Best Books for Kids
recommended by librarians, teachers, authors and kids
Last updated: November 19, 2024
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1
Library Lion
Michelle Knudsen, Kevin Hawkes (illustrator) -
2
Write to Me
Cynthia Grady, Amiko Hirao (illustrator) -
3
Tomás and the Library Lady
by Pat Mora & Raul Colón (illustrator) -
4
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
William Joyce, Joe Bluhm (illustrator) -
5
The Lonely Book
Kate Bernheimer, Chris Sheban (illustrator)
The Best Books about Libraries for 4-8 Year Olds, recommended by Bahram Rahman
The Best Books about Libraries for 4-8 Year Olds, recommended by Bahram Rahman
Libraries provide a space for children to read for pleasure and discover the transformative power of books. Children’s author Bahram Rahman shares his favourite picture books about libraries for children age 4-8, and explains why book-recommending algorithms cannot replace librarians.
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.
Best Verse Novels for 8-12 Year Olds, recommended by Alison King
Verse fiction gets to the heart of a story without much text, the immediacy of the characters and the storyline making it instantly appealing to readers, including reluctant ones. Here, school librarian Alison King explains why everyone should read verse novels, and recommends her top picks for 8-12 year olds.
Great Teen Reads from Ireland’s Great Reads Awards, recommended by Breege O'Brien
Every year teenagers in Ireland show their enthusiasm for reading quality young adult fiction by voting for their favourite new Irish and international novels. Great Reads Award panellist Breege O’Brien highlights her top teen reads from recent years’ shortlists.
The Best Baby Books, recommended by Barbara Band
Barbara Band, librarian and former President of the UK’s Library and Information Association, explains why reading aloud for babies is not only a great bonding experience but also an important part of early childhood development. She shares some tips on reading with babies and introduces her top baby book recommendations.
The best books on Fashion for Kids, recommended by Eunice Olumide
Model, actress, presenter and author Eunice Olumide shares her pick of the best books for children about fashion and the values that underpin her career in the fashion industry.
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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.
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1
Who's Hiding in the Jungle?
by Katharine McEwen -
2
Wild Lives: 50 Extraordinary Animals that Made History
by Ben Lerwill & Sarah Walsh (illustrator) -
3
Look and Say What You See at the Seaside
by Sebastien Braun -
4
South African Animals
Lindiwe Mabuza, Alan Baker (illustrator) -
5
The Fascinating Animal Book for Kids: 500 Wild Facts!
by Ginjer Clarke
The best books on Wild Animals for Kids, recommended by Margaret Darawanda
The best books on Wild Animals for Kids, recommended by Margaret Darawanda
Children tend to be fascinated with animals, and wild animals particularly capture the imagination. Margaret Darawanda, an Akashinga ranger in the Lower Zambezi Valley, talks us through her pick of books for kids about animals in the wild.
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1
We Are Still Here: Native American Truths Everyone Should Know
Traci Sorell, Frané Lessac (illustrator) -
2
Stuntboy, In the Meantime
Jason Reynolds, Raúl the Third (illustrator), Guy Lockard (narrator) -
3
Black Boy Joy: 17 Stories Celebrating Black Boyhood
Kwame Mbalia (editor), Amir Abdullah & Taj Leahy (narrators) -
4
Redemptor
Jordan Ifueko, narrated by Joniece Abbott-Pratt -
5
Firekeeper's Daughter
by Angeline Boulley & Isabella Star LaBlanc (narrator)
The Best Audiobooks for Kids of 2021, recommended by Emily Connelly
The Best Audiobooks for Kids of 2021, recommended by Emily Connelly
Audiobooks are a wonderful way for children and teenagers to access stories, whether by themselves or as a shared listening experience. AudioFile’s Emily Connelly talks us through her selection of five of the best audiobooks for children and teenagers in 2021.
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1
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
J.K. Rowling & MinaLima (illustrators) -
2
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
by J.K. Rowling & Levi Pinfold (illustrator) -
3
The Tales of Beedle the Bard
J.K. Rowling & Chris Riddell (illustrator) -
4
Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature
by Natural History Museum -
5
Harry Potter: A History of Magic
by British Library
The Best Illustrated Harry Potter Books, recommended by Our Children's Editor
The Best Illustrated Harry Potter Books, recommended by Our Children's Editor
Entering the magical world of Harry Potter is a wonderful gift for any child, and finding a beautiful edition can be an important part of the journey. Here, our Children’s Editor selects personal favourites among the most beautiful Harry Potter books and recommends the best gift editions.