The Best Children’s Books By Age: A Guide to Great Reading

“No list of board books would be complete without this classic. The timeless story, beautiful artwork and die-cut pages make this a favorite of parents and babies alike.”

“The Snowy Day first broke the color barrier in mainstream children’s publishing in 1962 when it introduced us to Peter, an absolutely precious little brown boy in a red snowsuit playing in the snow. Keats has made a concerted effort to make all of his characters diverse and for that he gets all of the points.”

“Part stuffed animal, part book, this soft book is cuddly and sure to be a favorite.”

“This is so clever — the pages change color when they’re wet! There are multiple animals to choose from.”

“This dancing bear will get kids grooving, with sweet moves like Furry Breaking and Running Bear. Bold colours and exciting illustrations will make this one to read again and again.”

“An energetic little girl dances her way through her bedtime routine — something that I can certainly relate to. I pace when brushing my teeth, which can sometimes turn into a bit of a dance. The illustrations by Caldecott Honor winner Brian Pinkney are perfectly matched with the energy of the narrative.”

“A funny story about being yourself, starring a little girl who decides to live like a penguin when she’s given a penguin costume.”

“‘I be boy. All bliss boy. All fine beat. All beau boy. Beautiful’

Famed author bell hooks brings us a tight, exuberant story that captures the essence and energy of what it means to be a boy.”

“In this lively picture book, children discover shapes all around them: rectangles are ice-cream carts and stone metates, while triangles are slices of watermelon and quesadillas. Many of the featured objects are Latino in origin, and all are universal in appeal. With rich illustrations, a fun-to-read rhyming text, and an informative glossary, this playful concept book will reinforce the shapes found in every child’s day!”

“Deep in the sea lives a happy school of fish. Their watery world is full of wonders, but there is also danger, and the little fish are afraid to come out of hiding…until Swimmy comes along. Swimmy shows his friends how — with ingenuity and team work — they can overcome any danger.”

“The rhyme scheme in this book is delightful, and the illustrations are wonderful. Tiny Ada Twist has more questions than her parents can handle. Initially overwhelmed, they begin to realize that she’s actually a super curious scientist kid who shouldn’t be stifled! The other two titles in this series are equally lovable: Iggy Peck, Architect and Rosie Revere, Engineer.”

“This book is an adorable lesson in diversity. Gaston doesn’t exactly look like his poodle siblings: Fi-Fi, Foo-Foo, and Ooh-La-La. While at the park, he meets a family of dogs that he does resemble, and they happen to have a poodle that matches his family. The mismatched puppies switch, but something doesn’t feel right.”

“A  thoughtful, gloriously illustrated story about a young girl who wants to use art to make her neighbourhood less grey. Based on the true story of the creation of the Urban Art Trail in San Diego, California, it’s really an inspiring story.”

“An early chapter book set in Africa is a hard thing to find; but add a dollop of humor, lovely illustrations, great writing, and you’ve stumbled upon a wonderful book for young readers. Anna lives inside a compound that is surrounded by a big, lovable extended family. She loves snow and sometimes has to watch her twin brothers Double and Trouble. Kids will learn about both contemporary and traditional Africa as they follow Anna on her adventures around her home.”

“Jasmine Toguchi wants to help her family make mochi, but she’s only 8 years old and too young to assist in the tradition. So far there are four books in the series, which follows Jasmine and her Japanese American family. These books have a very Ramona Quimby–esque vibe”

“Kids innately love diversity. They love learning about different cultures and places. They love learning how kids live around the world. So they’ll really love Juana & Lucas: Juana is a little girl who lives in Colombia. Juana does not love school, and she especially hates learning English, but when a special opportunity crops up, Juana decides that maybe learning English won’t be so bad.”

“All I have to do to get kids interested in this book is open it and let them see the pictures. The illustrations by Dean Hale and LeUyen Pham are very bright and appealing for most beginning readers, plus the story is really cute, and perfect for fans of cartoons like Princess Sophia.”

“Yasmin is a 2nd grader with a big imagination, and she doesn’t back away from tough situations. Each short chapter focuses on a challenge that Yasmin must work to solve, which she does with a whole lot of creativity. Yasmin is part of a large, charming, multi-generational Pakistani American family. So far there are ten books in the series.”

“Phoebe and her unicorn’s relationship begins when Phoebe skips a rock across a pond and hits a unicorn in the face. The Unicorn’s name is Marigold Heavenly Nostrils (of course), and from the very beginning Phoebe and Marigold become best friends. This comic has a very strong Calvin and Hobbes vibe, which is a good thing. “

“Aru accidentally wakes up the Destroyer and has to join up with her spirit sister, Mini, to travel through spheres of Hindu mythology in order to save the world.”

“Princess Amira, astride a unicorn and sporting a mohawk and military jacket, helps Princess Sadie decide to leave behind her tower and her self-doubts about her big body as they go off on adventures, encountering flustered princes, difficult older sisters, and, finally, a happily ever after.”

“Described by the author in her TED Talk as a sort of Chinese Wizard of Oz, our heroine Minli sets out to find fortune for her struggling family and community, encountering a dragon, a magic goldfish, a king, and a green tiger. Lin is a genius and everyone should read this book.”

“A classic Hungarian’s children’s story. In it, clever Princess Arnica loves Poor Johnny. Both are cursed by the Witch of a Hundred Faces. One must always be a duck, one must be human.

The Seven-Headed Fairy must help them, but will she come in time?

A story of friendship for children of all ages.”

“After his mom leaves him in Brooklyn with grouchy ‘Ma,’ 9-year-old Max finds a mysterious package on her table. This sets in motion a series of magical events.

As it turns out, Ma just might be a real witch who must return three dragons to their magical realm.

This is an enthralling city-based fantasy for kids.”

“This is a quirky adventure novel about cousins Sheed and Otto Alston, legendary heroes in their hometown. This book has everything that you might for a rollicking adventure: time travel, robots, time freezing, magic mirrors and familial bickering. Overall, this strange tale kept me on my toes and left me with a smile on my face.”

“This book is about Cass and Max Ernes, who somehow end up with a mysterious box of vials known as the Symphony of Smells. This sends them on the trail of a magician who has disappeared into thin (and stinky) air and onto the path of an adventure. That’s about all the information I can give you since the plot, much like the title, is a secret.”

“Brianna has dreams of owning her own cupcake company. Her first step towards this is becoming her class president. When she is faced with competition for this role from her classmate Jasmine, she has to decide if she is going to win fairly or use underhanded tactics.”

“A group of 16 people are gathered at the reading of Samuel W. Westing’s will. What follows is a puzzle hunt for his fortune in one final game from the eccentric millionaire. This one has been delighting readers for years and will no doubt continue to do so in the future.”

“Mia Tang has a lot of secrets.

Number 1: She lives in a motel, not a big house. Every day, while her immigrant parents clean the rooms, 10-year-old Mia manages the front desk of the Calivista Motel and tends to its guests.

Number 2: Her parents hide immigrants. And if the mean motel owner, Mr. Yao, finds out they’ve been letting them stay in the empty rooms for free, the Tangs will be doomed.

Number 3: She wants to be a writer. But how can she when her mom thinks she should stick to math because English is not her first language?

It will take all of Mia’s courage, kindness, and hard work to get through this year. Will she be able to hold on to her job, help the immigrants and guests, escape Mr. Yao, and go for her dreams?”

“Magnus Chase has seen his share of trouble. Ever since that terrible night two years ago when his mother told him to run, he has lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, staying one step ahead of the police and the truant officers.

One day, Magnus learns that someone else is trying to track him down — his uncle Randolph, a man his mother had always warned him about. When Magnus tries to outmaneuver his uncle, he falls right into his clutches. Randolph starts rambling about Norse history and Magnus’s birthright: a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years.

The more Randolph talks, the more puzzle pieces fall into place. Stories about the gods of Asgard, wolves, and Doomsday bubble up from Magnus’s memory. But he doesn’t have time to consider it all before a fire giant attacks the city, forcing him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents…

Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die.”

“Seventh grader Jordan Banks loves nothing more than drawing cartoons about his life. But instead of sending him to the art school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics, where Jordan is one of the few kids of color in his entire grade.

As he makes the daily trip from his Washington Heights apartment to the upscale Riverdale Academy Day School, Jordan soon finds himself torn between two worlds — and not really fitting into either one. Can Jordan learn to navigate his new school culture while keeping his neighborhood friends and staying true to himself?”

“Tackling (no pun intended) both American football history and the horrible, continuing history of the U.S. government’s treatment of Native Americans and their erasure of American Indian culture. A sports underdog story that will draw even reluctant readers.”

“Set at Christmas, a winning family story about a group of kids determined to convince their grumpy landlord to renew their lease. The Vanderbeekers will work their way quickly into your heart.”

“A classic for a reason — amazing quotes, spunky female main character, sci-fi magic. Join Meg, Calvin, and her little brother Charles Wallace as they travel across time to rescue her father. The graphic novel version is absolutely amazing, as well.”

“This 1984 novel by Mexican American writer Sandra Cisneros uses vignettes to tell the story of Esperanza Cordero. Esperanza is a middle school girl growing up in the Hispanic quarter of Chicago. Living in a poor neighborhood, she dreams of moving somewhere else. But the book explores the culture around her, both celebrating her Mexican American culture and exposing the sexist influences in her life that Esperanza tries to overcome throughout the story.”

“Eighth graders who love mythology and Rick Riordan books will devour this new fantasy series. While spending the summer at his grandparents’ farm in Alabama, Tristan accidentally opens — punches — a portal to the magical and scary world of MidPass. MidPass weaves together African American and West African gods. To return home, Tristan must convince the trickster god Anansi to seal the hole he created in the sky. But first, Anansi asks for a dangerous favor in return.”

“Cleo and Layla used to be best friends. But in Sophomore year, everything changes. The two drift apart until their friendship dramatically ends. Cleo is still trying to make sense of what happens as she tries to move forward making new friends, listening to jazz and reading her beloved Shakespeare. Told in two timelines, before and after, Cleo’s story of grieving for a lost friendship will be relevant for many 8th graders trying to process past middle school friend drama and looking forward to high school.”