Every year, hundreds of children’s books hit the shelves. Some arrive with fanfare. Others quietly slip past, waiting to be discovered by curious young readers and thoughtful parents. Children’s books in 2025 were packed with heart, humour, courage, and big ideas, yet many wonderful titles did not get the spotlight they deserved. So, if you are looking to refresh your child’s bookshelf, move beyond bestsellers, or find meaningful reads that truly connect, then this list by The Junior Age is for you. Here are 10 brilliant children’s books from 2025 you might have missed.
Top Must-Read Children’s Books of 2025:
1. Broken by X. Fang
Age group: 4 to 7 years
When a child accidentally breaks a favourite toy, worry and guilt take over. The fear of telling the truth feels bigger than the broken object itself. As the story unfolds, the child learns that mistakes can be fixed and honesty can bring comfort rather than trouble.
Why kids should read it:
This book helps children understand that making mistakes is a normal part of growing up. It gently opens conversations about honesty, responsibility, and forgiving yourself, all without scolding or fear. For parents, it is a calm, reassuring way to show children that being truthful often leads to kindness and understanding, not punishment.
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2. Two People Can by Blessing Musiri & Maisie Paradise Sharing
Age group: 4 to 8 years
This warm and reassuring picture book celebrates the many shapes a family can take, focusing on a loving household with just two people. Through gentle words and expressive illustrations, it shows how care, trust, and togetherness matter more than numbers. The story quietly affirms that love is what truly makes a family feel whole.
Why kids should read it:
Two People helps children understand that families do not all look the same, and that is something to celebrate. It builds acceptance, emotional security, and empathy in a way that feels natural and comforting. For parents, it offers a thoughtful tool to talk about family, belonging, and love without labels or explanations that feel heavy.
3. Colin’s Castle by Holly Swain
Age group: 4 to 7 years
Colin builds an impressive cardboard castle that becomes his own quiet, magical space. When others want to join in, he struggles with sharing something that feels deeply personal. Through small, thoughtful moments, Colin learns how friendship and imagination can grow when space is shared.
Why kids should read it:
Colin’s Castle gently explores big feelings around ownership, boundaries, and friendship in a way young children easily understand. It reassures kids that it is okay to want space, while also showing how letting others in can lead to richer play and connection. For parents, it opens up calm conversations about sharing, emotions, and respecting one another’s feelings.
4. Everyday Bean by Stephanie Graegin
Age group: 3 to 6 years
Everyday Bean follows a small, thoughtful hedgehog as she goes about her ordinary day, noticing tiny details others might miss. From quiet walks to simple discoveries, Bean finds comfort and joy in routine moments. The story shows how even the smallest days can feel special when seen with curiosity and care.
Why kids should read it:
This book is perfect for children who enjoy calm, gentle stories and for those who sometimes feel overwhelmed by busy worlds. It reassures kids that it is okay to move at their own pace and find happiness in everyday moments. For parents, it encourages mindfulness, observation, and appreciation of simple joys, helping children feel confident just being themselves.
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5. Pencil by Hye-Eun Kim
Age group: 5 to 8 years
Pencil traces the quiet journey of a simple pencil, from the tree it once was to the marks it leaves on paper. Without many words, the story shows how ideas grow through drawing, writing, and imagination. Each page celebrates the gentle connection between nature, creativity, and human expression.
Why kids should read it:
This book helps children see creativity as a process rather than a perfect result. It encourages patience, care for the environment, and pride in making things with their own hands. For parents, Pencil is a lovely way to show children that even ordinary objects have stories, and that imagination often begins with something small.
6. Night Chef by Mika Song
Age group: 4 to 8 years
Night Chef tells the story of a quiet raccoon who sneaks into a closed restaurant each night to cook beautiful meals just for himself. When a small crow appears, the raccoon must decide whether to protect his secret or share his passion. What follows is a gentle, funny story about friendship, creativity, and finding the courage to be seen.
Why kids should read it:
This book speaks to children who love creating things but feel shy about sharing their talents. It shows that creativity grows stronger when it is shared and that friendship can come from unexpected places. For parents, Night Chef opens warm conversations about confidence, collaboration, and how kindness can turn solitary joy into shared happiness.
7. BLITZ: One Family’s War by Martin Impey
Age group: 9 to 13 years
BLITZ: One Family’s War follows an ordinary family living in London during the Second World War as bombing raids change daily life. Through personal moments, the book shows how children coped with fear, separation, and sudden responsibility. History is told through lived experience, making the past feel real and immediate.
Why kids should read it:
This book helps children understand World War II through human stories rather than dates and battles. It builds empathy by showing how families, especially children, found courage during frightening times. For parents, it offers a thoughtful way to introduce history while encouraging discussions about resilience, family bonds, and hope in difficult moments.
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8. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hot Mess by Jeff Kinney
Age group: 8 to 12 years
In Hot Mess, Greg Heffley finds himself stuck in another round of awkward, hilarious family drama where nothing goes quite to plan. From holiday chaos to embarrassing moments, Greg’s attempts to survive everyday life only seem to make things messier. As always, his diary captures it all with sharp humour and honesty.
Why kids should read it:
This book is perfect for kids who love humour mixed with real-life situations they recognise. It reassures readers that feeling confused, embarrassed, or out of place is completely normal, especially while growing up. For parents, it encourages reluctant readers to enjoy books independently, thanks to its funny tone, simple language, and relatable characters.
9. The Stolen Songbird by Judith Eagle
Age group: 9 to 12 years
Set in Victorian London, The Stolen Songbird follows a brave young girl who becomes entangled in an art theft linked to the city’s dark underworld. As she races to uncover the truth, she must rely on courage, quick thinking, and unlikely friendships. The story blends mystery, history, and heart in a fast-moving adventure.
Why kids should read it:
This book pulls young readers into history through suspense and strong characters rather than dry facts. It builds curiosity about the past while celebrating bravery, loyalty, and standing up for what is right. For parents, it is a rewarding read that strengthens comprehension, empathy, and a love for historical stories with real emotional depth.
10. The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman
Age group: 8 to 12 years
Deep inside Deadwood Forest, a fox that should not exist comes back with a mystery tied to the woods itself. When danger begins to spread, a group of children must uncover the truth behind the undead fox and the forest’s hidden past. The story mixes gentle spookiness with humour, heart, and adventure.
Why kids should read it:
This book is perfect for children who enjoy a little thrill without full-on scares. It encourages curiosity, bravery, and teamwork while showing that fear can be faced with kindness and clever thinking. For parents, it is a great way to introduce fantasy and mystery while reassuring children that even eerie stories can carry warmth and meaning.
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