Tuva Kahrs,

Mesopotamia, the fertile region between the Tigris and the Euphrates, is a hugely significant part of human history, yet has often been left out of the classical civilisations curriculum. Here, Moudhy Al-Rashid, author of Between Two Rivers: Ancient Mesopotamia and the Birth of History, recommends five recent books about Mesopotamia that shed light not only milestones of history, but on individual lives thousands of years ago.

One of the world’s oldest living religions, and historically one of the most significant, Zoroastrianism is unfamiliar to many today. Oxford academic Arash Zeini discusses five books about this pre-Islamic Iranian religion and highlights Zoroastrianism’s positive messages of light and hope.

From gigantic plant eaters to terrifying carnivores, dinosaurs and the long-lost worlds they inhabited capture the imaginations of children everywhere. Because it’s such a popular topic, there are vast numbers of dinosaur books for kids out there. Our Children’s Editor talked to Daniel (age 6) and Caleb (age 7), two young dinosaur book enthusiasts, to find out which ones they have really enjoyed, and would like to recommend to other kids their age and younger.

Whether you are preparing for a trip to Japan, are a fan of manga and anime, or simply curious about a non-European language, you might want to try your hand at learning Japanese. With recommendations ranging from Japanese textbooks for beginners, via an up-to-date guide to Japanese society and culture, to helpful online resources, experienced language teacher Kazuki Morimoto explains how to set about studying Japanese.

With technology pulling young people in like never before we need to curate books that motivate teenagers to read, argues Susannah Richards, Associate Professor in Education at Eastern Connecticut State University and a specialist in literature for youth. From the large number of new books published for teens and young adults in 2025, she picks five of the best to ignite and delight young readers.

From books exploring questions of identity and belonging in contemporary China to a charming memoir by a delivery driver, it’s been an extraordinary year for books about China in English argues Jeffrey Wasserstrom, a professor at UC Irvine and specialist in modern Chinese history. Here, he talks us through some of his favourite China books published in 2025.

There is a big gap between the books adults think kids should read and the books children actually enjoy, says Georgina Atwell, founder of Toppsta, the book website centred on children’s opinions. She recommends the best children’s books of 2025 based on feedback from young readers, from a universally loved picture book to immersive novels for confident readers.

The Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize celebrates the best new science books for kids. Professor Tamsin Mather, Earth scientist and chair of the 2025 judging panel, introduces this year’s shortlist and explains how scientific storytelling can awaken children’s sense of exploration of the world around them.

With no founder, prophet or book recognised as a definitive authority, Hinduism is notable for its diversity. Jawaharlal Nehru, independent India’s first Prime Minister, described it as being “all things to all men”. Here, Hindu practitioner and scholar Sravana Borkataky-Varma explains the essence of the religion, and recommends five books that are informative for readers who are familiar with Hindu traditions as well as those who are looking for their first introduction.

Exploring a historical era through crime is a particularly interesting way to look at that society, says award-winning novelist Anna Mazzola. Here she recommends five fabulous works of fiction that bring to life the impact of crimes in historical settings, from Victorian Britain to 18^th-century Jamaica.