Reading to your kids is one of the best gifts you can give them, but finding story time favorites and, eventually, a series that they’ll want to explore on their own grows more difficult every year (thanks a lot, screens). Good thing that we have a secret weapon to help uncover the most engaging book picks—the ones that your kids may boss you into reading or request a bedtime extension to finish “just one more chapter!” Our ace in the hole: A team of 125 children ages 0-12 and their families who read and rate picks suggested by librarians, publishers, and the Good Housekeeping editors.
The crop of contenders for our fourth-annual Kids’ Book Awards turned out to be the strongest so far. Authors pumped up the interactivity for every age group, from babies to tweens. Kids liked more overall this go-around than any other year, giving us hope for the future and a lot of gems to share with you.
From a sensory-focused board book that legit helps cranky kids self-soothe to a boisterous, fact-packed dinosaur treasury that will make young readers feel like they’re in the jungle, our 56 winning titles cover all the genres and kid interests. Scoop ’em up for gifts before they become extinct, er, sold out (that happened last year).
Written and illustrated by Pui Lee
A shoo-in shower gift, this interactive board book entertained our baby and toddler testers with its flaps and animal sounds. You press a button to play a sound and then challenge little ones to identify which animal is making the noise—the answer is hidden under colorful die-cut flaps. Expect some giggles, the best noise of all, from the last page. Ages 0-2
TESTER NOTES: “My 1-year-old tries to mimic the animal noises, which she had never done before,” said one tester. “The fish’s ‘blub’ is the cutest!”
Written by Yuli Yav, illustrated by Antonia Woodward
Rhymes roll off the tongue in this sweet story that introduces little ones to 10 body parts. (Little belly/little toes/little tickle/laughter grows.) “I love the tenderness and joy in this story, which celebrates the everyday moments of love, care, and connection that shape a child’s sense of belonging,” says judge Pranoo Kumar, a reading specialist and bookstore owner. Ages 0-3
TESTER NOTES: Given that the story features illustrations of a diverse group of babies cuddling with their favorite stuffed animals, make sure your child has their lovey during storytime. “My 1-year-old had fun pointing to the body parts on his stuffie,” said one tester.
Written and illustrated by Louise Lockhart
Finally a new spin on first word books! Name dozens of brightly colored illustrations of household objects for your baby to learn, then revisit the book in the toddler and preschool years as a seek-and-find. The larger format and rhyming text also add appeal. Ages 0-3
TESTER NOTES: “The pages are very full with illustrations of objects, so after the first time reading all the text, I would read just a few words to allow my baby to absorb them,“ said the mom of a 1-year-old.
Written by Nancy Deas, illustrated by Mike Deas
A boy has the best excuse ever for not going to bed—his blanket has made a break for it. Blankie flies downstairs, past the kitchen, and all the way outside before it’s summoned home. Engaging text and fun watercolor illustrations along with effective use of the refrain “It’s time for bed” will prompt you to tuck this imaginative story into your toddler’s bedtime routine. Ages 1-4
TESTER NOTES: “I appreciated that this book shows all the caregivers in the household—even the family pet—trying to get the boy to bed,” said one mom.
Written and illustrated by Hector Dexet
Oh what fun our tiny testers had guessing which gifts Santa had brought his animal friends. After gently sliding out the page that revealed each present, little ones could see if their guess was right. Ages 0-3
TESTER NOTES: “On our first read-through, we didn’t realize that the story extended to the back cover,” said one tester. “Don’t miss it; it’s one of the cutest present reveals.”
Written and illustrated by Mo Willems
A kids’-lit legend, Willems is back at it with a hilarious twist on a counting book. One by one, his beloved pigeon protagonist reveals the reasons he won’t count to 10—and in doing so, the stubborn character actually counts to 11. Punny excuses like “Counting is for the birds” and Willems’ signature expression-filled illustrations add up to an instant classic. Ages 0-3
TESTER NOTES: “My 2-year-old liked tracing the numbers in the book with her fingers,” said one tester. A special printing technique makes touching the numbers and the pigeon a tactile experience.
Written and illustrated by the Gracie’s Corner team
The companion book for the phonics song on the Gracie’s Corner YouTube channel levels up learning the ABC’s. Lowercase and uppercase letters, the corresponding sounds, and a word that begins with each letter work together to help little ones not only memorize the alphabet but also take the first steps toward beginning to read. Ages 0-4
TESTER NOTES: “I played the song on Spotify and my daughter followed along with the book,” said one mom. “She loves the beat, and turning the pages in the book keeps her engaged and helps her connect the letters and their sounds.”
Written and illustrated by Sandra Magsmen
Little ones will know how “moose” you love them thanks to this heartfelt board book featuring a sweet poem and plush antlers to hold. This latest highly giftable creation from Magsmen, an art therapist with multiple bestselling children’s books, inspires cuddling! Ages 0-4
TESTER NOTES: The plush antlers withstood lots of tugs from toddlers at our book open house, so don’t be afraid if your child carries the book around by the antlers as several of our testers did.
Written by Katie Cotton, illustrated by Rob Hodgson
An exuberant story about a monkey and a tiger’s race through the forest captured the attention our toddler testers, who were mostly rooting for the monkey. Much to kids’ surprise, the winner takes part in another chase when you flip the book upside down. Ages 2-4
TESTER NOTES: Encourage your child to look for hidden animals and predict what the characters are going to do next. Said one mom, “My 2-year-old loved that a lizard was hidden behind the leaf and he had to find it.”
Written by Sophie Aggett, illustrated by Pauline Gregory
Behold, the modern farm book. Barnyard friends hilariously photo-bomb one another during six attempts at family portraits. The repeated refrain of “Uh-oh! Who got in the way?” combined with cartoon-like illustrations of animal antics had kids milking the silliness. Ages 2-5
TESTER NOTES: Some parents reported they turned the book into a guessing game: "My 3-year-old had a fun time guessing which animal jumped into the photo, and then I'd lift the flap to see if he was right."
Written and illustrated by Jon Klassen
A googly-eyed sun and tree and other natural elements come together to build a one-of-a-kind forest in this bedtime read that excels with the simplicity of its artwork and its calming tone. (Now your forest is asleep. Now you can sleep too and think about what you will do there tomorrow.) The keepsake book also contains a space to add a child’s name. Ages 2-5
TESTER NOTES: “At first I thought this book might be too simplistic for my 4-year-old, but I was wrong,” one mom reported. “It was actually a very soothing book that he has wanted to read repeatedly at bedtime.”
Written by Rose Rossner, illustrated by Amanda Morrow
While there’s no shortage of kids’ books about emotions, this interactive gem actually lives up to the promise of the title. Sensory-focused elements including scratch-and-sniff flowers and soft, puppy fur team up with gentle, affirming text to help kids self-soothe. Ages 3-8
TESTER NOTES: “In a fun, understandable way, each page gave my 3-year-old and my 6-year-old helpful skills for calming down,” said one parent. “I’m keeping this book in my bag for when we’re on the go.”
By Julia Gray, illustrated by Sarah Ugolotti
Your child can be the main character in an alphabet adventure, making them excited about learning their letters. On Wonderbly’s website, you plug in your child’s name and select an avatar that most closely resembles their skin and hair color. From there, the site works its magic producing a personalized rhyming story with multiple words that represent each letter. Ages 2-3
TESTER NOTES: “From A is for Adventurous to Z being for one in a Zillion, the clever choices for each letter help set this story apart from a typical alphabet book,” said one mom, who already ordered another as a gift.
Written and illustrated by Jaimie MacGibbon
A warm-and-fuzzy story about all the adorable ways that a family snuggles together is a snow-day stand-out. Starting with ”first thing in the morning snuggles,” the rhyming text highlights a family’s journey playing outside, curling up by the fire, and tucking tight under the covers. Ages 2-5
TESTER NOTES: Break out this book as often in July as January. “Even when it was 100 degrees outside, this story helped us look forward to the snuggly winter days ahead,” said a mom of three.
Written and illustrated by Christy Mandin
A comforting story for kids who are afraid of the dark stars Millie, a goth girl whose moon garden isn’t flourishing because her town keeps the lights on all night long. She enlists the help of the Dark, a cuddly woodland creature, to bring nocturnal friends like katydids and crickets to her garden, and eventually, entice her neighbors to switch off their lights. After all, as Millie says, “The Dark isn’t scary; you just need to get to know her.” Ages 2-6
TESTER NOTE: “The story helped my 5-year-old realize that there’s beauty in all parts of the day,” noted one parent. Our kid testers also cracked up over the reference to snoozin’ sugarplums and other quirky plants.
Written by Rebecca Stead, illustrated by Gracey Zhang
For kids struggling with a move or other difficult transitions, Anything will be everything. On the first night in their apartment, a dad allows his daughter to wish for three “anythings.” While some, like a rainbow for her bedroom, are easily granted, how the dad handles his daughter’s “secret” wish that they never had to move may choke you up. Ages 3-5
TESTER NOTES: Even for kids who aren’t going through a difficult change, the story was conversation-starter. Said one parent: “My 4-year-old asked me where the girl’s mom was, and it led to a wonderful discussion about different kinds of families.”
Written by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Charles Santoso
A witch with lots of personality (but little patience) takes an egg home from the pet store, summoning every rhyming spell she knows to make it hatch. But when she finally realizes that her approach was all wrong and she has to give it time, she gets (spoiler!) the best pet ever. The spunky tone and the variety of art—a mix of panels and spreads—make the story about the virtues of patience spellbinding for little listeners. Ages 3-6
TESTER NOTES: While kids adored Evelyn’s catchphrase “sniveling snails!” to express her disappointment, parents noted that her dedication to the only pet she was able to afford was “a wonderful example.”
Written and illustrated by Deborah Marcero
A trio of rabbits have to bounce back after a storm destroys a collection of jars that contain all their hopes and dreams for the future. “What’s the point of dreaming if everything could be lost?” they question. But the insightful story shows how they move forward, and it’s a formula that your child can copy when facing a disappointment. Ages 3-7
TESTER NOTES: “The concept is special and so relatable to both children and parents,” said one mom. “The story will spark lots of conversation.”
Written by Sascha Alper, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney and Brian Pinkney
In this retelling of an African parable about how every contribution—no matter how big or small—makes a difference, a hummingbird inspires animals to help put out a forest fire and contributes the last drop of water to extinguish the blaze. “Stunning illustrations bring the story to life in the most amazing way as the fire grows and the animals race to save their homes,” says judge Lorie Bonapfel, a children’s librarian. Ages 3-7
TESTER NOTE: “My 5-year-old loved that a tiny bird was a hero to all the animals,” said one mom.
Written and illustrated by Jashar Awan
There's nothing routine about this book, which highlights a girl’s quest to watch the garbage truck come every Monday. The dramatic, fast-paced buildup, clever humor, and bold illustrations put this story in a league of its own. “Mabel cheers on a visit from her favorite vehicle in this tribute to kids who know what they like and celebrate it,” says judge Betsy Bird, a children’s librarian and author. Ages 4-8
TESTER NOTE: “If you’re invited to read to your child’s preschool or kindergarten class, pick this book,” said one parent. “It’s so much fun to read aloud.”
Written by Carole Londstrom, illustrated by Aly McKnight
Move over, Laura Ingalls. Our kid testers fell hard for Rose, a determined Indigenous girl who boldly sets out to locate buffalo during a hunt in the late 19th century. Full of adventure, “this story brings deep reverence for nature, gratitude, and community,” says judge Pranoo Kumar, a reading specialist and bookstore owner. Ages 4-8
TESTER NOTE: “The illustrations had us in awe on each page,” said one mom. “The orange sunset with the Smokey buffalo clouds were so beautiful.”
Written by Alice Schertle, illustrated by John Joseph
After a multi-year break in the Little Blue Truck series, the beloved pickup is back—this time in a exciting race with a sleek, sports car. Zippy, rhyming text helps little readers follow the timeless storyline about trying your best. Ages 4-8
TESTER NOTES: The message that winning isn’t everything—and that friendships are far more important—came through loud and clear to our readers. “We also loved how the story included some lines from other Little Blue Truck books,” said one parent. “It helped my little one feel like he knew some of the words!”
Written and illustrated by Alex Willan
A survival story told from the perspective of a game board piece that wasn’t put back in the box during cleanup turned out to be an overwhelming story time win with our testers. As the piece recounts his ordeal, which included a near-deadly brush with a vacuum cleaner and a stink in the junk drawer, little listeners were rolling with laughter. Ages 4-8
TESTER NOTES: Parents also related so hard to this book. Said one mom: “Our favorite part was when the red piece landed under the couch with the other game pieces, chips, coins, and puffs!”
Written by J.K. Rowling, illustrated by Natalie Smillie
Whether your child is a new fan of the Harry Potter series or you’re doing your bloody best to get them into it, these mini guides to each of the three main characters help keep the spell alive. Easily digestible bits of text and fantastical illustrations give those new to the series enough of the lingo and backstory not to feel lost when they crack open Book One. Ages 8+
TESTER NOTES: Parents were surprised at how much their kids who were wrapped up the series enjoyed the guides. “They made my 12-year-old nostalgic for when he finished the series last year,” one tester said. “The guides reminded him of some of his favorite parts.”
Written and illustrated by Sean E Avery
A sleuthing duck and his sidekick donkey try to solve the mystery of who stole Mr. Pig’s trough, and the investigation involves a lot of amusing twists and turns. The characters’ exaggerated facial features draw even more giggles. Ages 7-11
TESTER NOTES: Our testers reported that the book was funny from beginning to end, with each naming a different part as their favorite. “I loved it because it had a lot of details, like where Ducky saved Mr. Pig’s son from the cat gang,” said one 7-year-old.
Written and illustrated by Chanté Timothy
Chomp, a monster created by a kid scientist, steals the show in this STEM-focused graphic novel about plastic pollution. In the cheeky storyline, Chomp gets out of control noshing on practically everything in sight. Watch out, who knew roads contained plastic? Ages 7-10
TESTER NOTES: “The story does a great job of developing characters quickly,” said one parent of a 5- and 7-year-old. “Almost everything having to do with Chomp eating plastic got a chuckle.”
Written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey
Super-Diaper Baby should be out of college now, but instead of aging, he has received a full-color makeover. This 2002 spinoff of the Captain Underpants series has nixed old-school black-and-white comic panels for full-on brightness. But rest assured that the zany plot of Super-Diaper Baby and sidekick Diaper Dog trying to prevent a villain from stealing their powers has stood the test of time, according to our kid testers. Ages 7+
TESTER NOTES: With a baby in diapers as the protagonist, you’ve got to expect a fair share of potty humor. That said, one parent said, “My son didn’t put it down until he finished, and I’ll consider that a win.”
Written by Ann M. Martin, illustrated by Arley Nopra
The Baby-Sitters Club has still got it. The 21st book in the original series (first published in 1989) has now been turned into a graphic novel with a glossy cover. Identical twins pull tricks on their babysitter, hijinks that are as humorous now as they were three decades ago.
TESTER NOTES: While several artists have converted the series into graphic novels, “this one is really good at drawing expressions,” said one 9-year-old, who also noted that she liked that the book contained several sub-plots.
Written by Calista Brill, illustrated by Nilah Magruder
If New Kid and Black Beauty had a baby, the result might be this engaging graphic novel that focuses on a Black equestrian who feels like an outsider after having moved to a rural community. The powerful storyline touches on racism, fitting in, and, of course, horses. Ages 8–12
TESTER NOTES: “My daughter especially loved the friendships that developed among the characters and how they were sweet to each other and their horses,” said one parent.
Written by Shannon Hale, illustrated by Marcela Cespedes
Inspired by her own childhood, Hale crafts a deeply moving story about Cassie, a fourth grader who has been told she’s too sensitive. As she is yearning for attention from her big family and her best friend, a piece of mail arrives that she thinks might change everything. Emotional and heartfelt, this book is the first in a new series. Ages 8–12
TESTER NOTES: Kids were invested in the storyline and “liked that the novel [was] set in the 1980s.”
Written by Rita Garcia-Williams, illustrated by Sharee Miller
A historical-fiction book that won the prestigious Newbery Honor nearly 15 years ago has returned as a graphic novel, making the substantive storyline accessible to more readers. In 1968, three sisters spend summer break with their mom, whom they haven’t seen in seven years—and the reunion isn’t at all what the sisters (or our testers) expected. Ages 8–12
TESTER NOTES: “I think this book is even more powerful than the original, which I read for school,” said one reader. “The illustrations make you feel like you’re in California with the sisters.”
Written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud
A roll-up-your-sleeves master class for kids who want to create comics, this book has instructions that are given within the framework of four classmates who start their own comics club at school. The fiction and nonfiction elements blend seamlessly together—not surprising, thanks to the powerhouse collab between the creator of blockbuster children’s graphic novel memoirs (like Smile) and the cartoonist who penned Understanding Comics, the go-to book for adults. Ages 8–12
TESTER NOTES: Kids hung on every word, and one reported, “The funniest part was when the characters broke the fourth wall and talked to the reader.”
Written by Neil Sharpson, illustrated by Dan Santat
This boisterous story bubbling with nonfiction elements dispenses as many facts as laughs, thanks to a narrator who hilariously rattles off reasons not to trust fish. As your child hears the narrator’s gripes, attention-grabbing stats (like the fact that the largest fish species is 19 meters long, the size of a school bus) and silly reasons (“they may be in your home watching you,” in reference to a fish tank) converge for a persuasive one-of-a-kind tale. Kids were hooked! And, TBH, so were we. Ages 4-8
TESTER NOTES: A lot of the book’s humor comes from its drawings. “We read the book all the way through and then went back a second time to look more closely at the illustrations,” said one parent.
Written by Amy Atwater, illustrated by Natalia Cardozo
Raised illustrations of fossil bones and shells they could feel (especially the exemplary example on the cover) drew kids into this gold mine of scientific facts about prehistoric species. While the book does cover the T. Rex, our kid testers soaked up details about species unfamiliar to them such as Trilobites, Ammonites, and Smilodon too. Ages 5-10
TESTER NOTES: “My 6-year-old also really loved the timeline at the back of the book, and we talked about the progression of the fossils we read about,” said one parent. “The book packs in a ton of information yet somehow manages to not feel overwhelming.”
Written by Jonathan Drori, illustrated by Jiatong Liu
On page 1, this exquisite treasury reels kids in with the question What can you see right now that was made with plants? The short answer is, a lot more than they might think. Oversize illustration-filled pages highlight little-known uses for 30 plants. Case in point: Substances extracted from giant kelp and other brown seaweeds are used to make ice cream—a fact your child will surely scoop up. Ages 7+
TESTER NOTES: Keep the book on the coffee table to explore as a family when you have downtime. “The facts were interesting and educational even to me,” said one parent. “You’ll want to enjoy over a long stretch of time and maybe even jump around rather than reading it through from start to finish.”
Written by John A. Long
This one-of-a-kind dinosaur book comes to life when paired with an Alexa device. After your child commands, “Alexa, open Ready Activated!” sound effects that make kids feel as if they’ve traveled to prehistoric times immediately pull them in. They can request that Alexa read a certain page, play a game, or ask an expert a question. Ages 8-12
TESTER NOTES: Kids crowded around this book during in-person testing. “The sound effects, the music, and the narrator's voice provided one of the most powerful, engaging read-aloud experiences I have ever witnessed,” said a GH kids' book editor. "Kids who took the book home were still interacting with it months later.”
Written and illustrated by Jeff Smith
Little mouse faces the nighttime scaries in this “first comic” for brand-new readers. Easy-to-follow comic panels simultaneously provide context clues and lots of laughs as little mouse mistakes a ball and a hat for a creature in his closet. Ages 4-6
TESTER NOTE: Parents called this early reader a confidence builder. “The illustrations could almost tell the story on their own,” said one parent. “They really helped my 5-year-old not get frustrated reading the short word balloons.”
Written by Corey R. Tabor, illustrated by Dalton Webb
The first book in a new beginning-reader series swept away our kid testers. Animal friends race on their sleds, hilariously holding drinks! While they had each hoped to win, many antics later they find themself rolling down the hill in a giant snowball. Whee! Ages 4-8
TESTER NOTES: Parents reported that the storyline provided a great conversation-starter about how winning isn’t everything.
Written and illustrated by Lovevery
Getting a cast is practically a childhood rite of passage, and this brief early reader demystifies both the process of getting a cast and how consonant blends (words that have two or more consonants next to each other) work. Little readers learn to sound out words like “grin,” “snug,” and, of course, “cast.” Ages 5-6
TESTER NOTES: The real-life photographs, on every other page, helped kids connect with the story and have empathy for Brin. Said one parent, “My 5-year-old liked the progression of seeing Brin get hurt and then fixed— and, of course, getting the sticker at the end.”
Written and illustrated by Salina Yoon
Our testers ate up the story of two friends who have opposite personalities—and lunchbox favorites. Mouse brings a block of cheese to lunch every day while Kat constantly changes it up with “meow-velous” sandwiches. When Kat recognizes she’s really different from her pal and suggests eating lunch apart, it puts them both in a pickle. Ages 5-7
TESTER NOTES: “I liked how both Kat and Mouse stepped out of their comfort zones,” said one parent, who added that the early reader’s cartoon-like graphics appealed to his budding reader.
Written and illustrated by Jenny Alvarado
Kids couldn’t flip the pages fast enough to find out what happened to school-supply besties who accidentally fell out of their owner’s backpack on the way to karate class. "Joke breaks” between chapters (as if the dynamic between pencil and eraser weren’t funny enough) added extra fun to this 70-page early reader in graphic-novel format. Ages 5-8
TESTER NOTES: Parents and kids said this series was like Dog Man for a slightly younger audience. “I liked the part in the arcade the best,” reported one 6-year-old.
Written and illustrated by Lovevery
A story about siblings hanging out in the kitchen on a rainy day levels up big-time thanks to a “reveal tool.” The red plastic device in a pouch at the back of the book allows readers to find hidden words in the story, many of which focus on vowel teams (when two or more vowels make a single sound). The cherry on top: Kids can read instructions to learn how to create their own secret message! Ages 6-8
TESTER NOTES: “The reveal tool motivated my kids to keep reading to find hidden messages,” said one parent. “Plus, we made snacks inspired by the fun ideas in the book.”
By Shifa Saltagi Safadi, illustrated by Aaliya Jaleel
Junie B. Jones fans will find a new character to adore in Amina, a third grader who just moved to the United States from Syria and is trying to fit in and make friends. A well-plotted page-turner with a science-themed storyline and many cultural references, this book has considerably more depth than most illustrated chapter books its size (about 100 pages). Ages 6-9
TESTER NOTES: “I like how Amina stands up for herself,” said one 7-year-old.
Written and illustrated by Susie Yi
The first three stories in the Cat & Cat Adventures series are now packaged as a box set so your child will know exactly what they’re going to read next. The brief books’ fantasy elements—such as finding a potion to create unlimited snacks—drew in even reluctant readers. Ages 6-10
TESTER NOTES: Kids could relate to the cat’s quest for treats. “It was so fun to read how far the cats were willing to go to find snacks!” said one 7-year-old. “I also like the drawings a lot.”
Written by Tiger Tales, illustrated by Georgie Birkett and Summer Macon
Practice, practice, practice—that’s what our kid testers did with this interactive alphabet book. After tracing uppercase and lowercase versions of each letter on each page with the dry-erase marker, they completed fun activities meant to strengthen fine motor skills such as doing mazes and connecting dots. Wipe it all clean and play again tomorrow! Ages 2 to 5
TESTER NOTES: “My 4-year-old was much more independent with this activity book than she typically is,” said one parent. Another noted that unlike a traditional workbook, this erasable creation is great for siblings close in age to share.
Written and illustrated by Andrew Knapp
The latest in a series of books featuring dogs Yaya and Boo takes toddlers and preschoolers on a fun hide-and-seek adventure with fire trucks, diggers, and other vehicles. The format is simple but effective: Little ones have to spot Yaya and Boo along with three objects pictured on left-hand pages in full-page photos on right-hand pages where they’re hidden . Ages 0-5
TESTER NOTES: Besides the hide-and-seek element, parents reported that the book gave them a sneaky way to build their children’s vocabulary and that they liked how the objects to be found were labeled.
Written and illustrated by Ingela P. Arrhenius
It’s a book! It’s a playhouse! It’s both! This design-forward creation folds out accordion-style to reveal four rooms. Rhyming text invites little ones in (Step inside the red front door/Count the rooms—one, two, three, four!). A drawer containing stickers and cardboard pieces to be used to construct furniture slides out when you pull the yellow ribbon tab. Ages 4-8
TESTER NOTES: Almost every child at our open house wanted a turn with this contender. “While it takes some time to set up, especially on first use, the kids engaged with it for a while, even making up their own stories,” said a GH kids’ book editor. Though the furniture pieces can be taken apart and stored in the drawer, consider putting them in a box for easier setup next time.
Written and illustrated by Kristyna Litten
As early elementary schoolers complete 15 puzzles that hit the sweet spot in terms of difficulty, they help the title characters solve the mystery of the missing rare Agave flower. This new series got high marks for interactivity from kids and parents! Ages 5 to 9
TESTER NOTES: “My 7-year-old son latched on to this charming book quickly,” said one dad. “The lush illustrations and memorable characters make it a slam-dunk winner in our household.”
Written by A.J. Wood, illustrated by Jo Rioux
Don’t let the instruction to wear a wizard’s hat and cape fool you—this book isn’t make-believe. It contains 40 serious science experiments and paper-engineered elements such as a foldout periodic table and a two-sided pH scale. Kids can make water rise, get popcorn to dance, and more using common household items. Ages 7+
TESTER NOTES: Our reader—ahem, wizards in training—tried many experiments, including number 14: “Make money talk.” One said, “I liked learning the facts about how the experiments worked.” Another noted, “The book is so fun to read. I loved the illustrations and pop-ups throughout.”
Written by Struan Murray
A 12-year-old girl discovers that she’s a dragon in this wildly exciting new fantasy series that will appeal to Wings of Fire fans. While attending a school for dragons in a hidden land, the girl takes off on a quest to find a missing magical object that can locate her late father’s spirit. But first she must beat a villain who aims to wield its power to destroy humanity. Ages 8–12
TESTER NOTES: Kids couldn’t believe what they were reading. “I was shocked by all the plot twists,” said one 12-year-old. “This story was so hard to put down.”
Written by Sangu Mandanna
A fearless 11-year-old with ADHD stars in this enchanting new fantasy series. After she shows signs of magical abilities (she hears books talking, for instance), her parents send her to a hidden magical school where they once studied. When the Wild Hunt, a dark force, threatens the school, she must step up. Ages 8–12
TESTER NOTES: “The story gets really exciting, and there’s a cliff-hanger,” said a 9-year-old reviewer.
Written by Katherine Rundell
The second book in the blockbuster Impossible Creatures series may be even better than the first, according to our testers. A tiny dragon summons Christopher, a beloved main character from the first book, back to a cluster of hidden islands where mystical creatures exist. But poison is spreading throughout the land, and Christopher must act fast to save it. Ages 10+
TESTER NOTES: “I liked the way the author connects the first and second books by intertwining the lives of the old characters and the new ones,” said a 10-year-old reviewer, adding that the book was packed with humor.
Written by Jen Calonita
To inherit a fortune and break a curse, a 12-year-old girl has two weeks to find an island that vanished long ago. Following clues from her ancestors, Benny and her friends set out to unravel the mystery. The story, which seamlessly transitions between the present and the past, ends on a tantalizing cliff-hanger. Ages 10–13
TESTER NOTES: “This was the best book I’ve read in a while,” said one 9-year-old reader. A 13-year-old reviewer noted, “It’s an amazing story of the difficulties of trust and how far people will go for love.”
Written by Meg Medina, narrated by Elena Ray
Experienced narrator Elena Ray makes this new fantasy novel about a teenager who is reborn as a sea spirit rise to the top of recommended audiobooks. Readers will be swept into the storyline, which blends the wonders of the undersea world with themes of loss and responsibility. Ages 10+
TESTER NOTES: Save the book, just shy of six hours, for a long car ride. “Our whole family enjoyed listening to it,” said one parent.
Written by Astrid Lindgren, narrated by Sutton Foster
Tony award–winning actress Sutton Foster turns in a spectacular performance in the 80th-anniversary edition of this classic Swedish story. Pippi, a spunky 9-year-old who has a horse and a monkey as pets, goes on zany adventures with the kids who live next door. Ages 8–12
TESTER NOTES: “It was a great audiobook that had my kids laughing out loud on several occasions,” said one parent.
Written by Michael Buckley, narrated by Helena Bonham Carter
Actress Helena Bonham Carter, known for eccentric roles, deftly narrates the third book in Audible Originals’ Weirdies series (included with an Audible membership). In the most bonkers installment yet, the triplets’ parents return from the dead. Ages 8–12
TESTER NOTES: Our testers loved the kooky character names (such as Garlic) and events (a roller-boogie skate-off). While this story, at just over two hours, could be enjoyed on its own, it’s best to listen to the tales in order.
How We Tested
☑We Ask Experts for the Contenders
It took more than six months to find the best children’s books of the year. In the spring, we asked a panel of librarians and literacy experts, who see books before they’re published, for recommendations.
The quality of children’s books keeps getting better every year. For our fourth annual Kids’ Book Awards, we tested more than 200 books representing a wide array of genres, themes, and interests.
☑We Put Books in the Hands of Real Kids (and Families)
More than 125 kids (a.k.a. “junior reviewers”) signed up for categories of books they’d like to test. Kids who could read on their own requested graphic novels more than any other category. Other options included picture books, activity books, early readers, chapter books, and more. Babies and toddlers engaged with dozens of board books and had clear favorites! Flaps, mirrors, and other fun features in the books held their attention.
In addition to reading books in their home, some testers were invited to an open house to see which titles immediately caught their eyes. They listened to stories read aloud and picked some favorites to take home for further review.
☑ We Get Honest Feedback
Dozens of tweens fulfilled their school’s summer reading requirement by being a book reviewer. Collectively, they read tens of thousands of pages over school break, providing an overall star rating and input on the artwork, plot, suspense level, and more.
Adults also gave each book one to five stars, and compared the story to their family’s all-time favorites. The grown-ups reflected on what their kids learned from the book. Occasionally, parents and kids weren’t on the same page and gave books vastly different ratings.
The Good Housekeeping team carefully analyzed hundreds of surveys, noting the ratings and reviewing the comments. In particular, we looked for books that kids said were so good that they’d recommend the stories to a friend.
In the end, 56 titles made the final cut! Our crop of winners includes a book you can personalize, a mystery that you can help solve by completing the puzzles, and a middle-grade fantasy novel with mystical creatures. No matter what your kids are into these days, you’ll find at least one book that aligns with their interests. Plus, shop our board book winners to gift at baby showers and first-birthday celebrations.
Meet the Experts
Karen Cicero
Karen Cicero has managed Good Housekeeping’s Kids’ Book Awards for the past three years. She previously ran children’s book awards at Parents for 13 years. She has organized book-testing events at libraries, served on book award committees, and written extensively about children’s literacy. She also is the book editor for The Week Junior, a newsmagazine for kids ages 8 to 14. In addition to having books mailed all over the country, she hosted an open house for this story. She lives in Bethlehem, PA, with her husband and her daughter, who is an avid reader.
Marisa Lascala
Marisa LaScala has covered all aspects of the world of parenting, from the postpartum years through the empty-nest ones, since 2015, and she has been with Good Housekeeping since 2018. In addition to Book Awards, she assists the Good Housekeeping Institute with its annual Best Toy Awards, so she’s no stranger to the nuances of evaluating feedback from pint-size testers. She lives in New York City with her husband and their 9-year-old daughter, who loves to read funny books, fantasy books, memoirs in graphic form, and books about warrior clans of cats.
Lexie Sachs
Lexie Sachs is the executive director of strategy and operations at the Good Housekeeping Institute and a reviewer of products in the children’s space. She’s also a mom of two elementary-age readers who especially enjoy activity books and friendship stories.
Betsy Bird
Betsy Bird is the collection development manager at Evanston Public Library. She is a Kirkus Reviews reviewer and runs the children’s literature site A Fuse #8 Production on School Library Journal. Betsy is the author of numerous books for kids including the new picture book Pop! Goes the Nursery Rhyme. She is cohost of the podcast Fuse 8 n' Kate, on which she and her sister discuss which picture books deserve to be called “classics.”
Amy Duffy
Amy Duffy is a collection development librarian who has worked for Chicago Public Library for almost 25 years. When she’s not reading books for kids and teens, she enjoys hanging out with her husband, kids, and dogs.
Pranati “Pranoo’ Kumar
Pranoo Kumar (she/they/we) is the founder of Rohi’s Readery, a social-justice-driven children’s bookstore and learning center in West Palm Beach, FL. As a former school leader, a reading specialist, and founder of Diverse Education Consulting, Pranoo has led more than 400 free literacy-focused events and built more than 200 community partnerships.
