Children’s and teens roundup – the best new picture books and novels
This roundup highlights new books for children and teenagers, from playful picture books to fantasy and adventure novels. The selections explore friendship, family, belonging and empathy, alongside folklore, climate change and consumerism.
The books span readers aged five and up, with titles including John Devolle’s comic dog book, Sita Brahmachari’s story of family heritage and Sophie Anderson’s collection of a year’s worth of fairy tales. Older readers are offered adventures featuring an autistic girl in Lapland and a prehistoric quest, as well as the first book in Mikey Please’s planned trilogy; the roundup also mentions the finale of the YA Torch Trilogy.
In short
- New picture books and novels cover a wide range of ages.
- Themes include friendship, belonging, folklore and climate change.
- The selection includes a fairy-tale collection and fantasy adventures.
Explained simply
Children’s and teenage books are published for readers at different stages, from picture books shared with younger children to longer novels read independently. Roundups like this bring together new titles across those age groups, often spanning several genres and themes.
The books mentioned here include stories about friendship, family, heritage and belonging, as well as fantasy and adventure. Some also explore subjects such as climate change, consumerism and empathy, while featuring characters and settings from everyday family life to Lapland and prehistory.
These books can offer young readers ways to encounter unfamiliar experiences and ideas through stories. The roundup includes both individual titles and entries in larger series, including the concluding book of a young adult trilogy.