This roundup recommends a wide range of new children’s books, from colourful board books and poetry collections to historical nonfiction, fantasy, thrillers and young-adult fiction. It highlights books designed to entertain while also exploring subjects including friendship, foster care, migration, history and war.

Selections are organised broadly by age, beginning with toddler-friendly *Small Monster, Big Monster* and progressing through titles for readers aged six to ten and above. Standout recommendations include Kate Wakeling’s poetic *The Flying Machine of Dreams*, Onyinye Iwu’s illustrated history *African Queens*, Christopher Edge’s puzzle-led science-fiction adventure *How to Steal the Future*, and Fidan Meikle’s asylum-focused novel *My Name Is Zayn*.