Best Children’s Books of 2025

Updated December 10, 2025
J
Johnson County Public Library
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Don't trust fish
Sharpson, Neil
Paper Book
NATIONAL BESTSELLER * An absurdly laugh-out-loud funny picture book about the villainy of fish, illustrated by National Book Award-winning creator Dan Santat "A ribald and uproarious warning to those unschooled in fishy goings-on." --Kirkus, starred review ONE OF...

"Honestly? The title says it all: Don’t trust fish."

Brittany (Children’s Services, Trafalgar Branch)

Frank's Red Hat
Avery, Sean E.
Paper Book
A story about never giving up on your talents, because even though what you do may not be appreciated right now, it may be in time. Possibly by someone you'd least expect. Frank is a penguin with ideas. Mostly terrible ones. That's why his fellow penguins are nervous when he...

"Frank is a penguin full of ideas, but his newest creation - a red knit hat - doesn't go over well with his fellow penguins.  A sweet, funny story about finding acceptance. " 

Lori (Circulation Manager, Trafalgar Branch)

The Hole
Bonilla, Lindsay.
Paper Book
A powerful and profoundly moving picture book story about grief that is perfect for opening up conversations about loss with young readers A little boy has a big hole in his life after his brother's death. It's in the bottom bunk where Matty used to sleep, and on Matty's chair at...

"The Hole" by Lindsay Bonilla is a story about a girl dealing with the loss of her brother. It's a sweet and heartwarming book that helps kids understand grief."

Nicole (Library Assistant, Clark Pleasant Branch)

Please pay attention
Sumner, Jamie
Ebook
Three starred reviews! A girl with cerebral palsy navigates loss, grief, and the aftermath of trauma following a school shooting in a world that wasn't built for her in this "intimate, lyrical" (Publishers Weekly, starred review) novel in verse from Jamie Sumner, the...

"A girl with cerebral palsy navigates loss, grief, and the aftermath of trauma following a school shooting in a world that wasn’t built for her. You'll cry, but it is so good and so worth it."

Katie (Reference Assistant, White River Branch)

Pocket bear
Applegate, Katherine
Paper Book
An instant New York Times Bestseller! Meet Pocket, created as a good luck charm for soldiers going into battle, whose bravery and loyalty lives on long after the war. From Katherine Applegate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Odder and...

"The story of a group of talking stuffed animals living in the care of a Ukrainian immigrant family, narrated by a cat, focusing on two antique teddy bears from World War I who finally find their forever home."

Andrea (Shelver, White River Branch)

The Wild Robot on the Island
Brown, Peter.
Paper Book
Enter the world of the #1 New York Times bestselling The Wild Robot with this enchanting and timeless picture book.

"A beautiful picture book companion to the original "Wild Robot" trilogy and film. It's full of heart and love, with gorgeous illustrations on every page." 

Ollie (Circulation Assistant, Franklin Branch)


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