The best children's books of 2026

This brilliant interactive spinner book will help preschoolers learn all about favourite animals, colours and counting from 1 to 10. Spin the wheels and answer the questions on each page: Who's that animal? How many? What colour?

Lift the soft felt flaps to meet the cute dinosaurs and find out which is the funniest. An adorably illustrated board book for babies and toddlers with a surprise mirror ending, Who’s Funny? will be read and enjoyed time and again. 

Where is Dot hiding? Toddlers will love finding out in this interactive hide-and-seek book with tabs to push and pull and eye-catching neon details.

From eye-catching beetles and beautiful butterflies to adorable bumblebees, help all the bugs get ready for the Big Bug Race. Who will win this time? Tilt the book to make the colourful bugs race across the page in this innovative, interactive slider book. Are you ready to join in the fun? Ready . . . steady . . . RACE!

Emily Gravett's latest book is a very funny story about trying to get to sleep. Bear just can't work out who is keeping him awake with all their cheep cheep noises. He leaves his comfy cave to ask the other animals, but none of them are making that cheepy sound! This is a wonderful rhyming tale with a surprise comic ending.

It's springtime. Bear has woken up hungry and finds a lost egg outside his cave. Breakfast? No! Out hatches Gozzle, a very sweet little gosling who is convinced that Bear must be her daddy – and that she should be able to climb, dig and eat honey just like him. Follow Bear on his journey from reluctant carer to parent in this heartwarming and joyous picture book about what home and family truly mean.

Return to the deep dark wood with the first new Gruffalo story in over twenty years. This fresh and exciting new Gruffalo adventure features the return of much-loved characters and is destined to become a classic. Get your claws on the brand new Gruffalo book first when it comes out in September by pre-ordering now! 

Meet Penguin: he's thoughtful, kind and loyal. He can be a bit cautious with new things, and he’s very sensible. Pup, on the other hand, is a fun-loving whirlwind! She always thinks big and sometimes gets a bit carried away. . . When it comes to finding a pet, all Penguin wants is a something small and fluffy. Pup, in typical Pup fashion, thinks the BIGGER the better. A blue whale in a dress! A giant sloth! A unicorn! It's a recipe for disaster, and LOTS of laughter, but in The Perfect Pet, will they ever agree on one?

Learn all about one of Britain’s most beloved native animals in I am Emily the Owl, a heartwarming rhyming picture book from poet Pam Ayres. From the loss of her cherished barn to finding hope and a new home, discover the resilience and beauty of barn owls. Bursting with natural facts interwoven throughout the story, and with an information spread at the end that includes tips on how to spot these majestic creatures.

Learn how to count forwards and backwards to ten with the excitable dragons in Ten Red Bottoms, a hilarious picture book that will make counting fun. Inspired by the nursery rhyme, Ten Green Bottles, join the excitable little dragons in the castle as they chomp, chew, learn to breathe fire and fly, causing all kinds of mischief and mayhem. Learning early counting skills has never been so much fun! 

Verbs, also known as action words, can be hard to get the hang of, and nobody understands the struggle better than the young child in Wiggling Words. Skip, trip, fumble and fall with them as they discover that even though words can be tricky, they can be fun too! This is a great book to share with children with dyslexia and other neurodivergence to encourage problem-solving and build confidence.

Hare has been invited to a dance in Acorn Wood. But she needs a new dress first. . . Lift the flaps to join in the excitement as Hare tries on lots of different outfits, then heads to Acorn Hall for a party with her friends. This is the latest addition to the Tales from Acorn Wood series.

Inspired by A. A. Milne’s classic poem, 'Buckingham Palace' and full of charming illustrations by Mark Burgess, in the style of E. H. Shepard, this is perfect for any child who loves the enchanting world of Winnie-the-Pooh. On a day out to Buckingham Palace, Pooh and his friends play in the snowy gardens, have a thrilling ride on a sledge, and Pooh gets stuck in a snow drift! Then, a surprising discovery leads to an invitation to have tea with the King!

This gorgeous follow up to A Dress with Pockets finds Lucy and her Aunt Augusta running the Fabulous Fashion Store, where Lucy’s speciality is dresses with pockets – pockets for anything you could wish for! Books, food, sheep. . . One day, Lucy is invited to show off her designs at the Fabulous Fashion Show. She gets to work. Will she be able to create something truly spectacular?

Celebrate love through the season and in every mood with this beautiful book. Through bright, blood-red sunrises to jewel-studded purples and lush, rich greens, the incredible artwork encourages young readers to expand their imaginations and is filled with exquisite details to pore over.

This is the stunning first picture book from Becky Colvin, winner of the Macmillan Prize for Illustration 2023. Ali is an adventurous, nature-loving girl with a mystery to solve. The fishing village where she lives is so busy, Ali never has chance to persuade anyone to come exploring with her. That is until the morning everyone wakes to find ALL the fish have disappeared. Every. Last. One. Who – or what - could have taken them?

This comforting and magical bedtime story explores resilience, friendship and overcoming your fears.
When Moon shines down, Owl's toes feel tingly and her wings feel fluttery, and she can't help but dance in the moonlight. But what happens when Moon begins to wane and Owl is left in the darkness? Will she find the inner strength to venture out beyond her treetop home and dance anyway?

They've inhaled Bunny vs Monkey. They love Dogman. Now they need a new, tiny hero in their lives. He’s brave! He’s strong! He’s the size of a jam jar! He’s Tiny Hercules, and he’s winning his way back to Tiny Olympus, one legendary deed at a time. Having been banished to Earth after ruining Tiny Zeus's party, Tiny Hercules must complete twelves tasks to get back home. Crash landing in the peaceful town of Chutney-on-Toast, Tiny Hercules soon spots his first task: defeating a lion. Or maybe it's a cat?. . .

One of The Guardian's Best Children's Books of 2025, The Great Bear is the perfect read for budding environmentalists and conservationists, full of incredible illustrations and inspiring facts alongside its beautiful central story. Since the dawn of time, the Great Bear has patrolled the oceans, protecting the Earth and her animals and overseeing the delicate balance of life. But now, one creature is changing everything. And the Great Bear cannot stand by.

Dive into the enchanting world of A Mermaid's Diary, a fantasy adventure from award-winning author Chris Riddell. When shy mermaid Atalanta discovers a developer’s plan to turn her peaceful Sleepy Cove into a luxury resort, she refuses to let them destroy her home. With the help of her friends, she embarks on a daring quest to save the cove before it's too late. Complete with black-and-white illustrations, this beautifully told story is a celebration of friendship, courage, and the importance of protecting the places we love.

Celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Moomins with this beautiful pop-up book based on Tove Jansson's first ever Moomin story. Travel with the Moomins through five amazing pop-up scenes, including a dark forest, enchanted garden and stormy seas. Will the Moomin family find Moominpappa and settle into a new home before winter comes?

Astrid Atomic and her best friends, the Space Cadets, have been given an important mission – to help two scientists track down a mysterious, never before seen fish rumoured to be living on an underwater planet. But it isn’t long before things take a shocking turn when Astrid and the Space Cadets discover that they have been tricked – the scientists are actually infamous Intergalactic Sea Bandits! Can the gang catch the Sea Bandits and rescue the treasure? Don't miss Astrid and the gang's first adventures in Attack of the Snailiens! and Race from Planet Peril!

A beautiful celebration of the wonder of nature, A Wild Child's Guide to Nature at Night is the new book from author of Diary of a Young Naturalist and Wild Child, Dana McAnulty. Prepare to embark on a night-time adventure, learning how to use all your senses to experience the wonders that unfold at night. Journey through five different habitats in Britain and Ireland and discover fantastic facts about nocturnal animals, activities on how to spot them and ways that we can protect the natural world around us. 

Now you can team up with everyone’s favourite sleuths, Mango and Brash, in a special solve-along edition of the InvestiGators series. In this full-colour adventure, readers get to help the agents crack six brand new cases. Using a new tool called the G.R.I.D. (Gator Reasoning, Inquiry, Deduction), you can find clues and make your own deductions alongside the Gators. With full-colour illustrations, hilarious dialogue and themes of resilience and problem-solving, the InvestiGators comic book stories will help young readers develop their confidence and comprehension when reading independently. 

If you are looking for a hilarious and highly illustrated action-adventure story, You and Me and the Peanut-Butter Beast is a perfect choice. From bestselling author Andy Griffiths, this book puts the reader at the centre of the action, as you journey into a ridiculously deep hole that leads to the legendary cave of the Peanut Butter Beast. Full of non-stop fun and silly capers, this book is perfect for young readers who love humorous and interactive stories.

Did you know that kestrels can see mouse wee tracks on the ground, that dolphin mums sing lullabies or that wombats have cube-shaped poo? Do you want to imagine what it’s like to meet a cheetah, get close to a polar bear or go to sleep with an otter? Then this book is for you! Hamza's Wild World brings you everything you will ever need to know about the animal kingdom in this fun, fascinating guide packed with hundreds of funny, smelly, awesome, scary, revolting, weird, cute, clever and AMAZING facts! With black-and-white line illustrations, photos and infographics throughout.

Lights, camera, chaos! The Blockbusters! by Frank Cottrell-Boyce, the UK Children’s Laureate, is a laugh-out-loud adventure bursting with heart and Hollywood hijinks. When new boy Rafa and his friends stumble onto the set of a blockbuster movie, Rafa’s uncanny resemblance to a famous star catapults him into the spotlight – complete with VIP treatment and unlimited doughnuts! But amidst the glitz and glamour, Rafa has a mission: to find his missing brother, Cillian, who’s left a mysterious clue. Illustrated by Steven Lenton, this action-packed, warm-hearted tale is perfect for readers who love adventure, comedy, and a touch of movie magic!

Are you ready?

Gladiator, rugby star and champion of the deaf community Jodie Ounsley offers advice and top tips to inspire you to back yourself and believe in yourself, and smash the barriers that are in your way. Learn how our differences are our superpowers and how to speak up for what you believe in.

Eleven-year-old Vanya Vallen can talk to books. But more importantly, the books talk back. When her family is attacked by a monster she believed only existed in legends, Vanya discovers that her parents have been keeping secrets, and that monsters do exist. Soon, she is whisked off to the enchanted school of Auramere, where she joins the ranks of archwitches and archivists. Auramere is full of magic. . . and monsters. And the Wild Hunt is on the prowl. It’s up to Vanya to unmask its leader and stop them from destroying the only place she’s ever truly belonged.

Jax, Jovi, Esau and Fourth live for full-moon adventures – sneaking out after curfew, dodging the Nighthawks and roaming the empty streets of Moonhaven. But when a rare werewolf attack rocks the town, the friends become prime suspects. With the Nighthawks closing in on anyone who was out after dark, they’re forced to run – setting off a chain of rumours, secrets and betrayals. As suspicion spreads, friendships are tested and the truth may be more dangerous than any of them imagined . . This book is packed with more than one hundred spectacular black-and-white illustrations by superstar author/illustrator Rob Biddulph.

The latest adventure from Marcus Rashford, inspired by his experience growing up. Marcus is excited to show off his football skills in a video for new students. But whenever he gets in front of the camera, a creepy creature ruins the shot! With the deadline fast approaching the Breakfast Club Investigators are in a race against the clock to catch the monster and save the film.

In this laugh-out-loud, highly illustrated adventure from Brian Gordon, Dante arrives at Purg School determined to reinvent himself and finally become cool. His plan? Make loads of friends, ace every sport, and prove all the haters wrong. The catch? His classmates are literal monsters, myths, and legends, and popularity is a whole new ball game. Packed with wild mishaps, quirky characters, and a big dose of heart, this is the perfect pick for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and anyone who’s ever felt like an underdog.

This is a spectacular new fantasy trilogy featuring dragons, a monstrous hound on the hunt for lost souls and a waterhorse of deadly beauty. No babies have been born for twelve years, and no-one knows why. Quill is one of the youngest people alive, a shy ordinary twelve-year-old with no interest in being a hero. But then a mysterious shapeshifter reveals a world of urgent magic and breathtaking danger, and Quill realises he must find the courage to fight for his world.

Locked in a cage and trapped on a foreign ship by warriors, thousands of miles from her people and her homeland, Zélie is forced to confront her enemies once more. Facing King Baldur, the man who has destroyed everything in his path in search of her, Zélie, Amari, and Tzain set off in search of new allies to their cause to help the maji rise once and for all. With Baldur and the Skulls closing in, will Zélie save her people? Children of Anguish and Anarchy is the hotly anticipated conclusion to Tomi Adeyemi's Legacy of Orïsha trilogy.

Step into a world of gods, monsters, and dangerous magic with The Sleepless, the gripping first book in a new YA fantasy duology by award-winning author Jen Williams. Elver, a fierce guardian of the monster-filled forest, hides a deadly secret: her touch is poison. Artair, cursed to share his body with the manipulative spirit Lucian, is immune to her gift. When their paths collide, alliances are forged, but trust is fragile, and betrayal lurks in every shadow. With the fate of their world at stake, this is a spellbinding tale of power, sacrifice, and slow-burning tension that will leave readers desperate for the sequel.

Get ready to meet Patch Simmons, your new favourite diarist, in this hilarious YA rom-com debut from actor and comedian Harry Trevaldwyn. Patch has decided that this is the year he will get a boyfriend, and it will either be Peter, who's just moved from New York, or his best friend Sam. Whether or not they actually like boys – or him – is a problem for later. "Funny, voicey and fresh. Patch makes Georgia Nicolson seem demure and composed," says Elle McNicoll, author of Some Like it Cold.

Princess Mariama's life may look enviable, but she has a terrible secret. Behind palace walls, ninety-nine suitors have died trying to complete a trial in order to win her hand in marriage. And she is determined to end the carnage. Meanwhile, Amie has lost everything after being framed for a crime she had nothing to do with, and has been forced to work at the palace. Will she help Mariama to end the trials, or try to escape with the boy she loves?

Everyone wants a piece of actress Allegra Brooks. When she decides she desperately needs to get away from the spotlight she heads for the remote town of Lake Pristine and its summertime book festival. When Allegra immediately clashes with annoying (and annoyingly handsome) bookseller Jonah Thorne, their rivalry soon becomes the talk of the small town. Before long, Allegra's main escape is the increasingly flirtatious email relationship she's sharing with an anonymous charming bookseller that she's sure can't possibly be Jonah . . .

Betrayed by her ex and falsely imprisoned, Dania wants revenge. So when a fellow prisoner presents an opportunity to escape she does not hesitate. Armed with the keys to a dangerous Jinn magic and all the power needed to take down her enemies, Dania makes a plan. But with the man who signed her life away blocking her chance at vengeance, things become a complicated game of cat and mouse. Matters of the heart are never without mess in this debut romantasy from Emily Varga.

This heart-wrenching follow up to You've Reached Sam features Sam's best friend, Oliver. Even though he knows he won’t get a response, Oliver can’t stop texting Sam’s number, especially as the anniversary of his death approaches. Then one day he accidentally hits the call button, and someone picks up. Sam’s number was reassigned and a college student called Ben has been receiving Oliver’s private and vulnerable messages for months. When they finally meet in person, their spark is undeniable. Everything seems perfect until Oliver discovers something impossible and strange that will keep them from being together . . .

Discover a rich tapestry of women's and girls' history from across the globe and through the ages. This brilliant book offers a piece of history for every day, celebrating 366 incredible women and moments from history, from well-known figures like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Mary Anning and Simone Biles to unsung heroes and forgotten stories. A treasure trove of empowering accounts, it is the perfect book to dip into for inspiration and to appreciate the vital role women have played throughout history.

Two teenagers try to break out of the system that has them trapped in this dark fantasy. Mancella has a strange and violent magic that can summon an army of animals (as long as she kills them first). Silver is charming and manipulative, and wants to use Mancella in his latest scheme. Even worse, it turns out, is her father, who wants her to use her powers to create a human spirit army, with all the murder this entails. Mancella find herself forced to make choices that will change her world forever. 

Poems that tap into every emotion, and empower you to feel them, from classic poetry, well loved poets and bold, new voices. This poignant collection, curated by Charlie Castelletti, will help you navigate all that life throws at you, from falling in love to having your heart broken, to feeling anxious about and having hope for the world.

This is the epic follow up to the bestselling A Tempest of Tea. White Roaring is sharpening its fangs after the deadly night that left the city in shambles. The press are dead, the public calls for justice, vampires are in danger, and amid the turmoil, the Ram announces a celebration. Still reeling from the bloodshed, Arthie Casimir has no time to mourn the death of anyone, let alone her own. She has no time for love, either, but it had saved her life. As Arthie navigates new emotions and new allies, she must reassemble her scrambled crew and scrape what little they have left to fight one last time – and she will need to face the ghosts of her past to do it.