Greatest New Books for Children and Teenagers in December 2025

Sparkles for Sunny by Sylvia Chen, ailing. by Thai My Phuong

Sunny is worked up to rejoice Lunar Close to 12 months together with her household, however she’s not as enthusiastic concerning the matching qipáo clothes she and her sisters will put on. For as soon as, Sunny wish to stand out in one thing that’s simply her fashion—however one among her household’s guidelines is “don’t waste something.” Can she give you an answer that makes everybody blissful?

Purchase it: Sparkles for Sunny

How We Love by Kati Douglas and Ashley Jefferson

Present youngsters all of the other ways we present love to 1 one other, from listening and sharing to hugging, dancing collectively, and extra. That includes images of actual households, siblings, and pals, this board e-book is the proper match for preschool and kindergarten lecture rooms that worth range and kindness.

Purchase it: How We Love

Paper Chase by Julia Donaldson, ailing. by Victoria Sandøy

James and Ginger spend an exquisite afternoon enjoying collectively after her paper airplane lands on his open e-book, all below one large stunning tree. However when Ginger appears to be like for James below that tree once more, she finds a shock as an alternative—the tree has been lower down! Observe the tree’s journey and study the way it’s made into the paper that may sooner or later unite the 2 new pals as soon as extra.

Purchase it: Paper Chase

The Snowman Code by Simon Stephenson, ailing. by Reggie Brown

This distinctive new center grade e-book tells the story of a 600-year-old snowman and a 10-year-old lady. Blessing is coping with bullies in school and mother affected by extreme despair at house. In the meantime, the unusually lengthy winter has trapped Albert in England, although by now he ought to have melted and reappeared elsewhere on this planet. Can the 2 assist one another discover options to their issues?

Purchase it: The Snowman Code

The Stolen Songbird by Judith Eagle, ailing. by Jo Rioux

In Fifties London, Caro loves her uncommon life with two mothers and a beloved white rabbit. However a sequence of occasions upends her world, sending Caro to reside quickly with a stern great-aunt. Whereas unpacking her suitcase, she discovers a helpful stolen portray that quickly has artwork thieves on her tail. With the assistance of her uncommon assortment of pals, Caro should discover a method to return the portray and restore her life to regular.

Purchase it: The Stolen Songbird

Seven All Alone by Kirsty McKay

Ten years after surviving a childhood kidnapping, Maggie Atkins reluctantly joins a faculty journey to the identical mountains the place it occurred—alongside the chums who as soon as deserted her. When a storm traps them and a mysterious determine begins searching them down, Maggie realizes the nightmare she thought was over has solely simply begun. Teenagers who love thrillers received’t have the ability to put this one down.

Purchase it: Seven All Alone

The Gentle Years Between Us by Shannon Ok. English

Seventeen-year-old Will Arrex, a sheltered noble destined to inherit her father’s energy on the Eden area station, shocks everybody by becoming a member of the lethal Lottery that sends youths into area to seek for liveable worlds. Compelled to pilot a ship alongside her rival Paige Tarrant, Will uncovers a devastating secret: Their mission was by no means meant to return house.

Purchase it: The Gentle Years Between Us

Rising up in an “influencer” household, Rosalie’s days are a sequence of on-camera moments—a lot of which don’t even precisely seize her life. Rosalie is uninterested in it and starting to fret about her (and her youthful sister’s) bodily and psychological security. However reclaiming her life means discovering the bravery to take drastic motion on this new novel in verse.

Purchase it: This Trauma Is Sponsored

The Spectacular Area Loop by Javi de Castro

Cosmo takes a tremendous journey to different planets when his new jetpack malfunctions. As he travels from place to position, he encounters a sequence of enjoyable new environments and pals. However the actual magic of this inventive graphic novel occurs when a magician casts a spell to ship Cosmo again house—to complete the e-book, readers flip it the other way up and expertise it another time from again to entrance! (Grades Ok–2)

Purchase it: The Spectacular Area Loop

The Case of the Heartbreak Heist by Christee Curran-Bauer

The Personal Pigeon Detectives are again! Within the newest entry within the sequence, they need to work out who’s stealing all of the baking instruments from the city’s Valentine’s Day baking competitors. Might the groundhog who refused to reply his door on February 2 have one thing to do with it? (Grades 1–4)

Purchase it: The Case of the Heartbreak Heist

Calamity Earlier than Jane by Noah Van Sciver

As a member of the Buffalo Invoice Wild West present, Martha Jane Cannary gained fame as Calamity Jane. Be taught extra concerning the story of her life on- and off-stage on this intriguing new graphic nonfiction e-book, and discover out whether or not the legend of Calamity Jane is greater than only a tall story. (Grades 3–7)

Purchase it: Calamity Earlier than Jane

Quincredible: A Higher World by Rodney Barnes, illustrated by Selina Espiritu

Within the newest entry on this teen superhero sequence, the indestructible Quincredible should resolve the thriller of the contaminated water provide of his hometown, New Orleans. This disaster hits near house—his mom is a type of made sick and hospitalized. Quinton continues to be some of the likeable superheroes on the market, thriving with the assist of his household and pals. (Grades 9+)

Purchase it: Quincredible: A Higher World

By way of the Telescope by Charles R. Smith Jr., ailing. by Night Monteiro

When younger Mae Jemison first appeared via a telescope, it began a journey that will culminate in her turning into the primary Black feminine astronaut. This nonfiction image e-book explores what Mae might need seen, and shares the ideas of a younger lady studying concerning the wonders of area. (Grades pre-Ok to 2)

Purchase it: By way of the Telescope

The Superb Technology by Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Value, ailing. by Cynthia Yuan Cheng

Jonathon Haidt’s e-book The Anxious Technology addressed the sharp rise in teen psychological sickness in recent times. Now he’s again with a e-book aimed particularly at tweens, educating them sensible methods to cope with immediately’s distinctive challenges, together with the overuse of screens. This can be a must-read for any child about to get their very own cellphone and/or social media account, or those that really feel overwhelmed and anxious earlier than they’ve even began highschool. (Grades 4–7)

Purchase it: The Superb Technology

Abolition and the African American Story by Patricia Williams Dockery

By the mid-1800s, African Individuals had spent centuries shaping the nation’s financial system and tradition, even because the query of their rights threatened to divide it. Throughout the Civil Warfare and Reconstruction, their battle for freedom and equality performed out throughout battlefields, properties, and political arenas—with younger individuals enjoying key roles in redefining what it meant to be American. (Grades 5–8)

Purchase it: Abolition and the African American Story

The Reward of Phrases by Peter H. Reynolds

Followers of The Phrase Collector will likely be thrilled with this new story of Jerome’s seek for inspirational vacation phrases. When these phrases change into tougher to seek out than he anticipated, he decides that this time, it’s his flip to share his assortment of fantastic phrases with the entire city! 

Purchase it: The Reward of Phrases

Dasher and the Polar Bear by Matt Tavares

The attractive cowl of this new image e-book evokes the magical story inside. Dasher the reindeer desires nothing greater than to present her new polar bear buddy George the power to fly, nevertheless it appears his paws are destined to stay on the bottom. Until, after all, Santa Claus can discover a method to make George’s dream come true! (Grades pre-Ok to 2)

Purchase it: Dasher and the Polar Bear

The E book of Candles by Laurel Snyder, ailing. by Leanne Hatch

In eight evocative poems, one for every night time of Hanukkah, this e-book shares the traditions of the Jewish winter vacation via one household’s eyes. The household enjoys traditions outdated and new, like household meals and adorning for the vacation, however an important second comes after they collect collectively and light-weight the candles on the menorah every night time. (Grades pre-Ok to 2)

Purchase it: The E book of Candles

Interrupting Rooster Saves the Nutcracker by David Ezra Stein

The irrepressible little Rooster is again and headed to the ballet. Can she watch quietly with out interrupting? After all not. After a sequence of interruptions, she and Papa are kicked out—however not earlier than Rooster steals the Nutcracker! With a purpose to return it, she’ll have to rewrite the traditional ballet, and readers will get pleasure from the brand new model as a lot because the viewers. (Grades pre-Ok to 2)

Purchase it: Interrupting Rooster Saves the Nutcracker

As soon as Upon a Kwanzaa by Nyasha Williams and Sidney Rose McCall, ailing. by Sawyer Cloud

Be a part of a wide range of households as they rejoice Kwanzaa, and study concerning the Nguzo Saba (Seven Rules) behind this vacation that’s particular to many members of the African diaspora. Discover the historical past of Kwanzaa via stunning illustrations and textual content that’s good for the youngest learners. (Grades pre-Ok to 2)

Purchase it: As soon as Upon a Kwanzaa

The thirteenth Day of Christmas by Adam Rex

“On the primary day of Christmas my real love gave to me …” The circulate of items is all effectively and good, however what occurs on day 13, when the recipient finds themselves with a whole bunch of birds, to not point out dancing lords, maids milking cows, and extra? Discover out on this enjoyable new vacation learn! (Grades Ok–3)

Purchase it: The thirteenth Day of Christmas

The Mouse Who Beloved Latkes by Pleasure Nelkin Wieder

C.J. the mouse by no means anticipated to develop into pals with a household of cats. However when he spots their menorah and chocolate gelt, his curiosity will get the very best of him. As he learns about their vacation traditions, he additionally learns that that is one cat household who poses no risk since mice aren’t kosher! (Grades pre-Ok to 2)

Purchase it: The Mouse Who Beloved Latkes

Fa La La Household by Scott Hoying and Mark Hoying, ailing. by Steph Lew

Identical to “household,” the phrase “Christmas” means one thing totally different to everybody. However finally, all of it comes down to like. Be a part of a wide range of various households as they share their vacation traditions, plus study a brand-new Christmas track—a QR code offers a recording to associate with the included sheet music. (Grades pre-Ok to three)

Purchase it: Fa La La Household

Weiwei’s Winter Solstice by Michelle Jing Chan

Weiwei as soon as spent the winter solstice (Dōngzhì) surrounded by palm bushes and hummingbirds. However now she’s moved to a a lot colder place. A household stroll helps her see the sweetness in her new wintry environment, and the household Dōngzhì traditions are the identical irrespective of the place she goes. (Grades Ok–3)

Purchase it: Weiwei’s Winter Solstice

North for the Winter by Bobby Podesta

With most vacation books aimed on the image e-book crowd, this center grade graphic novel is a welcome addition to the style. Virginia has simply moved to a brand new metropolis after dropping her mother. When she spots what appears to be a flying reindeer, it sends her and new pal Benny on an journey to reunite the magical animal with Santa, who it appears would possibly simply be actual in spite of everything. (Grades 3–7)

Purchase it: North for the Winter