommended by Helen Scales
Marine biologist Helen Scales reflects on the power of stories to bring all kinds of readers into the ocean realm. She recommends books for children and young adults, and explains why her selection focuses on novels for readers age 10-14.
