To find the best new books that may help make the kids in your life forever readers, we went straight to the source: children themselves. More than 150 children, from babies to tweens and from nose-in-the book types to struggling learners — rated and reviewed stories we sent to their homes for Good Housekeeping’s third annual Kids’ Book Awards.
We selected the books to review with the help of highly regarded librarians and literacy experts from across the country who see copies of books before they’re published. Kids were brutally honest in their reviews, but the negative feedback made us more confident in their five-star ratings. “I’ve never had a book that was so cool!” gushed one 9-year-old. ”I could literally spend hours looking at it.“ (Her mom reported that she did.)
After carefully weighing each review, we narrowed down hundreds of books to these 57 winners across eight categories, from a slyly educational board book that turns into a train to an enthralling new series featuring kids who try to solve real-life mysteries. There’s truly a book on this list to give to every kid in your life; grab ’em before they sell out (that happened last year).
Meet the Experts
How We Tested
Written by Harriet Steeds, illustrated by Nora Aoyagi
A nature-themed story with tactile elements won over our tiniest testers. Colorful recycled felt pieces reinforce pages and pop through paper cutouts to provide a touch-and-feel experience. The gentle rhyming text (“This is my home way up high/I’ll grow up here until I’m ready to fly”) is endearing as baby’s first book. Ages 0+
TESTER NOTES: “This book grows with your child,” said one reviewer. As your little one moves from the baby stage to the toddler stage, use it to introduce vocabulary describing the felt cutouts, such as clouds, acorns and leaves.
Written by Nosy Crow, illustrated by Louise Lockhart
Merge tummy time with story time with this cleverly designed book that stretches to more than three feet long and stands upright on a surface. One side encourages Baby to say hello to farm animals, showcasing the sounds they make. Flip the book and Baby will see a labeled close-up of each animal along with a mirror. Vintage textiles and folk art inspired the sweet illustrations. Ages 0–3
TESTER NOTES: Toss this book in your diaper bag. “I love that it looks like a regular book but expands, so it’s great for bringing on the go,” said one tester with a 3-month-old.
Written by Rhiannon Findlay, illustrated by Mini Magique Studio
Little ones won’t be able to keep their hands off this touch-and-feel sensation. Short, rhyming lines (“In the sunshine, Cat goes purr/Feel Leopard’s silky fur”) describe animals and textures. Not to be overlooked, the book’s stylish design will elevate your nursery. Ages 0–3
TESTER NOTES: The range of textures impressed our reviewers. “Most touch-and-feel books focus on soft or fuzzy textures,” said one mom. “But my daughter’s favorites in this book are fish scales and the hedgehog’s prickly back.”
Written and illustrated by Elena Selena
In this eye-catching book that levels up the classic peekaboo game, cute creatures cover their eyes with die-cut bright blue feathers, an orange tail and even yellow wings. Little ones are encouraged to guess which animal is hiding, promoting both creative thinking and color recognition. Game on! Ages 0–3
TESTER NOTES: Pump up the suspense. “We would open one flap and then go back to hiding the animal, then do it again,” said one mom. “Eventually we open both flaps, do a little jump scare and go ‘Peekaboo!’”
Written by Stephanie Cohen
The brainchild of a speech-language pathologist with two decades of experience, this book features photos of cuddly interactions between a diverse group of real-life moms and babies. A simple phrase with a nod to Mama on every page ("Look, Mama"; "Up, Mama") encourages little ones to imitate the sounds and eventually say the word you’ve been waiting to hear. Not to be left out, dads are the subject of a companion book. Ages 0–4
TESTER NOTES: Attach your photo next to the word "Mama" on the book's first page. “My 6-month-old starts to smile when he sees that photo, and it warms my heart,” said a reviewer who added, “He has started making the M sound now that we regularly read this book!”
Written and illustrated by Sandra Boynton
Boynton, a board book legend, playfully combines two elements little ones adore: mirrors and animal sounds. As readers look at themselves in the book’s seven mirrors, they’re encouraged to “quack quack quack,” “give a big moo“ or make other animal-themed noises. A surprise on the last page made mini reviewers erupt with laughter. Ages 1–4
TESTER NOTES: Point out the shape of each mirror to your child. Our toddler reviewers especially liked the mirrors shaped like a crescent moon and a cow’s face.
Written and illustrated by Brendan Wenzel
This book, designed to help toddlers learn their colors, is a legit work of art. More than 50 animals, grouped by hue, parade through the spreads along with sparse (but cute) rhyming text. The final pages identify each creature — from a green basilisk to a Mandarin duck—in order of appearance (whew!) and indicate whether each animal is threatened or endangered. Ages 1–4
TESTER NOTES: Linger over the drawings. One parent said, “My 3-year-old absolutely loves sitting there describing all the items of that color on the pages after we read the words.”
Written and illustrated by Grace Habib
Little readers had a blast taking a blue cat with a penchant for dressing up on an adventure in outer space. The book’s interactivity is unbeatable: Finger holes allow kids to move the rocket from side to side, and numerous pull tabs also draw them into the action. One tab even transforms the feline so she’s geared up for space! Complete with an alien encounter, the imaginative rhyming story feels more substantial than those of many other books for this age group. If you’re a fan, check out the rest of this new series that puts the fabulous feline in different costumes. Ages 2–5
TESTER NOTES: “Don’t miss pulling up the tab on the back cover for a special message,” said one parent. “We didn’t notice it until we had read the book a few times.”
Written and illustrated by Carolina Búzio
First things first: It’s not about that baby shark. It might be even better. “It’s a seek-and-find, tactile, interactive and nature-loving board book that’s pretty to look at to boot,“ says judge Betsy Bird. Readers search for sea creatures pictured on each left-hand page in the ocean scene on the right, sliding a cardboard baby shark circle through a maze to help it reach its home. Ages 2–5
TESTER NOTES: One mom used it with her daughter during potty training. “It really helped us keep her on the potty and engage her so she would relax and then pee,” she said.
Written by Jonathan Emmett, illustrated by Ingela P. Arrhenius
This mind-blowing counting book doubles as a fold-out train preschoolers can wheel around the house. Flaps on each caboose, labeled from 1 to 10, open to reveal rhyming text and the corresponding number of silly animals. Ages 2–5
TESTER NOTES: “The book’s design makes it engaging to play with independently,” said a dad of a 3-year-old. In the same spirit, scan the QR code on the back cover to hear the story read aloud — complete with sound effects.
Written and illustrated by Jessica Courtney Tickle
A preschooler-friendly retelling of The Nutcracker comes to life thanks to musical buttons to press throughout. Each of the six buttons provide a 10-second sound clip of an orchestra playing music from Tchaikovsky’s most famous ballet. Folk art–like illustrations add to the book’s festive feel. Ages 3+
TESTER NOTES: Use this book to help gauge a child’s interest in attending a performance. “I want to take my son to see The Nutcracker this year, since he enjoyed the book so much,” said one parent.
Written by Janet Krauthamer, illustrated by Christiane Engel
An oversize board book helps the prekindergarten set understand their feelings, both physical and emotional. Created as riddles, the text and the illustrations work together to describe various body signals — from sweaty hands to a scratchy throat — and encourage readers to pull each tab to reveal the corresponding feeling. Not only do kids find out if they’re nervous, sick or hungry but the book also includes simple strategies for feeling better (like “Time to take some deep breaths!”). Ages 4–8
TESTER NOTES: “We would stop and ask what our 5-year-old thought the feelings were before revealing them with the pull tab,” said one parent.
Written and illustrated by Christy Mandin
Millie, a happier version of Wednesday Addams, grows wonderfully weird plants like Sneezing Stickyweed in her garden much to the chagrin of the town's "stick-in-mud" residents. When her mother wisely informs her that "some people are scared of things that are different," she invites her classmates to see what all the fuss is about — and it becomes a turning point in how the town views her. This slightly spooky alternative to on-the-nose Halloween stories helps readers understand and appreciate each other's differences. Ages 2–6
TESTER NOTES: Soak in the details of Millie's garden, which has eerie twists on traditional plant names. "Every page's illustrations merit a close look," added one parent.
Wondrous Story
Summer Is Here
Written by Renée Watson, illustrated by Bea Jackson
The Newbery Award–winning author, whose writing is beloved by teens and young adults, captures the carefree feeling of summertime in her latest work for younger readers. After asking, “What joy will summer bring me today?” a school-age girl soaks up joyful (and relatable) experiences, from blowing bubbles to enjoying a cookout with her family. Lyrical text and repeated personification (“Our bright swimsuits float in the water like lilypads”) along with attention-grabbing illustrations make this book shine bright at any time of year. Ages 3–6
TESTER NOTES: Don’t shy away from reading this book to a boy. “I was worried that my 6-year-old son wouldn’t be interested because the main character is a girl, but he enjoyed the book very much!” one parent said.
Written by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka
A highly entertaining way to learn letters and the sounds they make involves a boy, a girl and a dog playing a game of “Go and Get.” The shtick: Find an object (or animal) that begins with a certain letter of the alphabet. then present it in show-and-tell style. The game turns into a hilarious romp, particularly thanks to the running gag that the dog brings ducks every time. The expressive illustrations make the story even more amusing. Ages 3–7
TESTER NOTES: “It is simply a joy to read out loud,” said Today cohost and judge Dylan Dreyer. “The alliteration and the teaching of letters made both my son and me smile every time. The payoff at the end with the final letter being ‘D’ also taught young ones comedic timing. It was so well paced and absolutely enjoyable!”
Written by Minh Lê, illustrated by Dan Santat
An insightful friendship story kicks off when two boys accidentally knock into each other and their block creations crash. The new buddies decide to make bigger, better builds together, and stunning illustrations juxtapose their wild imaginations with their real life. The trouble is, each project keeps tumbling down, and just when they think they've learned from their mistakes, there’s another collapse. These setbacks test their friendship, helping young readers learn to handle the occasional bump in the road that most relationships face. Ages 3–7
TESTER NOTES: “It started with a bang! My son, James, dove right into this engaging and sweet story and has been reading it regularly ever since,” said Today cohost and judge Laura Jarrett. “The story has a moral, but he still found it fun.”
Written by Bess Kalb, illustrated by Erin Kraan
The funniest book of the year (according to our junior reviewers) stars a cranky buffalo who has had “enuffalo.” He repeatedly rebuffs other animals, trying to appear tough. But when a rainstorm takes all the fluff out of his fur, he reveals his true selfalo. The rhyming is next-level! “The illustrations also have a depth you don’t see very often in woodcut printing, making the prairie look warm and inviting,” said judge Jill Keller. Ages 4–8
TESTER NOTES: Prepare to read this book on repeat. “We reread it so many times that my 4-year-old has nearly memorized it.”
Written by Nelly Buchet, illustrated Andrea Zuill
When a floppy-eared dog receives a strawberry as a treat, he decides it would be more fun to race it than eat it! The pup wears himself out running around in circles in this giggle-inducing book that’s written to be read in your best sports announcer voice. “The energized tone makes it so much fun to read this book aloud,” said judge Kathy Sebastian. Ages 4–8
TESTER NOTES: Kids loved it even if they didn’t get all the humor. “The hilarity of the strawberry doing nothing was completely lost on my 4-year-old, though I appreciate a little humor that goes beyond a child’s comprehension.”
Written by Lu Fraser, illustrated by Kate Hindley
In this rhyming wintery tale with “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” vibes, a family of yaks embarks on a journey to move to a colder mountain. One of the yaks tries “to get our whole home on the back of my sled” but becomes upset when she thinks her little sister was left behind. The gentle reminder that home is about people, not possessions, sunk in with kid reviewers. Ages 4–8
TESTER NOTES: It’s a wonderful read-aloud. “The cadence of the rhymes made it so easy to read aloud, and Oliver loved looking for the littlest yak after he fell off the sled!” said Today cohost and judge Dylan Dreyer.
Written by Phuc Tran, illustrated by Pete Oswald
While construction vehicles draw kid readers into this astute story, they leave with a boost to their social-emotional skills. A tight-lipped crane doesn’t want to discuss why he’s cranky (“You know what doesn’t help when you’re feeling cranky? A lot of talking”), but after his fellow vehicles give him space and show concern, his mood improves. Silly wordplay (“Never in a million gears!”) combined with adorable illustrations of the googly-eyed vehicles makes this title stand out among the growing number of books about feelings. Ages 4–8
TESTER NOTES: Keep this story in your regular rotation — don’t just turn to it when kids seem upset. “My daughter enjoyed noticing the different ways in which Cranky’s morning went awry, and we talked about how she would feel if she were in Cranky’s place,” said one parent.
Written by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
A warmhearted story about a man who has many reasons he doesn’t want a pet turns out to be — spoiler — the origin story of Old MacDonald. As the man welcomes more animals into his apartment and later the farm, he decides that his affection for the creatures is more important than a tidy house. With its animal antics, repeated refrains and epic cuteness, you’ll want to E-I-E-I-Go to the bookstore or library for a copy. Ages 4–8
TESTER NOTES: Ask your child what they think of the man’s actions. “My son kept saying, ‘See, he does like animals! He was wrong!’” said one parent.
Written by Ashley Iman, illustrated by Gladys Jose
Though a curious student wants to share her knowledge with the class, her constant interruptions exasperate her teacher. An underexplored topic in children’s books is raised and brought to a satisfying conclusion when a wise principal helps the student direct — rather than dampen — her inquisitiveness. This story should be required reading for the school community. Ages 4–8
TESTER NOTES: Parents were on board with the message that talkative kids shouldn’t be punished into silence, but rather given innovative ways to focus their thoughts.
Written and illustrated by Felicita Sala
What judge Liv Hanson calls a modern take on The Runaway Bunny begins with a little girl getting ready for bed. She asks her dad, “What happens if you run out of words? Will you have any left for me?” The dad’s fantastical response and the daughter’s repeated questioning take readers on an imaginative journey to a word factory run by elves, outer space and the bottom of the sea — all so the dad can reassure the girl that he’ll do anything to show her that he loves her. Heartstrings tugged. Ages 4–8
TESTER NOTES: Have a loved one read it at bedtime. “This roundabout way of saying ‘I love you’ is a sweet way to end the day,” said one parent.
Written and illustrated by Marianna Coppo
Inspired by 17th-century magic books, this interactive gem stars a bunny magician who welcomes “prestigious readers” to their show. Bunny claims to be able to read minds, instructing readers to choose one of the 48 audience members, ranging from a movie-star butterfly to a (literal) question mark. Readers then follow a series of instructions and — ta-da! — the book correctly determines which audience member they selected every time. Ages 5–8
TESTER NOTES: This book excites kids as much as playing a board game, so parents agreed that it’s best read during the day rather than at bedtime.
Written and illustrated by Dav Pilkey
With familiar flip-o-rama pages and a fresh storyline involving AI robots, the 12th book in the blockbuster series continues to set the bar for getting kids to read. After tomato juice turns the canine superhero scarlet red, things go downhill fast. Who gets the last laugh? Readers, for sure! Ages 7+
TESTER NOTES: More junior reviewers requested to read this story than any other. “It feels like seeing old friends since I’ve been reading this series for a long time,” said a 12-year-old. His mom added that this book in particular stresses the importance of honesty in the face of conflict.
Written and illustrated by Rachel Dinunzio
For kids who like multiple genres, this new graphic novel series about a dragon family brilliantly blends adventure, mystery and fantasy, throwing in some STEM topics to boot. Characters such as a brigade of living cupcakes supply the proverbial spoonful of sugar to make the book go down for emerging readers. Ages 8–9
TESTER NOTES: Third and fourth grades are the sweet spots for reading this novel. “It’s easier to follow and read than some other graphic novels,” said one parent. “Many pages contain just one comic panel.”
Written and illustrated by Johnnie Christmas
A thoughtful exploration of the push-pull between gaming and spending time with friends IRL grabs readers right in their controllers and hooks them for more than 250 pages. Just when the main character gets invited to participate in a gaming tournament, his parents send him to a sleepaway camp that has a no-devices rule. “Ultimately this isn’t a digital versus analog story,” says judge Liv Hanson. “It’s about finding connection, teamwork and being a good friend.” Ages 8–12 TESTER NOTES:
Written and illustrated by Sheena Dempsey
Two penguins from Antarctica want to vacation at the beach, but it’s just their (bad) luck that they’ve time-traveled back to when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Thanks to colorful art and easy-to-follow comic panels, kids testers were obsessed with the penguins’ Dog Man–level pranks in this new graphic novel series. Ages 7–9
TESTER NOTES: The drawing tips and “completely and absolutely true facts” in the back of the book add an extra educational element, pointed out one parent.
Written by Stephen W. Martin, illustrated by Linh Pham
In a town filled with monsters. a genius 8-year-old detective and her talking dog set out to crack their first case — finding a pooch who is invisible. A series of hijinks, including a dance battle with chipmunks, leave readers rooting for the detective and roaring with laughter. The expertly chosen color palette gives the book just the right amount of creepiness. Ages 7–11
TESTER NOTES: The art is integral to the storytelling, so don’t rush through it. “I liked how the some of the pages didn’t have words and you got to figure out what happened next by looking at the images,” said an 11-year-old reader.
Written and illustrated by Jerry Craft
The only graphic novel ever to win the prestigious Newbery Medal, The New Kid explores what it’s like to be one of the few Black students at a mostly white school. In this just-released boxed set, The New Kid is paired with two companion books, Class Act and School Trip, making it easier to binge-read. Ages 8–12
TESTER NOTES: Parents and kids wished this series were in every classroom library. “I have darker skin, and I could relate a lot to Jordan since I feel I am treated differently sometimes in school by teachers and kids because of my skin color,” said an 11-year-old reviewer.
Written and illustrated by Tim Probert
Set in an apocalyptic fantasy world where the sun has shattered into pieces, the third installment in the series is darker than the others, but the character interactions are vibrant. Majestic, shadowy art portrays the quest to survive and return to light — which will require the protagonists to collect all the pieces of the sun. Ages 8–12
TESTER NOTES: The story really sticks with kids. “My 8-year-old really loved the characters and would talk about them for days after reading the book,” said one parent.
Written and illustrated by Peter Raymundo
Using a blend of comic panels and illustrated text, this fast-paced graphic novel hybrid provides an enlightening window into the world of cubing. A 12-year-old who is participating in the national tournament for the first time faces self-doubt and hones his strategies as exciting play-by-play scenes of puzzling solves unfold. Ages 8–12
TESTER NOTES: Kid reviewers soaked up the cubing knowledge incorporated into the storyline. “I had no idea that there were five sizes of cubes,” said a 12-year-old.
Written and illustrated by Grant Snider
An innovative book of more than 50 poems puts almost every line in its own creative comic panel, helping readers visualize the words. Four chapters, one for each season, organize the mostly free-verse poetry into musings about nature (“To a Snail”), fun experiences (“Roller Coaster”) and self-reflection (“Comfort Zone”). Ages 8–12
TESTER NOTES: The design of comic panels impressed kid reviewers. “My favorite illustrations were of the poem ‘Carnival,’” said a 10-year old. “The pictures are arranged so it looks like the same girl is on every single seat of a Ferris wheel.”
Written by Hena Khan, illustrated by Safiya Zerrougul
Inspired by an actual hijab-wearing girls’ basketball team, this graphic novel has got game! High-energy text and illustrations hype readers up for their teamwork-building and game-day plays while illuminating how the squad isn’t treated fairly by some of their opponents. A true winner! Ages 8–12
TESTER NOTES: Kids picked up on the deeper point of the book. “I admire the message that everyone deserves respect,” said an 11-year-old reviewer. “I love how they used girls’ basketball to convey that message.”
Written by Jolene Gutiérrez and Shaian Gutiérrez, illustrated by Gabby Zapata
A young girl narrates how she helps build her family’s ofrenda, the centerpiece for their Día de los Muertos celebration. Inspired by the folktale The House That Jack Built, the rhythmic story contains both fiction and nonfiction elements and helps kids understand the how and the why of this special day. Ages 3–5
TESTER NOTES: The book’s details impressed parents. “I build an ofrenda every year, and the story covered parts of the tradition I never knew,” said one mom. “My 5-year-old related our family to the story and asked questions.”
Written and illustrated by Sean Rubin
Readers come for a dinosaur story but leave with an understanding that “science is a process that never ends.” Using the prehistoric iguanodon as an example, the author “does a marvelous job of showing the different ways humans have pictured it over the centuries,” said judge Betsy Bird. Zippy word balloons prevent the text from overwhelming readers. Ages 4–8
TESTER NOTES: Older kids grasped the concept the most. “My first grader learned that scientists don’t always get it right the first time and that it’s important to keep investigating,” said one parent.
Written by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by James E. Ransome
A warmhearted way to introduce children to civil rights leader John Lewis zeroes in on his childhood and young-adult years. Inspiring text including some of Lewis’s now-famous quotes (“If not us, then who? If not now, then when?”) empowers young readers to advocate for their beliefs with love. Ages 4–8
TESTER NOTES: The focus on Lewis’s early life appealed to our kid testers. “It made it more relatable for my child to read,” said the parent of an 8-year-old reviewer.
Written by Amira Rose Davis and Michael G. Long, illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow
Not only does this picture-book biography introduce young readers to the track-and-field accomplishments of 1960 Olympic Gold Medal Winner Wilma Rudolph but it also shines a light on her role as a civil rights activist. The perfect amount of text and engaging illustrations kept elementary schoolers invested in her little-known story. Ages 5–8
TESTER NOTES: Kid reviewers found the book inspiring. “It teaches you how to stand up for yourself,” said one tester.
Written by Colette Hiller, illustrated by Tor Freeman
A Harry Potter quote on the first page (“Words are, in my not so humble opinion, the most inexhaustible source of magic”) draws readers into a wonderland of 75 terms, most of which will likely be new to them. From Bravado to Garrulous, Maxim to Wily, each word is jovially (yes, that’s also an example) defined in a short poem. The one-word-per-page setup and the riveting (another entry) illustrations are the secrets to the book’s success. Ages 7–12
TESTER NOTES: Break up this book into small chunks. “We’d read two words a day and challenge the whole family to use those words,” said one parent.
Written and illustrated by Sylvie Kantorovitz
An early reader in the graphic-novel format is nothing new, but this one stands out for packing a fully formed funny story about a broken-down car into its 32 pages while still playing fair with sight words. “If your child is interested in cars, this is the number one book to hand them,” says judge Betsy Bird. Ages 4–8
TESTER NOTES: Request that your child read it aloud to the family. “The story is easy to follow and the jokes landed even for younger kids,” said a dad whose 6-year-old read it to his 4-year-old sibling.
Written by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Carmen Mok
Based on one of Aesop’s fables while also being its own story, a rat who prefers solitude rescues a small owl — and an unlikely friendship forms. “Slim text, simple vocabulary and large illustrations make this story accessible for new readers without robbing it of emotional heft and real suspense,” says judge Liv Hanson. Ages 5–8
TESTER NOTES: “I like that it’s the first in a trilogy of books that build on each other rather than a standalone,” said the mom of a 7-year-old reviewer.
Written by Annie Barrows, illustrated by Sophie Blackall
The creators behind the Ivy + Bean best sellers are back at it, this time with a chapter book series starring two sisters who turn mundane activities into silly, joyful adventures. Whimsical full-color illustrations on almost every page draw in emerging readers — especially those who have a younger sister — into their world. Ages 6–9
TESTER NOTES: Kid reviewers reported they liked that each chapter was about a different adventure. “My favorite chapter was the one where Marigold went to a zoo and saw brown turtles that she thought were rocks,” said our 9-year-old reviewer.
Written and illustrated by Chanel Miller
In this illustrated chapter book, a 10-year-old Chinese-American girl finds her first true friend and they team up to reunite socks left behind in a laundromat with their owners. All summer long they have adventures being New York City's "sock detectives." The author’s genius lies in how she balances the many charming moments with serious topics like racism and class struggle. Ages 7–11
TESTER NOTES: “I admire how the plot and atmosphere of this book feel mature — a girl searching through New York City and learning about herself along the way — while it is still an innocent and wholesome story about friendship,” said a dad.
Written by Katherine Applegate, illustrated by Patricia Castelao
The final book in the four-volume series that began with Newbery Award–winning The One and Only Ivan ends on a bang. Now living in a wildlife sanctuary, the gorilla Ivan becomes a dad of twins. Supporting characters from the series reunite as Ivan grapples with his past and his future. Applegate’s signature prose makes this a wonderful read-aloud. Ages 8–12
TESTER NOTES: Comparing the series to Charlotte’s Web, our family reviewers thought it was destined to be a classic. “The books are in a league of their own,” said one parent. “My child loved the vivid descriptions and the emotions they evoked.”
Written by J.K. Rowling, illustrated by MinaLima
Mini muggles (and their parents) can relive their Harry Potter fandom thanks to this glowed-up boxed set of the series’ first three books designed by the paper wizards at MinaLima. With pop-ups, fold-out notes and even movable eyes, the books practically make Harry and his pals jump off the page. Ages 8+
TESTER NOTES: The boxed set cast a spell on our junior reviewers. “I’ve never had a book that was so cool. I could literally spend hours looking at it!” said one 10-year-old. Her mom added, “It was so fun to watch my daughter experience the story anew.”
Written by James Ponti
The first book in a new mystery-adventure series turns four ordinary kids into detectives. As they set out to solve a real-life mystery involving hidden treasure in their home state of Florida, a mind-boggling twist takes them in a wildly different direction. Ages 8–12
TESTER NOTES: Ponti, who used to write for kids’ TV shows, is a master at creating suspense. “Most of the chapters end on a mini cliffhanger, so you don’t want to stop reading,” said our 10-year-old reviewer.
Written by Aimee Lim
A modern spin on Chinese folklore will hold particular appeal for fans of Percy Jackson and the Olympians. A 12-year-old learns from a talking monkey that her late mother isn’t really dead but is instead trapped in the underworld. The spunky girl sets out to save her mom, pulling readers into this gripping tale. Ages 8–12
TESTER NOTES: “It was scary enough, but not too scary,” said an 8-year-old reviewer. “It also was very exciting and had lots of twists.”
Written by Beth Lincoln, illustrated by Claire Powell
The action-packed sequel to The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels, a winner in last year’s GH Kids’ Book Awards, is even better than the OG! Shenanigan Swift and her wacky family travel to Paris to track down a painting they believe was stolen from their home. But nothing is ever what it seems, and many twists later, kids’ minds will be blown. Throughout the chapters, you’ll also find wordplay at its finest. Ages 10+
TESTER NOTES: While this book can work as a standalone, it’s best to read the first one so as to get the sequel’s in-jokes, said our reviewers.
Written by Alli Brydon, illustrated by Maïté Schmitt
A personalized twist on a search-and-find, this book challenges kids to look for the family dog in a variety of scenes. To customize it, you can enter the names of up to six dog lovers in the family along and of one or two dogs. Then select which pooch looks most like yours from a wide variety of illustrations and, voilà, your family’s information is incorporated in many touches throughout the book, right down to the name on the dog bowl. Ages 5–10
TESTER NOTES: Parents were impressed with the book’s quality and suitability for repeated use. “My girls spent hours finding their names and their dog in the book,” said a mom.
Written by David Cadji-Newby, illustrated by Valerya Milovanov
Taking book personalization to the next level, this product allows you to incorporate your child’s artwork. Through an easy order process, you enter the recipient’s name, select one of 18 diverse avatars and upload a photo of your child’s drawing or painting. The result: Your child’s masterpiece appears alongside a fun rhyming story about the art being on display at a gallery and on billboards. Ages 4–8
TESTER NOTES: “I loved being able to include the picture of our family my daughter drew over the summer,” said one parent. “This book is going to be a cherished keepsake.”
Written and illustrated by Valerie Fisher
Wannabe chefs who don’t know how to read (or who are just learning) can still follow recipes from this innovative visually driven cookbook. Its 20 breakfast recipes — from Wakie Flakies to Cranola — contain photos or illustrations of the ingredients and of required tools and instructions. Icons indicate where a grown-up’s help is needed. Ages 4–8
TESTER NOTES: Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab Director and mom of two Stefani Sassos, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N., appreciated that the book was “very Montessori,” adding, “It has provided some good learning moments already, and my daughter has even bragged about it to Grandma.”
Written by Highlights, illustrated by Amanda Kay Rowe
Kids will dive right into this 300-page full-color book filled with a wide range of activities. Some, such as mazes and matching games, can be worked on independently, while others, like crafts and recipes, will require adult help. One thing is for sure: This book will help prevent kids from saying the B word (“bored”). Ages 3–6
TESTER NOTES: Since the book has broad appeal, make it one of your go-to birthday party gifts. “There is so much inside that you really don’t have to know what the child is super interested in,” said one parent.
Written and illustrated by the editors of Klutz
A well-illustrated, easy-to-follow booklet gives builders ideas for what they can make with the 168 LEGO elements included in this kit. A drop tower, a labyrinth and a fortune teller are among the amazing possibilities. Ages 8–12
TESTER NOTES: Kids on the younger end of the age range may need adult guidance, but the result is super fun. “The visuals in the book were accurate, and it was easy to determine where each piece went,” said a parent who helped their 8-year-old with folding the paper pieces for the drop tower. “Overall, it’s a great product, and she’s having a blast with it.”
Written by Ashli St. Armant
Created exclusively for Audible, this fast-paced story follows a young detective who is on the hunt for her missing grandmother in New Orleans. Award-winning narrator Bahni Turpin voices this edition, the third installment in the series. Ages 8–12
TESTER NOTES: The spy novel’s setting appealed to kid reviewers. “I loved when she went to the ball and rode in the parade,” said an 8-year-old.
Written by Adam Gidwitz
Narration by Euan Morton, who played King George in Hamilton on Broadway, makes this thought-provoking historical spy thriller even more exciting for kids. “Morton creates successful and distinct voices for an impressively large cast of British and German characters, including two folkloric creatures,” said judge Liv Hanson. Ages 8–12
TESTER NOTES: Kid reviewers thought the narration made the nonfiction elements of the story more compelling. “I liked learning about what happened during World War II,” said an 11-year-old. “The immortal creatures added humor and more excitement.”
By J.K. Rowling
Evanna Lynch, who played Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter films, is part of the star-studded cast of narrators for 80 short stories that were originally written for the website Pottermore. The stories help tie up some loose ends in the series and provide many aha moments regarding characters and events. Ages 8+
TESTER NOTES: The intel and the high production quality wowed our kid listeners. “I learned so much more about the Harry Potter characters,” said an 8-year-old. “For example, Aunt Petunia wanted to go to Hogwarts!”
Written by Katherine Rundell
Compelling narration by actor Samuel West makes this best-selling 368-page fantasy-adventure more accessible to reluctant readers. Families will get swept away by two friends who race to save the world’s last magical place. Ages 10+
TESTER NOTES: Play it during a long car ride — kid reviewers and their parents were hooked from the beginning. “My child was invested heavily in this audiobook, to the point that he refused to do anything else,” said one parent.
Karen Cicero
The former senior editor at Parents who started the brand’s awards programs, Karen Cicero is a seasoned journalist who specializes in travel, book, lifestyle and food coverage.Cicero has visited almost every state with her family (look out Wyoming, she’s coming for you next!) She recently presented at several travel industry conferences, including PRSA and the Mid-Atlantic Tourism Alliance. A mom who goes overboard for all the holidays, Cicero lives in the Christmas city itself: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
