The best children’s books of 2025, chosen by top authors and illustrators

Chosen by Frank Cottrell-Boyce: This is a hilarious rant about the slippiness of fish. It surges with energy. And it’s such a BOOK. The layout is funny. One page turn in particular is one of the funniest things I’ve seen all year. And it’s only when you’ve finished laughing that you realise that you’ve just read a highly informative celebration of the nature and diversity of fish. Honestly, it’s brilliant! 

Chosen by Lucy Rowland: A real treat of a book with the most beautiful illustrations, with end-papers to die for, and an important story about celebrating the wonderful variety of traits that make us who we are.

Chosen by Anne Fine: I was astonished by Nicola Garrard’s On The Edge. I wondered how any novel could be studded with so much arcane information about all manner of things – fish-gutting, surfing, the economic travails of seaside communities blighted by Airbnb – yet manage to remain a compelling story written in the most vivid way. 

I stubbornly continue to buy books for teenagers. This one certainly won’t end up on a shelf unread because, first, you’ll really enjoy it yourself. 

Chosen by Patrice Lawrence: I’m going for The Great Unicorn Rescue by Diane Ewen. It’s an enchanting story set in an enchanted forest, brimming with warmth, empathy and friendship. The colour palette is gorgeous and a unicorn with an afro brought me pure joy. 

Also chosen by Laura Henry-Allain: This is Diane’s author debut, and she has created a truly heartwarming read. The book has many themes to discuss with children, such as friendship and confidence, ultimately giving children the tools to problem solve independently. 

Chosen by SF Said: I really do believe this is a golden age for children’s books. The field has never been richer, deeper or stronger, and new talents are coming through all the time. Doug Naylor is the co-creator of Red Dwarf, and one of our greatest television writers, but Sin Bin Island is his very first children’s book, and it’s just as good as you’d hope. 

A page-turning fantasy adventure set in a kind of boarding school for pirates, it’s packed with the same humour, heart and never-ending invention as Red Dwarf, and it’s the kind of book that’s guaranteed to get children reading!

Chosen by Nicola Davies: One of my best books of the year – in fact one of my favourite books ever – is Blue Monster by the master of early years picture books, Petr Horacek. 

I’ve read it over and over and it makes be laugh out loud every time. Blue Monster is a wonderful character with whom little kids will identify whilst being able to disapprove of his outrageous behaviour. Full of humour and warmth and of course the art is gorgeous. 

Chosen by Liz Pichon: Children’s pictures books are not just for children. I couldn’t wait to get this one by Marc Martin. 

Dawn has one word under each picture to describe what’s going on in the morning. The stunningly GORGEOUS watercolour pictures have an immersive soothing quality about them that transports into each scene.

It’s like watching a film of the insects and wildlife showing how they wake up and what the weather is doing. It’s exactly the kind of book that I would have been obsessed with as a child (and now as an adult too!). 

The paintings are all like mini stories where you can use your imagination and wonder what happens next. A great book to talk about and enjoy all the details for all ages I’d say. 

Chosen by Sita Brahmachari: A beautifully written, wildly imagined environmental adventure that transports readers to the magical tiny world of the Democonch. 

Through Corrine’s family connection to this secret shell world the story seamlessly weaves waves of connection between cultures, histories and the young heroine’s Sri Lankan and British heritage.

If you go down to the seaside today expect to meet a whole other magical shell world – and learn a poetic Democonch language. This story of the tiny beings of shell worlds joining forces with courageous protectors of the seaside to fight polluters, will delight. 

Chosen by Katherine Rundell: I loved Omnibird: An Avian Investigator’s Handbook by Giselle Clarkson; an excellently witty and clever piece of non-fiction. It looks at 18 familiar birds – owls, swans, eagles – and their bills, eggs, droppings, with exactly the right mixture of jokes and clarity that will make your five year old into a passionate ornithologist. 

Chosen by Jasbinder Bilan: This is an enchanting verse novel about a family who are mysteriously gifted a house when they most need it. But when a couple arrive claiming the house is theirs, Amal has to do everything she can to unravel the house’s secrets. It’s really accessible, beautifully written and has lots of fun illustrations too. 

Chosen by Iqbal Hussain: Mandy wants to be any other fruit … apart from a banana. It’s only when she meets a blueberry called Blip that she finally learns to be comfortable in her own (banana) skin. A hilarious and heartfelt picture book, with wryly amusing illustrations by Amy Evans. 

Chosen by Rob Biddulph: I didn’t think Phil Earle could outdo When the Sky Falls (one of my all-time favourites), but clearly he missed that memo. This origin story for Adonis the silverback gorilla is tender, gripping and packed with emotion – it’s the kind of book that sneaks up on you, makes its way into your heart and refuses to leave. 

Phil writes with such warmth and power that you almost lose yourself entirely whilst reading… until you realise that you’re feeling ALL of the feelings all at once. A brilliant and beautiful triumph. 

Chosen by Rashmi Sirdeshpande: This book is beyond beautiful and explores the uplifting stories of creatures that have come back, against all odds, from the brink of extinction. It’s a much-needed burst of hope for the future of our planet at a time when worries about the climate crisis weigh so heavily on young readers. 

Immersive writing, as always, from Leisa Stewart-Sharpe (my favourite children’s nonfiction writer) and striking art from Lucy Rose (just LOOK at that cover!). 

Chosen by RAMZEE: When child science prodigy Nova can’t stand watching giant plastic islands choke the oceans any longer, she storms into her secret mad-scientist lair and Frankenstein-zaps a wad of her sister’s old bubble gum, birthing Chomp: an adorable, bouncy, bright-pink blob engineered to eat only plastic. Except Chomp missed that memo. 

Within minutes it’s gobbling helicopters, kitchen cabinets, and anything that isn’t nailed down (or even if it is!) Now Nova’s got one gloriously chaotic mission: stop her gum-powered kaiju before it turns the entire planet into its personal chew toy. 
 
In her knockout debut, supa-talented writer and cartoonist Chanté Timothy delivers a wildly colourful, laugh-out-loud STEM adventure that feels like the best Saturday-morning cartoons of my childhood, only now packed with fun and dynamic Black leads and a sharp environmental message that never once feels preachy. A total joy ride of a book.

Chosen by Matt Goodfellow: John has been pushing boundaries for years and years with his inimitable poetic style and voice. Some of his greatest poems are brought together here in this dynamic collection which showcases his enormous range. 

Chosen by Abiola Bello: I loved this book! It was full of so much humour and West Indian culture. Jermaine and great-great-uncle Carl are the best duo! 

Chosen by Eric Huang: One of my favourite children’s books this year is Nate Yu’s Blast from the Past by Maisie Chan – a fast-paced, multi-layered story blending ghosts, forgotten WWI history, humour, and a quirky love of ants. 

Chosen by Jasmine Richards: I first read a version of So Devin Wore a Skirt many moons ago when it came in as an entry for a new writers competition. Even then its warmth and honesty delighted me. Reading it fully formed earlier this year with its gorgeous illustrations was wonderful. 

It beautifully and successfully celebrates family acceptance and the joy of being true to yourself. It reminds me of why I love kids books in the UK. 

Chosen by Serena Patel: I love all of Lu’s books anyway, they are always so warm and reassuring, full of wisdom and joy. But this book about a beaver who thinks and does things a little differently is very special and felt so relatable for me. I loved it and recommend for anyone wanting a message about the power of being yourself. 

Chosen by Jennifer Killick: I’d love to recommend Mech Brigade by Jamie Russell – a brilliant sci-fi adventure with endearing characters and a gripping plot. I loved it!