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10 Happy New Year’s Books for Kids

• Book Ideas , Holidays & Seasonal

Kicking off the New Year with a fun read-aloud gets students thinking about goal-setting, while helping them transition back after a long holiday break! These 10 Happy New Year’s books for kids are my favorite go-to picture books to read in January.

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Picture Books to Celebrate a Happy New Year’s

Teachers get the wonderful privilege of celebrating the New Year’s twice: Back-to-School and the New Year’s celebration in January.

So while you’re planning engaging crafts and activities, add one of these fun Happy New Year’s books for kids to the mix while you celebrate a new year!

Natasha Wing’s “Night Before…” series is a big hit in my classroom.

If you’ve seen my other read-aloud book recommendations lists, you have seen Natasha’s books.

This Night Before New Year’s shows fun ways to celebrate the New Year’s with your students.

The easy reading format makes it a quick activity–just in case you’re stretched for time when it comes to your New Year’s classroom activities.

P. Bear’s New Year’s Party by Paul Owen Lewis is not only a fun book about how to celebrate New Year’s, but it’s also a great math read aloud book.

The book fits well with early readers in Kinder and 1st grade, but if you’re just looking for something quick to read, this New Year’s book works for older kids too.

Happy New Year’s Books for Different Cultures

Everyone celebrates New Year’s differently.

These Happy New Year’s books for kids showcase the variety of ways to bring in the new year with a bang.

Freedom Soup by Tami Charle s presents the Haitian traditions and cuisine for celebrating New Year’s.

The special soup for New Year’s also aligns with the historical account of the Haitian revolution, which is why it’s called ‘freedom’ soup.

I also really love the songs and illustrations throughout book.

It’s a great way to expose your kiddos to different cultural traditions for Happy New Year!

New Years Activities for Kids in the Classroom

Speaking of exposing kids to different traditions for New Year, I also think it’s important to have a variety of New Years activities for the classroom.

Because let’s face it, you don’t want lengthy lesson planning work over break! You need engaging, NO-PREP ways to welcome kids back from Winter Break and I’ve got just what you need here:

New Years Activity Packet –Math and ELA Review Skills

Kickstart the New Year with our Happy New Year 2024 Math and ELA Packet! This resource is a teacher’s dream for starting the year off right. Here’s what makes it so awesome:

• Over 17 No-Prep Activities: That’s right, no extra work for you! These activities are ready to go, perfect for easing back into school after the holidays.
• Engaging and Educational: From word searches that challenge their vocabulary to resolution goal setting that sparks thoughtful reflection, these activities cover it all.
• Fun Meets Learning: Who said learning can’t be fun? These activities are designed to be enjoyable and educational, ensuring your students are engaged from the get-go.

And the best part? These activities pair wonderfully with some of the New Year read-alouds I’ve mentioned.

So, as we dive into these New Year’s activities, let’s make this transition into 2024 not just educational, but also a whole lot of fun!

And speaking of fun, let’s get back to exploring those 10 Happy New Year’s books for kids that are sure to bring joy and learning into your classroom!

Shante’ Keys and the New Year’s Peas by Gail Piernas-Davenport is my absolute favorite happy New Year’s book for kids!

Several Southern families in the United States enjoy eating black-eyed peas on the first day of the year to signal good luck for the year ahead.

My own family has included black-eyed peas in our January 1st menu for years. I love cooking them for my students as a fun New Year’s treat. (even though many students DON’T consider any type of peas to be a treat! LOL)

Celebrating New Year’s Around the World

Want to know how people across 20 different countries ring in the New Year? This Happy New Year’s book for kids tells it all.

Happy New Year, Everywhere by Arlene Erlbach works really well for kids in 2nd through 5th grade.

It has tons of colorful pictures and examples of how people celebrate the new year holiday differently.

Every Month is a New Year by Marilyn Singer is a wonderful happy new year read aloud for two main reasons:

• It shows that not all “New Year’s” celebrations happen in January.
• Students get to see how different people celebrate New Year’s.

The book covers other celebrations such as Chinese New Year’s, Nowruz for Iranians, and Songkran for people in Thai.

As these different holidays come up throughout the school year, you can refer back to this book for details.

Goal-Setting New Year’s Books for Kids

While you are celebrating a new year with your students, I bet you also want to cover some goal-setting with them too?!

The timing and occasion is just too perfect to miss out on helping our kiddos set new goals for the new semester and new year.

These are some of my favorite read-alouds for setting new goals:

Before you run away hysterical over the title and cover illustration, here me out!

I Need a New Butt by Dawn McMillan is about a boy who thinks his butt is broken and he wants to find a new one.

It’s a hilarious book that can be connected to goal-setting because it shows this kid spending so much time trying to change something that doesn’t need to be changed.

If you have students who struggle to set realistic, worthwhile goals, this book may help them.

DISCLAIMER: The illustrations inside show a few pages with different booties. Your kids will have full-blown laughing fits!

Just in case you have some really sensitive parents who may not like this type of content, you may want to talk to your administration about it first.

Whistle for Willie by Ezra Jack Keats works great for New Year’s goal-setting because its theme on perseverance.

The main character doesn’t give up on his goal of learning to whistle. This offers a great message to your students about not giving up.

Plus, this book is FREE on Amazon’s Audiobook program. You can try a free trial HERE .

A Growth Mindset Read-Aloud for the New Year

This book is another one of my favorites when it comes to read alouds for upper elementary students.

After the Fall: How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again by Dan Santat fits perfectly with goal setting for the new year with its growth-mindset theme.

I actually end up reading this book more than once during the school year because students need on-going reminders about having the right mindset.

Some of your students need hope to start over fresh for the new year. Maybe they had a really rough first semester, which would lead almost anyone to feeling discouraged about setting new goals.

This book helps students see that no matter how things start–no matter how bad you fall–you can get back up again.

To be honest, we adults need that powerful reminder too!

Help Your Students Set New Year’s Resolutions

My final Happy New Year’s book for kids is Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution by Pat Miller .

This cute book shows kids what it really means to make a resolution. Squirrel’s simple question: “What is a resolution?” is such a valid question that your students may ask! (Depending on their age.)

Squirrel gets help from her friend Bear to learn what resolutions are. Not only this, but she also learns how to help her friends set their resolutions too.

More Ideas & Classroom Resources for the New Year

As you plan your New Year’s classroom activities, here are more ideas and resources that you’ll enjoy:

• 5 Creative Ways to Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Cheap & Free Ways to Stock Your Classroom Library

Not only that, but don’t forget these New Years Activities for your classroom:

Happy “New Year’s” Reading!

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• ELEMENTARY TEACHING , LITERACY

New Year Books for Kids: Ring in 2024 with Quality Read Alouds

This list of New Year books for kids will help you start the new year on the right foot! Read alouds are a great way to teach goal setting. This is very fitting for the month of January when everyone is making resolutions. These New Year books for elementary students will assist you in teaching this important skill. Check out the list of New Year books for kids below!

3 New Year Books for Kids

Check out these high-quality quality New Year read alouds for elementary students below. These picture books about New Year’s will be a big hit in your classroom!

Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution by Pat Miller

The first on the list of New Year read aloud books is Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution . It is the start of the new year and all of the animals in the forest have made their New Year’s resolutions, everyone except Squirrel. She starts off by asking Bear what a resolution is and if he has one. Bear explains what a resolution is and tells Squirrel that his resolution is to help their friend Skunk learn how to read. Squirrel feels determined to come up with a resolution after talking to Bear.

As she travels throughout the forest, Squirrel runs into many of her friends and talks about their resolutions. Skunk wants to learn to read, Turtle and Mole want to plant a garden, and Porcupine wants to be less grumpy. When Squirrel is eating lunch at the diner, her friends arrive too and they talk about how helpful Squirrel has been. When she visited Skunk, she helped her feel better. She climbed a tree to help Mole and Turtle find a spot for their garden. She also taught Porcupine some funny jokes. That is when Squirrel realizes what her resolution will be: to help someone each day. I liked this book so much that I added it to Starts With a Story collection!

If you are looking for lesson ideas, worksheets, and activities to go with a New Years book, check out this Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution book companion . It includes reading comprehension questions, digital activities, printable worksheets, and much more!

Freedom Soup by Tami Charles

The second on the list of New Year’s children’s books is Freedom Soup . It is a cold and snowy day, but inside Ti Gran’s kitchen, it is warm and busy. Today, Belle is excited for her Ti Gran to teach her how to make traditional Haitian Freedom Soup for New Year’s Day.

As they prepare the ingredients and add them to the big pot, Ti Gran tells Belle why it is called Freedom Soup and what it means to their people. Long ago, the people of Haiti were enslaved and forced to work for their masters. Part of their work was making Freedom Soup, which they were never allowed to eat. When the Haitians rebelled and won their freedom, they were finally able to make and eat Freedom Soup. Every New Year’s Day, Haitians make and eat Freedom Soup to remind themselves of their fight for freedom. 

If you need printable or digital resources to use with the book, then check out these Freedom Soup activities ! This resource includes reading comprehension questions, digital activities, printable worksheets, and much more!

Shanté Keys and the New Year’s Peas by Gail Piernas-Davenport

The third on the list of new years picture books is Shanté Keys and the New Year’s Peas . Shanté is visiting her grandmother’s house for New Year’s dinner when they realize that they are out of black-eyed peas. For many African Americans, eating black-eyed peas with dinner is a New Year’s tradition.

Determined to get some for her grandmother, Shanté sets out to ask her neighbors if they have any. At each house, the different families inside introduce her to the many different New Year’s traditions of other cultures. Finally, Shanté arrives at her aunt’s home, where she has more than enough peas to share. Shanté invites everyone she encountered along her journey to their house for dinner. After she gets the peas, they all come over to enjoy them!

If you need printable or digital resources to use with the book, then check out these Shanté Keys and the New Year’s Peas Soup activities ! This resource includes reading comprehension questions, digital activities, printable worksheets, and much more!

We hope you found this list of New Year’s books for kids helpful! Your students are going to love these children’s books about new years! They are great winter read alouds !

Grab the Free Reading Resources!

If you want to get more book ideas to read aloud to your elementary students, then grab this reading freebie. It includes read aloud books lists, reading logs, and reading challenges for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classroom teachers. It will have you covered for the entire school year, as well as the summer months! Grab this free elementary reading packet now!

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The Best Books About New Year’s Resolutions for Kids

The beginning of a new year is when most people decide to set New Year’s Resolutions. Whether it’s to lose weight by making healthy food choices and exercising or to spend more quality time with family, we all have grand ideas for how this year will be different.

Unfortunately, those resolutions rarely last past New Year’s Day because we haven’t prepared ourselves for how we plan to make these new habits stick. In other words, they are just wishes and not actual goals with concrete objectives .

So as I was putting together this list of books about New Year’s resolutions for kids, I realized the importance of sharing stories related to goal setting, perseverance, growth mindset , and belief in yourself.

You see, for our resolutions to come to fruition, we need them to become goals. Therefore we need to understand that each of these characteristics and skills (goal-setting, perseverance, growth mindset, and belief in yourself) are all intertwined.

So I’ve divided this book list into two groups.

• New Year’s Books – This is a grouping of books specifically written about New Year’s. These books focus on unique celebrations and traditions related to the new year.
• Character + Skills Development Books – This grouping includes books related to the characteristics and skills our kids need to develop in order to create New Year’s resolutions that stick.

The best part is that all of these are books about New Year’s resolutions for kids!! So let’s dive in!

New Year’s Books

1. squirrel’s new year’s resolution.

Squirrel knows that New Year’s Day is the best day to make resolutions…but what exactly are resolutions? She visits all of her friends around the forest helping them make their own resolutions, but will she be able to come up with her own new year’s resolution?

This fun book by Pat Miller all about Squirrel’s New Year plans is an excellent introduction to the concept of making resolutions and the perfect addition to your classroom or home library.

2. Freedom Soup

Each year, Haitian families all over the world celebrate the New Year by making a special soup called Freedom Soup. This year Ti Gran is teaching Belle how to make Freedom Soup, just like she learned when she was a little girl, as well as the history of Haiti, her family, and the history of the soup.

Celebrate the unique cultural traditions with the family in this beautifully illustrated masterpiece by Tami Charles.

3. The Night Before New Year’s

Another fun title in the “Night Before” series of picture books by author Natasha Wing. A family wants to ring in the new year by saying goodbye to the previous year and celebrating together as the new year begins. Unfortunately, even with lots of fun snacks and activities, everyone is getting sleepy! Will they be able to stay awake? Will each person be able to make a new year resolution?

4. Meet January

January is not excited about having to wake up early for her first day back to school after winter break. In fact, she is dreading the cold. But she is happy about seeing her friends and wishing them a Happy New Year.

In this great story, children will make connections to the weather, the month, and the main character, which is why it’s on our list of books about New Year’s resolutions for kids.

5. Shanté Keys and the New Year’s Peas

Black-eyed peas are a staple in many southern homes on New Year’s Day, but what happens when your grandma forgets to cook them? Oh no! It’s bad luck! Discover whether or not Shante is successful in getting enough black-eyed peas for the whole family. This fun story by Gail Piernas-Davenport is a must-read.

6. P. Bear’s New Year’s Party

Polar Bear has invited many friends to his New Year’s Eve party. Young children will count along and practice telling time as all of the different guests arrive in varying numbers and at various times.

This engaging counting book by Paul Owen Lewis is so much fun and is sure to be a hit with your young readers.

7. Happy New Year Everywhere

This book by Arlene Erlbach is a great introduction to different cultures around the world. With unique stories from twenty countries, this colorful book teaches children about the diversity and fascinating similarities we find across each culture as we celebrate the ending of one year and the coming year.

8. What is Rosh Hashanah?

This is one of the best books for small children (and older children alike) about the history, traditions, and food associated with this Jewish celebration.

Learn why apples are dipped in honey, how to make a honey cake, and so much more. The colorful images and relevant text make this engaging new year book a perfect choice for your collection.

Character + Skill Development Books

9. i choose to try again.

In this great read, Kiara learns how everyone makes mistakes and how our mistakes help us to learn. She discovers that she has the power to choose whether she will get up and try again or simply quit . Developing a new habit or learning a new skill will require us to dig deep and keep going when things get tough. And that’s what makes this a perfect addition to our list of books about New Year’s resolutions for kids.

10. My Magical Choices: The Magic of Me

Learning to be responsible for your own choices can be tough…especially when you feel like you aren’t good enough or can’t do something.

This simple tale teaches elementary students to speak kindly to themselves, take action toward achieving their goals, and find the confidence needed to make resolutions. The colorful illustrations and rhyming text make this book a definite winner.

11. I Can Do Hard Things

This book is a beautiful reminder of just how resilient we can be! We all have moments when we doubt our abilities, but learning to practice positive affirmations is the perfect way to begin believing in ourselves.

With wonderfully diverse characters of unique needs, this book is an ideal springboard for conversations about giving ourselves grace while pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones.

12. The Magical Yet

Difficulty is the dividing line for so many of us. When things get too hard, our nature can be to simply quit…even as adults. But this vibrant and uplifting book is a great way to teach kids about the power of yet.

While we all have difficulty sometimes, we don’t have to give up! It simply means we have more learning to do! Come along on the journey of a lifetime to discover your own companion, Yet.

13. Y is for Yet

“Mistakes aren’t just mistakes. They’re growth spurts.” Mistakes aren’t final if we use them as learning experiences to grow our understanding. And all the talent in the world is great, but dedication and hard work will pay off greater dividends in the end.

This book would be an awesome read aloud to teach kids about New Year’s resolutions, and an excellent addition to your home or classroom library.

14. Confidence is My Superpower

Leonardo struggles with disappointment, sadness, and frustration after several failures at school.

But by taking some time to talk through his feelings with his family members, he discovers that he can overcome his failures (and the fear of them) while believing in himself…even when things don’t go his way.

15. Ambitious Ninja

Ambitious Ninja wants to achieve a blue belt, but he can’t seem to get what he wants. Then a friend teaches him about setting goals and how that can help him achieve the blue belt. He learns about the different types of goals and the importance of practice.

If you’re looking for a book that breaks down goal-setting into easily understandable parts, then this book is a winner.

Remember, the key to any good book list is being introduced to new authors and titles that would be great additions to your classroom library or home collection. And that is what I hope you have found in this list of books about New Year’s Resolutions for kids.

The best part is that these books don’t just have to be reserved for New Year’s! While they’re obviously ideal candidates for January, you’ll find they’re so enjoyable that your kids ask to read them again and again.

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Jennifer is a former elementary school teacher (M. Ed.) turned literacy interventionist, blogger, podcaster, TpT author, and homeschooling mom. When she's not with her husband & boys, she's sharing her love for Jesus, designing websites, helping other teachers pursue online businesses, organizing ALL THE THINGS, or watching New Girl. Read More >>

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12 New Year’s Picks For Your Book List for Little Kids

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I love teaching New Year’s Eve and Day traditions to my students. It is always fun to reflect on the previous year while thinking ahead to the new year. Creating a Book List is a great way to engage your children!

These New Year’s books are the perfect way to talk about this special time and discuss different ways people celebrate. Here are my 12 favorite New Year’s books.

This book list is one of my favorites to share for reading with your students.  With so many fun ideas to go over with your students or your children about the past year and the new year ahead, this book list is perfect to begin with in your classroom!

The Night Before New Years by Natasha Wing

Natasha Wing’s “Night Before” series is a favorite with young readers.  The Night Before New Years is a fun story about how a family celebrates this special evening.

Bringing in the New Year by Grace Lin

This bright story follows a Chinese American family as they prepare for the Lunar New Year. A perfect introduction to this holiday for young readers.

Happy New Year, Spot! by Eric Hill

Ring in the new year with this festive board book featuring everyone’s favorite puppy! Spot isn’t old enough to stay up until midnight, but he finds a way to celebrate the New Year early with his family.

Squirrel’s New Year Resolution by Pat Miller

With the help of her friends, Squirrel learns about what it means to make a New Year’s resolution. An excellent read for the beginning of the calendar year or the beginning of the school year!

New Year’s Day by Lynn Peppas

People around the world have different customs to welcome in the new year. Learn the history of New Year’s Day, and read about all of the different traditions that make it fun!  This is definitely a must for your New Year’s book list if you are teaching students about traditions and customs!

Happy New Year by Dee Smith

It is New Year’s Day! This book is a simple tale that captures the wonderful things children can look forward to in the New Year.

Shante Keys and the New Years Peas by Gail Piernas-Davenport

In her quest to find some black-eyed peas, Shante discovers the different ways that her neighbors celebrate the New Year. A story of diversity and traditions that children will really enjoy.

The Stars Will Still Shine by Cynthia Rylant

A soothing book that is fantastic to read at the end of a tough day. Cynthia Rylant’s story let’s us know that everything will be ok.  An encouraging read like this is always a must on any book list for children. 

Happy New Year Everywhere! by Arlene Erlbach

Elementary children will love learning about New Year’s customs in twenty different countries.  A great way to learn about world customs.

P. Bear’s New Year Party: A Counting Book by Paul Owen Lewis

This book counts down to New Year’s Eve, while teaching numbers, counting, and telling time! This book is popular with teachers, and students will enjoy the story and the simple illustrations.  

Happy New Year by Amy Ackelsberg

Ring in the new year with Strawberry Shortcake and her friends! This book also comes with a sheet of stickers to play with.

Happy New Year Around the World by Sylvia Walker

Discover the holiday customs of nations around the world with 30 festive full-page illustrations that are ready for your children to color.  This book is another great addition to any book list! 

Can you not find a resource that you would LOVE to have for your classroom? Contact me and I would be happy to make it for you.

Are you looking for more New Year’s ideas, activities, and printables to do at home or in the classroom? If so, don’t miss out on more great New Year’s lessons for your classroom!  To see all book lists featured on A Dab of Glue Will Do, click on our book lists resources .  Do you have any favorite New Year’s books that are not on the list? If so, please share in the comments below.

More Great Book Lists:

12 Apple Books For Little Kids

12 Books About Shapes For Little Kids

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Reader Interactions

11 comments.

July 17, 2017 at 9:45 am

Thank you for your blog! Helpful in planning my preschool curriculum!

September 18, 2017 at 4:36 pm

You are so welcome!

December 14, 2018 at 1:31 am

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April 24, 2022 at 5:02 pm

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Celebratory Books about New Year's for Kids!

When you want to celebrate ringing in the New Year with children, there's no better way than reading a good picture book about New Year's Eve and New Year's Day and its diverse traditions around the world.

The New Year books on this book list will inspire kids to look forward to a fresh start, perhaps make a resolution or two, and perhaps even start a New Year's tradition of their own.

So whether you stay up all night, counting down the hours until January first, or if you all head off to bed early for a good night's sleep make it your New Year Resolution to read all of these books and continue in the same way throughout the year.  (Note: Book covers and titles are affiliate links that may earn commission.)

Books about New Year's Day Celebrations

Snow Horses: A First Night Story by Patricia MacLachlan, illustrated by Micha Archer

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

This is a wonderfully peaceful book that celebrates the spirit of community at year's end. It's perfect to read when you want the kids to wind down from all the New Year festivities. On a snowy New Year, a young girl takes out two black horses and a sled into the night. Along the way they collect revelers and neighbors for a celebratory sleigh ride.

Freedom Soup by Tami Charles, illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara

Don't miss this marvelous picture book about a joyous New Year's tradition! Ti Gran teaches Belle about the Haitian tradition of making Freedom Soup for New Year. Ti Gran shares the cultural history of the revolution as well as the recipe. By the end of the book your kids will be dancing, singing and clapping along with Ti Gran and Belle.

Felíz New Year, Ava Gabriela! by Alexandra Alessandri, illustrated by Addy Rivera Sonda

Find it: Amazon

Ava is celebrating New Year's with her family in Colombia, but she is feeling shy. Her mother reassures her that her feelings are normal and slowly, Ava starts to gain self-confidence. I love how the story gives us a taste of Colombian New Year's traditions. Includes a glossary of Spanish words and phrases used in the text.

Every Month Is a New Year: Celebrations Around the World by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by Susan L. Roth

This is a fantastic poetry collection which introduces readers to global new year holidays. Most western children know about January 1, the Lunar New Year and Rosh Hashanah, but  there are 9 more! Singer shares a poem for each month to celebrate a different new year tradition.

MORE: New Year's poems for kids and families

Shanté Keys and the New Year's Peas by Gail Piernas-Davenpor, illustrated by Marion Eldridge

Eating black-eyed peas at New Year's is a southern tradition signifying good luck for the coming year. When Shanté goes out to her neighbors, looking for the requisite peas, she learns all about how other cultures celebrate New Year's.

The Stars Will Still Shine by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke

This is not really a New Year-specific book, but is still one of my top of my list of books to read when everyone is talking about new beginnings. I love this gentle reassuring book about how cycles of events continue to come and go. It's optimistic, reaffirming the goodness of life and the kindness of individuals no matter what comes. Read it all year long.

MORE: Picture books about new beginnings

Happy New Year, Spot! by Eric Hill

So, you need a New Year book for toddlers and preschoolers to explain why they can't stay up until midnight? Good old Spot is your answer! This lovable, dependable children's book character can't stay up either, but he still finds a way to join in the celebration. Expect to read it twelve dozen times in a row. But if it gets the kids to bed, you'll read it twice as many times, right?

P. Bear's New Year's Party: A Counting Book by Owen Paul Lewis

I really like Owen Paul Lewis' simple illustrative and this is a great New Year's Eve book for toddlers and preschoolers. There are some nice components: a clock for teaching time, interesting vocabulary for groups of animals ( "flock", "herd", etc ), as well as counting.

Squirrel's New Year's Resolution by Pat Miller, illustrated by Kathi Ember

This is a fun choice to read if you are discussing resolutions with your children. Squirrel walks through the forest wondering what resolutions she should make for the new year, finally realizing that all her kind and helpful actions are what's really important. After reading, be sure to craft your own family kindness resolutions .

Happy New Year Everywhere! by Arlene Erlbach, illustrated by Sharon Lane Holm

Are you the kind of person who has the energy for New Year's themed crafts and activities organized by country? If you are, then this is the book for you.

The Night Before New Year's by Natasha Wing, illustrated by Amy Wummer

Wing has a series of "night before [insert holiday here]" books. This one looks at… you guessed it. New Year's. It's a fun choice for kids addicted to counting down the hours.

More books you will love:

• Family Read Aloud Books for Every Season
• 15 Smile-Inducing Children's Books about Happiness and Joy

Reader Interactions

Tracey M. says

December 19, 2010 at 10:24 pm

I never thought about getting special books to read for the New Year. What a nice idea. Thanks for stopping over at my blog too! Have a great holiday.

Joyful Learner says

December 20, 2010 at 2:31 am

I agree with you, Natalie is the most dedicated commenter! Love the list of New Year's books as well as your math books, chapter books, etc.!

Raising a Happy Child says

December 20, 2010 at 6:24 pm

Thanks for all the blogging love and for joining WMCIR again 🙂 We have only read one book for New Year so far - a picture book Squirrel's New Year Resolutions (or something like this). By the way, I wanted to give you heads up about Santa's Snow Cat for your Storied Cities - it's set in New York 🙂 Oh - and we are focusing on Christmas in Russia for New Year, because I used to get presents from Grandfather Frost on New Year's Eve.

Fanny Harville says

December 22, 2010 at 7:25 pm

Oooh, thanks for linking to this Blog Hop -- introduced me to lots of fun blogs!

Alison at NOVA Frugal Family says

December 29, 2013 at 7:10 pm

This is a great idea. I didn't even think about picking out books for New Years!! I am going to have to head to the library and try to get some tomorrow. I wonder if I have any that I didn't realize around the house 🙂

Erica MomandKiddo says

December 30, 2013 at 6:55 am

There are surprisingly few books about New Years! There are some nonfiction ones, but not too many picture books.

Theres Just One Mommy says

December 26, 2014 at 10:08 pm

I never thought to look for New Year's books.... It sounds like some great titles here!

Even in Australia says

May 07, 2015 at 1:23 pm

Do you have any nonfiction ones to recommend?

May 07, 2015 at 1:24 pm

I never found one I really liked. They were all pretty much the typical dry stuff. Hopefully you will have better luck.

Rachel says

December 26, 2018 at 7:34 pm

I always figured the dearth of New Year's books is because it is really an adult holiday, focused on staying up late and drinking!

December 27, 2018 at 10:36 am

That may be true!

Ruby Zhang says

January 18, 2019 at 8:38 am

For me, New Year means family reunion and a good blessing for the coming year. In our hometown, there are also some new year traditions, such as visiting the elders of the family to show respect, having a feast with all the family members on new year's eve, putting up Spring Festival cuplets... I will read these books with my kid and get him to know about some traditions of other countries during the holiday.

debra luger says

December 28, 2020 at 3:00 pm

P. Bear book is not really available to buy.... > $50-$100 on amazon! not easily available from library either 🙁

January 12, 2021 at 10:21 pm

Such a shame when books go out of print!

Natasha Wing says

September 22, 2021 at 2:44 pm

Thank you for including my book, The Night Before New Year's. Just wanted to note that my name is Natasha Wing (not Natalie) just in case people want to look up my other holiday books.

September 23, 2021 at 10:46 am

Thanks for the correction. I'll update right away.

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5 read aloud books for the new year.

I love a good year-end countdown; looking back and reflecting on the year that has passed while preparing for the year ahead can feel refreshing and motivating. I always like to look at some of my favorite books that I've read too. And while I think about books that I loved, new books that I found, and ones that had an impact on me; there are always picture books that stand out.  As you reflect on the books that you have read throughout the year, you can also think about books that will have an impact on your students as you begin the new year together after a long break. Here are five of my favorite books to read as you return to school refreshed and ready to start the new year.  They each spark great discussion and encourage some deeper thinking about important subjects.

1. The Bad Seed

The Bad Seed  is always a favorite. It is funny, keeps kids engaged, and is a great one to start off the new year.  It's a good reminder for kids that you can always start fresh…the Bad Seed changed his attitude and that opportunity is there for them too!

2. After the Fall

After the Fall  is the story of what happens after Humpty was put back together again.  It is a wonderful story of encouragement through hard times and will have you and your students thinking. It is a great book to read at the start of the New Year because your students can think about things that they have overcome and help them set goals for the rest of the year.

There are so many great activities to do with this book, you can check out some of my favorites here:

3. Malala's Magic Pencil

Malala's Magic Pencil  is a wonderfully written and age-appropriate story that tells the story of Malala Yousafzai.  It will empower your students and challenge them to think. As you enter the New Year, this is such a great story to challenge students' mindset about school and their return after a long break. Malala went through so much and is a great example for everyone

4. Nerdy Birdy Tweets

Nerdy Birdy Tweets  is a fun story that is a wonderful starting point to discuss the digital footprint that we make as we explore the internet and the world of social media.  It's a great discussion starter that your students can most definitely relate to! As you begin the New Year, it is a fun but important read.

5. The Book of Mistakes

The Book of Mistakes  is one of my favorites that really exhibits how we can continue on, even when we make a mistake.  It is full of imagination and fun illustrations and is a great book to read to students as they readjust to the habits and routines of the school day.

I know you and your students will enjoy these books! They are always a crowd favorite and bring up so many great discussions.

And because I couldn't narrow it down to just five, here are a few more that I know you will love!

Want more January book favorites and activities too? Check out this post…

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Happy Teaching!

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• Picture Book Brain

19 New and Notable January Read Alouds for Elementary

• October 13, 2021

Looking for the best January read alouds for the classroom? These picture books for read alouds in January for elementary students are engaging for primary and upper elementary kids. Books with lesson plans and activities linked. Picture books about various topics such as winter, arctic animals, Martin Luther King Jr. Day / MLK Day and more for your kindergarten, first, second, third, fourth or fifth grade students. Your students will delight in these classic and brand new books!

If you’re a member of the  Picture Book Brain Trust Community , you already have access to EVERY lesson plan and activity for these books! Just click on the Lesson Plans button in the menu!

BOOKS ABOUT WINTER

These are just a few of my favorite books to read during winter. I have a full list of my favorite winter books that you can check out.

The Wish Tree by Kyo Maclear

Charles wants to find a wish tree. His brother and sister don’t believe there is such a thing, but his trusty companion Boggan is ready to join Charles on a journey to find out. And along the way, they discover that wishes can come true in the most unexpected ways. The poetic text and heartwarming illustrations evoke the true essence of the holiday season and will inspire wishers everywhere. This gem of a book deserves center stage year round.

Get the lesson plan and activities for The Wish Tree HERE

You can try a free lesson and activities for The Wish Tree by signing up here:

Wolf In The Snow by Matthew Cordell

A girl is lost in a snowstorm . A wolf cub is lost, too. How will they find their way home? This is a great book about not judging a book by its cover which is funny because it’s a book that won a Caldecott Medal. Maybe it’s because an almost completely wordless book ?

Get the lesson plan and activities for Wolf In The Snow HERE

Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin

Wilson Bentley was always fascinated by snow. In childhood and adulthood, he saw each tiny crystal of a snowflake as a little miracle and wanted to understand them. His parents supported his curiosity and saved until they could give him his own camera and microscope. At the time, his enthusiasm was misunderstood. But with patience and determination, Wilson catalogued hundreds of snowflake photographs, gave slideshows of his findings and, when he was 66, published a book of his photos. His work became the basis for all we know about beautiful, unique snowflakes today. A really interesting biography picture book for the winter months!

Get the lesson plan and activities for Snowflake Bentley HERE

Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett

A young girl and her box of magical yarn transform a community in this stunning picture book. With spare, gently humorous illustrations and a palette that moves from black-and-white to a range of color, this modern fairy tale has the feel of a new classic. This is an amazing book about how one person can change a community completely.

Get the lesson plan and activities for Extra Yarn HERE

The Mitten by Jan Brett

When Nicki drops his white mitten in the snow, he goes on without realizing that it is missing. One by one, woodland animals find it and crawl in; first, a curious mole, then a rabbit, a badger and others, each one larger than the last. Finally, a big brown bear is followed in by a tiny brown mouse and what happens next makes for a wonderfully funny climax. As the story of the animals in the mitten unfolds, the reader can see Nicki’s snowy outing in the borders of each page. As you plan out your year of books to read aloud to your first graders, this is definitely one of the best books to read in winter !

The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper

As the sun set on the shortest day of the year, early people would gather to prepare for the long night ahead. They built fires and lit candles. They played music, bringing their own light to the darkness, while wondering if the sun would ever rise again. Written for a theatrical production that has become a ritual in itself, Susan Cooper’s poem “The Shortest Day” captures the magic behind the returning of the light, the yearning for traditions that connect us with generations that have gone before — and the hope for peace that we carry into the future. Richly illustrated by Carson Ellis with a universality that spans the centuries, this beautiful book evokes the joy and community found in the ongoing mystery of life when we celebrate light, thankfulness, and festivity at a time of rebirth. Welcome Yule!

And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson

The heartwarming true story of two male penguins who create a nontraditional family is now available in a sturdy board book edition.

At the penguin house at the Central Park Zoo, two penguins named Roy and Silo were a little bit different from the others. But their desire for a family was the same. And with the help of a kindly zookeeper, Roy and Silo got the chance to welcome a baby penguin of their very own. A story great for talking about having same sex parents .

Get the lesson plan and activities for And Tango Makes Three HERE

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen

Late one winter night a little girl and her father go owling. The trees stand still as statues and the world is silent as a dream. Whoo-whoo-whoo, the father calls to the mysterious nighttime bird. But there is no answer. Wordlessly the two companions walk along, for when you go owling you don’t need words. You don’t need anything but hope. Sometimes there isn’t an owl, but sometimes there is.

Get the lesson plan and activities for Owl Moon HERE

Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts

All Jeremy wants is a pair of those shoes, the ones everyone at school seems to be wearing. Though Jeremy’s grandma says they don’t have room for “want,” just “need,” when his old shoes fall apart at school, he is more determined than ever to have those shoes, even a thrift-shop pair that are much too small. But sore feet aren’t much fun, and Jeremy soon sees that the things he has — warm boots, a loving grandma, and the chance to help a friend — are worth more than the things he wants.

Get the lesson plan and activities for Those Shoes HERE

Knut by Juliana Hatkoff

When Knut was born, the first polar bear cub at the Berlin Zoo in more than thirty years, he was no bigger than a snowball and unable to care for himself. His mother, a rescued East German circus bear, didn’t know how to take care of Knut and rejected him. Knut would have died if it weren’t for Thomas Dorflein, a zookeeper who nurtured Knut, feeding him, sleeping with him, and giving him the love and attention Knut needed to thrive. But Thomas wasn’t the only one who adopted Knut. The adorable little polar bear captured the world’s attention, and now Knut is loved around the globe. A great story for studies about arctic animals !

Get the lesson plan and activities for Knut HERE

The Great Paper Caper by Oliver Jeffers

The animals’ homes are disappearing. Tree by tree, the forest is being cut down. Clues! There must be clues. For instance, look–there is a mysterious bear carrying an ax! But what would a bear want with so many trees? Perhaps the discarded paper airplanes littering the forest floor have a story to tell? A really great book for studying the mystery genre!

Get the lesson plan and activities for The Great Paper Caper HERE

Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers

What is a boy to do when a lost penguin shows up at his door? Find out where it comes from, of course, and return it. But the journey to the South Pole is long and difficult in the boy’s rowboat. There are storms to brave and deep, dark nights.To pass the time, the boy tells the penguin stories. Finally, they arrive. Yet instead of being happy, both are sad. That’s when the boy realizes: The penguin hadn’t been lost, it had merely been lonely.

A poignant, funny, and child-friendly story about friendship lost . . . and then found again.

Get the lesson plan and activities for Lost and Found HERE

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY

MLK Day is the third Monday of January each year. There are many excellent books to read for the holiday that can open students’ eyes to the many amazing things that this man did in his short life. Be sure to grab some of these to read this year!

Martin’s Big Words by Doreen Rappaport

Martin Luther King, Jr., was one of the most influential and gifted speakers of all time. Doreen Rappaport uses quotes from some of his most beloved speeches to tell the story of his life and his work in a simple, direct way. Bryan Collier’s stunning collage art combines remarkable watercolor paintings with vibrant patterns and textures. A timeline and a lsit of additional books and web sites help make this a standout biography of Dr. King. Definitely one of my favorite read aloud books for 3rd grade to talk about MLK and activism .

Get the lesson plan and activities for Martin’s Big Words HERE

Lillian’s Right to Vote by Jonah Winter

An elderly African American woman, en route to vote , remembers her family’s tumultuous voting history in this picture book publishing in time for the fiftieth anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

As Lillian, a one-hundred-year-old African American woman, makes a “long haul up a steep hill” to her polling place, she sees more than trees and sky—she sees her family’s history. She sees the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment and her great-grandfather voting for the first time. She sees her parents trying to register to vote. And she sees herself marching in a protest from Selma to Montgomery. Veteran bestselling picture-book author Jonah Winter and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award winner Shane W. Evans vividly recall America’s battle for civil rights in this lyrical, poignant account of one woman’s fierce determination to make it up the hill and make her voice heard.

Get the lesson plan and activities for Lillian’s Right to Vote HERE

The Oldest Student by Rita Lorraine Hubbard

Imagine learning to read at the age of 116! Discover the true story of Mary Walker, the nation’s oldest student who did just that, in this picture book from a Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator and a rising star author.

In 1848, Mary Walker was born into slavery. At age 15, she was freed, and by age 20, she was married and had her first child. By age 68, she had worked numerous jobs, including cooking, cleaning, babysitting, and selling sandwiches to raise money for her church. At 114, she was the last remaining member of her family. And at 116, she learned to read. From Rita Lorraine Hubbard and rising star Oge More comes the inspirational story of Mary Walker, a woman whose long life spanned from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement, and who–with perseverance and dedication–proved that you’re never too old to learn.

Get the lesson plan and activities for The Oldest Student HERE

So Tall Within by Gary Schmidt

Sojourner Truth was born into slavery but possessed a mind and a vision that knew no bounds. So Tall Within traces her life from her painful childhood through her remarkable emancipation to her incredible leadership in the movement for rights for both women and African Americans. Her story is told with lyricism and pathos by Gary D. Schmidt, one of the most celebrated writers for children in the twenty-first century, and brought to life by award winning and fine artist Daniel Minter. This combination of talent is just right for introducing this legendary figure to a new generation of children.

Get the lesson plan and activities for So Tall Within HERE

Pies From Nowhere by Dee Romito

Georgia Gilmore was a cook at the National Lunch Company in Montgomery, Alabama. When the bus boycotts broke out in Montgomery after Rosa Parks was arrested, Georgia knew just what to do. She organized a group of women who cooked and baked to fund-raise for gas and cars to help sustain the boycott. Called the Club from Nowhere, Georgia was the only person who knew who baked and bought the food, and she said the money came from “nowhere” to anyone who asked.

When Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested for his role in the boycott, Georgia testified on his behalf, and her home became a meeting place for civil rights leaders . This picture book highlights a hidden figure of the civil rights movement who fueled the bus boycotts and demonstrated that one person can make a real change in her community and beyond. It also includes one of her delicious recipes for kids to try with the help of their parents!

Get the lesson plan and activities for Pies From Nowhere HERE

Rosa by Nikki Giovanni

Fifty years after her refusal to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, city bus, Mrs. Rosa Parks is still one of the most important figures in the American civil rights movement. This tribute to Mrs. Parks is a celebration of her courageous action and the events that followed.

Get the lesson plan and activities for Rosa HERE

Overground Railroad by Lesa Cline-Ransome

A window into a child’s experience of the Great Migration from the award-winning creators of Before She Was Harriet and Finding Langston.

Climbing aboard the New York bound Silver Meteor train, Ruth Ellen embarks upon a journey toward a new life up North– one she can’t begin to imagine. Stop by stop, the perceptive young narrator tells her journey in poems, leaving behind the cotton fields and distant Blue Ridge mountains.

Each leg of the trip brings new revelations as scenes out the window of folks working in fields give way to the Delaware River, the curtain that separates the colored car is removed, and glimpses of the freedom and opportunity the family hopes to find come into view. As they travel, Ruth Ellen reads from Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, reflecting on how her journey mirrors her own– until finally the train arrives at its last stop, New York’s Penn Station, and the family heads out into a night filled with bright lights, glimmering stars, and new possiblity.

Get the lesson plan and activities for Overground Railroad HERE

Best January Read Alouds

What are some of your favorite January read alouds? Are there any must read January read alouds that I left out? Let me know in the comments, and I’ll add it!

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5 perfect new year’s read aloud books for after winter break.

Ahh, a new year! For many, this means a resolution and promise to improve or reach a goal. Last year, one of my resolutions was simple: read more books! It ended up being the most successful resolution of all time. Reading a New Year’s read aloud is an incredible way to help your 1st and 2nd grade students return to classroom life after their winter break.

Shanté Keys and the New Year’s Peas

by Gail Piernas-Davenport

This is one of my favorites! I absolutely love this story about a girl and her family’s New Year traditions. Along the way, she discovers her neighbor’s different traditions, too! It’s perfect for discussing the similarities and differences between cultures and customs. I love the flow of the story and how it highlights different cultures in a kid-friendly context!

by LeBron James

The inside cover of this book describes it as full of “encouraging and boosting reminders that success starts with YOU.” This book will help your students make those New Year goals and strive for greatness motivated by the words of LeBron James and inspired by his I PROMISE school.

A Loud Winter’s Nap

by Katy Hudson

A Loud Winter’s Nap is about a tortoise who normally sleeps through the winter. He doesn’t really feel he’s missing anything by doing this. This year, his friends are trying to convince him to stay awake. This one is so cute and perfect for discussing how characters change or a lesson on sequencing a story. It would also be a great book to pair with a nonfiction text on animals in winter.

This book and other great picks for the month of January are included in these *FREE* Digital Libraries for the entire year. Click here to grab your copy .

The Magic Ball of Wool

by Susanna Isern

While this one doesn’t have a distinct “New Year” theme, it’s another book with sweet animals. This story follows a hedgehog as he grants wishes for his animal friends using a ball of magic wool. It is a tale of kindness and helping others which we could all use a little more of.

Your Future is Bright

by Corey Finkle

Another motivating read, Your Future is Bright is a great reminder of all of the possibilities of the future. This is perfect to pair with hopes and dreams for the new year. It highlights the idea that we all have something special and a unique path ahead of us. This is such a positive book to focus on the good ahead even in these challenging times. I love to pair this one with “2024 Looks Bright” writing activity . It makes the perfect bulletin board!

I hope you have found a new year’s read aloud book to use in the classroom. If you are looking for some additional *free* resources for planning your first week after winter break, I have created/curated a week’s worth of New Year’s ‘s-themed activities. Click here to learn more.

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30+ Read-Aloud Books for Elementary Schoolers

If you’re looking for the best read aloud books for elementary schoolers this list of more than 30 read aloud stories are perfect for families and classrooms to enjoy together.

I just returned from two back-to-back trips, which means I’ve done pretty much zero reading aloud to my girls over the past 10 days and I’ve missed it so much!

It’s just the nicest, calming end to my day to snuggle up with them on the basement couch or on one of their beds and read aloud for 20-30 minutes before tucking them all into bed.

I recently shared a list of 30 read-aloud recommendations for preschoolers or kindergarteners , and now it’s time to look at read aloud books that are just a bit more advanced.

Most of these are going to be a little advanced for a 4 or 5 year old, but are perfect read aloud books for a second or third or fourth grader.

Just looking at this list makes me happy – there are so many good books to read aloud here that we’ve enjoyed in the last year or that I can’t wait to bring out soon.

And if you don’t have the bandwidth to read aloud yourself, these are great books to listen in audiobook form too!

read aloud stories for elementary school

And if you’d like a printable copy of this list that you can take to your library or screenshot on your phone for easy access, just pop in your email address below and it’ll come right to your inbox!

I’d love to hear about your favorite read aloud books! What titles have your elementary-school kids loved?

if you liked this list of read aloud stories for elementary school, You might also find these posts helpful!

• Chapter books to read aloud to preschoolers and kindergarteners
• Tips for introducing chapter books to your child
• 20+ activities for your child to do while listening to audiobooks or read-alouds

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41 comments.

We loved The Once and Future King, by T.H.White, the story of King Arthur’s childhood. Another favorite read-aloud was Half Magic by E. Nesbitt. The Castle in the Attic by Elizabeth Winthrop was another we enjoyed. I loved Bridge to Terabithia, but I think it’s definitely for the older end of the elementary spectrum because of its theme.

My boys have loved The Mouse and the Motorcycle books and The Magyk series. Another book for upper elementary is Simon Bloom (the first 2 books are great! The last… not so much)

I would add the Wayside School books to the list—some of my all time favorites!

We are reading Wonder now! I’m holding back tears as I’m reading it though. This list has so many great classics!

I’m currently reading the BFG to Henry, and while it pains me to speak all that incorrect English aloud, he’s enjoying it!

I always love seeing Tuesday’s at the Castle on book lists because the author is the sister of my high school AP English teacher. ☺️ My teacher mentioned in class one day that her sister’s first book was going to be published in a year or two, and I wrote down her name and the title and was so excited when I saw it hit shelves a while later. Plus, it’s a delightful book.

Have you read Doll People by Ann M. Martin? This is my second year doing it as a read aloud for my class. It is much loved.

When I taught 4th grade, my favorite read aloud was Freak the Mighty and it’s sequel Max the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick. My students loved it. Another great read aloud for upper elementary is Petey by Ben Mikaelsen. Finally my son and I really enjoyed the Wolf Brother series by Michelle Paver.

Two of my favorites that haven’t been mentioned yet are Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh and The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles. I tried reading Redwall but I couldn’t stand the written vernacular. I didn’t get very far before I stopped. You are not the only person to tell me they love it though! 🙂

I loved both of these so much as a child too!

My seven year old granddaughter loved Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher. It was published in 1916. My mother read it when she was little and I read and loved the copy that my grandfather gave to me the Christmas that I was seven. She also loved The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken when she was six and Treasure Island now that she is eight. There are sequels to The Wolves, but I could never get into them.

I loved the Great Brain books and so did my two boys, but now that I am picking books for grandchildren, I have a hesitation about the first book and wonder how you handled the part where Andy wanted JD to help him “do himself in” because he felt so useless because of his peg leg. I realize that the Great Brain stops the plans and finds ways to help Andy feel useful again which is the wonderful part of Andy’s story, but still…

Anything by Roald Dahl is always a hit at our house, but especially James and the Giant Peach. My boys also enjoyed The Mouse and the Motorcycle series. We are currently reading Indian in the cupboard and they beg for more every night! And The Chronicles of Narnia is always a good choice as well.

My girls love the Penderwicks so much! It helps that we have 4 girls in our family as well. Some other books we love to read aloud are the Ramona books as well as the Henry Huggins books. I’ll always remember listening to Ribsy on our way to the county fair and then not being able to go in to the fair until we had listened to the end of the book! My girls also loved Anne of Green Gables, The Green Ember, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Half Magic, The Phantom Tollbooth, and Caddie Woodlawn. Last summer we went to see some Laura Ingalls Wilder sites, so we relistened to the Little House books, exhibit sometimes I love and sometimes not as much. We also really liked Swallows and Amazons, but my girls have not liked the sequels as much in that series. Oh, and we love the Betsy-Tacy series. You should definitely look those up for your girls. We love audiobooks!!

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My. first grade son absolutely loves for me to read the Captain Underpants books aloud. We take turns reading sometimes too for good practice. The level is a bit above where he’s at right now but it holds his interest, keeps us laughing and pushes him to read more and more sophisticated words.

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What a fantastic list! I have a few that we’ve loved. The Doll Collection by Lisa Pinkham has been a huge favorite. It wasn’t edited as well as I would like, but the story is fantastic. A girl gets a set of dolls for her birthday along with an opal necklace. The necklace allows her to travel to each dolls home by holding the doll’s hand. There’s a mermaid, a princess, one who lives in a forest. Each of the dolls has a distinct personality and unique world–some of them quite fantastic. All my kids have loved this series and my girls have been obsessed. The other one we loved is The Wheel on The Schoolhouse by Meindert Dejong. It’s an out of print story–but I’ve been able to find it used pretty easily. It’s the story of a class of children getting their whole town involved in finding a wheel they could put on their schoolhouse so storks will again nest in their town. It’s fantastically written and has the community working together. I LOVE this book. I like several others that Dejong has written: The House of Sixty Fathers (a story about a boy who gets separated from his family as they flee from Japanese Army. He ends up in an American Army Barracks. It’s a fun adventure read. Another one is Along Came A Dog about a stray dog finding his home in protecting a hen that has lost her feet. It’s mostly told from the perspective of the animals, but it’s a fun story. As an aside I did not like Shadrach which I have seen on lots of book lists. My kids also loved Louisa May Alcott’s Jack and Jill–about a group of kids and some of their adventures. I just remembered another favorite was The Cabin on Trouble Creek by Jean Van Leeuwen. It’s about two young boys that are left on their new homestead. It was supposed to be for a few weeks, but ended up spending the winter alone. It’s a survival story that’s interesting enough for my then 11 year old boy, but gentle enough for my girls (8 and 4 at the time) to be able to read it before bed. Thanks for the reminder to get back to reading. 🙂

Super list! Is there a printable list anywhere? I am terribly old school.

Also, my daughter loved those Nanny Piggins books you recommended! Seriously funny! I am hoping to get my hands on them to read aloud to her younger siblings this summer.

YAY!!! I’m so glad to hear it – those are the BEST.

That’s a great idea! I’ll put one together!

Amen to The Penderwicks—my kids are doing it audio in the car right now and make up places to go to listen. We laugh so so hard at the Ramona (Beverly Cleary) series and the Fudge series (Judy Blume). My son loved our Old Yeller read he and I just did and my daughter The Caroline Years she and I read about Laura Ingalls mother as a girl.

I love reading Roald Dahl aloud! Matilda is my favorite! Charlotte’s Webb is also one I read to my students each year as well as Tail of Despereaux and Bud Not Buddy. Thanks for the list! I’m excited to read the ones I haven’t read yet!

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Oh my goodness. Just reading the list and the comments make me want to find some children to read to on a lazy afternoon. I have to add: 1st book I fell in love with as a child was the original The Boxcar Children. The first book I got in trouble reading after (bedtime) lights out was Heidi. Modern books that must be added to this list are: #1: Kate DiCamila’s Tale of Despereaux. The original. Not the one based on the movie that changed the story. She is a wordsmith who paints an engaging tale that fires the imagination. The audio is extraordinary.

#2: The Teacher’s Funeral by the gifted Richard Peck. Like the afore mentioned A Long Way From Chicago series it is a hilarious story told in an historical setting. This one kept my 5th grade class watching the clock for reading time – especially after we got dads to come in and take a turn reading aloud. Their male Tennessee voices were perfect for the yarn.

Mr. Lemoncello’s Library was great to read aloud with my kids. We also really like reading the Beasts of Olympus series together. It’s silly but they are learning a little and enjoy it.

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Love this list! By the way, I had a hard time finding Short, because the author’s name is Holly not Haley 🙂

Thanks for the heads up! That’s fixed now.

You are providing a wonderful service for parents and teachers. Thank you for doing this. I was surprised to see that comments on the list ranged from 2016 – 2020 and I can’t help wondering how old the list is…Enough of that! I wanted to add Quinten Corn (Stolz), The Cricket in Times Square (Selden), It started with Old Man Bean (Kherdian), Artemis Fowl (Colfer), and When You Reach Me (Stead). The Latch-Key Dog (Auch) is a nice one as well.

So sorry…that should have been 2018 – 2020. That’s what happens when you get too excited….your reading & typing suffer.

In addition to many of the books you recommended (I’m a huge Kate DiCamilo fan), may I add that my son and I also enjoyed reading out loud together, “The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs” by Betty G. Birney and “The Call of the Wild” by Jack London.

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Thank you for the fab list. I’m in the UK & hadn’t come across a lot of these before. My youngest daughter’s book wish list is now bulging!

If you’ve not come across them, the Land of Stories series by Chris Colfer is fab – they’re the back stories to all the well-known fairy tale characters. My eldest & I absolutely devoured them & my husband is going to read them with our 9 year old soon.

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• Nation & World

Bikes for Books: Wells students win big in reading contest

WELLS, Maine — Wells Elementary School students who read the most books this year were awarded a new bike in recognition of their efforts.

Fifty-six bikes were handed out to students in grades 1-4 during an assembly on June 12 as part of the Masonic Bikes for Books reading program .

The program, in its ninth year, is coordinated with the Masonic Ocean Lodge 142 by literacy specialist Bonnie Esty.

The annual contest begins in the spring when students select school-approved books they find interesting and want to read. For every book finished, a student earns one entry into a classroom drawing.

Bicycles given out this year were ordered through Walmart for $8,000. As in past years, members of Ocean Lodge 142 assembled all of the bicycles.

The program is sponsored by the Grand Lodge of Masons in Maine, the Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation and donations from area businesses and individuals.

“The support from all of our local business owners and individuals was wonderful,” said Wayne Smith, a member of Lodge 142. "We could not make this happen without their generosity and ongoing support.”

According to Smith, about 450 bikes have been awarded to Wells Elementary School students since June 2015.

Bikes for Books brochure is a statewide initiative “to foster literacy programs in schools and encourage healthy exercise."

• Grades 6-12
• School Leaders

Creative Ways to Use Graphic Novels in the Classroom! 🎥

The Best New Books Coming August 2023 for Kids and Teachers

Because back-to-school means stocking the bookshelf!

It’s the start of a new school year, which means many of us are stocking our classroom library shelves. Lucky for us, there are many great new books headed our way this month. Check out some of the best new books coming out in August 2023.

Best New Fiction Picture Books August 2023

Ways to play by lyn miller-lachmann, illustrated by gabriel alborozo.

Image via Amazon

Riley and his cousin Emma clash about the “right” way to play in this sweet story about acceptance and inclusion by an autistic writer-and-illustrator team.

Buy it: Ways To Play on Amazon

The Book From Far Away by Bruce Handy, illustrated by Julie Benbassat

A boy finds a book from out of this world in this magical, wordless tribute to the universal power of reading.

Buy it: The Book From Far Away on Amazon

The Brand-New, Never-Used, Perfect Crayons by Leanne Hatch

Anyone who’s ever received a new box of crayons might relate to Violet’s struggle—she doesn’t want to start using the crayons and mess up that perfection. A perfect back-to-school read-aloud for talking about letting go of the idea of getting it “right.”

Buy it: The Brand-New, Never-Used, Perfect Crayons on Amazon

Stickler Loves the World by Lane Smith

We adore Lane Smith, and his latest tale of a magical being named Stickler who just loves everything about the world is a sweet way to talk with kids about mindfulness and paying attention to the world around them.

Buy it: Stickler Loves the World on Amazon

Water Day by Margarita Engle, illustrated by Olivia Sua

This story about a town that no longer has its own water supply and receives its weekly delivery is both a joyful and realistic depiction of life for many communities.

Buy it: Water Day on Amazon

Best New Easy Readers/Chapter Books August 2023

Fox has a problem by corey r. tabor.

In this third volume of the series, Fox’s kite is stuck in a tree, and he and his friends must work together to get it down.

Buy it: Fox Has a Problem on Amazon

Chi-Chi and Pey-Pey: Cupcake Catastrophe by Jennifer Fosberry, illustrated by Shiho Pate

These sweet and funny friends—a chicken and penguin—are back in this story about learning to share that is perfect for beginning readers.

Buy it: Chi-Chi and Pey-Pey: Cupcake Catastrophe on Amazon

Best New Middle Grade Books August 2023

We still belong by christine day.

A funny and moving story about Wesley, a middle school girl trying to find her place at school and within her Native community.

Buy it: We Still Belong on Amazon

Make a Move, Sunny Park! by Jessica Kim

If you have tween friendship drama in your life (what upper-elementary and middle school teacher doesn’t?), then you’ll want to recommend this story about a seventh grader navigating a friendship breakup.

Buy it: Make a Move, Sunny Park! on Amazon

West of the Sea by Stephanie Willing

A budding paleontologist has to figure out what happened to her missing mom in this suspenseful story that combines road trips, mythology, and dinosaurs.

Buy it: West of the Sea on Amazon

Barely Floating by Lilliam Rivera

A 12-year-old girl explores the world of synchronized swimming as she also navigates her family’s and society’s expectations.

Buy it: Barely Floating on Amazon

Stuntboy, In-Between Time by Jason Reynolds, illustrated by Raul the Third

We know so many kids who loved the first Stuntboy , so we’re thrilled to see him back in a sequel, this time dealing with the struggle of his parents living on two different floors of the same apartment building.

Buy it: Stuntboy, In-Between Time on Amazon

Best New Young Adult Fiction August 2023

True true by don p. hooper.

A Black teen from Brooklyn goes to war with the administration and students of his new, mostly white prep school in this powerful story about fitting in.

Buy it: True True on Amazon

Forgive Me Not by Jennifer Baker

An incarcerated girl looks for forgiveness in the drunk-driving accident that killed her sister.

Buy it: Forgive Me Not on Amazon

Forty Words for Love by Aisha Saeed

Star-crossed friends-turned-something-more must find a way to be together in this romantic, magically set adventure.

Buy it: Forty Words for Love on Amazon

Teach the Torches to Burn: A Romeo & Juliet Remix by Caleb Roehrig

If you haven’t checked out the Remixed Classics series, this page-turning twist on Romeo and Juliet is a great place to start.

Buy it: Teach the Torches to Burn on Amazon

Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim

Fantasy fans will sink their teeth into this passionate story of two sisters protecting each other from a betrothal contest.

Buy it: Her Radiant Curse on Amazon

Best New Nonfiction for Kids August 2023

A kids book about perseverance by yonina schnall lermer.

Yonina Schnall Lermer 

What if you found out there was a little, tiny word that could change your frustrations into opportunities? When we tell ourselves, “I can’t do this,” we give up. But if instead, we say, “I can’t do this … yet,” we’re opening ourselves to the possibility of growing through challenges, also called perseverance. Join this author in practicing perseverance, adding “yet” to your vocabulary, and learning the value of continued effort toward the things you love, even when it gets hard.

Buy it: A Kids Book About Perseverance on Amazon

Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior by Carole Lindstrom

The inspiring story of two Indigenous Rights activists, Autumn Peltier and Josephine Mandamin.

Buy it: Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior on Amazon

History Smashers: Christopher Columbus and the Taino People by Kate Messner and José Barreiro

We can’t get enough of Messner’s History Smasher series, and this latest installment, co-authored with Jose Barreiro and uncovering the myths and lies about Christopher Columbus, is no exception.

Buy it: History Smashers: Christopher Columbus and the Taino People on Amazon

A Long Time Coming: A Lyrical Biography of Race in America from Ona Judge to Barack Obama by Ray Anthony Shepard, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie

A compelling collection of biographies-in-verse for six famous Black Americans, and a must-add to your social studies and ELA libraries.

Buy it: A Long Time Coming on Amazon

Paul Bunyan: The Invention of an American Legend by Noah Van Sciver

The true story of the origin of Paul Bunyan—originally an advertisement—told in cartoon format.

Buy it: Paul Bunyan: The Invention of an American Legend on Amazon

Accountable by Dashka Slater

The true story of a racist social media account that exploded in a small town, and the outcomes and consequences for its creators.

Buy it: Accountable on Amazon

Best New Graphic Novels August 2023

Barb and the battle for bailiwick by dan abdo and jason patterson.

So many of our students love the Barb the Last Berzerker series, so we’re psyched for the third installment, which has Barb battling the Witch’s Head Shadow Army.

Buy it: Barb and the Battle of Bailiwick on Amazon

Hour of Need: The Daring Escape of the Danish Jews During World War II by Ralph Shayne, illustrated by Tatiana Goldberg

The true story of the Nazi resistance in Denmark, told in graphic novel form and utterly compelling.

Buy it: Hour of Need on Amazon

Big Nate: Move It or Lose It! by Lincoln Peirce

We might as well set up an auto-draft to Lincoln Peirce’s bank account at this point, because any new Big Nate book is a must-purchase to satiate the fans in our classrooms.

Buy it: Big Nate: Move It or Lose It! on Amazon

Best New Books for Teachers August 2023

Middle school superpowers: raising resilient tweens in turbulent times by phyllis l. fagell.

The author of Middle School Matters is back with a look at what we can do to build resilience in tweens. She offers practical tips that both parents and teachers will find helpful.

Buy it: Middle School Superpowers on Amazon

Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic and What We Can Do About It by Jennifer Breheny Wallace

AP classes, tutors, and endless after-school activities—Wallace dives into what she calls “toxic achievement culture” and whether or not we can dig ourselves out from it.

Buy it: Never Enough on Amazon

Stay and Prevail: Students of Color Don’t Need To Leave Their Communities to Succeed by Nancy E. Gutiérrez and Roberto Padilla

Gutiérrez and Padilla take on the mindset that students of color must leave their communities in order to find success, showing how schools can help build more community-rich curriculums and build accountability into their structures.

Buy it: Stay and Prevail on Amazon

Rooted in Joy: Creating a Classroom Culture of Equity, Belonging, and Care by Deonna Smith

Smith has long been one of our favorite and most informative Instagram follows, so we’re looking forward to checking out her deep dive into how teachers can use inclusivity and joy as the basis for classroom management.

We’d love to know what books you’re looking forward to reading in August 2023. Drop us a note at [email protected] and let us know!

Plus, for more book-related news, be sure to subscribe to our “we heart books” newsletter., you might also like.

The Best New Books Coming September 2023 for Kids and Teachers

Stock your shelves with these fresh new picks! Continue Reading

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• Books for Early Readers
• Books for Toddlers
• Fun & Games

The Best New Elementary School Books of 2022

Choosing something from this collection of elementary school books is the perfect way to update your family bookshelf

Young children entering school often have just taken on the lust for reading. Learning to read while still loving being read to, picture books are the perfect option for both kids and their parents. With developing plots and colorful imagery, these new elementary school books will keep your kids entertained and digging a deeper love of fiction. And if you’ve got kids ready to move on, these chapter books will do the trick.

Beatrice Likes the Dark

Beatrice and her sister are very different. Where Roo likes the light, Beatrice prefers wearing dark clothes and graveyards. Can they learn to appreciate each other and get along? A tale perfect for siblings, April Tucholke’s story is paired with Khoa Le's stunning illustrations. Ages: 4-8

The More You Give

Told with stunning and vibrant illustrations, this lyrical picture book demonstrates love through generations of a family. While addressing the joys of loved ones, it also touches on grief and how the lessons learned from our family live on forever. Ages: 4-8

Saving the Butterfly: A story about refugees

This is a wonderful new elementary school book. A big and little child are all that remains when a refugee boat lands on the shore. One hides indoors while the other ventures out. To cheer up his sister, the young one brings a butterfly indoors in this powerful story of longing for a home and resiliency. Ages: 4-8

Poppy's House

A sweet story about a little girl visiting her grandpa in Newfoundland, Karla Courtney's tale is the perfect bedtime story. Textured illustrations give a warm and cozy feeling to anyone who reads this Coastal Canada-themed book. Ages: 4-8

Something About Grandma

One summer, Julia heads off to stay with Grandma outside Mexico City. While she's there, she learns about how magical her home is, in addition to learning Grandma always knows just what to do when she's sad. A sweet book about love between generations, Tania de Regil's words and illustrations come together in this story of inspiration.

Frank and Bean: Food Truck Fiasco

A chapter book that's perfect for budding readers, Jamie Michalak's whimsical tale of Frank and Bean is fun beyond compare. These fab friends are different as can be, but when it comes to teamwork they know how to pull it off. Follow along as Frank helps Bean sell his zippy donuts from his new food truck. Does a fiasco await? Ages: 5-8

The Queen in the Cave

In this modern fairy tale, follow Franca, Carmela and Tomasina on a wonderful adventure through their garden. With bright and detailed illustrations, Júlia Sardà's story follows the sisters through a journey to figure out whether Franca's dream about a queen who lives in a cave is real. Ages: 5-9

Pigeon & Cat

Cat is happy with his life in the city lot, but then Pigeon comes along and shows him a whole new world. Praising the concept of an urban community, Edward Hemingway's story is one of friendship, courage and curiosity that speaks to readers of all ages. Ages: 4-8

Where Butterflies Fill the Sky

Zahra loves her home made up of the desert, sea, aunties, and butterflies. But one day, Baba and Mama tell her they must leave, so they leave their land and head to a new desert. While the place is new, Zahra is welcomed by people who make her feel like she belongs. Written and illustrated by Zahra Marwan, this personal story shares her journey of her family's immigration from Kuwait to New Mexico. Ages: 4-8

I'm a Neutrino

MIT Kids Press is here to educate kids on neutrinos! Told with fun rhythmic prose and adorable illustrations, little scientists will learn the ins and outs of this elusive element, along with a fun "Know Your Neutrinos" cheat sheet at the end of the book. Ages: 7-9

Tiny Cedric

King ME the first, Tiny Cedric has a bit of a complex about his size. Disgruntled that he's short, he banishes everyone who is taller than him from his kingdom. But who's left? Babies! Will they be able to teach him to be less grumpy? Sally Lloyd-Jones and Rowboat Watckins weave a fun tale of Cedric's journey to happiness. Ages: 4-8

John's Turn

Today was a big day: it was John's turn for Sharing Gifts. Despite wanting to share his talent with his classmates, he's nervous. Mac Barnett's simple tale celebrates individuality, partnered with simple illustrations by Kate Berube as John navigates his feelings and self expression. Ages: 4-8

Perfectly Pegasus

Nimbus is a pegasus: a lonely pegasus. So when she sees a shooting star pass by, she's determined to find it and make a wish for friends! Along the way, she meets Kelp, a unicorn, who wants to help. While she doesn't find her falling star, can she maybe find a friend instead? This sweet elementary school book by Jessie Sima is total family fun. Ages: 4-8

Tilda Tries Again

Tilda is perfectly happy with her life, thank you very much. But when something happens that turns it upside down, she has to decide if she will give up or keep trying. Told with poignant prose by Tom Percival and creative use of color through his illustrations, this story addresses change, big emotions and family. Ages: 3-6

When I'm With You

"You're the basket on my bike and the canteen on my hike...I'd go anywhere with you." This tear-jerking power of friendship by Pat Zietlow Miller and illustrated by Eliza Wheeler tugs on the heartstring while celebrating childhood. Ages: 4-8

This Is A School

A school is more than just a place of learning: it's a community. It's a safe space for people to learn, make mistakes and form a family that extends far beyond its four walls. John Schu's story serves as a letter to schools and addresses how its members are still a community, whether they are together in the classroom or not. Ages: 3-6

Imagine!: Rhymes of Hope to Shout Together

Italy's famed children's poet Bruno Tognolini partners with illustrator Giulia Orecchia to bring a book of hope to young readers. In beautiful rhythmic flow, kids will be encouraged to imagine a variety of scenarios, "if only..."Ages: 4-8

All photos: Courtesy of publishers

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Books You Love

Welcome to story hour: 100 favorite books for young readers.

Petra Mayer

It's been such a strange, lost summer. Camps and schools and activities have shut down during the pandemic, leaving kids and caregivers stuck at home and climbing the walls — and sometimes the garden fences.

With that in mind, we decided that this year's summer reader poll should be all about keeping kids occupied. We asked you to tell us about your favorite kids' books, from board books for babies to great read-alouds to early chapter books and even a few books for older readers. And thousands of you answered.

As with all our summer polls, this one isn't a straight-up popularity contest. (Otherwise it would have been nothing but 100 Mo Willems books — and we love Mo Willems , but that wouldn't have been the most useful list.) Rather, it's a curated list built from your recommendations and picks from our expert panel of judges — a fantastic group of authors, librarians, publishers and all-around book nerds . And instead of a ranked list, it's grouped into categories that we hope will help you find just the right books for the kids in your life.

More Summer Polls

Summer Reader Poll 2018: Horror

Click if you dare: 100 favorite horror stories.

Summer Reader Poll 2019: Funny Books

We did it for the lols: 100 favorite funny books.

100 Best Books

The ultimate backseat bookshelf: 100 must-reads for kids 9-14.

Now, we understand that half the fun of a list is arguing about what didn't make it on — and our judges had to make some hard choices. But there was one easy decision: A few years ago, we did a summer list based on All Things Considered 's Backseat Book Club of great reads for kids from 9 to 14 . This year's list is focused on younger readers, but we did include a few books for older kids. So if something appeared on the Backseat 100, we didn't include it here. That means no Charlotte's Web , no Matilda and no Little House books (though we've got some wonderful suggestions for Little House fans, like Linda Sue Park's Prairie Lotus ).

We want this list to be a tool for discovery, which means we had to walk a delicate path when it comes to books that are undeniable classics — we knew all hell would rain down on us if we left out Where the Wild Things Are or The Very Hungry Caterpillar . But we decided you probably didn't need our help to discover Dr. Seuss, Richard Scarry or The Little Engine that Could , so those didn't make it onto the list.

And as always, we had to decide which work to pick from creators who were nominated multiple times. Readers may remember the Nora Roberts Rule , which came about during 2015's romance poll: No one gets on the list twice UNLESS they're as titanic a figure in their field as Roberts is in romance; we included her in that list under both her own name and her pen name, J.D. Robb.

NPR Books Summer Poll 2020: Kids' Books

Summer reader poll 2020: meet our esteemed panelists.

This year brought an interesting twist. Since many books on the list have both authors and illustrators, we eventually decided that authors could appear only once, but we didn't mind seeing illustrators again. (Hello, Christian Robinson and Vashti Harrison!) And generally, when someone appeared more than once in the nominations, we went with whichever title was more popular with voters (so Kevin Henkes' Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse beat out Kitten's First Full Moon ).

You'll also see there's a section of books for older readers. We wanted to recognize that a lot of kids read ahead of their age groups — and also, there have been so many great books that came out since we put together the Backseat 100 list in 2013 that it seemed a shame not to include a few of them here.

We hope you and the kids in your life will have as much fun poring through this list as we had putting it together! We had a blast recalling old favorites and discovering new classics (and a shoutout to our gracious judges, who let me sneak in one of my all-time childhood faves, Paul Goble's gorgeous The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses ).

To make things easier, we've split up the list into categories: Picture Perfect , Baby's Bookshelf , Conversation Starters , Family Life , Animal (and Monster) Friends , Folktales and Fairy Tales , Fun to Read Out Loud , Nonfiction , Early Chapter Books , and Older Readers . Happy reading!

Picture Perfect

The snowy day.

by Ezra Jack Keats

One morning, a little boy in Brooklyn wakes up to a changed world — sparkling with fresh snowfall. And though it's never directly mentioned in the text, young Peter is Black, one of the first non-caricatured Black people to star in a major children's book. Author and illustrator Ezra Jack Keats was white, but his sensitive depiction of a child's first experience with snow won the Caldecott Medal and was embraced by parents and children of all colors. (For ages 0 to 2)

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Where the Wild Things Are

by Maurice Sendak

Readers nominated so many Maurice Sendak books, it was hard to pick just one. Well, no, actually — despite a moment of competition from In the Night Kitchen , we knew we had to go with this classic tale of Max, his wolf suit, the wild rumpus, and of course ... the dinner that was still warm when he got home. (For ages 4 to 8)

The Old Truck

by Jarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphrey

Jerome Pumphrey was driving through central Texas to visit his brother Jarrett, and along the way he kept seeing old trucks sitting out in the fields. He began to wonder what stories those old trucks could tell — the result, created by both brothers together, is this story, illustrated by hundreds of hand-carved stamps, of a farm family and their beloved pickup. (For ages 3 to 5)

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut

by Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. James

We couldn't put Hair Love on the list (you'll find it a little further down) and leave out this tribute to the magic of the barbershop. "You came in as a lump of clay, a blank canvas, a slab of marble," author Derrick Barnes writes. "But when my man is done with you, they'll want to post you up in a museum!" Gordon C. James' lively paintings of smiling boys showing off their fresh cuts will put a smile on your face, too. (For ages 3 to 8)

Julián Is A Mermaid

by Jessica Love

Julián is riding the subway with his abuela when he sees them: three mermaids, with fabulous hair and fishtail dresses. And Julián loves mermaids. So much that he makes his own costume at home, with a yellow curtain for a tail and a potted fern for a crown. This is a gorgeous tale of creativity and acceptance, rounded out with misty, jeweled gouache illustrations. (For ages 4 to 8)

Miss Rumphius

by Barbara Cooney

Miss Rumphius dreams of living by the sea, traveling the world, and making it a more beautiful place — and she does it on her own terms, living alone with her cat and sowing lupine seeds along the coast of Maine despite the local kids who call her "That Crazy Old Lady." (She was based on a real person — Maine resident Hilda Hamlin, who was known as the "Lupine Lady" for her habit of scattering seeds.) (For ages 5 to 8)

The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses

by Paul Goble

Everywhere you look in The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses, there's a tiny, precise and lovely detail — a plant, a bird, a lizard, a pebble, a shell and of course the magnificent horses. This story of a Plains Indian girl who runs away with a band of wild horses, and eventually becomes one of them, won the Caldecott in 1978, and for good reason. (For ages 5 to 8)

Hello Lighthouse

by Sophie Blackall

Waves roll by, seasons come and go, keepers tend to their duties, and through it all, the lighthouse stands tall, sending its beam out into the darkness, bidding hello to all the ships at sea. Caldecott winner Sophie Blackall does a gorgeous job showing the timeless nature of lighthouse life — and the change that's coming. (For ages 4 to 8)

by Faith Ringgold

Artist Faith Ringgold's tale of young Cassie Louise Lightfoot who flies far above the "tar beach" of her apartment building roof is — along with The Undefeated — one of the most beautiful books on this list. Lifted up by the stars, Cassie flies over the city, claiming its beauty for her own and imagining a better life for her family. As a bonus, you can see Ringgold reading the book here . (For ages 5 to 8)

The Undefeated

by Kwame Alexander and Kadir Nelson

One of the most — if not the most — beautiful books on this list. Kadir Nelson's glowing, photorealistic paintings pair with Kwame Alexander's powerful words (with nods to Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks and more) for a tribute to decades of Black brilliance, pain and perseverance. "This is one of those texts that really spoke to me; it was beautifully written and I felt it was a really great pairing of words and pictures of an author and an artist," Nelson told NPR . (For ages 6 to 9)

by Walter Dean Myers and Christopher Myers

This poem by Walter Dean Myers — a revered elder of children's literature — celebrates Harlem, where he grew up, full of "colors loud enough to be heard" and songs first heard in the villages of "Ghana/Mali/Senegal." His son Christopher's bold illustrations, part paint and part collage, don't talk down to kids, instead pulling them into a vibrant city. (For ages 9 and up)

Baby's Bookshelf

Antiracist baby.

by Ibram X. Kendi and Ashley Lukashevsky

Ibram X. Kendi wanted to have a tool to teach his young daughter about racism, so he adapted the ideas in his book How to Be an Antiracist into this brightly colored guide. In nine steps, Kendi (and illustrator Ashley Lukashevsky) offers parents a way to open their eyes, and their children's eyes, to the realities of racism. (For ages 0 to 3)

Goodnight Moon

by Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd

Margaret Wise Brown's hushed, incantatory bedtime poetry — set against Clement Hurd's bright blocks of green, blue, red and yellow — has sent generations of children off to sleep. Don't you wish you had a great green room and a red balloon? And two little kittens and a pair of mittens? (For ages 0 to 4)

Freight Train

by Donald Crews

Red caboose at the back, and forward through the rainbow to the black tender and engine, Donald Crews' simple, powerful freight train chugs its way through towns and tunnels, days and nights. Kids will love exploring the blocky, brightly colored train cars and seeing what's inside. Here comes the train! (For ages 0 to 4)

Good Dog, Carl (series)

by Alexandra Day

Little Madeleine has a pretty great babysitter: A big friendly Rottweiler named Carl. Together, they go to the store and to the zoo, to costume parties and daycare classes — in richly illustrated, mostly wordless books that let readers form their own ideas about what's happening on each page. (For ages 1 to 4)

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

by Eric Carle

In the light of the moon, a little egg lay on a leaf — and it hatched into a hungry caterpillar who munched his way right off the page and into the hearts of kids everywhere. Eric Carle's charming story and luminous, stained-glass illustrations make The Very Hungry Caterpillar a classic for the ages (and a good advertisement for the benefits of snacking). (For ages 2 to 5)

But Not the Hippopotamus

by Sandra Boynton

All the other animals are having fun! They cavort in the bog, they try on hats, they sip juice at a cute cafe ... but not the hippopotamus, who's always in the background looking on sadly. But luckily, by the end of Sandra Boynton's cheerful tale, the hippo gathers her courage and joins in the party. (For ages 2 to 5)

Brown Baby Lullaby

by Tameka Fryer Brown and A.G. Ford

Tameka Fryer Brown's lilting, musical rhymes and A.G. Ford's glowing art follow one very active baby through a very busy day of zooming around the house, getting kisses, napping, playing in the grass, getting a bath and finally going to bed as the sun sets. (For ages 2 to 6)

Go, Dog. Go!

by P. D. Eastman

Big dogs, little dogs, red dogs, blue dogs, dogs on cars and scooters — kids will love learning colors and emotions and ideas with P.D. Eastman's zippy dogs. And hopefully they'll learn some manners, too; the answer to "Do you like my hat?" should generally be "Yes!" (For ages 3 to 7)

The Napping House

by Audrey Wood and Don Wood

It's a soft gray rainy day and everyone's asleep in the Napping House — but unfortunately, they're all trying to pile into the same bed, with predictably unfortunate (but funny) results. This is a book that'll put any kid to sleep — and we mean that in the best possible way. (For ages 4 to 7)

Conversation Starters

Last stop on market street.

by Matt De La Pena and Christian Robinson

CJ is full of questions: Why do we have to take the bus when my friend has a car? Why is it raining? Why can't that man see? Luckily, his nana is always ready with an answer that helps CJ find beauty wherever he looks."You can feel like you have been slighted if you are growing up without, if you have less money, or you can see the beauty in that," author Matt de la Peña told NPR in 2016 . "And I feel like the most important thing that's ever happened to me is growing up without money." (For ages 3 to 5)

by Kyo MacLear and Rashin Kheiriyeh

For the family in Story Boat , "here" is home — but "here" keeps changing as they travel onward to an unknown destination. Illustrator Rashin Kheiriyeh, whose family fled Iran after war broke out in 1980, told NPR that when she first read the manuscript, "I thought, oh, that's me." Her bold, carefully color-coded illustrations balance a serious situation with the whimsy of children spinning tales out of the few belongings they've brought with them. (For ages 3 to 7)

by Yuyi Morales

Yuyi Morales was born in Mexico; she came to America with her baby boy in 1999, and she builds that experience into a poetic, visually stunning tribute to the immigrant experience — to walking the streets of a new place, getting lost and learning a new life and language, and to the dreams, hopes and talents immigrants bring to this country. (For ages 4 to 8)

Jabari Jumps

by Gaia Cornwall

Not a lot of brand-new books make it into these lists, but our judges felt that Gaia Cornwall's sweet, engaging story of a little boy conquering his fear of the high jump would stand the test of time. If you've ever stood at the edge of that board looking down at the deep end, Jabari Jumps is the book for you. (For ages 4 to 8)

The Rabbit Listened

by Cori Doerrfeld

Ever have a friend who's sad, and you just don't know what to say or how to help them? The Rabbit Listened is the book for you — with simple text and illustrations so cute you'll want to hug yourself, it tells the story of Taylor, who's sad that his tower of blocks fell down, and all the animals who really aren't helping until the rabbit comes along. (For ages 3 to 5)

by Lupita Nyong'o and Vashti Harrison

"Dear Lord," Sulwe prays, "Why do I look like midnight when my mother looks like dawn?" She tries makeup, eating only light-colored foods, and in one painful scene, using an eraser to rub away her darkness. But a magical flight through the night sky helps her learn to love that darkness. Actor and author Lupita Nyong'o told NPR she based the book on her own experiences of colorism as a child, "And so that's why I wrote this — to hopefully bring it to the fore and people can address it." (For ages 4 to 8)

I Am Enough

by Grace Byers and Keturah A. Bobo

"I'm not meant to be like you; you're not meant to be like me," writes actor and author Grace Byers. "Sometimes we will get along, and sometimes we will disagree." But as kids will learn from I Am Enough , like the sun, we're all here to shine. (For ages 4 to 8)

Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse

by Kevin Henkes

Lilly loves everything, especially her purple plastic purse full of treasures. She even loves her teacher Mr. Slinger — but when the wondrous purse and its contents keep interrupting his lessons, he confiscates it, leading Lilly to attempt revenge. Luckily, her favorite teacher understands her emotions. (For ages 4 to 8)

The Proudest Blue

by Ibtihaj Muhammad, S. K. Ali and Hatem Aly

Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad was bullied as a child for wearing a hijab. She decided to turn that experience into this lovely tale of two sisters, Faizah and Asiya, who confront a playground bully threatening to yank Asiya's blue hijab off her head. Muhammad told NPR she hopes little girls wearing hijabs will "see themselves in this work." (For ages 4 to 8)

Each Kindness

by Jacqueline Woodson

So many great Jacqueline Woodson books, so little space! We settle on Each Kindness, gorgeously illustrated by E.B. Lewis. Maya is the new girl at school, with ragged clothes and the wrong shoes for winter. No one wants to play with her — not even Chloe, who sits next to her, and eventually has to deal with the results of her unkindness. (For ages 5 to 8)

Wherever I Go

by Mary Wagley Copp and Munir D. Mohammed

Abia is the queen of the Shimelba refugee camp — because she's been there the longest of any of her friends, and she rules her domain with love and an acacia-twig crown. Wherever I Go is a heartfelt portrait of life in a refugee family, and a meditation on the idea of home. Is the camp home? What about the "forever home" Abia's Papa dreams of? And will she still be a queen when she gets there? (For ages 6 to 9)

by Kelly Yang

10-year-old Mia Tang mans the desk at her family's motel — and helps keep its biggest secret: Her parents hide immigrants, letting them stay for free in empty rooms. And she wants to be a writer, but English isn't her first language. Writer Kelly Yang based this powerful story on her own experience, and the stories of the immigrants who stayed at her family's motels. (For ages 8 to 12)

Family Life

Alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

by Judith Viorst and Ray Cruz

When Alexander wakes up with gum in his hair, he knows nothing good is coming. And he's right — there's no toy in his cereal, his teacher doesn't like his drawing and there's kissing on TV. A great read for anyone who's ever been down in the dumps. Even grown-ups can take solace in Alexander's troubles — poll judge Juanita Giles says it was the book she chose to read at her mother's bedside on her last day. (For ages 2 to 4)

by Kevin Noble Maillard and Juana Martinez-Neal

Author Kevin Noble Maillard — who's part of the Seminole Nation — told NPR he had a hard time finding books about Native Americans that weren't about historical figures like Sacagawea or Pocahontas. "Nothing about people alive that were wearing sneakers, that were eating candy, or making cakes with their grandma." So he created this ode to a favorite food that brings Native families together. (For ages 3 to 6)

A Chair for My Mother

by Vera B. Williams

Rosa's mom works in a diner — and so does Rosa, sometimes, peeling onions, washing salt shakers and saving her pennies to buy her mom a comfortable chair because all their furniture was lost in a fire that turned their apartment to "charcoal and ashes." And bit by bit, with hard work and cooperation, Rosa and her mom find the perfect chair. (For ages 4 to 8)

My Papi Has a Motorcycle

by Isabel Quintero and Zeke Peña

Daisy Ramona waits every day for her Papi to come home from work — because then she gets to ride around their city on the back of his motorcycle. Writer Isabel Quintero told NPR the story is a loving tribute to her own father, and her childhood in Corona, Calif. "It is very specific, but it's also a story that especially Latinx kids in other parts of the country can enjoy or relate to." Zeke Peña's warm, bustling illustrations bring those childhood memories to life. (For ages 4 to 8)

Drawn Together

by Minh Lê and Dan Santat

As a child, Minh Lê loved his grandparents but didn't really know what to say to them. He works through that awkwardness in Drawn Together , about a boy and his grandfather who learn to connect through their mutual love of art. "And then their relationship kind of takes off from there," Lê told NPR . (For ages 4 to 8)

Meet Yasmin! (series)

by Saadia Faruqi and Hatem Aly

Yasmin is a spunky second-grader who tries out all kinds of occupations — superhero, writer, chef, zookeeper — whether or not she actually knows what's involved. But she always has fun, thanks to her quick thinking and support from her big Pakistani American family. (For ages 5 to 8)

by Matthew A. Cherry and Vashti Harrison

Based on the Oscar-winning short film, this lovely story of a dad learning to do his daughter's hair, which "kinks, coils and curves every which way," will leave you sniffling fondly. Creator Matthew Cherry told NPR he was inspired by friends of his who are young fathers, and "they're all willing to do whatever it takes for their young girls." (For ages 4 to 8)

A Different Pond

by Bao Phi and Thi Bui

Hours before the sun came up, Bao Phi's father would wake him — quietly — for a fishing trip. Not for fun, but to feed their family. And as they fished, Bao's father would tell him stories about another pond back in their homeland of Vietnam. Thi Bui's gorgeous, quiet illustrations are perfect for this lovely story of the bond between father and son. (For ages 6 to 8)

The Boxcar Children (series)

by Gertrude Chandler Warner

No one knows what to do with orphaned siblings Henry, Violet, Jessie and Bennie — and they don't want to live with the grandfather they've never met. So they set up house in an abandoned boxcar and try to make it on their own. But that's just the first of more than 150 Boxcar Children adventures — eventually reconciled with their grandfather (who turns out to be both rich and quite nice), they end up as amateur sleuths in the tradition of the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew. (For ages 7 to 10)

Animal (and Monster) Friends

by Janell Cannon

Fact: Bats are adorable, and few bats are more adorable than Stellaluna, the little one who gets lost when an owl dives at her mother and ends up trying to fit in with a nest full of baby birds. Janell Cannon's glowing illustrations, paired with a couple of pages of fun facts about bats, make this a great book for budding naturalists (or anyone who understands that yes, bats are adorable). (For ages 0 to 3)

Corduroy , by Don Freeman Viking Books for Young Readers hide caption

by Don Freeman

Corduroy the bear sits on a shelf in a department store, longing for a friend — but little Lisa's mother refuses to buy him. He's missing a button after all. Corduroy's after-hours search for his missing button leads to escalating mischief and a story that's great for anyone who's ever wondered whether toys come to life when you aren't looking. (For ages 2 to 5)

The Story of Ferdinand

by Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson

Peaceful Ferdinand just wants to be left alone, to sit under his cork tree sniffing the flowers — and when he ends up in the bullring, his refusal to fight (the flowers in the lady spectators' hair are so much more interesting) confounds the bullfighters. A classic tale of pacifism and being true to yourself. (For ages 3 to 5)

A Sick Day for Amos McGee

by Philip C. Stead and Erin E. Stead

Amos McGee is a zookeeper, and a kind and punctual fellow. He's always on the same bus every morning, and he always has time to visit his animal friends. But one day, he wakes up with a cold and decides to stay in bed, so his worried animal friends jump on the bus to visit him. A lovely, gentle story about what friends can do for each other. (For ages 3 to 6)

Mother Bruce (series)

by Ryan T. Higgins

Oh, no! Bruce, the grumpy, solitary bear, loves to eat eggs — except these eggs happen to be full of goslings, and Bruce finds himself with a feathery family he doesn't know what to do with. And it's not just geese — mice, possums, foxes and more all pile into Bruce's den. (For age 3 to 5)

The Monster at the End of this Book

by Jon Stone

Don't turn the page! Don't you know there's a monster at the end of this book? "Lovable, furry old Grover" does his best to keep kids from turning the pages — but all his efforts can't prevent readers from discovering who the monster actually is. Oh no! So embarrassing! (For ages 3 to 7)

Blueberries for Sal

by Robert McCloskey

You guys voted in a lot of Robert McCloskey books! But the judges felt Blueberries for Sal was the most compelling read. Sal and her mother head to Blueberry Hill to pick berries for canning; meanwhile a mother bear and her cub are fattening themselves for winter on the other side of the hill, and mix-ups ensue. First published in 1948, this tale of two mothers, two children and a bucket of blueberries is still charming young readers. (For ages 3 to 7)

Bowwow Powwow

by Brenda J. Child and Jonathan Thunder

Windy Girl loves the stories her uncle tells about long-ago powwows. And she loves the real-life powwows she goes to with her uncle and her dog, Itchy Boy. One night, lulled to sleep by drums, she dreams of an all-dog powwow, with all kinds of breeds dancing drumming, even selling Indian fast food to the attendees. It's a joyous, funny book that gives young readers a look at an important tradition. (For ages 3 to 7)

Catwings (series)

by Ursula K. Le Guin and S. D. Schindler

Putting together these lists is as much of a discovery experience as reading them is, and I'm especially glad to have discovered Catwings , Ursula K. LeGuin's tale of four tabby kittens inexplicably born with wings. Thelma, Jane, Harriet and Roger use their wings to fly far away from the dangerous alley where they were born, but they find country life has its own challenges. Steven D. Schindler's soft-edged illustrations will make you believe winged kittens might actually exist. (For ages 4 and up)

Elephant & Piggie (series)

by Mo Willems

Readers voted in just about everything Mo Willems has ever written, but sadly, with only 100 slots on the list, we could only keep one (although we cheated a little by picking a series). Elephant and Piggie are funny, adorable cartoon animals, but they have to work through the same serious issues — sharing, patience, new friendships, sadness — that all kids face as they grow up. (For ages 4 to 8)

Henry and Mudge (series)

by Cynthia Rylant and Suçie Stevenson

Lonely little Henry has no brothers and sisters. He doesn't like the street he lives on, and then his parents get him Mudge, a dog who's considerably bigger than he is. It's pretty great to have a giant dog because then when you walk to school, you can think about ice cream and rain instead of tornadoes or ghosts. (For ages 5 to 7)

Mercy Watson (series)

by Kate DiCamillo and Chris Van Dusen

Kate DiCamillo is another author who showed up all over the original list of nominations, but our judges thought this series about a terrific, radiant little pig — who likes buttered toast, car rides and solving the occasional mystery — was the pick of the litter. Chris Van Dusen's lively, sweet-natured illustrations helped seal the deal. (For ages 5 to 8)

Dog Man (series)

by Dav Pilkey

You can't have a kids' books list without Dav Pilkey. So here comes Dog Man: Half dog, half cop, this gruff crime fighter is here to sniff out wrongdoing, especially when it involves his nemesis Petey the Cat, who cooks up crimes in his secret cat lab. (For ages 7 and up)

Folktales And Fairy Tales

Strega nona.

by Tomie dePaola

Strega Nona should have known better than to leave Big Anthony alone with her magic pasta pot! He's only supposed to look after her house and garden — but one day when she's away, he decides to make the pot produce dinner for the whole town. You can pretty much guess what happens after that. A terrible pasta flood might be scary, but Tomie dePaola's velvety illustrations reassure little readers that everything will be alright in the end, if a little sticky. (For ages 2 to 5)

by Jan Brett

Jan Brett's luminous art brings this Ukrainian folktale about a careless boy and a snow-white mitten to life. Nicki demands mittens knitted from wool as white as the snow — which his grandmother knows is impractical, but she humors him. When he drops one in the snow, a host of animals come to investigate, even a bear. (For ages 3 to 5)

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales

by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith

Little kids are goofy and frequently gross, we all know that — so Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith's gleefully surreal inversion of familiar fairy tales is perfect for little readers. (And you don't actually have to be a little kid to laugh your ... hiney ... off at just the table of contents, even before you get to stories like "Little Red Running Shorts" and "Cinderumpelstiltsin.") (For ages 3 to 7)

A Big Mooncake for Little Star

by Grace Lin

Any kid who has looked up at the moon and wondered why it changes shape will love the story of Little Star — who bakes a mooncake with her mother, and then can't resist a nibble ... and then another nibble ... and then another nibble. You'll want a mooncake of your own (and a set of sparkly, starry pajamas, too). (For ages 4 to 8)

Beautiful Blackbird

by Ashley Bryan

Long ago, the birds of Africa were all the colors of the rainbow — but none of them had any black, because Blackbird had it all. So they asked Blackbird to give them some of his beautiful color. Ashley Bryan's paper-cut illustrations, reminiscent of Henri Matisse, bring this story of envy, beauty and acceptance to gorgeous life. (For ages 3 to 8)

by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen

Annabel finds what looks like an ordinary box full of ordinary yarn — but it's enough to clothe, brighten and bind together a whole town in colorful knitted cozies. And when a sinister archduke tries to grab the box for himself, he learns that crime doesn't pay. A lovely story about a girl who has the power to change the world around her. (For ages 4 to 8)

The Princess in Black (series)

by Shannon Hale, Dean Hale and Leuyen Pham

A princess? A superhero? Why not both?! Princess Magnolia — inspired by author Shannon Hale's daughter, who insisted that princesses couldn't wear black — can have scones with duchesses AND fight monsters, or a mysterious stinky cloud, or a sea monster (some princesses just can't catch a break, even on the beach). (For ages 5 to 8)

The People Could Fly

by Virginia Hamilton, Leo Dillon and Diane Dillon

Virginia Hamilton — herself descended from enslaved people who escaped via the Underground Railroad — retells Black folktales like "He Lion, Bruh Bear and Bruh Rabbit" and "How Nehemiah Got Free" in a simple, powerful style. Put that together with Leo and Diane Dillon's luscious illustrations and you have an almost perfect story-hour read. (For ages 8 and up)

A Wish in the Dark

by Christina Soontornvat

A fantastical, Thai-inspired twist on Les Misérables. In the city of Chattana, all the light was created by one man, the Governor. To Pong, born in prison, those lights mean freedom, but when he escapes he discovers that freedom is only for the wealthy. Nok, the prison warden's daughter, is determined to recapture Pong — but her quest leads her to some uncomfortable revelations. (For ages 8 to 12)

My Father's Dragon

by Ruth Stiles Gannett and Ruth Chrisman Gannett

Childhood surrealism at its best. If you like The Phantom Tollbooth , try this story about a little boy named Elmer Elevator (the narrator's father as a child) who befriends a talking alley cat that sets him on his way to a grand adventure on a wild island — past muddy rivers, fierce tigers and fashionable lions — to rescue a yellow-and-blue-striped dragon. (For ages 8 to 12)

Fun To Read Out Loud

Chicka chicka boom boom (chicka chicka series).

by Bill Martin Jr., John Archambault and Lois Ehlert

"A told B and B told C, I'll meet you at the top of the coconut tree." A read-aloud classic, this rollicking alphabet rhyme has all the letters racing one another up a coconut tree. "Chicka Chicka boom boom! Will there be enough room?" We defy you to read this to a kid and not end up dancing. (For ages 1 to 4)

A Is for Activist

by Innosanto Nagara

Innosanto Nagara's ABCs of activism simplifies ideas about environmentalism, feminism, civil rights and democracy for the littlest readers. Bold, bright illustrations and lively rhymes make this a solid read-aloud choice, too. (Oh, and there's a cat hiding on every page, too — can you find it?) (For ages 3 to 7)

The Gruffalo

by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

There's no such thing as a Gruffalo! Or is there? A savvy mouse avoids the clutches of a fox by invoking the terrible Gruffalo — setting off an increasingly ridiculous (and delightful) chain of events, all told in rhyming couplets that are all kinds of fun to read aloud. (For ages 3 to 5)

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel

by Virginia Lee Burton

Who doesn't love a big chunk of heavy machinery? First published in 1939, Virginia Lee Burton's tale of Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel, Mary Anne, has inspired decades of sandbox excavation projects — and, memorably, it also prompted Ramona Quimby to wonder out loud whether Mike ever had time to go to the bathroom. (For ages 4 to 7)

Bark, George

by Jules Feiffer

George is a little dog who just can't bark. He can meow and oink and quack — but barking? Nope. When his frustrated mother takes George to the vet, the answer to his problem turns out to be quite the surprise. Jules Feiffer's illustrations are minimalist but incredibly expressive — plus, it's just fun to yell MOO and OINK and QUACK QUACK! (For ages 4 to 8)

Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads

by Bob Shea and Lane Smith

Drywater Gulch has a toad problem — specifically the unmannerly Toad brothers, who will steal your gold and insult your chili. But then hope arrives — sloooowly on tortoise-back — in the form of 7-year-old Kid Sheriff Ryan, who may not know about toads specifically, but he does know about dinosaurs. And that might just be enough. (For ages 4 to 8)

Ada Twist, Scientist (series)

by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts

Young Ada is insatiably curious: "She started with Why ? And then What? How? and When? By bedtime she came back to Why? once again." From why roses have thorns to why noses have hair — and what's that stink in the house? — Ada Twist considers all the things. From the team that created Iggy Peck, Architect and Rosie Revere, Engineer . (For ages 5 to 7)

The Book With No Pictures

by B. J. Novak

Yup, it really doesn't have any pictures. But, as author B.J. Novak points out, "Here is how books work: Everything the words say, the person reading the book has to say." And we bet the kids in your life will love making you say things like "BLORK" or "My only friend in the whole wide world is a hippo named BOO BOO BUTT" or "BADOONGYFACE!!!!" (For ages 5 to 8)

Where the Sidewalk Ends

by Shel Silverstein

How many of you, reading this page, still have chunks of Where the Sidewalk Ends memorized? Do you think of Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout when you have to take the garbage out? Do you pause in the produce aisle and think about one real peach? And if you don't, why not? (For ages 6 to 8)

Hidden Figures

by Margot Lee Shetterly and Laura Freeman

Margot Lee Shetterly adapts her groundbreaking book about Black female mathematicians at NASA for young readers, with sharp-edged, jewel-toned illustrations by Laura Freeman. A great pick for any budding mathematician or astronaut — and for any parent needing to teach their kids at home. (For ages 4 to 8)

The Oldest Student

by Rita Lorraine Hubbard and Oge Mora

Mary Walker's life stretched all the way from the Civil War to the civil rights movement. She was born into slavery in 1848, freed at 15, worked all kinds of jobs to support her family and then outlived them all — and in 1963, she enrolled in a literacy class where she learned to read and write. Oge Mora's painterly illustrations are a beautiful complement to this story about how you're never too old to learn. (For ages 4 to 8)

by Patricia Hruby Powell and Christian Robinson

This gorgeous book will introduce kids to the glory of Josephine Baker — not just her fabulous dance routines, but her life of activism and service, including speaking alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963. Patricia Hruby Powell's jazz-inflected words and Christian Robinson's bright, exciting pictures make this book a treat for readers and listeners. (For ages 7 to 10)

Early Chapter Books

Frog and toad (series).

by Arnold Lobel

Amphibians, sport coats and lasting friendship. Over the course of four books, Frog and Toad go swimming and sledding, search for lost buttons, bake cookies, grow gardens and generally have fun together all year round. If only adult friendships were as simple and solid as Frog and Toad's! (For ages 4 to 8)

Little Bear (series)

by Else Holmelund Minarik and Maurice Sendak

Else Holmelund Minarik wrote this tale of a Bear and his Mother for her own daughter, to read in the mornings before school — longhand, as she wrote all her manuscripts, because she never learned to type. Together with Maurice Sendak's delightfully shaggy illustrations, Minarik's gentle words are perfect for the littlest readers. (For ages 4 to 8)

Anna Hibiscus (series)

by Atinuke and Lauren Tobia

Anna Hibiscus lives in "Africa, amazing Africa," in a compound with her large and loving family. Nigerian storyteller Atinuke spins a wonderful saga of modern West African family life — follow along with Anna as she learns about the world outside her walls, faces stage fright and even snow for the first time. (For ages 4 to 10)

Juana & Lucas (series)

by Juana Medina

Juana lives in Bogotá, Colombia, and she loves drawing, her dog Lucas and Brussels sprouts. (Did you know they're called repollitas in Spanish?) This is a lively, loving tour of Juana's world, liberally sprinkled with Spanish words to learn as you go — meanwhile, Juana has to practice her English, and she's really not happy about that. (For ages 5 to 8)

Dory Fantasmagory (series)

by Abby Hanlon

Dory is the youngest in her family, with a yen for attention and an overactive imagination — and did we mention her nemesis, Mrs. Gobble Cracker? Young readers will love following along with Dory as she battles everything from monsters around the house to pirates to more mundane concerns like making and keeping friends. (For ages 6 to 8)

Junie B. Jones (series)

by Barbara Park

Junie B. Jones is almost 6 years old! And she's really excited about everything, especially spaghetti and meatballs. The B stands for Beatrice, by the way. This series made the American Library Association's list of 100 top banned or challenged books from 2000 to 2009; apparently, some grown-ups thought sassy, mouthy Junie wasn't a good role model. We disagree. (For ages 6 to 9)

Ivy + Bean (series)

by Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall

Ivy is quiet; Bean is loud and goofy. Ivy wants to be a witch, Bean wants to play games. Naturally, they're going to end up being best friends and getting into all kinds of scrapes together since their approach to pretty much everything — from discovering dinosaurs to starting their own summer camp — is "Why not?" (For ages 6 to 10)

Clementine (series)

by Sara Pennypacker and Marla Frazee

Spunky, redheaded third-grader Clementine starts this series by having a seriously bad week (how many times is she going to get sent to the principal?), but we promise things will get better. Fans of Ramona Quimby will get a kick out of Clementine, her brother Spinach (that's not really his name) and her sort-of-snooty best friend Margaret. (For ages 6 to 10)

Older Readers

Ways to make sunshine.

by Renée Watson and Nina Mata

Ryan Hart wants to see the good in everybody — even when she gets teased for having a boy's name. She has a lot to deal with — her dad's been laid off and the family has to move to a smaller house. But when Ryan runs into problems, she's always looking for ways to make sunshine. (For ages 7 to 10)

by David Walliams

A delightfully gruesome tale in the Roald Dahl vein. Sheila lives with her father and unpleasant stepmother; she's bullied by a classmate and sneered at by her teacher. Her only friend is a rat she names Armitage, after the brand of toilet in her apartment — but could scary Burt, who sells burgers from a food truck outside her school, be making his burgers out of ground-up rat? (For ages 8 and up)

The Trumpet of the Swan

by E. B. White and Fred Marcellino

This book is responsible for my attempt, at age 7, to have a conversation with the swans at the National Zoo by standing outside their enclosure yelling "Ko-hooo!" E.B. White wrote a full shelf of children's classics, but this story about a mute trumpeter swan — who woos his lady love with an actual trumpet — should get more attention than it does. (For ages 8 to 12)

From the Desk of Zoe Washington

by Janae Marks

On her 12th birthday, Zoe Washington gets a letter from the father she's never met, who's in prison for a crime he says he didn't commit. Is he innocent? Zoe decides to find out — but it's hard to keep her investigation secret from the rest of the family AND stay on top of things at her bakery internship so she can achieve her dream of competing on a TV baking show. (For ages 8 to 12)

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale Of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, And A Very Interesting Boy

by Jeanne Birdsall

Fans of Ballet Shoes and the Green Knowe books will love this tale of four sisters who go to spend their summer vacation in a cottage on the grounds of a grand mansion. Each sister has a unique, winning personality; young readers will finish the first book and want to spend more time with them. Luckily, there are four more Penderwicks books. (For ages 8 to 12)

by Jerry Craft

Fans of Raina Telgemeier will love Jerry Craft's sympathetic graphic novel about seventh-grader Jordan, who's trying to fit in at the fancy new private school where he's one of the few kids of color in his grade. And all he really wants to do is draw comics — so how can he stay true to himself and his neighborhood, and still figure out his new school? (For ages 8 to 12)

The Wild Robot

by Peter Brown

Roz the robot wakes up on a remote island — how did she get there? Who knows! All she knows is that she has to survive. And surviving involves making friends with otters and baby geese, climbing cliffs and avoiding storms — until Roz finally remembers who she is and why she's on the island. (For ages 8 to 12)

Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat (series)

by Johnny Marciano, Emily Chenoweth and Robb Mommaerts

Lots of people think their cats are aliens — but Klawde really is one. Once the High Commander of the planet Lyttyrboks, he's lost his throne and been exiled to earth, so he has something in common with Raj Banerjee, who's been exiled to rural Oregon because of his mom's new job. The chapters switch back and forth between Raj and Klawde, whose narration of his new life has the hilariously overamped hysteria of the best B-movies. (For ages 8 to 12)

by Maud Hart Lovelace and Lois Lenski

We always say that these polls don't produce ranked lists — and they truly don't — but I'd be remiss in not pointing out that Maud Hart Lovelace's Betsy-Tacy books, about the enduring friendship between two young girls — got the most votes of any book on this list. The series grows up with its readers; at the beginning, Betsy and Tacy are small children; we see them through adventures fanciful and down-to-earth, and finally leave them as young married women. (For ages 8 to 12)

Ronia, the Robber's Daughter

by Astrid Lindgren

Sure, Pippi Longstocking is great — but have you met Ronia, the robber's daughter? Born in her father's castle in the middle of a thunderstorm, Ronia grows up compassionate and brave. She befriends Birk, the son of a rival robber, and when she brings him food during a harsh winter, her father disowns her; she ends up living an adventurous life in the woods with Birk. (Don't worry, everyone is reconciled in the end.) (For ages 8 to 12)

Encyclopedia Brown Boy Detective

by Donald J. Sobol

A classic! Leroy Brown (not the bad one) is a 10-year-old genius who solves mysteries for 25 cents a day (no case too small) — often for his police chief dad, and often involving his nemesis, the bully Bugs Meany — alongside his pal and partner Sally Kimball, who often solves the case by noticing things Encyclopedia doesn't. (For ages 8 to 12)

by Jen Wang

Quiet, studious Christine and lively, messy Moon are unlikely friends — but when Moon and her family move in next door, they form a close bond. Moon has a secret: She sees heavenly visions, hears voices that tell her she doesn't belong on earth. But those visions have a terrible earthly cause, and Christine has to find it in herself to be the friend Moon needs as she fights for her life. Jen Wang based this heartfelt story of friendship through adversity — which was a 2019 Book Concierge pick — on her own childhood. (For ages 8 to 12)

The Jumbies (series)

by Tracey Baptiste

Fair warning — Tracey Baptiste's Jumbies books, based on Caribbean folklore, are scary. REALLY scary. But Corinne La Mer isn't afraid of anything, especially jumbies, since everyone knows they're just made up, right? But then one night she sees yellow eyes shining in the forest ... and soon, she finds she has to use all her wiles to keep the jumbies away from her island. (For ages 9 to 12)

Wells & Wong mysteries (series)

by Robin Stevens

Best friends Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong do what any enterprising young women at boarding school would do: They form a detective agency — and quickly run up against their first real case when Hazel finds the body of their science teacher sprawled on the gymnasium floor. And that's just the beginning for this detective duo and their strangely murder-prone school. (For ages 10 and up)

Better Nate Than Ever (series)

by Tim Federle

The budding drama club kids in your life will love this trilogy about a small-town boy with big Broadway dreams. Nate Foster longs to get away from Jankburg, Pa., to star in a Broadway show (or even just see one). And then something amazing happens: There's an open casting call for a Broadway musical based on E.T. He just has to get there. (For ages 10 and up)

Prairie Lotus

by Linda Sue Park

We did not include the Little House books on this list — they're already part of the Ultimate Backseat Bookshelf . But readers wanting a frontier tale will find a friend in Hanna, a mixed-race girl growing up in the Dakota territory in 1880. Author Linda Sue Park made the parallels between Hanna and Laura Ingalls deliberate — as she writes in her author's note, she loved the Little House books as a child, but she knew Ma and Pa Ingalls wouldn't have let Laura "become friends with someone like me ... someone who wasn't white." (For ages 10 to 12)

• Early readers (4-8Y)

50 books for elementary school

Embark on a literary adventure through the enchanting world of children’s literature! This curated list presents the top 50 books for elementary school students that are a must-read and beloved. From timeless classics that have stood the test of generations to contemporary gems that continue to capture young hearts, these titles offer a delightful blend of imaginative storytelling, relatable characters, and valuable life lessons. Published over the years, each book has left an indelible mark on the world of children’s literature, fostering a love for reading and learning.

• “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White (1952): E.B. White’s enchanting tale of the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte. This timeless classic, published in 1952, explores themes of loyalty, compassion, and the beauty of life’s cycles.
• “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” by J.K. Rowling (1997): J.K. Rowling’s magical debut, published in 1997, introduces readers to the wondrous world of Hogwarts and the young wizard Harry Potter. It’s a cultural phenomenon, blending elements of friendship, courage, and the battle between good and evil.
• “Matilda” by Roald Dahl (1988): Roald Dahl’s 1988 masterpiece introduces readers to the extraordinary Matilda Wormwood. Celebrating intelligence, kindness, and the love of books, this whimsical tale continues to captivate young hearts.
• “Where the Red Fern Grows” by Wilson Rawls (1961): Wilson Rawls’ timeless tale, published in 1961, explores the unbreakable bond between a young boy named Billy and his loyal dogs. The heartfelt story resonates with themes of love, loss, and the enduring connection between humans and animals.
• “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” by Jeff Kinney (2007): Jeff Kinney’s 2007 sensation provides a comical and relatable look into the life of middle schooler Greg Heffley. The unique combination of text and illustrations has made it a literary phenomenon among young readers.
• “The Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis (1950-1956): C.S. Lewis’ iconic series, starting with “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” transports readers to the enchanting land of Narnia. Spanning from 1950 to 1956, these tales weave together adventures, morality, and the enduring power of imagination.
• “The Magic Tree House” series by Mary Pope Osborne (1992-2017): Mary Pope Osborne’s educational and captivating series, spanning from 1992 to 2017, follows siblings Jack and Annie on thrilling time-traveling adventures. It seamlessly combines historical knowledge with excitement, making learning an engaging experience.
• “The BFG” by Roald Dahl (1982): Roald Dahl’s 1982 creation introduces readers to the Big Friendly Giant and adventurous orphan Sophie. Filled with whimsy and heart, this novel celebrates friendship, dreams, and the courage to stand against injustice.
• “The Tale of Despereaux” by Kate DiCamillo (2003): Kate DiCamillo’s 2003 masterpiece enchants readers with the story of a tiny mouse with big ears. This captivating tale explores themes of bravery, love, and the impact of small acts of kindness on a grand scale.
• “Percy Jackson & the Olympians” series by Rick Riordan (2005-2009): Rick Riordan’s series, starting with “The Lightning Thief” in 2005, follows Percy Jackson, a demigod navigating challenges and battling mythological creatures. The series seamlessly blends Greek mythology with modern-day adventures, captivating readers with its mix of humor and heroism.
• “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle (1962): Madeleine L’Engle’s timeless sci-fi fantasy, published in 1962, takes readers on an interdimensional journey with Meg Murry and her friends. Exploring themes of love, courage, and the battle between light and darkness, this book continues to captivate young imaginations.
• “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio (2012): R.J. Palacio’s heartwarming tale, published in 2012, introduces August Pullman, a boy with facial differences, as he navigates the challenges of fitting in at a new school. “Wonder” emphasizes empathy, kindness, and the beauty of acceptance.
• “The One and Only Ivan” by Katherine Applegate (2012): Inspired by a true story, Katherine Applegate’s novel, published in 2012, follows Ivan, a silverback gorilla, on his journey to freedom. The book explores friendship, art, and the power of hope.
• “The Boxcar Children” by Gertrude Chandler Warner (1924): Gertrude Chandler Warner’s timeless series, starting in 1924, follows the Alden siblings as they create a home in an abandoned boxcar and embark on adventures while solving mysteries. The books emphasize family bonds and resourcefulness.
• “Little House on the Prairie” by Laura Ingalls Wilder (1935): Laura Ingalls Wilder’s autobiographical series, beginning in 1935, recounts her pioneer family’s experiences in the American Midwest. These books provide a rich historical perspective on life, family, and resilience.
• “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett (1911): Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic, published in 1911, tells the story of Mary Lennox, a lonely orphan who discovers a hidden, magical garden on her uncle’s estate. The novel explores themes of healing, growth, and the transformative power of nature.
• “The Indian in the Cupboard” by Lynne Reid Banks (1980): Lynne Reid Banks’ magical adventure, published in 1980, unfolds when a boy discovers a small Indian figurine that comes to life. The novel explores the responsibilities of wielding power and the importance of empathy.
• “How to Train Your Dragon” series by Cressida Cowell (2003-2015): Cressida Cowell’s series, spanning from 2003 to 2015, follows Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III as he befriends dragons and navigates Viking life. The books celebrate courage, friendship, and understanding.
• “James and the Giant Peach” by Roald Dahl (1961): Roald Dahl’s whimsical tale, published in 1961, follows James as he embarks on a fantastical journey inside a giant peach. The novel explores resilience, friendship, and the joy of imagination.
• “The Mouse and the Motorcycle” by Beverly Cleary (1965): Beverly Cleary’s classic, published in 1965, follows Ralph, a mouse with a love for adventure, as he befriends a boy named Keith. The novel explores themes of friendship and responsibility.
• “The Percy Jackson series” by Rick Riordan (2005-2009): Rick Riordan’s series, starting in 2005, follows Percy Jackson, a demigod and the son of Poseidon, as he navigates the challenges of being a half-blood and battles mythological creatures. The blend of Greek mythology and modern adventure captivates readers.
• “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl (1964): Roald Dahl’s classic, published in 1964, follows Charlie Bucket as he wins a golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. The novel explores themes of morality and the consequences of greed.
• “The Wind in the Willows” by Kenneth Grahame (1908): Kenneth Grahame’s charming tale, published in 1908, follows the adventures of anthropomorphic animals, including Mole, Rat, Toad, and Badger, along the riverbank. The novel celebrates friendship and the joys of the English countryside.
• “Sideways Stories from Wayside School” by Louis Sachar (1978): Louis Sachar’s humorous collection, published in 1978, introduces the quirky students and teachers of Wayside School. The book’s absurd and imaginative scenarios appeal to young readers’ sense of humor.
• “Holes” by Louis Sachar (1998): In this multi-layered novel, published in 1998, Louis Sachar weaves together the stories of Stanley Yelnats and his fellow campers at Camp Green Lake. “Holes” explores the interconnectedness of fate, justice, and friendship.

Journey alongside talking animals, brave wizards, mischievous school kids, and magical creatures as you explore themes of friendship, courage, family, and the boundless power of imagination. Whether you’re rediscovering beloved favorites or diving into new adventures, this list is a treasure trove of literary wonders that will captivate, inspire, and leave a lasting impression on the young readers in your life.

• “Number the Stars” by Lois Lowry (1989): Lois Lowry’s historical fiction novel, published in 1989, tells the story of a Danish girl, Annemarie Johansen, and her family’s efforts to save Jewish refugees during World War II. The book explores themes of bravery, resistance, and compassion.
• “The Judy Moody series” by Megan McDonald (2000-2018): Follow the adventures of Judy Moody, a spirited and imaginative third-grader, in Megan McDonald’s series spanning from 2000 to 2018. The series captures the challenges and triumphs of elementary school life.
• “The Wrinkle in Time” series by Madeleine L’Engle (1962-2010): Meg Murry and her friends continue their cosmic adventures in Madeleine L’Engle’s series, published between 1962 and 2010. The books delve into complex themes of good versus evil, love, and the power of the human spirit.
• “Stuart Little” by E.B. White (1945): E.B. White’s classic, published in 1945, follows the adventures of Stuart Little, a mouse born to a human family. The novel explores themes of acceptance, courage, and the importance of family.
• “The Lemonade War” by Jacqueline Davies (2007): Jacqueline Davies’ novel, published in 2007, explores the entrepreneurial rivalry between siblings Evan and Jessie during summer vacation. The book introduces financial concepts in a relatable and engaging manner.
• “The Cricket in Times Square” by George Selden (1960): George Selden’s tale, published in 1960, follows Chester Cricket, Tucker Mouse, and Harry Cat as they navigate the bustling life of New York City. The novel explores friendship, self-discovery, and the magic of unexpected encounters.
• “The Little House series” by Laura Ingalls Wilder (1932-1943): Laura Ingalls Wilder’s autobiographical series, spanning from 1932 to 1943, continues to enchant readers with tales of pioneer life in the American Midwest. The books offer a rich historical perspective and celebrate family bonds.
• “The Rainbow Magic series” by Daisy Meadows (2003-2021): Daisy Meadows’ series, spanning from 2003 to 2021, follows the adventures of fairy friends who embark on magical quests. The books introduce young readers to themes of teamwork, friendship, and problem-solving.
• “The Magic School Bus” series by Joanna Cole (1986-2010): Joanna Cole’s educational series, spanning from 1986 to 2010, features Ms. Frizzle and her students on science-themed adventures. The books combine humor and learning, making science engaging for young readers.
• “The Berenstain Bears” series by Stan and Jan Berenstain (1962-2019): Stan and Jan Berenstain’s series follows the bear family as they navigate everyday challenges and learn important life lessons. The books offer relatable scenarios and moral guidance for young readers.
• “Flat Stanley” series by Jeff Brown (1964-2010): Jeff Brown’s imaginative series follows Stanley Lambchop, a boy who becomes flat and embarks on various adventures. The books explore creativity, problem-solving, and the joy of exploration.
• “The Junie B. Jones series” by Barbara Park (1992-2013): Barbara Park’s series features the comical and outspoken Junie B. Jones as she navigates kindergarten and beyond. The books capture the humor and innocence of early childhood experiences.
• “The Captain Underpants series” by Dav Pilkey (1997-2015): Dav Pilkey’s series follows the misadventures of George and Harold as they create a superhero, Captain Underpants. The books combine humor, illustrations, and creativity to captivate young readers.
• “The Judy Blume series” by Judy Blume (1970-2015): Judy Blume’s novels for young readers, including “Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing” and “Superfudge,” explore the humorous and relatable challenges of growing up.
• “The Arthur series” by Marc Brown (1976-present): Marc Brown’s series follows the aardvark Arthur Read and his friends as they navigate school and family life. The books address common childhood concerns and promote empathy.
• “The Babysitters Club” series by Ann M. Martin (1986-2000): Ann M. Martin’s beloved series follows a group of friends who start a babysitting business. The books explore friendship, responsibility, and the challenges of adolescence.
• “Ramona Quimby, Age 8” by Beverly Cleary (1981): Beverly Cleary’s novel follows the adventures of Ramona Quimby as she navigates the challenges of third grade. The book captures the humor and authenticity of childhood experiences.
• “The Neverending Story” by Michael Ende (1979): Michael Ende’s fantasy novel follows Bastian Balthazar Bux as he discovers a magical book that comes to life. The story explores the power of imagination and the importance of storytelling.
• “The Geronimo Stilton series” by Geronimo Stilton (2000-present): The adventures of Geronimo Stilton, a mouse who is also a journalist and editor, captivate young readers with humor, mystery, and educational elements.
• “The Amelia Bedelia series” by Peggy Parish (1963-2013): Peggy Parish’s series features the literal-minded housekeeper Amelia Bedelia as she navigates various humorous misunderstandings. The books entertain and introduce wordplay to young readers.
• “The Goosebumps series” by R.L. Stine (1992-1997): R.L. Stine’s series of spooky and suspenseful stories have thrilled young readers for decades. The books offer a thrilling introduction to the horror genre while maintaining age-appropriate content.
• “The Magic Finger” by Roald Dahl (1966): Roald Dahl’s novella follows an eight-year-old girl with a magic finger that causes unexpected consequences. The story explores themes of empathy, understanding, and the impact of one’s actions.
• “The Henry Huggins series” by Beverly Cleary (1950-1964): Beverly Cleary’s series follows the adventures of Henry Huggins and his mischievous dog, Ribsy. The books capture the humor and challenges of childhood friendships.
• “The Encyclopedia Brown series” by Donald J. Sobol (1963-2012): Donald J. Sobol’s series features Leroy Brown, a young detective known as Encyclopedia Brown, as he solves mysteries in his hometown. The books encourage critical thinking and deductive reasoning.
• “The Charlie Bone series” by Jenny Nimmo (2002-2010): Jenny Nimmo’s series follows Charlie Bone, a boy with magical abilities, as he attends a school for gifted individuals. The books blend fantasy, mystery, and adventure in a magical setting.

The Kiddometer team

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The first day of school can be nerve-wracking for students as they transition from less-structured summer days to packed schedules. Reading books about school to your students is one way to help them adjust to their new routines. 

Share these memorable books about the joys of school with families ahead of the school year and get them excited about all of their new adventures ahead! 

These budget-friendly books about school are all under $5 and will relieve the first-day jitters with major laughs. (Here are some read-aloud tips for engaging your students during story time.)

Young students starting school for the first time (or coming back!) will find Clifford Goes to Kindergarten   an uplifting read. Using familiar friends from Birdwell Island, this story highlights the fun students will have on the first day back at school, even if they are a little nervous. The simple text and eye-catching illustrations are highly engaging and digestible for beginner readers. 

In No, David!: David Goes to School , students will learn exactly what not to do from the title character, whose high-energy antics have his teacher chasing him around the halls at school. This book is a great resource for teaching proper classroom etiquette and fostering good behavior for a positive learning environment. 

Shop these books about school for under $5 below! You can find all books and activities at The Teacher Store .

The Schools That Are No Longer Teaching Kids to Read Books

“It didn’t even feel like learning.”

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R ecently, an old friend of mine from elementary school ran a hand over my bookshelf, stopped, and said, “You stole this.”

“I did not!”

“Yes, you did. You totally stole it from school.”

She pulled out my copy of The Once and Future King , and showed me the inside of the front cover. It was stamped: Board of Education, City of New York .

Okay, so I stole it. But I had a good reason. I loved that book so much; I couldn’t bear to return it to the school library.

My grade-school memories are full of books: bulletin boards that tracked the class read-a-thons, hand-written book reports, summer-reading lists. But a student growing up, as I did, in New York City’s District 20 will have a very different experience today. The city has adopted a new literacy regimen under which many public elementary schools are, in effect, giving up the teaching of books—storybooks, narrative nonfiction books, children’s chapter books—altogether. The curriculum is part of an initiative from Eric Adams’s administration called, ironically, NYC Reads.

Read: Why kids aren’t falling in love with reading

Plummeting reading comprehension is a national problem , but it’s particularly acute in New York City. Half of its third to eighth graders—and 60 percent of those who are Black and Latino—cannot read at grade level . Although COVID drove those numbers down, a big factor has been the much-lambasted pedagogical method known as balanced literacy, which grew out of Columbia University’s Teachers College. Embraced by the city and then much of the nation back in 2003, balanced literacy attempted to teach kids to read not through phonics, but by exposing them to books of their choice in order to foster a love of reading. The appalling literacy numbers speak volumes about the efficacy of this approach.

Elementary schools are now replacing balanced literacy with a different pedagogy, called the science of reading, based on a large body of research finding that learning to read and write well requires phonics, vocabulary development, and content and context comprehension. The Adams administration announced NYC Reads in May 2023 to make sure that schools followed through with this proven approach. “The data shows that young readers learn best when there is explicit phonics instruction, and a young reader cannot experience the joys of reading if they do not know how to read,” a spokesperson for the city’s public schools told me. So far, so good. The schools were given three curricula to choose from, and each district’s superintendent was to make a decision after conferring with principals and parents. Half of the city’s districts were selected for Phase 1 of the rollout and had to adopt a curriculum immediately. Phase 2 schools begin their new curriculum this September.

Although all three curricula are rooted in the science of reading and have met the standards of EdReports—an independent curriculum reviewer—they are not created equal. One, called EL Education, implements the science of reading by using fiction and nonfiction books, such as Hey, Little Ant and The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind , to teach students not just to read, but also to talk about real-world issues. Another, called the Wit & Wisdom curriculum, also uses books, such as Stone Soup and Ruby Bridges Goes to School , to “pique curiosity” in students.

But the third, called Into Reading, replaces individual books with one textbook for each grade, all called myBook .

The myBook s are filled with lessons on phonics for younger kids and then, as the grades go up through elementary school, with reading content made up of excerpts of longer narrative texts. MyBook is what is known in education circles as a “decodable text,” but one mom I spoke with, Alina Lewis, likened it to a “Dick and Jane reader.” Where kids used to read and discuss whole books, they now get a few paragraphs at a time and then are prompted to answer a question. Reading has been distilled to practicing for a comprehension exam.

Beginning in September, this is what the majority of elementary-school kids in New York City will be doing. More than two-thirds of its school districts selected the Into Reading curriculum. For those kids, learning to read will no longer revolve around books.

Both the publisher behind Into Reading, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and the city’s department of education rejected the idea that this curriculum does away with books. “It is blatantly untrue that any of the curriculum options under NYC Reads eliminates engaging with whole books,” the city spokesperson told me, adding that “80 percent of the selections within Into Reading are full-length kids books.” An HMH spokesperson quoted the same statistic to me.

What, exactly, were they referring to? If 80 percent of myBook were made up of cover-to-cover books, no child’s backpack could handle it. In part they seemed to be counting books that a teacher might make available to students. “Into Reading incorporates multiple opportunities for kids to read full-length books at every grade level,” the publisher’s spokesperson wrote in an email. “This includes whole books that are reproduced within the student myBook but also book club/small group novel reading, classroom library reading selections for small and independent reading opportunities, and read-aloud full book selections.” But teachers, parents, and students say that, in practice, the curriculum doesn’t leave much time for such opportunities.

When I asked for examples of books that were included within myBook itself, the city spokesperson pointed to Kitoto the Mighty , by Tololwa M. Mollel, for fourth grade. Let me tell you: I have now read Kitoto the Mighty . It’s lovely, but it’s basically a picture book. It’s a far cry from a chapter book that builds reading stamina like, say, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing —or a chapter-book series like Alvin Ho that might keep kids devouring book after book for weeks.

O ne sunny day in the spring of 2023, before the Adams mandate went into effect, I hopped on the train not toward Manhattan, as usual, but farther into Brooklyn. I was heading to speak to a fifth-grade writing class at P.S. 503 in Sunset Park, close to where I grew up. The principal, Nina Demos, and I had been first-grade classmates, and had been in touch off and on throughout our lives.

P.S. 503 is located in District 20, the same district that Demos and I had attended as girls. It is now, as it was then, composed primarily of lower-income, Latino families, many of them recent immigrants. When I visited, the students had been writing their own books—graphic novels or chapter books about Latino superheroes, or immigrant kids who missed their old soccer team. We talked about the difference between imagining a draft and the work of revision. They read passages from their stories and peppered me with questions about writing a novel and what Sunset Park was like when I was a kid.

But that was before the new curriculum, which District 20 began teaching in September. Theoretically, Into Reading gives teachers some independence to shape their own classes, but in District 20, teachers and parents say, the rollout has been draconian. Teachers have been subject to constant evaluation to ensure that they are teaching Into Reading purely, while students face frequent assessments to ensure that they’re meeting each benchmark. Little room is left over for class visitors or story time or exploratory reading.

Alina Lewis is a District 20 parent—her children go not to P.S. 503 but to the district’s gifted-and-talented school, called Brooklyn School of Inquiry—and she has led a fierce opposition to the new curriculum. She told me how the first year under Into Reading went at BSI: “They’d come in from the [Department of Education], and they’d literally go into the classrooms and make sure there were no remnants” of the old style of teaching.

BSI was an outlier: Before the switch, more than 85 percent of students were already reading at or above grade level. The data for this year aren’t in yet, but the student reviews are: They miss books. And they’re bored.

At a DOE forum in March, students from BSI’s middle school testified about their experience with the Into Reading curriculum. “It didn’t even feel like learning,” Carlo Murray said. It “felt like the state test prep that we do every year.”

“We are this far into the school year,” Kira Odenhal said, “and unfortunately we are only reading our second whole book.”

Though the city’s spokesperson told me that decisions were made after “a rigorous engagement process with superintendents and communities,” many District 20 parents felt blindsided by the new curriculum. When BSI’s principal announced the district’s choice at the school’s May PTA meeting, Lewis told me, “the parents went nuts; we flipped out.”

Lewis was well-versed in all three curricula. A former teacher and school administrator, she was a doctoral candidate in educational theory and practice when the mandate came down. Equipped with her experience and research skills, and without a 9 to 5 to tie her down, Lewis organized a campaign to obtain a waiver for Brooklyn School of Inquiry. The students were so disenchanted with the new curriculum that enlisting other families to her cause was easy.

They wrote letters, met with the superintendent, attended meetings of the DOE—including the one in which children testified about missing books—and courted local press. And they won: This fall, Brooklyn School of Inquiry will be allowed to return to its own curriculum.

F ew other Phase 1 schools have access to a parent with as much time and know-how as Lewis. If you look at a map of Phase 1, you’ll see that it includes many districts in the city’s most heavily immigrant, Black, and brown areas. Just a single district in Manhattan is in Phase 1, and it’s the one that covers parts of Harlem, East Harlem, and Spanish Harlem. In Brooklyn, Phase 1 skipped over District 15, which includes wealthy Park Slope, and District 13, among the highest ranked in the city, which runs through the posh areas of DUMBO, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, and what, to me, feels like the most gentrified slice of Bed-Stuy. I know because I live there.

“It’s not an accident who is Phase 1 and Phase 2,” Lewis told me. “I think we took them by surprise because they literally sought all the either Black and brown districts or the heavily immigrant districts. And they figured they’d be quiet.”

The DOE disputes this. “The socioeconomic demographics of a district were not among the deciding factors,” the department’s spokesperson told me. Instead, districts were chosen for Phase 1 because they had had greater exposure to the new way of teaching already, she said: “The districts participating in Phase 2 were districts where fewer schools were familiar with the new curriculum and therefore benefited greatly from the additional training time.” It’s true that many teachers had already started relying on Into Reading. This is, in part, because during the pandemic, when teachers were scrambling for materials, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt made all of its courses free online. But the city’s rationale raises the question: If the curriculum is so good, and many schools are already using it, why are their reading scores so low?

The rollout in District 13 will be very different from that of District 20. Being in Phase 2 gave the schools an extra year to carefully choose their curriculum. The superintendent, Meghan Dunn, held focus groups with parents, meetings with principals, and even sit-downs with representatives from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and the nonprofit groups that created the other two curricula, so everyone could better understand which would align with the district’s needs. Dunn met with at least one school’s PTA to assure them that teachers would still have flexibility in implementing whatever was chosen.

That school, P.S. 11, like Brooklyn School for Inquiry, also had high reading rates, and parents were deeply concerned about fixing something that wasn’t broken. Unlike many other affluent city school districts, District 13 is notably diverse, and wanted to be sure that the chosen curriculum would be sensitive to that. In January, Dunn sent parents a letter announcing that she had selected the EL Education curriculum and outlining the process behind the decision. She explained that teachers would begin curriculum training immediately—giving them an additional five months of professional development that teachers at Phase 1 schools were not afforded. Her letter closed with her commitment to fostering “proficiency and a love of reading and writing.”

T he Park Slope district went with Wit & Wisdom. So did District 2, the one that includes the Upper East Side. Not one of the city’s three top-ranking districts selected Into Reading. But 22 of the city’s 32 total districts did.

This is especially surprising given that a 2022 analysis by New York University had criticized Into Reading for lacking stories about or written by people of color. Across the grade-level texts, for every 100 main characters, only 18 were Black, 13 were Asian, and 12 were Latino. The texts “used language and tone that demeaned and dehumanized Black, Indigenous and characters of color, while encouraging empathy and connection with White characters,” the report concluded. For a school system that is 65 percent Black or Hispanic, and 17 percent Asian, that is a pretty damning critique. (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt released a statement saying that the report was “deeply flawed” and “mischaracterizes Into Reading as a whole.”)

How, then, to account for the popularity of this curriculum among school administrators? One answer might simply be good marketing. Another might be ease.

As a large corporation, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt was probably better positioned to advertise its curriculum than the nonprofits that own EL Education and Wit & Wisdom were. Into Reading was already familiar to many teachers because of its availability during the pandemic. Those who hadn’t yet used it were likely reassured by its reputation as the easiest for teachers to unpack, which was a significant upside, given the short window Phase 1 schools had for teacher training.

When asked about this short window, the DOE replied that Phase 1 teachers all “received professional development throughout Spring 2023, with makeup sessions during the summer” and “individual coaching” through the school year. But teachers have been vocal about feeling unprepared, according to the education site Chalkbeat .

Into Reading is also the only curriculum available fully in English and Spanish, making it a reasonable choice for a school with a lot of ESL students (though this is a particularly cruel irony in light of the troubling findings about its racial bias).

P.S. 503 is not a gifted-and-talented school. Its student body includes ESL learners and students with learning disabilities. About 47 percent of its students score proficient in reading. This year, according to Demos, the principal, the data look comparable or slightly better than the year before. But she notes that that has been the case every year for the past nine years. Demos has criticisms of Into Reading, but she admitted that “there are aspects of it that I appreciate more than I thought I was going to.” She said that its insistence on assessments and standards seems helpful for students who are reading close to, but not quite at, grade level. “And I do think that that is something that I feel is successful, and that we as a school need to reflect on. Like, were our practices in the past holding students in that category back? Has this curriculum helped us push the rigor for those students?”

The improvement among those mid-performing readers is proof that the shift away from balanced literacy toward a science-based approach is correct. But New York could have done so much better than this rushed rollout, the loss of teacher autonomy, and above all the depressing myBook itself.

“The requirements and the mandates are so excessive,” Demos said, that teachers have no time to help students engage with books for pleasure. This was something the BSI students complained about during their public hearing. Demos recounted a parent saying that her child is “doing really well with this curriculum,” but that the child wasn’t having the experience of “falling in love with a series, falling in love with reading.” (One wonders whether Houghton Mifflin Harcourt thought this through: Training the next generation out of the habit of reading books doesn’t seem to be in a book publisher’s best long-term interest.)

Read: How to show kids the joy of reading

When we were kids, I used to go over Demos’s house, and we’d lie in her room and read. She introduced me to the Little House books. We’d talk about Laura and Mary Ingalls as if they were our friends, too, as if we lived not in Brooklyn but out there on the prairie. When Demos talks about kids losing their love of reading, the loss feels visceral to me. I had some amazing teachers over my years in public school, but I had some duds too. The books we read expanded my mind, regardless of who was in front of my class.

Knowing how to read is crucial, but loving to read is a form of power, one that helps kids grow into curious, engaged, and empathetic adults. And it shouldn’t belong only to New York’s most privileged students.