School Reading List’s Children’s Books of the Year 2025 Online Vote
Children’s books of the year 2025 – our team has picked a bumper shortlist of great children’s and teen titles published in the last 12 months.
Many titles have been previously featured in our books of the month or new school term book previews.
There are three categories: fiction, non-fiction and picture books. Within each category there’s a diverse range of prose, poetry, graphic novels and drama; and each category includes titles from preschool, children’s and YA age ranges.
Fiction shortlist Non-fiction shortlist Picture book shortlist
Teachers, parents, librarians, school staff, home educators and children’s literature lovers – here’s your chance to vote online and choose this year’s winners!
Sadly, due to the economic climate, there are no monetary prizes for the winners of the online vote – but the more everyone shares, likes and reposts, the more publicity we can all generate for these great books, which are perfect for school libraries, classroom reading corners and gifts for your children to read at home.
Children’s Fiction Books of the Year 2025 Shortlist
Wild Journey by A. M. Dassu, illustrated by Joe Lillington
Wild Journey gathers accessible and beautifully written short adventure stories for 7+ year olds, following five children in Egypt, Morocco, Spain, and France. Their lives are linked by the great migrations of starlings, whose sweeping murmurations echo through each tale. A runaway, a daring rescue, and a perilous desert crossing bring moments of risk and discovery, showing how the children change as the birds move on. Bold black and orange illustrations appear throughout this sparkling collection, perfect for reading aloud and for KS2 classroom libraries. Read our full review.
Our November 2025 fiction pick
Not Going To Plan by Tia Fisher
Marnie’s just been expelled; Zed’s all about grades. They meet through tutoring, hardly a natural match, but a fragile friendship begins to form. Then Marnie’s world shifts again: an unplanned pregnancy after non-consensual sex. Told in alternating voices, the story doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff, consent, trust, and what comes next. The visual verse format adds urgency and space to breathe, making it a powerful, relatable read for teens facing big questions. Highly recommended for KS4. Read our full review.
An autumn 2025 fiction pick
Letters from the Upside by Katya Balen
Con is a boy wrestling with anger after his father walks out. Suspended from school and drifting from his best friend, he strikes up an unlikely friendship with Mr Williams, the neighbour who keeps homing pigeons on the roof. Looking after the birds gives Con a sense of purpose and a glimpse of hope in this affecting read for 9+ year olds. When Mr Williams leaves, Con takes full responsibility and begins to wonder if the pigeons might somehow help him reach his father. A highly convincing, moving, and ultimately uplifting contemporary story about friendship and family, Letters from the Upside is perfect for class reading and discussion in KS2. Highly recommended.
Our October 2025 fiction pick
Mat o’ Shanter by Simon Lamb and Ross MacRae
Mat o’ Shanter by Simon Lamb and Ross MacRae reinterprets and responds to Robert Burns’s classic 1790 poem Tam o’ Shanter. Lamb introduces Burns’s original narrative, with a sparkling and fresh contemporary retelling, supplemented with detailed author commentary. Illustrator Ross MacRae, known for murals, contributes atmospheric visuals that will appeal to reluctant readers. The book offers a heartfelt and powerful cultural insight into Scottish literary heritage. A great choice to read aloud, Mat o’ Shanter is highly recommended for 9-11-year-olds in KS2. Read our full review.
An autumn 2025 fiction pick
Everything Amplified by Sarah Lippett and Ziggy Hanaor
Fifteen-year-old Nel is used to fading into the background, especially with her twin brother Ludo soaking up the spotlight. But when she ends up stepping into his place in a local band, music gives her a way to push back, speak up, and figure out who she really is. With writing by Ziggy Hanaor and illustrations by Sarah Lippett, this highly relatable coming-of-age story blends sibling drama, identity and angst with genuine heart. Exploring contemporary social media, ambitions, dreams, and the importance of music as a soundtrack to life, Everything Amplified is a powerful graphic novel that teens will seek out. Every KS4 school library should stock it. Highly recommended. Read our full review.
Our September 2025 fiction pick
Gloam by Jack Mackay
Thirteen-year-old Gwen moves with her family to her late grandmother’s house on Gloam Island after her mother’s death. When Esme, a new babysitter, arrives, Gwen senses something is wrong. While others are drawn to Esme, Gwen sees a darker side, and as strange events unfold and nightmares take shape, she must confront her fears to protect her family. This unusually gripping story weaves suspense with supernatural elements, exploring themes of grief, trust, and resilience in the face of the unknown. Highly recommended for UKS2 and KS3. Read our full review.
Our August 2025 fiction pick
Solo by Grainne O’Brien
Daisy’s life revolves around music – until heartbreak and family struggles throw her off key. Drifting from her twin brothers and reeling from a breakup, she loses her creative spark. Then comes Flora, a new friend who helps her find harmony again. But with her father’s illness weighing heavily, Daisy has to face what’s ahead. Told in absorbing verse with a rhythm that mirrors her journey, Solo is a sparkling story of friendship, loss, and finding your way back to yourself. Highly recommended for KS4.
A summer 2025 fiction pick
Traumaland by Josh Silver
Eli, a teenager left without memories or emotions after an accident, starts seeking sensation at Traumaland, an underground club that deals in extreme virtual-reality experiences. Inside the VR world, he steps into Jack’s story and begins to uncover unsettling truths about the club – and about himself. Traumaland searches the depths of trauma, the search for feeling, and the risks tied to immersive tech, exploring memory, mental health, and the lure of dangerous thrill-seeking. It’s ideal for KS4 book clubs. Read our full review.
A summer 2025 fiction pick
Escape room: Game Zero by Christopher Edge
Eden follows a trail of online clues to a mysterious gaming project and suddenly finds herself inside a virtual world built from puzzles and code. There she meets Ted, playing from home, who isn’t sure whether she’s a real girl or part of the game itself. Together they work through levels that challenge logic, memory and teamwork. With its relentless fast-paced focus on digital identity, game design and the question of who controls a virtual space, it’s a great pick for fans of game-based stories.
A summer 2025 fiction pick
Runaways by E. L. Norry
11-year-olds Jamie and July meet at Waterloo Station after leaving home on the same day for very different reasons. Their paths entwine as they travel to the coast in search of adults they can rely on. Told through both viewpoints, the story follows their efforts to find food, shelter and safety while keeping themselves out of harm’s way. With themes of parental absence, past foster care and the challenges faced by missing children, it offers 10+ year-olds a direct, compassionate look at contemporaries making tough choices. Runaways is an outstanding middle-grade novel.
A summer 2025 fiction pick
Domain by Rohan Gavin
Imagine being permanently online! Porter Simms is an orphan chosen to test a device that beams new skills straight into his brain. But when he becomes permanently hooked up to the system, things get complicated, and each upgrade messes with his mind a little more. As Porter tries to uncover a looming threat from someone or something that wants to permanently shut him down, he’s forced to balance the dangers of staying online. It’s a relentless, fast-paced and shorter read – perfect for 11+ year olds who are fascinated by high-stakes tech adventure, apps and smartphones. Highly recommended for KS3, the clever binary cover art graphic exudes library shelf appeal. Read our full review.
Our July 2025 fiction pick
What Happens Online by Nathanael Lessore
Fred blends into the background at school, but online, he’s Existor – a gaming legend with a devoted fanbase. When his secret identity gets out, he seizes the moment, using his newfound status to turn the tables on his bullies. But as his rumours spiral, keeping his two worlds separate isn’t so easy. Nathanael Lessore’s sharp, funny novel tackles social media, power, and the messy overlap between real life and the online world – with all the chaos that comes with it. Highly recommended for KS3. Read our full review.
A summer 2025 fiction pick
Skipshock by Caroline O’Donoghue
Skipshock by Caroline O’Donoghue is a wild ride into a world where time moves at different speeds, depending on where you are. Margo, the teen protagonist, jumps between dimensions where power is tied to time. Some places have fast days, others slow, and the divide’s more than just a quirky detail – it’s a matter of privilege. As Margo uncovers secrets of time travel and politics, the story sets up a whole new fantasy universe. Highly recommended for KS4.
Our June 2025 fiction pick
A Flash of Neon by Sophie Cameron
Laurie lives above her mums’ bookshop, happily tucked away in a Scottish town, scribbling stories in her notebook. But when Neon – a boy she made up – shows up in real life, things get weird fast. As more pieces of her imagination start slipping into the real world, Laurie’s left to figure out what’s going on, and what it all means for her. For 10-14 year olds, it’s a compelling, original and thoughtful mix of reality, fantasy and the magic of making stuff up. Highly recommended for KS3. Read our full review.
Our May 2025 fiction pick
Under a Fire-Red Sky by Geraldine McCaughrean
As bombs rain down on London, four young evacuees decide to stay behind, bound by friendship and circumstance. Laurence tinkers with a secret invention, Gemmy adopts a stray, Franklin dreams of firefighting, and Olive holds her fractured family together. Through blackouts and burning streets, they face the war in their own way. Inspired by her firefighter father, Geraldine McCaughrean delivers a gripping tale of courage, survival, and the unexpected strength found in friendship. It’s a stunningly woven tale of resilience. Highly recommended. Read our full review.
Our April 2025 fiction pick
Please Don’t Read the Footnotes Please by Rob Walton, illustrated by Reena Makwana
Rob Walton’s middle-grade book is a wild ride through quirky stories and hilarious footnotes packed with his own cheeky asides. From horses to time capsules, the tales are filled with oddball moments that will have young readers giggling and thinking outside the box. With its playful, interactive style, this book encourages children to get creative, embrace humour, and have fun while reading. Highly recommended for children in UKS2 and KS3 who want to fall in love with reading again. Read our full review.
Our March 2025 fiction pick
Red Flags by Sophie Jo
Poppy and Cam are two teens who aren’t exactly sold on commitment. They reluctantly agree to a dating challenge: Poppy won’t obsess over flaws, while Cam promises to stick with his next relationship (no “ick” allowed). As they navigate dating, they try to figure out what’s a real red flag and what’s just a minor annoyance. A funny, sharp YA read, Red Flags is perfect for fans of Holly Bourne and Jenny Han. We think it will be a big hit with 12+ year old readers.
A spring 2025 fiction pick
Diary Of A Future Billionaire by Pamela Butchart, illustrated by Wotto
Ten-year-old Max has his sights set on becoming the world’s youngest billionaire – and he’s got a plan. Told through Max’s hilarious diary entries, this fun-filled middle-grade tale follows his wild attempts to make his dream a reality. Written by bestselling author Pamela Butchart, it’s an entertaining mix of humour, positivity, and big dreams, perfect for young readers who love a good laugh, imagination and a dash of ambition. KS2 readers will love it.
Our February 2025 fiction pick
The Beck by Anthony McGowan
Kyle teams up with his quirky grandad to save a local stream, or “beck,” from being destroyed by a new development. With the beck brimming with wildlife, Kyle faces bullies, security guards, and personal challenges to save his favourite place after his grandad falls ill. This adventure, aimed at less confident secondary school aged readers, combines environmental themes with McGowan’s signature humour and heart. Highly recommended.
A spring 2025 fiction pick
Loverboy by Ben Tomlinson
In Loverboy, Alfie tackles the messy world of teenage romance. When his crush, Maya, starts dating someone else, Alfie turns to her quiet best friend, Gwen, but soon finds himself falling for her too. As his feelings get all tangled up, he makes a big mistake. This funny and relatable teen romance captures the chaos of love, friendship, and figuring out who’s right for you, all with plenty of heart and humour.
Our January 2025 fiction pick
Click one of the buttons below to buy all the books in our Children’s Fiction Books of the Year 2025 shortlist, from Bookshop.org UK or Amazon.co.uk. As an Amazon Associate, schoolreadinglist.co.uk earns from qualifying purchases.
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Children’s Non-Fiction Books of the Year 2025 Shortlist
Flush It Down by Rob Flowers
Ever wondered where it all goes after you flush? Flush It Down takes you on a lively trip through the messy, marvellous history of human waste. From ancient Rome’s Cloaca Maxima to Victorian London’s sewer revolution, it’s full of weird facts, odd inventions, and more than a few whiffy surprises. Rob Flowers’ bold, funny illustrations bring every rattling pipe and dark puddle to life. Flush It Down is a smart, stinky mix of history and science that KS2 readers will absolutely love.
Our November 2025 non-fiction pick
Where the Dead Live Hardcover by Sam Fern, illustrated by Rômolo D’Hipólito
This illustrated nonfiction guide invites 9-11-year-olds to explore how different cultures view the afterlife. From Hades to sunken cemeteries and Mexico’s Day of the Dead, it uncovers burial sites, myths, and rituals from around the world. With vibrant and immersive illustrations by Rômolo D’Hipólito, each chapter introduces a new region or tradition, blending folklore, architecture, and ceremony to show how humans have remembered the dead across time and place. It’s a compelling, upbeat and uplifting blend of fact and folklore. Highly recommended.
An autumn 2025 non-fiction pick
All About Antarctica by Marc Martin
This stunningly illustrated guide whisks 7+ year olds off to Antarctica, the planet’s coldest and windiest corner. It reveals what life is really like at research stations, from how people work and eat to the wildlife just outside the door. Each highly illustrated double-paged spread drops in quirky facts, whether it’s penguins, volcanoes, or even pizza deliveries. There’s room for climate science, waste management, and the odd music festival, too. Styled like a field manual, it blends travel notes with everyday science. It’s an excellent gift choice hardback, or a showstopper non-fiction title for your KS2 library.
Our October 2025 non-fiction pick
Exploring the Universe by Isabel Thomas
Aimed at 8+ year olds, this highly engaging guide to space takes young astronomers on a journey from Earth to the edges of the universe. It covers planets, stars, galaxies, black holes, and the tools scientists use to explore them. Packed with facts, diagrams, and clear visuals, it explains how we’ve come to understand space, and what we’re still figuring out. A stunning companion to Exploring the Elements, it’s ideal for curious minds at home or in KS2 classrooms. Highly recommended.
An autumn 2025 non-fiction pick
Otherlands by Thomas Halliday, illustrated by Gavin Scott
8+ year-olds are pulled back through time in Thomas Halliday’s immersive Otherlands. Brilliantly illustrated by Gavin Scott, from the icy plains of the last ice age to the warm seas where early creatures first appeared, this spectacular large-format hardback brings prehistoric Earth to life with vivid scenes and fascinating detail. Dinosaurs, mammoths, plants, and early animals fill its pages, showing how life evolved and changed over millions of years. It truly makes deep time accessible and awe-inspiring.
An autumn 2025 non-fiction pick
The Fantastical Safari by Kristjana S Williams and Lucy Brownridge
6+ year old readers will journey to some of the most remote places on Earth, from the depths of the Mariana Trench to the Greenland Ice Shelf and the Highlands of Papua New Guinea. Along the way, they encounter unusual animals and discover how each one survives in its extreme environment. Filled with clear facts and finely detailed illustrations, The Fantastical Safari effortlessly blends geography with biology to show how life adapts, endures, and thrives in even the toughest conditions. It’s a stunning gift book.
An autumn 2025 non-fiction pick
The Incredible Pop-up Frog: And other Wetland Creatures by Ben Hoare, illustrated by Jasmine Floyd
This highly interactive nonfiction book explores three wetland habitats through clever pop-ups and flaps, inviting readers to peek above and below the surface. From frogs and amphibians to insects and birds, it reveals the rich biodiversity of these ecosystems. Jasmine Floyd’s illustrations bring each scene to life, pairing vivid visuals with clear chunks of facts and thought-provoking detail. It’s an immersive journey through the wetlands: part science, part spectacle, and all beautifully crafted. This is a sensational hardback that will amaze and engage 7-12 year olds for months! The ultimate gift book for nature lovers – highly recommended.
Our September 2025 non-fiction pick
There Are Amphibians Everywhere by Britta Teckentrup and Camilla De La Bedoyere
This stunningly illustrated nonfiction book introduces 7+ year olds to the fascinating world of amphibians: from frogs and toads to newts, salamanders, and the lesser-known caecilians. It explores how these creatures live between land and water, how they move, eat, grow, and where they’re found across the globe. There’s a fun search-and-find feature woven through each engrossing double-page spread. Part of a series exploring animals in their natural habitats, this gorgeous hardback is highly recommended for KS2 libraries.
Our August 2025 non-fiction pick
Inside Your Brain by Lucy Ann Unwin and Prof. Caswell Barry, illustrated by María Jesús Contreras
Curious minds can trace the story of how humans have tried to understand the brain, from ancient Egyptian beliefs to modern research into AI, in this cracking nonfiction text. Along the way, 8-12 year olds meet key figures, explore moments like Phineas Gage’s famous accident, and see how experiments with electricity shaped early ideas about the mind. With step-by-step activities, lively illustrations, and super-clear explanations, Inside Your Brain brilliantly shows how our understanding of this remarkable organ has grown over time.
A summer 2025 non-fiction pick
Dinosaur Desert: A Prehistoric Journey of Discovery by Dr Nick Crumpton and Ola Plocinska
Trailblazing palaeontologist Zofia Kielan-Jaworowska was best known for unearthing fossils in the Gobi Desert. The hardback explores her childhood in Nazi-occupied Poland, her determination to study in secret, and the expeditions that led to finds like Deinocheirus and Velociraptor. With plenty of vibrant and detailed illustrations, fossil facts, and thought-provoking narrative moments from her adventures, it’s a fascinating glimpse into Zofia’s remarkable life and her contributions to prehistoric knowledge. Highly recommended for 7-9-year-olds.
Our July 2025 non-fiction pick
The Great Pollination Investigation: and How We Get Food from Flowers by Deborah Hocking
This spectacular lift-the-flap-filled nonfiction book gives 5-7-year-olds a closer look at how flowers grow food, from pollination to fruit. It explains the parts of a flower, introduces the animals that help things along, and includes a simple interactive experiment to try at home. Developed with input from Kew Gardens, it balances clear explanations with fun hands-on learning and curiosity. Children in KS1 will love this book! Highly recommended.
Our June 2025 non-fiction pick
How to Save Your Granny from a Runaway Train by Swapna Haddow
This quirky and compelling illustrated guide throws 8+ year olds into hypothetical situations – like runaway trains or island escapes – and lets physics save the day. Packed with step-by-step experiments and plenty of humour, it sneaks real science into wild adventures. Written by Swapna Haddow and brought to life by Jess Bradley’s fun artwork, it’s perfect for curious minds aged 8 and up. It’s great for home, school, or anywhere else you fancy blowing children’s minds with a bit of everyday science.
A summer 2025 non-fiction pick
Volcano by Claire Saxby and Jess Racklyeft
Claire Saxby and Jess Racklyeft bring the birth of an underwater volcano to life, from the first seabed tremor to the rise of a brand-new island. With lyrical text and dreamy illustrations, the book follows bubbling lava, towering chimneys, and the slow return of sea life. A fold-out page captures the dramatic moment the volcano breaks the surface, while the back pages introduce KS1 and KS2 readers to chemosynthesis. It’s a fascinating large-format illustrated book for 5-8-year-olds. Highly recommended.
Our May 2025 non-fiction pick
We Are All Animals by Ben Hoare and Christopher Lloyd, illustrated by Mark Ruffle
Ben Hoare and Christopher Lloyd’s We Are All Animals takes a fascinating look at what humans have in common with the rest of the animal kingdom. Packed with lively illustrations by Mark Ruffle, it uncovers surprising links – like how dolphins have names, rats enjoy belly rubs, and we share 75% of our genes with chickens. Blending fun facts, science, and eye-catching visuals, this book sparks curiosity, reminding kids that we’re all part of one big, interconnected world. It’s the perfect blend of fascinating facts and cool graphics for primary school libraries and KS2 classrooms.
Our April 2025 non-fiction pick
Into the Ice: Reflections on Antarctica by Alison Lester and Coral Tulloch
This beautifully illustrated book offers a glimpse into Antarctica through the eyes of Alison Lester and Coral Tulloch. Blending sketches, paintings, journal entries, and historical snippets, it brings the ice-covered continent to life – its landscapes, wildlife, and the sheer challenge of living there. With reflections from past and present explorers, it’s both a travelogue and a deep dive into history and climate change. It’s a fascinating read for children and adults alike. Read our full review.
Our March 2025 non-fiction pick
The Greatest Stuff on Earth by Steve Tomecek, illustrated by John Devolle
Ever wondered what makes up the world around you? This book dives into the science of everyday materials – air, water, DNA, even your smartphone – breaking down big ideas into fun, bite-sized facts. Geologist and educator Steve Tomecek makes complex concepts easy to grasp with clear explanations, lively illustrations, and eye-catching diagrams. A mix of science and narrative, it’s perfect for curious kids who love to ask “why?” Highly recommended for KS2 libraries and classrooms.
A spring 2025 non-fiction pick
One Thousand Things by Anna Kovecses
0-4 year olds are introduced to everyday vocabulary through immersive themed factual scenes covering shapes, seasons, space, the human body, and more. Each page features clever, clear, labelled illustrations and invites little readers to spot Little Mouse as they explore. With its simple graphics and diverse characters, One Thousand Things supports early language development and helps build observation skills, making it a highly useful book for parents to share with early learners at home.
A spring 2025 non-fiction pick
The House on the Canal: The Story of the House that Hid Anne Frank by Thomas Harding and Britta Teckentrup
This sensitively illustrated and perceptive non-fiction journey tells the story of the Amsterdam house that sheltered Anne Frank and her family during the Second World War. Spanning four centuries, it traces how the building shifted and changed, welcoming different occupants long before it became a place of refuge. Told from the house’s own perspective, it introduces 7+ year-olds to ideas of memory, safety, and history, supported by a detailed timeline, archival photos, and stunning, layered, atmospheric artwork.
A spring 2025 non-fiction pick
Surviving Vesuvius by Christopher Harrisson, illustrated by Beth Waters
Surviving Vesuvius brings the eruption of Mount Vesuvius to life through the eyes of Pliny the Younger. Inspired by his real letters, it offers a compelling glimpse into daily life in Pompeii before everything turned to ash. Featuring historical figures like Julia Felix and Julius Polybius, the book blends history, science, and geography with vivid illustrations, a timeline, and a glossary. It’s perfect for 7–11-year-olds. Highly recommended.
Our February 2025 non-fiction pick
One Day: A True Story of Courage and Survival in the Holocaust by Michael Rosen and Benjamin Phillips
In One Day, Michael Rosen shares the remarkable true story of Eugène Handschuh and his father, who escaped a Nazi convoy bound for Auschwitz during WWII. After several failed attempts, they find freedom with help from the French Resistance. Illustrated by Benjamin Phillips, this exceptional large-format picture book highlights courage, compassion, and resilience. Aimed at upper primary-aged children, it offers a sensitive introduction to Holocaust history, with Rosen providing valuable historical context for deeper understanding and discussion. Highly recommended.
Our January 2025 non-fiction pick
Click one of the buttons below to buy all the books in our Children’s Non-Fiction Books of the Year 2025 shortlist, from Bookshop.org UK or Amazon.co.uk. As an Amazon Associate, schoolreadinglist.co.uk earns from qualifying purchases.
Buy from UK.Bookshop.Org Buy from Amazon.co.uk
Children’s Picture Books of the Year 2025 Shortlist
To Activate Space Portal Lift Here by Antoinette Portis
Open the cover and suddenly Zrk and Blrg are staring right at you, eager to check your teeth, quiz you about “Planeturth”, and call in their friends before the lights cut out. Every page feels like they are speaking straight to you, with flashing buttons and a cosmic portal that could snap shut at any second. Antoinette Portis keeps the pace playful and slightly anarchic, so bedtime or storytime turns into more of an otherworldly adventure than a quiet read! Highly recommended, this uniquely bold alien and space-themed picture book is perfect for imaginative 4+ year olds.
Our October 2025 picture book pick
The Night Creatures: Firefly by Robert MacFarlane and Luke Adam Hawker
When a child steps into the winter dark and stumbles on a meadow glowing with fireflies, Robert Macfarlane tells the story in lyrical, rhythmic verse in this timeless modern classic. Luke Adam Hawker’s detailed black-and-white etchings give each scene a quiet pulse, evoking light, hope, and the pull of the natural world which run throughout the book. Drawing 7+ year-olds into moments of calm and contemplation, the sparse words and evocative artwork intertwine beautifully to create a sense of awe and wonder.
An autumn 2025 picture book pick
The Monster in the Lake by Leo Timmers
When four ducks leave their quiet pond to explore a much larger lake, Eric, the careful one, can’t shake the feeling that something monstrous lurks below. While his friends laugh off his worries, he dives deeper and discovers a surprising underwater world full of mechanical creatures and hidden details. With themes of courage, curiosity, and how groups handle fear, The Monster in the Lake uses intricate artwork and a stunningly illustrated fold-out underwater scene to draw readers into the adventure. It’s an outstanding picture book for 4–6-year-olds.
An autumn 2025 picture book pick
The House with the Little Red Door by Grace Easton
Olivia lives in a cosy house with a red door, while Mouse makes his home in a nearby oak tree. When a storm destroys his nest, Olivia steps in to help him look for somewhere new. After a few unsuccessful tries, she realises the best solution is to welcome him into her own home. With sumptuously detailed hand-painted artwork and charming die-cut flaps to lift, this gentle story explores the idea that home is really about being together, making it a memorable choice for bedtime reading with 3-6 year olds.
An autumn 2025 picture book pick
The Search for Our Cosmic Neighbours by Chloe Savage
Commander Julia and her crew spend ten years crossing space with their loyal dog, Khan, hoping to find life beyond Earth. They hop between planets and moons, each with its own quirks, until they finally meet a welcoming alien species. Chloe Savage mixes story and science, using accessible cross-sections and effortlessly engaging artwork to show how the crew lives on their ship and adapts to new worlds. For 3–7-year-olds, it’s a warm-hearted, STEM-inspiring look at exploration, teamwork and meeting cultures unlike your own. Highly recommended.
An autumn 2025 picture book pick
Big Thoughts by Laura Dockrill, illustrated by Ashling Lindsay
This thought-provoking and brightly illustrated large-format picture book follows a child learning how to manage worry and anxiety, showing how invisible feelings can sometimes take over. Laura Dockrill’s gentle text helps 4+ year olds to spot and name their big thoughts while offering simple ways to cope, like talking with someone they trust. Ashling Lindsay’s expressive illustrations show how emotions shape our moods and energy. Thoughtful and reassuring, this picture book will encourage nursery and EYFS classes to share their worries and find calm together with family or friends.
An autumn 2025 picture book pick
The Ocean at Night by Isabelle Simler
After sunset, the ocean comes alive in ways most people never see in this exquisite picture book for 5+ year-olds. Turtles travel, seabirds skim the waves, and creatures like dolphins, whales, swordfish, rays, and octopuses begin their night work. Isabelle Simler’s timeless illustrations linger on these after-dark moments, subtly revealing small movements and hidden details beneath the waves. Two narrative lines run through the pages, one a simple story and the other a set of facts, making it highly accessible for a wide range of children interested in ocean worlds.
An autumn 2025 picture book pick
Oh Dear, Look What I Got! by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury
When a boy goes to the shops, whatever he tries to buy is replaced by a living, breathing rhyme. “I went to the shop to get me a carrot. Oh dear! They gave me … a parrot.” A few mix-ups later, and he’s trailed by a hilarious menagerie of unexpected companions. When the chaos reaches its peak, the shopkeepers swap the animals for the right goods at last. This playful, repeat-and-build story for 3-7 year olds is packed with humour, vibrant artwork and perfect read-aloud moments. It’s an instant classic! Highly recommended.
Our September 2025 picture book pick
The Museum of Shapes by Sven Volker
Alma is the guide at the Museum of Shapes, where young readers explore triangles, circles, hexagons, and more. With clear explanations, playful questions, and interactive tasks, the book invites children to notice shapes in the world around them, and even use their bodies to explore geometry. Designed with a clean, modern style, it turns early maths into a grand tour. It’s smart, inviting and perfect to read and discuss with inquisitive 3-6 year olds.
Our August 2025 picture book pick
Life (As We Know It) by Ziggy Hanaor and Cristobal Schmal
The story of the universe unfolds in the pages of this stunning picture book, beginning with the Big Bang and running all the way to early humans. Ziggy Hanaor guides readers through big scientific ideas, from the first particles of matter to the slow rise of life and the twists of evolution. Cristóbal Schmal’s eye-catching illustrations pick out key moments, whether it is a lone cell or a newly arrived mammal. Life (As We Know It) brilliantly celebrates how science keeps asking questions and piecing together what we know.
A summer 2025 picture book pick
Super Goat Girl by Tracey Baptiste, illustrated by Dapo Adeola
Super Goat Girl arrives at superhero school, only to find her classmates aren’t sure what to think of her rather unusual talents. But when chaos erupts, from alien ropes to a gorilla on the loose, she jumps in to save the day, proving her worth in unexpected ways. Little by little, her classmates see that every superpower counts. Tracey Baptiste pens the story, with bright and lively illustrations from award-winning Dapo Adeola. Exploring themes of shyness, teamwork and resilience, Super Goat Girl is highly recommended. It’s a great book to discuss with EYFS children.
Our July 2025 picture book pick
War Dog by Tom Palmer and Carolina Rabei
Judy, the mascot of HMS Grasshopper, stood by her crew through some of the hardest moments of the Second World War. She warned sailors of incoming danger, kept spirits up, and stayed with them even after they were taken prisoner, becoming the only dog officially registered as a POW. War Dog is an outstanding picture book for 4–8-year-olds that blends Judy’s remarkable true story with clear historical detail about her Dickin Medal and the wider role of animals in wartime, supported by Carolina Rabei’s thoughtful illustrations.
A summer 2025 picture book pick
Snarky Sharky by Bethan Clarke, illustrated by Nikolas Ilic
A magnificently sarcastic shark with funky eyebrows gets fed up with his reef-mates and sets off to find a new home – one that appreciates just how fabulous he is. Narrated in his own super-confident voice and packed with ocean puns to appeal to parents, this picture book for 3-6-year-olds delivers big laughs as Shark meets a series of other ocean creatures. Bright, cartoon-style illustrations match the energy of the text, while the story gently nudges readers to think about pride, community, and the value of not taking yourself too seriously. It’s an absolute winner as a bedtime story or EYFS read-aloud. Highly recommended! Read our full review.
Our June 2025 picture book pick
Good Golden Sun by Brendan Wenzel
Good Golden Sun follows the sun’s energy as it travels through plants, insects, animals, and soil over the course of a day. A child’s questions guide the story, while the illustrations show how sunlight powers life’s cycles. Through a flowing visual narrative, the book highlights the deep connections between living things and the sun, offering a gentle reminder of nature’s rhythms from dawn to dusk. It’s a stunning and memorable picture book that will encourage 3+ year-olds to think deeply about the world around them. Highly recommended.
A summer 2025 picture book pick
I’m going to make a friend by Darren Chetty and Sandhya Prabhat
Starting a new school can feel huge – especially when you’re wondering what it takes to make a friend. This gentle, thoughtful and genuinely useful story for 3-6 year olds follows one child’s hopes, worries, and quiet questions about sharing, boundaries, and what it means to connect. As they build a cardboard companion, their imagination and emotions unfold in parallel, offering a subtle take on identity, play, and early friendship. It’s a lovely, understated reflection on change and finding your people – whoever they may be. Highly recommended for EYFS and KS1. Read our full review.
Our May 2025 picture book pick
Our Tree by Jessica Meserve
Little Red, a feisty little squirrel, thinks he’s found the perfect tree – his tree. But he’s not the only one who loves it. Birds perch, insects munch, and bigger animals take shelter, much to his annoyance. Determined to claim his own space, he sets off, only to run into a leopard with a lesson to share. Maybe trees aren’t meant for just one creature after all. Our Tree is a beautifully realised, warm and thoughtful tale about community and cooperation. Highly recommended.
Our April 2025 picture book pick
Mr Norton’s New Hat by Huw Lewis Jones and Corey Egbert
Horace Norton doesn’t mind when a little mouse moves into his hat – what’s one tiny guest? But soon, birds nest in his pockets, squirrels stash acorns in his boots, and cats curl up in his chair. The growing menagerie turns his life upside down until, in a moment of frustration, he shoos them all away. But the sudden quiet feels… wrong. With playful repetition and a warm heart, this story gently explores kindness, patience, and the unexpected joys of company. Highly recommended for EYFS, Mr Norton’s New Hat is a picture book children will want to read again and again.
Our March 2025 picture book pick
Pencil by Hye-Eun Kim
A single pencil takes centre stage in this sublime wordless picture book, tracing its journey from forest tree to everyday art tool and eventually back to nature. Through richly detailed coloured-pencil illustrations, imaginative 5–7-year-olds will see trees transformed into pencils, then watch a child sketch a forest that seems to welcome the animals home again. Subtle and thoughtful, Pencil stunningly highlights the cycle of creation and the connection between nature, creativity, and renewal, inviting readers to pause and reflect.
A spring 2025 picture book pick
Paloma Flies Away by María J. Guarda
This powerful and moving picture book follows a young girl and her parents as they escape a country under dictatorship, leaving everything behind. As they build a new life, Paloma’s memories of home start to blur – though her parents never stop longing for what they lost. When they finally return, she faces the challenge of rediscovering a place that no longer feels familiar. A poignant, beautifully illustrated story about migration, belonging, and what it really means to call somewhere home, Paloma Flies Away is highly recommended for primary school libraries.
Our February 2025 picture book pick
The Really Beautiful Thing by Frances Tosdevin
Squirrel gives up everything – his belongings, home, even friendships – for something he’s desperate to have but doesn’t truly understand. When the prize turns out to be worthless, he’s left to reckon with the price he’s paid. This picture book gently explores themes of consumerism and the importance of relationships, wrapping it all up in a relatable, thought-provoking tale. It’s perfect for sharing with EYFS and KS1 children to spark conversations about what really matters in life.
Our January 2025 picture book pick
Click one of the buttons below to buy all the books in our Children’s Picture Books of the Year 2025 shortlist, from Bookshop.org UK or Amazon.co.uk. As an Amazon Associate, schoolreadinglist.co.uk earns from qualifying purchases.
Book of the year ideas for teachers
Some ideas for using Book of the Year lists and retrospective best title lists in the classroom, school library and in book club discussions.
Sharing on school platforms
- Schools can share links to book of the year lists on their school website, newsletter, or social media to encourage reading for pleasure at home.
Displaying in classrooms and beyond
- Create a #Bookflix display! Here’s a template from CILIPS. Schools can print posters, create bookmarks, write short reviews, feature on the school podcast, add to the weekly newsletter, and display them in their school libraries or classrooms, corridors, dining rooms and assembly halls.
Create your own in-school book of the year prize
- Create your own Book Prize and engage the pupils to collaborate to create longlists, and shortlists and vote for winning titles. You can involve the whole school community, including pupils, librarians, staff, support staff and parents. Pupils can advocate for their favourite titles and make pitches at book tastings, ‘book-nics’ (here’s a guide from Reading for Pleasure) and reading time. This approach can work well with vertical groupings, such as house systems in schools. Or you could run a local book award across a cluster of schools or an academy chain. There are some great ideas here.
- See how we shortlisted the titles in this list by taking a look at our Books of the Month page and Spring 2025, Summer 2025 and Autumn 2025 previews, from which most of the titles of this shortlist were sourced.
Gift copies to pupils as prizes
- If your school uses incentive schemes for reading, books for academic prizes, PTA-funded rewards, or book vending machines, you can use the shortlisted books as starting points for recommendations.
Purchase book packs
- Schools can purchase full sets of each year group’s list from Bookshop.org. Links are above
Talk about books
- Talk about book awards and discuss shortlisted titles in your library sessions, reading groups and book clubs. Here are some ideas from the OU.
Using best-of lists to update your reading spines
- Keep your classroom book corners, encourage subject reading lists and year group reading spine bang up to date by using best-of lists. Encourage reading for pleasure and reading for wisdom!
Use best-of lists for reading development
- Use the titles to support curriculum teaching and develop your library genre bookshelves.
- Schools can pinpoint titles to help fill gaps in cross-curricular teaching planning.
Resource for publishers, publicists and authors
Publishers, publicists and authors – feel free to use the banners below and quotes from our reviews to help promote your titles. Click each image to download a hi-res version.
