Best Children's Books 2019Like this list

25 items

• The Undefeated

  Alexander, Kwame,

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  The power of Kwame's poetry and Nelson's oil paintings combine to honor the rich heritage and endurance of "the dreamers and doers" of the past without shying away from the truth of our history and our present. Ages 6-9.

• B Is for Baby

  Atinuke,

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  Big brother is taking a basket of bananas to Baba's bungalow, but he finds out that Baby has stowed away in the basket! Have fun following them on their bike ride, where they encounter lots of words that start with B. Ages 2-6.

• New Kid

  Craft, Jerry,

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  Jordan wishes he was transferring to art school, but instead finds himself at an elite private school, navigating a new environment as one of a few kids of color and trying to stay true to himself. A great choice for Raina Telgemeier fans! Ages 8-12.

• When Sadness Is at Your Door

  Eland, Eva,

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  This book portrays sadness as a visitor that you can get to know, rather than something negative that you have to fix. By teaching emotional literacy and mindfulness, kids learn that sometimes being sad can actually make you feel better! Ages 3-7.

• Sal & Gabi Break the Universe

  Hernandez, Carlos Alberto,

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  A sweet, funny middle-grade story about coming of age and navigating grief, friendships, and self-expression— oh, and making sure the world isn't destroyed by holes in the multiverse. Part of the Rick Riordan Presents series. Ages 8-12.

• Sauerkraut

  Jones, Kelly (Kelly Anne), 1976-

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  This lighthearted ghost story stars HD and his friend Eli, who love inventing and building projects. Their summer plans are complicated by the arrival of the ghost of HD's great-great-grandmother, who has a mission for HD. Ages 8-12.

• A Place to Belong

  Kadohata, Cynthia,

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  In the aftermath of WWII, Hana and her family return to Japan after four years in an internment camp. Upon their return to Hiroshima, Hana sees the devastation and ruin and, with the help of her family, tries to find hope in the darkness. Ages 10-14.

• Dragon Pearl

  Lee, Yoon Ha,

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  This Korean mythology-inspired space opera follows 13-year-old fox spirit Min, who sets out to find her brother who's vanished from his post in the Thousand World Space Forces. Features characters diverse in both race and gender identity. Ages 8-12.

• Pilu of the Woods

  Nguyen, Mai K.,

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  Willow, grieving her mom's death and sick of bullies at school, runs into the woods, where she meets Pilu, a forest spirit. As they adventure, Willow and Pilu must figure out a healthy way to contend with monsters formed from emotions. Ages 8-12.

• Princess Puffybottom... and Darryl

  Nielsen-Fernlund, Susin, 1964-

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  This book about change and acceptance follows Puffybottom as she learns of a new addition to the family— a disgusting dog! She despises him, but it looks like he's here to stay. Can they figure out how to live together peacefully? Ages 3-6.

• A Wolf Called Wander

  Parry, Rosanne,

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  Based on a true story, this middle-grade novel is told from the perspective of a wolf who got separated from his pack. Readers follow his adventures as he travels 1000 miles across the Pacific Northwest in search of a new home. Ages 8-12.

• My Footprints

  Phi, Bao, 1975-

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  Thuy feels double different: she is Vietnamese-American and has two moms. After being bullied, she imagines that she is different animals until she gets home, where she and her moms make up their own beautiful, courageous creatures. Ages 6-8.

• Tallulah the Tooth Fairy CEO

  Pizzoli, Tamara,

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  Tallulah, a fairy/businesswoman who runs a successful tooth collecting business, is perplexed when a boy leaves a note under his pillow instead of a tooth. Mod illustrations accompany this playful fairytale update. Ages 4-8.

• Hey, Water!

  Portis, Antoinette,

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  A poetic celebration of water in all its forms presented through lyrical text with simple but beautiful illustrations. On top of that, the book includes detailed back matter, including scientific facts and other resources. Ages 4-8.

• My Papi Has a Motorcycle

  Quintero, Isabel,

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  A young girl's ode to her hardworking father as they tour their neighborhood on his motorcycle, looking back on the fond memories they've created in a community that is changing rapidly around them. Ages 4-8.

• ¡Vamos! Let's Go to the Market

  Raúl the Third, 1976-

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  Detail-packed, comic-style illustrations of a border town market invite scrutiny from young readers, who will delight in exploring the market with Little Lobo and his dog Bernabé. The bilingual text smoothly combines Spanish and English. Ages 4-7.

• The Astronaut Who Painted the Moon

  the True Story of Alan Bean

  Robbins, Dean, 1957-

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  A true story about Alan Bean, the artist-astronaut who was the fourth man to walk on the moon. When he returned, he felt that photos and words couldn't capture his experience, so he painted what he saw instead! Ages 5-9.

• Another

  Robinson, Christian,

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  A mischievous cat leads a little girl on a nighttime adventure in this wordless picture book. Robinson's bold, playful illustrations feature a diverse cast of kids and the imaginative story gives readers lots to talk about! Ages 3-8.

• Pay Attention, Carter Jones

  Schmidt, Gary D.,

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  When Carter's family inherits a butler, he teaches reluctant Carter how to be a gentleman, how to play cricket, and, most importantly, how to love people. Humor amidst painful situations makes for a relatable story with heart. Ages 10-14.

• Llama Destroys the World

  Stutzman, Jonathan,

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  When Llama eats too much cake, he rips his pants, opening up a black hole that threatens to destroy the world! Humorous, silly, and as much fun for the adult reading it as it is for kids. Ages 3-8.