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2025 Children's K-2nd Grade Favorites

Kindergarten – 2nd Grade book recommendations for kids, educators, booksellers, librarians, and caregivers of the best children’s books in 2024.

 
All Aboard the Alaska Train

All Aboard the Alaska Train

By: Brooke Hartman
Illustrated by:
John Joseph
ISBN: 9781636550992
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
 
Alpacas Make Terrible Librarians

Alpacas Make Terrible Librarians

By: Kristi Mahoney
Illustrated by:
Chantelle Thorne and Burgen Thorne
ISBN: 9781957655284
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
 
Are You a Sleepy Monster?

Are You a Sleepy Monster?

By: Guilherme Karsten
Illustrated by:
Guilherme Karsten
ISBN: 9780711283374
Fiction, 4-6, Sleep / Dreams / Bedtime
 
Arlo Needs Glasses

Arlo Needs Glasses

By: Barney Saltzberg
ISBN: 9781523520985
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
 
A Bear, a Fish, and a Fishy Wish

A Bear, a Fish, and a Fishy Wish

By: Daniel Bernstrom
Illustrated by:
Brandon James Scott
ISBN: 9781662640698
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
 
Bear’s Lost Glasses

Bear’s Lost Glasses

By: Leo Timmers
Illustrated by:
Leo Timmers
ISBN: 9781776575947
Fiction, 4-6, Imagination / Play
 
A Big Juicy Earthworm

A Big Juicy Earthworm

By: Katarina Macurova
Illustrated by:
Katarina Macurova
ISBN: 9788000070841
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
 
The Book That Can Read Your Mind

The Book That Can Read Your Mind

By: Marianna Coppo
Illustrated by:
Marianna Coppo
ISBN: 9781797229010
Fiction, 4-6, Imagination / Play
 
Brianosaurus

Brianosaurus

By: Ged Adamson
ISBN: 9781542039376
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
 
Broommates—A Brewing Boundary Battle

Broommates—A Brewing Boundary Battle

By: Lynne Marie and Brenda Reeves Sturgis
Illustrated by:
Nico Ecenarro
ISBN: 9781956378276
Fiction, 4-6, Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations
 
Buffalo Fluffalo

Buffalo Fluffalo

By: Bess Kalb
Illustrated by:
Erin Kraan
ISBN: 9780593564530
Fiction, 4-6, Humor
 
Built to Last

Built to Last

By: Minh Le
Illustrated by:
Dan Santat
ISBN: 9780593569177
Fiction, 4-6, Friendships
 
Butt or Face? Volume 2—Revenge of the Butts

Butt or Face? Volume 2—Revenge of the Butts

By: Kari Lavelle
ISBN: 9781728271200
Nonfiction, 4-6, Animals
 
Chicken Little and the Very Long Race (The Real Chicken Little)

Chicken Little and the Very Long Race (The Real Chicken Little)

By: Sam Wedelich
Illustrated by:
Sam Wedelich
ISBN: 9781338892420
Fiction, 4-6, Folklore / Fairytales / Myths
 
Chooch Helped

Chooch Helped

By: Andrea L. Rogers
Illustrated by:
Rebecca Lee Kunz
ISBN: 9781646144549
Fiction, 4-6, BIPOC Characters and Creators
 
Cranky

Cranky

By: Phuc Tran
Illustrated by:
Pete Oswald
ISBN: 9780063256286
Fiction, 4-6, Construction / Transportation
 
The Dictionary Story

The Dictionary Story

By: Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston
Illustrated by:
Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston
ISBN: 9781536235500
Fiction, 4-6, Concepts
 
Dinosaurs in Space

Dinosaurs in Space

By: Todd Sturgell
Illustrated by:
Todd Sturgell
ISBN: 9781728236278
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
 
Doris

Doris

By: Lo Cole
Illustrated by:
Lo Cole
ISBN: 9781915801289
Fiction, 4-6, Social Emotional Learning
 
Fox Is Coming!

Fox Is Coming!

By: James Patterson and Joe Kulka
Illustrated by:
Joe Kulka
ISBN: 9780316572835
Fiction, 4-6, Friendships
 
The Ghost Who Was Afraid of Everything

The Ghost Who Was Afraid of Everything

By: Nadia Ahmed
Illustrated by:
Nadia Ahmed
ISBN: 9781506495118
Fiction, 4-6, Social Emotional Learning
 
Gifts from the Garbage Truck—A True Story About the Things We (Don’t) Throw Away

Gifts from the Garbage Truck—A True Story About the Things We (Don’t) Throw Away

By: Andrew Larsen
Illustrated by:
Oriol Vidal
ISBN: 9781728283517
Nonfiction, 4-6, Biography / Memoir
 
Gina Kaminski Saves the Wolf

Gina Kaminski Saves the Wolf

By: Craig Barr-Green
Illustrated by:
Francis Martin
ISBN: 9781684647866
Fiction, 4-6, Folklore / Fairytales / Myths
 
The Girl Who Loves Bugs

The Girl Who Loves Bugs

By: Lily Murray
Illustrated by:
Jenny Løvlie
ISBN: 9781682636558
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
 
Hank Goes Honk

Hank Goes Honk

By: Maudie Powell-Tuck
Illustrated by:
Duncan Beedie
ISBN: 9781664300507
Fiction, 4-6, Humor
 
Hello—How Nüwa Created the World

Hello—How Nüwa Created the World

By: Viola Wang
ISBN: 9781499814927
Fiction, 4-6, Folklore / Fairytales / Myths
 
I Am a Potato

I Am a Potato

By: Ziggy Hanaor
Illustrated by:
Elliot Kruszynski
ISBN: 9781800660519
Fiction, 4-6, Science / Nature
 
José Feeds the World—How a Famous Chef Feeds Millions of People in Need Around the World

José Feeds the World—How a Famous Chef Feeds Millions of People in Need Around the World

By: David Unger
Illustrated by:
Marta Álvarez Miguéns
ISBN: 9781728279527
Nonfiction, 4-6, Biography / Memoir
 
Jump for Joy

Jump for Joy

By: Karen Gray Ruelle
Illustrated by:
Hadley Hooper
ISBN: 9781662602023
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
 
The Last Zookeeper

The Last Zookeeper

By: Aaron Becker
Illustrated by:
Aaron Becker
ISBN: 9781536227680
Fiction, 4-6, Sci-Fi
 
The Little Green Swing (Little Ruby’s Big Ideas)

The Little Green Swing (Little Ruby’s Big Ideas)

By: Brenda Maier
Illustrated by:
Sonia Sánchez
ISBN: 9781338816198
Fiction, 4-6, Science / Nature
 
Lost

Lost

By: Mariajo Ilustrajo
Illustrated by:
Mariajo Ilustrajo
ISBN: 9780711277953
Fiction, 4-6, Friendships
 
Lucky Duck

Lucky Duck

By: Greg Pizzoli
ISBN: 9780593649770
Fiction, 4-6, Humor
 
Luigi, the Spider Who Wanted to Be a Kitten

Luigi, the Spider Who Wanted to Be a Kitten

By: Michelle Knudsen
Illustrated by:
Kevin Hawkes
ISBN: 9781536219111
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
 
The Man Who Didn’t Like Animals

The Man Who Didn’t Like Animals

By: Deborah Underwood
Illustrated by:
LeUyen Pham
ISBN: 9780358567134
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
 
María Mariposa

María Mariposa

By: Karla Arenas Valenti
Illustrated by:
Ana Ramírez González
ISBN: 9781797207933
Fiction, 4-6, BIPOC Characters and Creators
 
Merry Christmas Zoo

Merry Christmas Zoo

By: Lola M. Schaefer and Lisa Eickholdt
Illustrated by:
Laura Watkins
ISBN: 9781797216560
Nonfiction, 4-6, Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations
 
Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden

Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden

By: Christy Mandin
Illustrated by:
Christy Mandin
ISBN: 9781339023274
Fiction, 4-6, Imagination / Play
 
A Mischief of Mice

A Mischief of Mice

By: Christie Matheson
Illustrated by:
Christie Matheson
ISBN: 9781728272078
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
 
Moo Hoo

Moo Hoo

By: Audrey Perrott
Illustrated by:
Ross Burach
ISBN: 9781338888881
Fiction, 7-12, Social Emotional Learning
 
The Most Beautiful Winter

The Most Beautiful Winter

By: Cristina Sitja Rubio; translated by Vineet Lal
Illustrated by:
Cristina Sitja Rubio
ISBN: 9780802856272
Fiction, 4-6, Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations
 
Mr. Fox’s Game of No!

Mr. Fox’s Game of No!

By: David LaRochelle
Illustrated by:
Mike Wohnoutka
ISBN: 9781536229677
Fiction, 4-6, Humor
 
Mr. Round and Mr. Square

Mr. Round and Mr. Square

By: Patricia Fitti
Illustrated by:
Patricia Fitti
ISBN: 9798890630810
Fiction, 4-6, Concepts
 
No Bear Anywhere

No Bear Anywhere

By: Leah Gilbert
ISBN: 9781547605620
Fiction, 4-6, Social Emotional Learning
 
No Cats in the Library

No Cats in the Library

By: Lauren Emmons
Illustrated by:
Lauren Emmons
ISBN: 9781665933681
Fiction, 4-6, Fantasy
 
Old Clothes for Dinner?

Old Clothes for Dinner?

By: Nathalie Alonso
Illustrated by:
Natalia Rojas Castro
ISBN: 9798888590683
Fiction, 4-6, Social Emotional Learning
 
Open Me…I’m a Dog

Open Me…I’m a Dog

By: Art Spiegelman
ISBN: 9781662665486
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
 
Oy, Santa! Or, There’s a Latke to Learn about Hanukkah

Oy, Santa! Or, There’s a Latke to Learn about Hanukkah

By: Joyce Schriebman
Illustrated by:
Gila von Meissner
ISBN: 9781951365226
Fiction, 4-6, Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations
 
Pascal the Very Hungry Penguin

Pascal the Very Hungry Penguin

By: Nishani Reed
Illustrated by:
Junissa Bianda
ISBN: 9798887770581
Fiction, 4-6, Food / Cooking
 
Peg Gets Crackin

Peg Gets Crackin

By: Jo Renfro
Illustrated by:
Jo Renfro
ISBN: 9781506492070
Fiction, 4-6, Social Emotional Learning
 
Penelope Rex and the Problem with Pets

Penelope Rex and the Problem with Pets

By: Ryan T. Higgins
ISBN: 9781368089609
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
 
Pig Town Party

Pig Town Party

By: Lian Cho
Illustrated by:
Lian Cho
ISBN: 9780063237513
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
 
Pretty Ugly

Pretty Ugly

By: David Sedaris
Illustrated by:
Ian Falconer
ISBN: 9781662665271
Fiction, 4-6, Humor
 
The Quickest Bedtime Story Ever!

The Quickest Bedtime Story Ever!

By: Louise Fitzgerald
Illustrated by:
Kate Hindley
ISBN: 9798887770512
Fiction, 4-6, Sleep / Dreams / Bedtime
 
Quiet As Mud

Quiet As Mud

By: Jane Yolen
Illustrated by:
Nicole Wong
ISBN: 9781433841538
Fiction, 4-6, Social Emotional Learning
 
Rainbow Bear

Rainbow Bear

By: Bill Martin Jr and Michael Sampson
Illustrated by:
Nathalie Beauvois
ISBN: 9781612546445
Fiction, 4-6, Concepts
 
Rhythm

Rhythm

By: Jackie Azúa Kramer
Illustrated by:
Taia Morley
ISBN: 9781433842634
Fiction, 4-6, Family / Community
 
Scooper and Dumper The Pumpkin Parade

Scooper and Dumper The Pumpkin Parade

By: Lindsay Ward
ISBN: 9781662513831
Fiction, 4-6, Construction / Transportation
 
Sour Apple

Sour Apple

By: Linda Liu
ISBN: 9781250835086
Fiction, 4-6, Social Emotional Learning
 
The Spaceman

The Spaceman

By: Randy Cecil
Illustrated by:
Randy Cecil
ISBN: 9781536226164
Fiction, 4-6, Humor
 
Spider in the Well

Spider in the Well

By: Jess Hannigan
Illustrated by:
Jess Hannigan
ISBN: 9780063289475
Fiction, 4-6, Humor
 
A Sundae with Everything on It

A Sundae with Everything on It

By: Kyle Scheele
Illustrated by:
Andy J. Pizza
ISBN: 9781797221625
Fiction, 4-6, Food / Cooking
 
The Teeny-Weeny Unicorn

The Teeny-Weeny Unicorn

By: Shawn Harris
ISBN: 9780593571880
Fiction, 4-6, Folklore / Fairytales / Myths
 
Togo to the Rescue

Togo to the Rescue

By: Mélisande Potter
Illustrated by:
Giselle Potter
ISBN: 9780316335447
Nonfiction, 4-6, Animals
 
Turkey’s Birthday Bash

Turkey’s Birthday Bash

By: Wendi Silvano
Illustrated by:
Lee Harper
ISBN: 9781662516061
Fiction, 4-6, Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations
 
Two Little Red Mittens

Two Little Red Mittens

By: Kirin Hayashi; translated by Avery Fischer Udagawa
Illustrated by:
Chiaki Okada
ISBN: 9781662516764
Fiction, 4-6, Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations
 
When an Elephant Hears NO

When an Elephant Hears NO

By: Dazzle Ng
Illustrated by:
Estrela Lourenço
ISBN: 9781645677864
Fiction, 4-6, Animals
 
Willow the White House Cat

Willow the White House Cat

By: Jill Biden
Illustrated by:
Kate Berube
ISBN: 9781665952057
Fiction, 4-6, Sci-Fi
 
Worm’s Lost & Found

Worm’s Lost & Found

By: Jule Wellerdiek; translated by David Henry Wilson
Illustrated by:
Jule Wellerdiek
ISBN: 9780735845572
Fiction, 4-6, Humor
 
The Yellow Bus

The Yellow Bus

By: Loren Long
Illustrated by:
Loren Long
ISBN: 9781250903136
Fiction, 4-6, Kindness / Generosity
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