Best New Books for Kids and Teens in December 2025

Sparkles for Sunny by Sylvia Chen, ill. by Thai My Phuong

Sunny is excited to celebrate Lunar Near Year with her family, but she’s not as enthusiastic about the matching qipáo dresses she and her sisters will wear. For once, Sunny would like to stand out in something that’s just her style—but one of her family’s rules is “don’t waste anything.” Can she come up with a solution that makes everyone happy?

Buy it: Sparkles for Sunny

How We Love by Kati Douglas and Ashley Jefferson

Show kids all the different ways we show love to one another, from listening and sharing to hugging, dancing together, and more. Featuring photography of real families, siblings, and friends, this board book is the perfect fit for preschool and kindergarten classrooms that value diversity and kindness.

Buy it: How We Love

Paper Chase by Julia Donaldson, ill. by Victoria Sandøy

James and Ginger spend a wonderful afternoon playing together after her paper airplane lands on his open book, all under one big beautiful tree. But when Ginger looks for James under that tree again, she finds a surprise instead—the tree has been cut down! Follow the tree’s journey and learn how it’s made into the paper that will one day unite the two new friends once more.

Buy it: Paper Chase

The Snowman Code by Simon Stephenson, ill. by Reggie Brown

This unique new middle grade book tells the story of a 600-year-old snowman and a 10-year-old girl. Blessing is dealing with bullies at school and mom suffering from severe depression at home. Meanwhile, the unusually long winter has trapped Albert in England, though by now he should have melted and reappeared elsewhere in the world. Can the two help each other find solutions to their problems?

Buy it: The Snowman Code

The Stolen Songbird by Judith Eagle, ill. by Jo Rioux

In 1950s London, Caro loves her unusual life with two moms and a beloved white rabbit. But a series of events upends her world, sending Caro to live temporarily with a stern great-aunt. While unpacking her suitcase, she discovers a valuable stolen painting that soon has art thieves on her tail. With the help of her unusual collection of friends, Caro must find a way to return the painting and restore her life to normal.

Buy it: The Stolen Songbird

Seven All Alone by Kirsty McKay

Ten years after surviving a childhood kidnapping, Maggie Atkins reluctantly joins a school trip to the same mountains where it happened—alongside the friends who once abandoned her. When a storm traps them and a mysterious figure begins hunting them down, Maggie realizes the nightmare she thought was over has only just begun. Teens who love thrillers won’t be able to put this one down.

Buy it: Seven All Alone

The Light Years Between Us by Shannon K. English

Seventeen-year-old Will Arrex, a sheltered noble destined to inherit her father’s power on the Eden space station, shocks everyone by joining the deadly Lottery that sends youths into space to search for habitable worlds. Forced to pilot a ship alongside her rival Paige Tarrant, Will uncovers a devastating secret: Their mission was never meant to return home.

Buy it: The Light Years Between Us

Growing up in an “influencer” family, Rosalie’s days are a series of on-camera moments—many of which don’t even accurately capture her life. Rosalie is tired of it and beginning to worry about her (and her younger sister’s) physical and mental safety. But reclaiming her life means finding the bravery to take drastic action in this new novel in verse.

Buy it: This Trauma Is Sponsored

The Spectacular Space Loop by Javi de Castro

Cosmo takes an amazing journey to other planets when his new jetpack malfunctions. As he travels from place to place, he encounters a series of fun new environments and friends. But the real magic of this creative graphic novel happens when a magician casts a spell to send Cosmo back home—to finish the book, readers flip it upside down and experience it all over again from back to front! (Grades K–2)

Buy it: The Spectacular Space Loop

The Case of the Heartbreak Heist by Christee Curran-Bauer

The Private Pigeon Detectives are back! In the latest entry in the series, they must figure out who’s stealing all the baking tools from the town’s Valentine’s Day baking competition. Could the groundhog who refused to answer his door on February 2 have something to do with it? (Grades 1–4)

Buy it: The Case of the Heartbreak Heist

Calamity Before Jane by Noah Van Sciver

As a member of the Buffalo Bill Wild West show, Martha Jane Cannary gained fame as Calamity Jane. Learn more about the story of her life on- and off-stage in this intriguing new graphic nonfiction book, and find out whether the legend of Calamity Jane is more than just a tall tale. (Grades 3–7)

Buy it: Calamity Before Jane

Quincredible: A Better World by Rodney Barnes, illustrated by Selina Espiritu

In the latest entry in this teen superhero series, the indestructible Quincredible must solve the mystery of the contaminated water supply of his hometown, New Orleans. This crisis hits close to home—his mother is one of those made sick and hospitalized. Quinton continues to be one of the most likeable superheroes out there, thriving with the support of his family and friends. (Grades 9+)

Buy it: Quincredible: A Better World

Through the Telescope by Charles R. Smith Jr., ill. by Evening Monteiro

When young Mae Jemison first looked through a telescope, it started a journey that would culminate in her becoming the first Black female astronaut. This nonfiction picture book explores what Mae might have seen, and shares the thoughts of a young girl learning about the wonders of space. (Grades pre-K to 2)

Buy it: Through the Telescope

The Amazing Generation by Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price, ill. by Cynthia Yuan Cheng

Jonathon Haidt’s book The Anxious Generation addressed the sharp rise in teen mental illness in recent years. Now he’s back with a book aimed specifically at tweens, teaching them practical ways to deal with today’s unique challenges, including the overuse of screens. This is a must-read for any kid about to get their own cellphone and/or social media account, or those who feel overwhelmed and anxious before they’ve even started high school. (Grades 4–7)

Buy it: The Amazing Generation

Abolition and the African American Story by Patricia Williams Dockery

By the mid-1800s, African Americans had spent centuries shaping the nation’s economy and culture, even as the question of their rights threatened to divide it. During the Civil War and Reconstruction, their struggle for freedom and equality played out across battlefields, homes, and political arenas—with young people playing key roles in redefining what it meant to be American. (Grades 5–8)

Buy it: Abolition and the African American Story

The Gift of Words by Peter H. Reynolds

Fans of The Word Collector will be thrilled with this new story of Jerome’s search for inspirational holiday words. When those words turn out to be harder to find than he expected, he decides that this time, it’s his turn to share his collection of wonderful words with the whole town! 

Buy it: The Gift of Words

Dasher and the Polar Bear by Matt Tavares

The gorgeous cover of this new picture book evokes the magical story inside. Dasher the reindeer wants nothing more than to give her new polar bear friend George the ability to fly, but it seems his paws are destined to remain on the ground. Unless, of course, Santa Claus can find a way to make George’s dream come true! (Grades pre-K to 2)

Buy it: Dasher and the Polar Bear

The Book of Candles by Laurel Snyder, ill. by Leanne Hatch

In eight evocative poems, one for each night of Hanukkah, this book shares the traditions of the Jewish winter holiday through one family’s eyes. The family enjoys traditions old and new, like family meals and decorating for the holiday, but the most important moment comes when they gather together and light the candles on the menorah each night. (Grades pre-K to 2)

Buy it: The Book of Candles

Interrupting Chicken Saves the Nutcracker by David Ezra Stein

The irrepressible little Chicken is back and headed to the ballet. Can she watch quietly without interrupting? Of course not. After a series of interruptions, she and Papa are kicked out—but not before Chicken steals the Nutcracker! In order to return it, she’ll need to rewrite the classic ballet, and readers will enjoy the new version as much as the audience. (Grades pre-K to 2)

Buy it: Interrupting Chicken Saves the Nutcracker

Once Upon a Kwanzaa by Nyasha Williams and Sidney Rose McCall, ill. by Sawyer Cloud

Join a variety of families as they celebrate Kwanzaa, and learn about the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles) behind this holiday that’s special to many members of the African diaspora. Explore the history of Kwanzaa through beautiful illustrations and text that’s perfect for the youngest learners. (Grades pre-K to 2)

Buy it: Once Upon a Kwanzaa

The 13th Day of Christmas by Adam Rex

“On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me …” The flow of gifts is all well and good, but what happens on day 13, when the recipient finds themselves with hundreds of birds, not to mention dancing lords, maids milking cows, and more? Find out in this fun new holiday read! (Grades K–3)

Buy it: The 13th Day of Christmas

The Mouse Who Loved Latkes by Joy Nelkin Wieder

C.J. the mouse never expected to become friends with a family of cats. But when he spots their menorah and chocolate gelt, his curiosity gets the best of him. As he learns about their holiday traditions, he also learns that this is one cat family who poses no threat since mice aren’t kosher! (Grades pre-K to 2)

Buy it: The Mouse Who Loved Latkes

Fa La La Family by Scott Hoying and Mark Hoying, ill. by Steph Lew

Just like “family,” the word “Christmas” means something different to everyone. But ultimately, it all comes down to love. Join a variety of diverse families as they share their holiday traditions, plus learn a brand-new Christmas song—a QR code provides a recording to go along with the included sheet music. (Grades pre-K to 3)

Buy it: Fa La La Family

Weiwei’s Winter Solstice by Michelle Jing Chan

Weiwei once spent the winter solstice (Dōngzhì) surrounded by palm trees and hummingbirds. But now she’s moved to a much colder place. A family walk helps her see the beauty in her new wintry surroundings, and the family Dōngzhì traditions are the same no matter where she goes. (Grades K–3)

Buy it: Weiwei’s Winter Solstice

North for the Winter by Bobby Podesta

With most holiday books aimed at the picture book crowd, this middle grade graphic novel is a welcome addition to the genre. Virginia has just moved to a new city after losing her mom. When she spots what seems to be a flying reindeer, it sends her and new pal Benny on an adventure to reunite the magical animal with Santa, who it seems might just be real after all. (Grades 3–7)

Buy it: North for the Winter