10 of the Best New Children’s Books Coming in April 2025
Overall, April is one of the most hopeful times of year because it’s finally starting to round the corner onto summer. People start coming out of hibernation, going for longer walks, breathing fresh air. And from picture books about pee etiquette and taco tragedies to middle grade comic clubs and Irish jigs, there’s a delightfully whimsical batch of books being released this April 2025. It’s always hard to choose favourites from so many incredible books being released, but I did. I really hope they’ll have you excited too.
We are living in a world of uncertainty and many weird and terrible things are happening, and so I tried to find books that would make me smile despite the hard times. In Anything, for instance, a father is willing to do whatever it takes to make his daughter feel better about a move into a new apartment. It’s sad but then ultimately hopeful. Each of these books is a celebration of love and kindness, and I hope that reading them will give you and your tiny humans a few moments of respite.
New Picture Books Out in April 20215
No One Is Home by Mikolaj Pa, Gosia Herba, and Scotia Gilroy
Adapted from Polish, this is a picture book with a ton of words and lots of personality. Leo plans to visit his best friend Kimbo for his birthday but can’t find him anywhere. He sets off on a strange and delightful adventure around the city, hoping to find Kimbo and the perfect present. Vibrant art and a fanciful story make this a book unlike any other you’ve likely read before.
Pee and Poo: The Do’s and Don’ts to Avoid Mishaps by Susanna Isern and by Mar Ferrero
Koala’s birthday party is going strong, but some guests need to learn more about using the toilet. Adorably illustrated animals learning critical bathroom etiquette? Sure, that seems like a great book to add to my collection.
Anything by Rebecca Stead and Gracey Zhang
A girl and her dad are celebrating their new apartment’s birthday. Specifically, the dad buys a cake and suggests his daughter should ask for three “Anythings”—i.e. wishes. Award winners Stead and Zhang have crafted a sweet story about the beautiful connection between a girl and her lovely dad. Stead usually writes books for older kids and this, her debut picture book, has a depth to it that hit me right in the heart.
Black Boy, Rise by Brynne Barnes and Bryan Collier
This is a lyrical, poetic celebration of Black joy accompanied by Caldecott winner Collier’s illustrations that mix watercolour and collage. Overall, this is an absolutely beautiful and necessary ode to young Black boys.
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Oh Deer! by Phaea Crede and Erica J. Chen
This one is about a Sasquatch named Jasper who’s introverted ways are challenged by some hungry deer. As a deer fanatic, the title snagged me hook, line, and sinker.
Mistaco: A Tale of Tragedy y Tortillas by Eliza Kinkz
You know those days where everything goes wrong? Izzy, our frustrated protagonist, has one of those and just wants to be left alone. Unfortunately, it’s Friday, so that isn’t possible, because it’s the day she always makes tacos with Lito. Then again, Lito has a quirky suggestion for getting past it all—the mistaco!
Easy Readers
Stella & Marigold (Book 1) by Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall
From the creators of Ivy & Bean comes another series focusing on two strong girl characters. Stella and Marigold are sisters, seven and four years old respectively, who love playing together. All in all, the stories are full of everyday adventures and the characters are deeply charming.
Middle Grade & Graphic Novels
The Cartoonists Club by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud
Telgemeier is one of the most popular writer-slash-illustrators for middle years and her latest books are always hotly anticipated. McCloud, her co-writer for this title, is a well-respected comic creator and educator. Their story focuses on a group of kids who create a cartoonists club, encouraging them to use their imagination and creativity.
Don’t Cause Trouble by Arree Chung
Twelve-year-old Ming is having a hard time in middle school. Poor kid—not only does he feel awkward about his bowl cut and thrift store style, but he’s put into an ESL class despite English being his first language. Luckily, he meets Vikrum and Marcus, and as their friendship grows, he begins to express himself.
The Reel Wish by Yamile Saied Méndez
Florencia loves ballet and has been training for years when she’s chosen as Clara in a production of The Nutcracker. The stakes are high, though, as ballet companies will be looking at her for recruitment. Consequently, she has a panic attack on stage and everything falls apart—until she gets the help she needs, meets new friends, and discovers an Irish dance school that helps her rediscover her love of performing.
If you want to find out what was recommended for our last new children’s book roundup, here are 12 of the Best New Children’s Books Out February 2025. Also check out these roundups about recent releases of middle grade and picture books.
As always, you can find a full list of new releases in the magical New Release Index, carefully curated by your favorite Book Riot editors, organized by genre and release date.
