Día (Children's Day/Book Day Booklist for Children, Tweens and Teens

El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day), commonly known as Día, is a celebration of children and wonderful books and culminates yearly on April 30. Día honors the cultures and language sof all children! This reading list includes books recommended by the Association for Library Services for Children (ALSC) and are owned by the Sussex County Library System.

Please also visit our event calendar to see what special programs we have scheduled in celebration of Día in April.

Updated January 30, 2026
S
Sussex County Library System (NJ)
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Across so many seas
Behar, Ruth
Paper Book
NEWBERY HONOR WINNER SYDNEY TAYLOR BOOK AWARD HONOR WINNER "As lyrical as it is epic, Across So Many Seas reminds us that while the past may be another country, it's also a living, breathing song of sadness and joy that helps define who we are." --Alan Gratz, New York...
All mixed up
Tawney, Raj
Paper Book
WINNER, 2024 FOREWORD INDIES, HONORABLE MENTION, JUVENILE FICTION CBC 2025 MIDDLE-GRADE & TEACHER FAVORITES A DÍA READING LIST 2025 PICK A NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST BOOKS FOR KIDS 2024 PICK From New York Times essayist Raj Tawney comes All Mixed Up<...
Aloha everything
George, Kaylin Melia
Paper Book
Winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Winner of the Hawaiʻi Keiki Book Award An ALA Notable Children's Book ★ "A stunning tribute to Hawaiian culture and identity."-starred review, Kirkus ...
And then, boom!
Fipps, Lisa
Paper Book
A gripping new novel in verse by the author of the Printz Honor-winning Starfish, featuring a poverty-stricken boy who bravely rides out all the storms life keeps throwing at him Joe Oak is used to living on unsteady ground. His mom can't be depended on as she never stays...
Ash's cabin
Wang, Jen
Paper Book
A Kirkus Best Book of the YearA Booklist Best Book of the Year An Amazon Best Book of the Year Eisner Award Nominee (Best Publication for Teens) Ash has always felt alone. Adults ignore the climate crisis. Other kids...
The band in our basement
Baptist, Kelly J.
Paper Book
In this rollicking, rhyming picture book, a pair of siblings who are supposed to be in bed discover a jazz band playing in their basement The sounds downstairs are funky and we start to wiggle toes. We flip-flop and we giggle with sheets up...
A beautiful house for birds
Lin, Grace
Paper Book
Caldecott Honor winner Grace Lin celebrates math for every kid, everywhere! Olivia wants to make a colorful birdhouse for summer. She starts painting a pattern of stripes on the roof but then oops!-messes up. Now what? Explore patterns in this playful story about creative problem...
Being home
Sorell, Traci
Paper Book
From Sibert Honor-winning author Traci Sorell and Caldecott Medal-winning artist Michaela Goade comes a heartwarming picture book about a Native American family and the joy of moving back to their ancestral land. Today is a day of excitement-it's time to move! As a young Cherokee...
Born naughty : my childhood in China
Wang, Jin (Yoga instructor)
Paper Book
Share in the joyful, adventure-filled shenanigans of a child growing up in a small mud hut in Inner Mongolia in this charming, illustrated memoir for young middle grade readers. A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR Growing up in Inner Mongolia, Jin Wang was...
Brooms
Walls, Jasmine
Paper Book
A queer, witchy Fast and the Furious that shines light on history not often told. BEST OF THE YEAR: Booklist · Kirkus · Polygon · Chicago Public Library · New York Public Library Mississippi, 1930s. Magic simmering beneath...
Carnival chaos
Baptiste, Tracey
Paper Book
From the best-selling author of the Jumbies series comes a magic-and-mythology-filled novel for 8-12-year-olds that celebrates Afro-Caribbean culture and Black history Weirdness and wonders abound in this Afro-Caribbean-inspired action-adventure novel about 3 cousins...
Daughters of the lamp
Lewers, Nedda
Paper Book
A USA Today Bestseller · A stunning middle grade fantasy inspired by Arabian legends about a girl who becomes the guardian of Ali Baba's treasure. Believe in fairy tales. Sahara Rashad lives by logic. Loves science. And always has a plan....
Desert song
Kemp, Laekan Zea
Paper Book
A family joins the music of the Texas desert night in this tale of tradition and memory from Pura Belpré Honor author Laekan Zea Kemp. It starts with a soft tapping, Uncle Eduardo drumming his hands against his dusty jeans. As the...
The door is open : stories of celebration and community by 11 Desi voices
Khan, Hena
Paper Book
Discover stories of fear, triumph, and spectacular celebration in this warm-hearted novel of interconnected stories that celebrates the diversity of South Asian American experiences in a local community center. Discover stories of fear, triumph, and spectacular...
Finn and Ezra's Bar Mitzvah Time Loop
Levy, Joshua S.
Paper Book
Finn and Ezra's bar mitzvah weekend takes on a Groundhog Day twist in this hilarious and magical middle grade novel from Joshua S. Levy. Finn and Ezra don't have a lot in common--except, of course, that they're trapped in a bar mitzvah time loop, reliving their celebrations...
Give me a snickle!
Sevigny, Alisha
Paper Book
★ "The rhyming cadence makes this title a great one for baby story times and one-on-one readings...A first purchase for all libraries, and not limited to the conventional board book audience."--School Library Journal, starred review A hug and a giggle? Who doesn't love a good higgle!...
The heartbeat drum : the story of Carol Powder, Cree drummer and activist
Havrelock, Deidre
Paper Book
Author Deidre Havrelock's and illustrator Aphelandra's The Heartbeat Drum is an uplifting picture book biography of a Cree activist and musician who founded an Indigenous hand drumming group, led by women and children, that spreads joy, healing, and unity nis�...
Home in a lunchbox
Mo, Cherry
Paper Book
**WINNER OF THE CALDECOTT HONOR** Cherry Mo's stunning debut is about a young girl who immigrates to America and finds home in an unexpected place. When Jun moves from Hong Kong to America, the only words she knows are hello, thank you, I don't know,...
It's All Love : Reflections for Your Heart and Soul
Ortega, Jenna
Paper Book
An empowering collection written by Jenna Ortega, the award-winning actress starring in thehit Netflix series WEDNESDAY.These deeply personal stories and quotes are accompanied bybeautiful illustrations thatexplore Jenna's struggles with depression, experiences falling in-and out of-love, the...
Kwame crashes the underworld
Farmer, Craig Kofi
Paper Book
Winner of the Coretta Scott King John Steptoe New Talent Award Discover a stunning middle grade fantasy about a boy hurled into the Ghanaian underworld to help his grandmother save humanity, perfect for fans of Tristan Strong and Amari and the Night Brothers.
The last Rhee witch
Lee-Yun, Jenna
Paper Book
A 2025 Children's Book Council Favorites Award Winner in three categories: Middle-Grade, Teacher, & Librarian! For fans of The Last Fallen Star, Witchlings, and Ghost Squad, a heartfelt middle grade debut where Korean folklore is all too real and summer...
The last stand
Eady, Antwan
Paper Book
The author of Nigel and the Moon, delivers a tender intergenerational story inspired by his childhood in the rural south. Here's a farm stand that represents the importance of family, community, and hope. A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, BOOKPAGE, and SCHOOL...
A maleta full of treasures
Sylvester, Natalia
Paper Book
Pura Belpre Illustrator Honor Award ALSC Notable Children's Book Anna Dewey Read Together Award Finalist Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices 2025 List From an award-winning author and illustrator, a warm, gentle ode to cherished visits from grandparents and...
Mid-Air
Williams, Alicia
Paper Book
Longlisted for the National Book Award A tender-souled boy reeling from the death of his best friend struggles to fit into a world that wants him to grow up tough and unfeeling in this stunning illustrated middle grade novel in verse "full of vulnerability and hope" (...
Monster hands
Kane, Karen
Paper Book
A Schneider Family Book Award Honor Two best friends use rhyming ASL to help vanquish their fear of the monster under the bed in this fun, interactive bedtime readaloud. When nighttime comes, Milo has a problem--he's convinced there's a monster under his bed! Luckily...
My daddy is a cowboy
Seales, Stephanie
Paper Book
Tall. High as the clouds. Strong as a horse's back. Like a cowboy. In the early hours before dawn, a young girl and her father greet their horses and ride together through the waking city streets. As they trot along, Daddy tells cowboy stories filled with fun and...
Nearer my freedom : the interesting life of Olaudah Equiano by himself
Edinger, Monica
Paper Book
"Permit me to lay at your feet the following genuine Narrative . . ." Olaudah Equiano was a writer and abolitionist whose autobiography, The Interesting Life of Olaudah Equiano, captured the attention of British readers at the height of the transatlantic slave trade. The...
Parachute kids
Tang, Betty C.
Paper Book
ABA Indie BestsellerNational Book Award Longlist TitleAsian/Pacific American Award Honor Book4 Starred Reviews This funny, fast-paced, and heartrending story about three siblings living on their own as undocumented new immigrants is perfect for fans of New...
Remembering
Gonza?lez, Xelena
Paper Book
Three starred reviews! A Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor Book A Chicago Public Library Best Book A family remembers their beloved pet dog through the traditions of Día de Muertos in this "gorgeous, deeply touching exploration of grief and remembrance" (...
Time to make art
Mack, Jeff
Paper Book
A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2024 A School Library Journal Best Book of 2024 3 Starred Reviews! Does art have to be perfect? Where do you begin? This inspiring picture book about making art doubles as an introduction to the multifaceted and...
The way champs play
Osaka, Naomi
Paper Book
In a rhythmic celebration of sport and play, four-time Grand Slam champion and tennis superstar Naomi Osaka shares key steps to becoming a true champ, including being kind, working as a team, doing your best, and most importantly, having fun. At Play Academy, We love to move. ...
We are big time
Khan, Hena
Paper Book
SWISH! Cheer courtside for a Muslim teen in this graphic novel-inspired by a true story-as she joins an all-girls, hijab-wearing basketball team and learns that she's much more than a score. Aliya is new to Wisconsin, and everything feels different than Florida. The Islamic...
Where wolves don't die
Treuer, Anton
Paper Book
Tightly woven Indigenous YA thriller that explores masculinity and love between generations of family Ezra Cloud hates living in Northeast Minneapolis. His father is a professor of their language, Ojibwe, at a local college, so they have to be there. But Ezra hates the dirty,...
Wherever you go
Penfold, Alexandra
Paper Book
From the creators of the bestselling All Are Welcome comes a modern and inclusive picture book that celebrates the many milestones of a child's life ranging from a school play to graduation with an emphasis on kindness and community. Where will you go? Who...
You're so amazing!
Catchpole, James
Paper Book
A Schneider Family Book Award Honor book! ​In this authentic and humorous picture book, a child with a limb difference is tired of being told how amazing he is for doing normal things. Joe and his friend Simone are practicing their best playground...
¡Fiesta! : a festival of colors
Tonatiuh, Duncan
Paper Book
From award-winning and beloved author-illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh comes this celebratory bilingual concept picture book. This book of colors features a street fiesta with green avocados, yellow tortillas, purple dance dresses, and brown charro pants. The book includes a double gatefold finale reveal...

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