First Explorers: Night Animals

By Jenny Wren

For diaper-wearing nature lovers, First Explorers: Night Animals encourages fine motor skills while introducing marvelous nocturnal animals. A perfect bedtime read, this sturdy board book invites readers to explore the natural world at night. Beautiful full-color illustrations paint nighttime settings of a farm, meadow, and garden, allowing kids to draw a whole new perspective of the world around them. Interactive flaps, pull-outs, and pop-ups will keep readers ages 0 to 3 engaged as they learn about how owls, foxes, and bats navigate the night. Looking for more ways to build babies’ reading habits early? Check out our tips on reading aloud to babies.

The Ultimate Book of Cities

By Anne-Sophie Baumann

Grocery stores, post offices, and buses may seem like mundane places—but for young readers widening their horizons, they’re part of a brave, new world. If your child is beginning to ask questions like “Where does the mail go?” or “How do traffic lights work?” The Ultimate Book of Cities offers answers. Packed with pop-ups and flaps that give kids a sneak peek inside buildings and even underground, every page interactively explores the inner workings of a city. For 5- to 8-year-olds beginning to read independently, each page contains new vocabulary words and context clues to help decipher them.

This is Not a Science Book

By Clive Gifford

Looking for a book to get older kids off their electronics and onto hands-on activities? Look no further! This is Not a Science Book is one of our favorite nonfiction books for 10-year-olds to 12-year-olds. (But a word to the wise: older siblings and parents will want to get in on the fun, too.) Grab a pencil and get ready for brain-teasers, visual puzzles, experiments, and optical illusions. Hand your child this book on your next long car ride—and don’t be surprised if they don’t look up for a few hours. Once they do, give your junior scientist some fiction to mix it up from our list of best sci-fi books for 4th and 5th graders.

The Big Sticker Book of Bugs

By Yuval Zommer

Artistic yet informational, The Big Sticker Book of Bugs brings a creative, sticky twist to learning. Guided by Freddy the Fly, readers from Kindergarten and up can color, decorate, and arrange bug stickers across different habitats. Find drawing activities and insect facts with vocabulary for readers who are beginning to sound out words on their own. And don’t shriek with fear! This book is not single-use. All 500 stickers are reusable, allowing for endless bug arrangements and discoveries. Whether you have an insect-lover or a not-so-fond-of-creepy-crawlies kiddo, this interactive sticker book is too engaging to resist.

Maze Quest History: Travel Through Time

By Anna Brett

For George and his pup Milly, it’s just a normal day at the Natural History Museum—until they’re suddenly rocketed into the past! To get home, they’ll need the reader’s help. Your little historian must take to the helm and help George and Milly navigate time itself. With over 48 mazes to solve, this interactive book sprinkles historical facts across several time periods, from ancient Egypt to the American Civil War. Perfect for readers ages 7 and up who are reading independently and love to share facts they’ve learned from books.

Crumbled! (The Misadventures of Nobbin Swill)

By Lisa Harkrader

Fairytale meets adventure in this comedic tale of Nobbin Swill, a dung farmer (yes, the very one) who dreams of a more fulfilling life. When he finds a shiny ring in a not-so-shiny pile of poo, he knows it’s his ticket out of the dung-laden field for good. The only obstacle standing between him and his newfound freedom? Helping Prince Charming solve the mystery of the missing children, Hansel and Gretel. Whether your 7- to 12-year-old is a jokester, a belly-laugher, or a master of bizarre antics, they’ll enjoy flipping through this story independently alongside illuminating illustrations.

There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Book

By Jomike Tejido

Have you heard of the old woman who lived in a shoe? Well, this old woman lives in a book-shaped house—and her six children have gone missing! With some quick thinking, she enlists the help of a few esteemed children’s story characters to help her find her missing brood of babes. The Three Bears? More like the three helpers. Humpty Dumpty? Prepared to assist. If your preschool reader is familiar with nursery rhyme characters, they’ll be enthralled by this imaginative retelling complete with thoughtful illustrations to help them follow along.

We Are Water Protectors

By Carole Lindstrom

Join an earnest Native American narrator as she encourages your 3- to 6-year-old to take a stand for environmental justice. The story’s foundation is laid upon two of the earth’s most valuable elements: water and land. When an evil black snake threatens to poison these sacred resources, your young reader will receive an easy-to-follow lesson on water pollution and the importance of caring for our planet. Little ones learning to read will grasp the basic components of a story, while younger listeners will follow the footsteps of brave environmentalists—which could someday be them!

Ragweed (Poppy #1)

By Avi

A country mouse, Ragweed, packs his bags and heads for adventure in the big city—and it’s better than he could have imagined. He finds excitement, friends, and a band of musical rats who just so happen to need a bandmate. He couldn’t ask for anything more! Well, except for the city to be rid of those frisky feline foes. With bold and zany characters peppered through each page, Avi creates an engaging atmosphere for your reader to identify the character traits of protagonists, antagonists, and every creature in between. With such an action-packed plot, Ragweed is at the top of our list of the best fantasy books for kids.

Once Upon a Tim (Once Upon a Tim #1)

By Stuart Gibbs

Full of middle-school humor, Once Upon a Tim centers Tim, a peasant who wishes he was anything but. By some magical miracle, a prince offers him the chance to prove himself worthy of more, so Tim and his friends suit up on a quest to save the princess from the evil Stinx. Throughout the book, Gibbs plants challenging vocabulary words around context clues to help 7- to 10-year-old readers learn with ease. If you’re looking for a book that’ll have your reader exploring the dictionary and craving even more complex mystery books, this is it.

Amari and the Night Brothers

By B. B. Alston

When Amari’s older brother, Quinton, mysteriously goes missing, no one seems to bat an eye. Searching for clues, Amari soon finds herself in a supernatural world full of mermaids, yetis, and weredragons. To find her brother, she’ll have to use her recently discovered magic and compete against other kids who’ve spent their lives honing their magical might. This unforgettable novel leaves plenty of discussion points for parents and children, like the importance of persevering, feeling confident in your skin, and overcoming everyday challenges.

The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake

By Robin Newman

Captain Griswold and Detective Wilcox are two hard-boiled, no-nonsense MFIs—Missing Food Investigators. They also happen to be mice in trench coats. But don’t let the fur fool you: these mice are fearless detectives who won’t rest until they catch the crook. With plenty of clues tucked into quick, readable text, your reader will race to solve the case until they reach the ending twist they’ll never see coming. Readers from preschool to second grade will devour this hilarious first installment in the Wilcox and Griswold easy reader series and still be hungry for more.

Surfboard to Peril: A Miss Mallard Mystery

By Robert Quackenbush

Robert Quackenbush is a master of the easy-to-read chapter book category, so it’s no surprise that the Miss Mallard Mystery stories are among the best mystery books for kids. This installment finds world-famous duck-tective Miss Mallard solving a tricky case involving ancient artifacts, sacred Hawaiian land, and a greedy condominium developer. You’ll appreciate Quackenbush’s clever use of elevated language while your young reader trails the twisty plot and clue-embedded illustrations.

The Secret Zoo

By Bryan Chick

For animal-loving readers who have graduated from early chapter books and are ready for a more challenging mystery, The Secret Zoo is a winner. Book 1 in the series introduces siblings Noah and Megan and their best friends, Richie and Ella. The fearless four live next door to the local zoo, and when the animals start acting a little strange, the kids are hot on the trail—that is, until Megan disappears. Readers will roar with delight as they practice following dialogue and help Noah, Richie, Ella, and a few four-legged helpers find their missing friend.

Legend of the Star Runner

By J.I. Wagner

Dust off your magnifying glass for this one. If you’ve got a reader who loves visual puzzles, Legend of the Star Runner is their perfect match. Like a contemporary Encyclopedia Brown, every chapter of this book ends with a puzzle for readers to solve. Each mystery can be solved by discovering the hidden clues in the detailed, full-color illustrations peppering each page. To add another layer of interactive learning , each puzzle has a rating to tell young scouts how Timmi and his friends fared at the challenge, on a scale from easy-peasy to the ultimate challenge.

The Great Ghost Hoax

By Emily Ecton

Fans of James Howe’s classic Bunnicula, rejoice—there’s a new mystery-solving pack of pets on the scene. In this hilarious and just-a-bit-spooky chapter book , an adventure-loving Dachshund named Butterbean and her furry friends investigate the mysterious happenings in their apartment building. Objects move on their own, pets are going missing, and things are going bump in the night. Is it a ghost… or a hoax? The bouncy storyline and snappy banter between the animals help introduce higher-level vocabulary words and advanced dialogue. Third to sixth graders will chase this tale as Butterbean chases her tail.

The Animal Rescue Agency #1: Case File: Little Claws

By Eliot Schrefer

The Animal Rescue Agency is different than your typical animal rescue. If you think humans are doing the rescuing, think again! The agency is run by the daring (and well-dressed) Esquire Fox and her rooster business partner, Mr. Pepper. Animal lovers will be captivated by Esquire’s adventures as she tracks down a missing baby polar bear. The back of the book is equipped with a “field notes” section with conservation facts, offering a perfect opportunity to get kids digging deeper into the real-life science behind this wild story.

Endlessly Ever After

By Laurel Snyder

Three little pigs, meet Snow White! Throw on your jacket (or red riding hood) and venture into Laurel Snyder’s twisty-turny fable world—where you make the magic happen. In this hilarious and vividly illustrated book, classic fairy tale characters mish-mash into a make-your-own adventure. As your child writes the plot of a fable all their own, they’ll learn the power of narrative along the way. The endless story possibilities mean your author-in-training will never get bored—the type of books for third graders the whole family can appreciate.

Puss in Magical Motocross Boots (Far Out Fairy Tales)

By Brandon Terrell

Get ready for a tale of brotherhood, self-acceptance, and a touch of magical cat-titude. Puss in Magical Motocross Boots brings our favorite talking feline into the modern world—with a few new biker skills up his boots. Hank Miller, a disabled and talented mechanic, inherits a few oddities from his father’s passing: his old motocross bike, and…a cat named Gus? Hank is frustrated by these mediocre gifts—until Gus turns meows into human words! With the help of some other magical hand-me-downs, Gus and Hank take the motocross world by storm. Between its riveting action and touching dialogue, this classic update will leave your fantasy lover warm and fuzzy (or should we say, furry?).

Jack and the Beanstalk: An Interactive Fairy Tale Adventure

By Blake A. Hoena

Sure, you could climb the beanstalk like Jack. But what if you could wear the shoes of the giant? Or watch chaos unfold through his mother’s eyes? In this choose-your-own-adventure book, readers get to explore this classic tale from every character’s point of view. Watch your 8- to 12-year-old learn the power of perspective, empathy, and narrative building as they empower their own path. But be careful—one wrong page turn, and they may fall off the beanstalk! (Don’t worry. We’ve got more fantasy books waiting for them if they do.)

Interrupting Chicken

By David Ezra Stein

If your little one loves bedtime stories (and makes their excitement audibly known—a lot), then they’ll bond right away with one of the best fairy tale books for kids: Interrupting Chicken. Before bed, the little red chicken adores a good story. But when Papa tries to read one, she can’t help but add her two clucks! Ultimately, she learns that attention is a gift worth giving and receiving. With gorgeous painting-like illustrations and poetic prose, this Caldecott winner is one of the best fairy tale books for readers ages 2 to 5.

The Sandman: The Story of Sanderson Mansnoozie

By William Joyce

Enter the Sandman—or should we say, Sanderson Mansnoozie. Newly recruited by the Man in the Moon (yes, that one), Sanderson must guard all sleeping children against the Nightmare King when the moon is less than full. But can the sleepy Sandman handle the job? Building a magical and breathtaking universe of hazy purples and desert oranges, The Sandman: The Story of Sanderson Mansnoozie is the soothing sunset any 4- to 8-year-old needs to drift off to sleep with pleasant dreams and newfound plot-deducing skills.

Every Color of Light

By Hiroshi Osada and Ryoji Arai

Bedtime readers will welcome this peaceful story of a calm that pervades in the aftermath of a turbulent storm. (No shortage of life-relevant metaphors here.) As the moon rises and the forest goes to sleep, your child will be enveloped by the lyrical text—perfect for crafting their own soothing lullabies. This dazzling portrayal of the natural world also makes a wonderful guide for your 3- to 5-year-old’s first ventures into independent reading, especially with its vivid illustrations for guided context.

No Buddy Like a Book

By Allan Wolf and Brianne Farley

Young balladeers and bards will delight in this enchanting invitation to a lively party honoring the power of the written word. Perhaps your young adventurer hopes to bottle moonlight, drift down the Nile, or even ascend Everest. In that case, this buoyant tale will have them boldly sounding out new words and discovering their reading confidence (just over the Arctic icebergs and beyond the African antelopes). The pleasant limericks and encouraging new friends contained within these pages definitively prove that anything is possible in the world of books.

The Stuff of Stars

By Marion Dane Bauer and Ekua Holmes

Calling all admirers of stars and souls! This awe-inspiring story of the very big and the very small connects the birth of our universe to the birth of humankind. Breathtaking illustrations paint the stars of life that ignited in our galaxy from ancient origins. Bauer and Holmes’s bound masterpiece on time and space offers an inspiring setting for your reader to practice remembering the chronological sequence of stories and sounding out new interstellar words. (It’ll also set them up for even more picture books.)

Haiku Baby

By Betsy E. Snyder

Introduce baby readers to the world of the best children’s poetry and to their first poetic form: the Japanese haiku! Sweet smiles emanate from this collection of poems that celebrate seasons, animals, and the elements. Give baby the opportunity to build page-turning confidence as they engage with illustrations and practice their alphabet in the accompanying rhymes. When your little learner has mastered the 5-7-5, hand Haiku Baby down to a new mom-to-be and spread the learning fun!

The Crossover

By Kwame Alexander and Dawud Anyabwile

For 5th- to 8th-grade readers who have grown up embracing the refrain “ball is life” comes a plucky tale of friendship, teamwork, and hooping. This award-winning bestseller seamlessly packages important themes of family and fairness into a fastbreak plot. Whipsmart hip hop-inspired wordplay keeps the story in motion and the pages turning. A serenade to sports and the narratives they inspire, The Crossover contains infectious energy and poetic prowess that will win over even the most reluctant readers.

One Thing You’d Save

By Linda Sue Park and Robert Sae-Heng

This mind-stretching title with pleasing colored-pencil illustrations poses the question: If your house were on fire, what one thing would you save? Your elementary-school philosopher will enjoy puzzling over their own answer as they encounter a series of poems that capture a diverse array of peer responses. (Spoiler alert: each answer is thoughtful, groundbreaking, and terrifically beautiful.) You’ll love watching your reader think abstractly as they gain a new perspective on gratitude, love, and what matters most to them. And when they’re hooked on abstract thinking, turn their attention to these enticing chapter books.

Life on Earth: Human Body

By Heather Alexander

Calling all parents of future doctors! If your little learner has ever played 20 Questions about potty time or tried to count the hairs on their head, this title is for them. With 100 questions and answers about the human body explained in simple yet engaging ways, Life on Earth: Human Body is the ultimate informational book for young readers ages 5 to 8. It’s packed with kid-friendly illustrations and has 70 exciting lift-flaps to inspire interaction and make learning even more enticing.

Illumisaurus

By Lucy Brownridge

T-Rex or triceratops? Your dinosaur lover can have every dino-shaped cake and eat it, too, as they go way back in time. The highlight of Illumisaurus comes when your paleontologist-in-training uses the three-colored viewing lens to explore a kaleidoscope of colorful illustrations. Each color on the lens allows them to discover different facts about the flora, fauna, and majestic reptiles themselves to advance your 5- to 8-year-old to more independent page-turning.

Good Night to Your Fantastic Elastic Brain

By JoAnn Deak

If your energizer bunny tries to outrun bedtime every night—you’re not alone. With this book, you can prove with science why their brains need quality sleep. With easy-to-understand factoids, they’ll learn the different parts of the brain, each section’s important job, and how rest helps their brains grow stronger. Perfect for preschool to elementary-aged children, this book contains engaging illustrations to help them grasp scientific concepts and learn new words. After reading this book, they’ll (hopefully) be convinced that bedtime is something to look forward to!

Pluto Gets the Call

By Adam Rex

Your young reader may not have been around to remember when Pluto was canceled as a planet—but we bet you were! After receiving a disappointing call from some of Earth’s top scientists, Pluto takes you on a wild ride through the solar system, complete with playful facts about each of the eight remaining planets. Despite his upsetting news, Pluto has a lighthearted sense of humor that shines in his out-of-this-world space tour. This book beautifully teaches kids about outer space while leaving room for discussion on overcoming disappointment and remaining optimistic about the great, big future.

Inside Animals

By Barbara Taylor

Invite your animal-appreciating reader to learn the ins and outs (literally) of some of their favorite creatures. From the skeletons of rattlesnakes to the lean muscles of penguins, Inside Animals explores the biology of more than 20 animals with kid-friendly illustrations they’ll want to observe, draw, and talk about with their science teacher. As your future zookeeper animatedly discovers how many hearts an octopus has and why a camel really has humps, you’ll understand why this book is on our list of best nonfiction for kids.

How the World Works

By Clive Gifford

If you’ve heard your inquisitive little one ask why or how more times than you can count, we have the perfect nonfiction book for you. From technology and space to wildlife and evolution, this book knows a little bit about everything—and it’s here to share the wealth. Take part in a volcanic eruption, say hello to a mob of meerkats, and find the answers to all of their questions as your 7- to 9-year-old rivetingly reads their way to enlightenment. (And even more eye-opening chapter books.)

Kai and the Monkey King

By Joe Todd-Stanton

This encapsulation of Chinese mythology employs magical gods, tantalizing foods, and mischievous monkeys to tell young readers a tale of true courage. Watch as your child leaps into Kai’s world, animated with vivid full-color illustrations and dynamic vocabulary to help Kai determine what it means to be an adventurer. This engaging read brilliantly simplifies lessons from Chinese mythology for readers ages 5 to 9 and soars through a boundless sky with the important message: not all heroes wear capes.

Curse of the Night Witch

By Alex Aster

This thrilling page-turner unfolds on an island where everyone is born with a fate-determining mark. When Tor Luna attempts to change his fate with a magical wish, he’s cursed with a shortened lifeline—and must traverse the uncharted island to find a cure. Steeped in Colombian folklore, this story introduces readers to more complex characters like the antiheroic Night Witch, illustrating how good and evil are sometimes more closely linked than meets the eye. Ignite a new love of metaphoric language with this dazzling allegory of bravery, friendship, and determining your own destiny.

Odd Gods

He’s the son of Zeus and the twin of the most popular young god at Mount Olympus High. So why doesn’t Oddonis feel very… god-like? This lively illustrated story bubbling with silly jokes and wordplay is perfect for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid or any 5th-grader who feels a tad different. This read is a fantastic introduction to the best myths for kids as it expertly marries knowledge of Greek mythology with present-day familiarity. Readers will gravitate toward Oddonis’s quirky determination to beat the odds, become class president, and prove that it’s always better to be yourself.

The Chocolate Touch

By Patrick Skene Catling

This contemporary spin on the classic myth of King Midas is beloved by millions of readers and teachers alike for its delightful reimagination and young-reader appeal. It poses a question most children (and most adults) probably ponder: what if everything you touched turned to chocolate? Brimming with witty dialogue and a whimsical cast of characters to help your reader along, The Chocolate Touch wraps themes of gluttony and gratitude into a deliciously layered story that’s sure to satisfy their literary sweet tooth.

Dragon Pearl

By Yoon Lee

If your young reader has ever felt the pressure to be like everyone else, this cross-genre tale presents a charmingly relatable heroine in clever, 13-year-old Min. Forbidden from using her magical powers, Min embarks on an intergalactic quest and meets an enchanting cast of ghosts, gamblers, and space pirates that will entertain and build your child’s sense of character recall. Expect your little space cadet to zoom through these pages past bedtime as they follow Min through tricky moral dilemmas in a Korean-inspired adventure through outer space. Once they land safely at home, start them on these fantasy books they’re sure to love.

Aru Shah and the End of Time (Aru Shah #1)

By Roshani Chokshi

Twelve-year-old Aru has a tricky habit of weaving webs of white lies about her life—her trips to Paris, her ties to royalty—to her increasingly skeptical friends. When three classmates finally attempt to catch her in a lie, she unwittingly frees a forceful and wicked demon. Aru’s desperate attempts to undo the cycle of destruction provide 9- to 12-year-old readers with memorable lessons about actions and consequences. Time magazine deemed this story one of the top 100 best fantasy books of all time as it incorporates Hindu epic poetry and high-spirited entertainment in a heartwarming journey.

Frindle

By Andrew Clements

Tree. Soup. Armchair. What’s in a word? And where exactly do they come from? When class jester Nick Allen asks his teacher those questions, he ignites the inspiration for his best prank yet: Frindle, his clever new word for a pen. Soon enough, his hometown catches onto his inventive vocabulary, making Nick a hometown hero. But things get a little out of hand when frindle makes waves across the county. Can young Nick truly change the dictionary by the seat of his leg sleeves? A hilarious and imaginative adventure, Frindle dares your elementary school reader to make their mark in permanent ink.

The Last Cuentista

By Donna Barba Higuera

Petra Peña has always dreamed of being a storyteller, una narradora, just like her Abuelita. But when a comet crashes into Earth, Petra and all remaining humans must take a space-bound quest to a new planet—one that’s far from paradise. What’s worse, an evil Collective wipes the memories of passengers, making Petra the only person who can remember humanity’s time on Earth. Can she share the stories of the past to save their future? Part science fiction, part cultural celebration, The Last Cuentista tells us that home isn’t our location—it’s where our love flourishes. Your middle-school reader will practice the power of storytelling and abstract thinking with this title as they graduate to more young-adult fiction.

Stuntboy in the Meantime

By Tae Keller

Science was always Natalie’s favorite class. So when she learns about an egg drop competition, she jumps at the chance to win prize money with her keen smarts. Finally, she’ll be able to soothe her botanist mother’s depression by taking her to see the Cobalt Blue Orchids—flowers with the power to flourish in almost any condition. But Natalie learns that perhaps joy needs more than flowers to blossom. With incredible empathy, The Science of Breakable Things is one of the best fiction books for readers working on their literary mood discernment skills. This uplifting novel will enrich your 8- to 12-year-old’s understanding of hope, support, and love.

The Science of Breakable Things

By Tae Keller

Science was always Natalie’s favorite class. So when she learns about an egg drop competition, she jumps at the chance to win prize money with her keen smarts. Finally, she’ll be able to soothe her botanist mother’s depression by taking her to see the Cobalt Blue Orchids—flowers with the power to flourish in almost any condition. But Natalie learns that perhaps joy needs more than flowers to blossom. With incredible empathy, The Science of Breakable Things is one of the best fiction books for readers working on their literary mood discernment skills. This uplifting novel will enrich your 8- to 12-year-old’s understanding of hope, support, and love.

The Season of Styx Malone

By Kekla Magoon

Despite his love of exploring with his brother Bobby Gene, Caleb Franklin itches for something more. That more turns out to be Styx Malone, Caleb’s new neighbor, who’s so cool he doesn’t need sunscreen. Soon enough, Styx convinces Caleb and Bobby Gene to join him on his Great Escalator Trade—a mischievous game of swapping items in stores. But there’s more to this trade game than Styx is letting on. Thrilling and insightful, The Season of Styx Malone is a diverse coming-of-age book with plenty of heart. Middle-school readers will discover the importance of trust, intuition, and metaphorical language through Caleb’s relatable journey.

Other Words for Home

By Jasmine Warga

Goodbye, Syria, hello… Cincinnati? In this poetic novel, a young Jude leaves her family in Syria to live with relatives in Ohio. Her first impression of the American midwest? Head-scratching perplexion. Why do they put chili on spaghetti? And why do people keep calling her “Middle Eastern?” While navigating the relatable trials of moving to a new place, Jude learns that home is wherever you want it to be—as long as you stay true to yourself. A Newbery Honor Book, Other Words for Home infuses beauty, delicacy, and heart into a tale of immigration, family, and diversity. In its poetry, young readers will learn to find the cultural touchstones that define their sense of self.

Mahatma Gandhi: My First Mahatma Gandhi (Little People, Big Dreams)

By Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

This picture book is a gentle introduction for babies and toddlers to the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. The charmingly illustrated tale tells the story of young Mohandas and his upbringing in India under British rule. All the while, Mohandas dreamed of a world where all living beings were treated with kindness—and dared to chase it into reality. Your toddler or preschool reader will light up as they learn from Gandhi about nonviolence, peace, and unwavering kindness.

David Bowie (Little People, Big Dreams)

By Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

This one’s for all the diaper-dancers and future rockstars. Even the youngest baby learners will be inspired by the one-of-a-kind Starman and his message of fearless individuality. Young David Jones may have looked like an ordinary boy on the outside, but on the inside, he was full of dreams, music, and creativity. Show your child that gigantic dreams are as close as the karaoke microphone in this motivational depiction of David Bowie’s story. The board book format is sturdy enough for little readers to thumb through on their own—and with the bold, bright illustrations, they’ll want to!

Where’s Jane?

By Jaye Garnett

If your growing reader is a naturalist-in-training, this wonderfully engaging board book is just what the biologist ordered. Designed for children ages 3 to 5, this board book is a lighthearted introduction to Jane Goodall’s fascinating chimpanzee research. Your reader will be so busy searching for hidden pictures in the illustrations that they won’t realize they’re learning facts well beyond their science curriculum. Vocabulary words and questions on every page also help encourage discussion and develop more advanced communication skills.

Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Paleontologist

By Linda Skeers

Got an up-and-coming paleontologist in the family? Then this is the biography you’re looking for! Mary Anning was a true scientific pioneer. Every young dino fan will be enraptured by the story of how her earth-shaking scientific career began by hunting for fossils in her own backyard. This fully illustrated picture book invites 4- to 9-year-olds to turn over pages and stones as they advance their exploratory skills .

Who Was Ruth Bader Ginsburg? (Who Is/Was)

By Patricia Brennan Demuth

The Who Was… books are among the best biographies for kids, presenting accurate history in an easy-to-read style. Who Was Ruth Bader Ginsburg? introduces kids to one of the renowned legal minds of our time while making her feel accessible, relatable, and wholeheartedly human. This story of Ginsburg’s advocacy for gender equality and women’s rights will empower readers from ages 8 to 11 to stand up for what they believe in as they learn to read independently and think critically.

Women Who Dared: 52 Stories of Fearless Daredevils, Adventurers, and Rebels

By Linda Skeers

If your 10- to 13-year-old reader loves adventure-packed stories, this book is a must-have. They might’ve heard about Amelia Earhart in school, but they’ll marvel at the lesser-known stories of Russian astronaut Valentina Tereshkova, stuntwoman Helen Gibson, and oceanographer Sylvia Earle in this riveting collection. Each profile is short and readable, yet brimming with value and heart. Try reading one profile with your child before bed each night and watch as they gravitate toward certain adventurers, navigate moral complexities, and relate the stories to their own lives.