I am so honored to share children’s books with all of you. I feel very passionate about reading to children, beginning the habit even while you are pregnant. Your child will learn the rhythm of your voice, and once they are born, the words and tone will be familiar to them, helping them become accustomed to sitting and reading with you. Numerous studies demonstrate the benefits of reading to children, and at school, I can usually identify which students have been read to at home and which haven’t.
I shared 74 children’s books with you last year. I’m so grateful to the publishers and authors who have generously sent me copies of their books. There wasn’t any children’s book that I didn’t like, and most of them I loved. However, there were definitely some standout titles that are great read-alouds, teach something in a fun way, offer lessons in problem-solving, have engaging illustrations, and encourage kids to have fun while reading.
I look forward to sharing more great books with you this year. As always, I’ll post reviews here as well as on Goodreads and on my socials. Are you following me on Facebook, Instagram, X, or TikTok?
Top 10 Children’s Books of 2025
Clicking the title will take you to my review of the book.
HARD HAT HANK AND THE SKY-HIGH SOLUTION
Author Charlotte Gunnufson made my list of Top Children’s Books in 2024, and she is back again with her newest book that teaches kids that sometimes we need to pivot and change our plans when something isn’t working. It also encourages teamwork and is an overall fun read-aloud. Charlotte is an Iowa author, and this children’s book was printed in the USA with 30% recycled paper and ink.
With just ten words, various stories are shared about love: the love between siblings, the love between a parent and child, or the love for a pet. The author uses 21 different artists to create the illustrations in each story, which makes them unique and exposes kids to various forms of art and illustration. The stories are told with just ten words, and a lesson in writing with just ten words is included at the end of the book.
This book is gorgeously illustrated by an Iowa artist and is based on the author’s adventures while living in Alaska. Kids will count from one red fox to eleven chickadees, seeing the various animals enjoying winter. The end of the book shows the arrival of spring with twelve children playing outside and crocuses poking through the ground.
This children’s book is based on real dogs that work for the Working Dogs for Conservation organization. Every time Tucker got adopted, he would get returned for being a “trouble dog” until Laura adopted him and put his energy to good use. Kids who have been scolded for having “too much energy” at school or a learning disability will be able to relate to Tucker.
I love books that encourage kids to use their imagination, and even better if they can go outside to explore. This book is full of activities that will send kids outside to search for items like an acorn cap and use it to make a tiny twig folk, and then use more twigs, stones, and leaves to make a home. Kids will learn how to read recipes, plan out an adventure, create and design items, and observe and record in nature.
THE FARAWAY FOREST: WALLY’S ROUTE
This book introduces young readers to a graphic novel collection of four stories. Wally is the mail carrier for the forest, and he greets everyone with a smile during his route. He is so friendly that sometimes he helps out the other residents of the forest. Each page has something to look for, which turns this reading experience into an adventure as well. The stories offer life mottos or lessons about being a good person, a hard worker, and how to treat others. It also encourages kids to write and send letters to someone they love.
David LaRochelle made my Top Children’s Books of 2024 list as well, and has two books on my list this year. LaRochelle knows how to make reading fun for kids, and I highly recommend all his books. This book has dry-erase pages where kids can create illustrations to help tell the story. Every time they read the book, their own illustrations will make the story different. Kids will love being part of the story and being creative.
Like LaRochelle’s book GO AND GET WITH REX, reading this book is a fun game. If your child doesn’t like to sit for stories, reading this book will keep them interested while playing a fun reading game. Even though the book will want you to respond with “No” for an answer, your child will want to say “Yes,” which will keep them playing the game. Silly antics in the story will make kids giggle, and this will soon become a favorite read-aloud.
Shannon Anderson made my Top Children’s Books of 2022 with her book I LOVE STRAWBERRIES!, and she is back with I LOVE BLUEBERRIES! Jolie is back and starting another school year after a summer of learning about blueberries with her teacher’s wife, a local farmer. Facts about blueberries alongside Jolie’s big project idea for her class will encourage kids to try growing their own food. Kids will also learn the value of patience, hard work, and about hydroponics.
I love a children’s book where I can learn something new along with the kids. Sandra Nickel, a favorite children’s author, shares the story of Clara Driscoll and her creation of the Tiffany Lamps. Kids will learn about creativity, innovation, hard work, and standing up for themselves. The illustrations in this one are quite beautiful, and an author’s note shares more information.
Make time every day to read with your child and encourage a life-long love of reading.
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Posted Under Best Books, Brian Biggs, Carol A. Foote, Charlotte Gunnufson, Children's books, Claudia McGehee, David LaRochelle, Debbie Fong, Joseph Coelho, Julie Paschkis, Kayla Catanzaro, Larry Day, Mike Wohnoutka, Nancy White Carlstrom, Renia Metallinou, Sandra Nickel, Shannon Anderson, Susie Spikol, biography, fiction, non-fiction