40 of the best new children's books in 2026

January

The Far-Out Five: Snot Jelly Island by Olaf Falafel (6+)

Stewart, Sophie, Zainab and Jeffrey – and the Great Waldini – are magically transformed into strange creatures and whisked far away from home – and the wand that could change them back is LOST!

The first book in a hilarious new series from the winner of the Funniest Joke Award.

Donut Squad: Make a Mess! by Neill Cameron (7+)

Sweet or savoury? Donut or bagel? Who will be victorious…? The battle of the baked goods returns in this riotous addition to comics genius Neill Cameron's bestselling series.

The Misadventures of Mina Mahmood: School Inspectors! written by Farhana Islam and illustrated by Simran Diamond Singh (7+)

Mina and her best friends Mobeen and Reema are chosen to show the school inspectors around, and everything seems to be going REALLY WELL! Until a pet tarantula goes missing…

Funny, heartwarming and ideal for independent readers, this hilarious chapter book is enhanced by black-and-white illustrations.

Escape from the Child Snatchers by Sufiya Ahmed (9+)

From Sufiya Ahmed, winner of the Best Children's Crime Novel for Children, comes a fast-paced historical fiction adventure following two Indian boys on a rescue mission in Victorian London.

February

Rock and Roll by Ruby Amy Thompson (4+)

Rock and Roll are very different.
Rock is strong and Roll is soft.
Rock hates attention. Roll loves it.
But hang on…
Maybe they have more in common than we think…

A joyful picture book packed with read-aloud energy, about first impressions, identity, and all the weird and wonderful things that bring us together – even when we seem worlds apart.

Tiny Hercules by Jon Lock and Nich Angell (7+)

He's brave! He's strong! He's the size of a jam jar! He's Tiny Hercules, the world's tiniest, mightiest hero – and he’s winning his way back to Tiny Olympus, one legendary deed at a time!

A full-colour graphic novel with lots of legendary laughs.

The Moonhaven Chronicles: The Last Wolf by Rob Biddulph (8+)

The legend of the werewolf reimagined in this thrilling, spine-tingling adventure by superstar author/illustrator Rob Biddulph, packed with more than 100 spectacular black-and-white illustrations.

We're currently giving 100 people the chance to get a copy for a young booklover before it's out!

The Night I Borrowed Time by Iqbal Hussain (8+)

Eleven-year-old Zubair is a seventh son. This means a LOT of big brothers. But when Zubair's granny arrives from Pakistan and gives him a mysterious amulet, he discovers it means something else, too: he has inherited a gift. The seventh sons in his family have the ability to time travel.

A funny, heartbreaking and uplifting tale about family, bravery and living in the here and now.

Hari Kumar, Ultimate Superstar written by Rashmi Sirdeshpande and illustrated by Mamta Singh (8+)

Hari Kumar: 10 years old, 75% Indian, 25% French, and 100% going to be a superstar.

Meet Hari Kumar, superstar-in-the-making, in this laugh-out-loud doodle-packed diary series from bestselling picture book author Rashmi Sirdeshpande. 

Gone for Good by Sarah Crossan (12+)

Connie Ryder is sent to Silver Lake Academy – a remote, high-security facility for 'troubled' teens. When she learns she's been given the bed of a missing girl named Belle, Connie is drawn deep into a chilling web of secrets and lies…

An immersive and propulsive 'missing girl' thriller, set against the backdrop of America's controversial Troubled Teen industry, told in Sarah Crossan's signature verse.

March

Different by Eva Eland (4+)

One morning, Mia wakes up feeling different. She tries to fit in and be like everyone else, but nothing feels quite right, and no one else seems to have noticed... Mia feels out of place and alone, until one day, someone finally sees her.

A picture book about celebrating difference from the creator of When Sadness Comes to Call and Where Happiness Begins.

Megalomaniacs: The Invasion Begins! by Jamie Smart (7+)

Megalomaniacs is the newest extravaganza in children's comics from the author/illustrator of Bunny vs Monkey, which sees Bobbletown under attack from the cutest, silliest and zaniest aliens ever.

Scare B'n'B written by Catherine Doyle and illustrated by Rachael Dean (7+)

Spooky silliness reigns in Catherine Doyle's brand-new series as Ted and Frankie team up to save their hotel from a ghostly duke and his restless spirits, featuring hilarious illustrations from Rachael Dean.

Keeping Possession written by Eve Ainsworth and illustrated by Luna Valentine (9+ with a reading age of 8)

Talented defender Eboni navigates balancing new friendships with her passion for football in this sensitively told tale from acclaimed author Eve Ainsworth.

April

This Is NOT the Diary of Izzy Dobson by Abigail Balfe (8+)

Izzy Dobson has a few problems:
1) School is the WORST.
2) Making friends is HARD.
3) Her VERY TOP SECRET EMBARRASSING DIARY has gone MISSING!

Expect cat doodles, brilliant (ish) brainwaves, and Izzy's hilarious commentary on life as you join her chaotic search – not just for the missing diary, but for her place in this Very Confusing World.

Kamizen: Fortress of Lost Memories by William Yamaguchi Dobson (9+)

Twelve-year-old Jonty desperately wants an adventure, but he knows it's unlikely when he's stuck at home for the entire summer. But then he meets a talking bonobo in the forest at the back of his house, who invites him to enter a magical world behind a Japanese Memory gate…

A stunning Studio Ghibli-esque magical adventure.

Survival Show by Juno Dawson (14+)

Taryn secretly enters Starmaker, the most watched reality TV show in the world. The rules are simple; young women from all over the globe compete to join an all-singing, all-dancing pop group. If you win, a life of luxury awaits… But there's a catch. Eliminated contestants are literally eliminated…

An explosive new YA novel from the bestselling author of the YA Book Prize-winning Meat Market, and Her Majesty's Royal Coven.

May

Unfairies: Death by Toad by Huw Aaron (7+)

Pip sends her best friend Twig out on a heroic mission, and he is KIDNAPPED. Now it's up to Pip and a most unlikely ally to get him back – and try their best to avoid… DEATH BY TOAD.

The second book in Huw Aaron's riotous comic book series.

The Ministry of Manners by David Solomons (8+)

Alfie and Margot Hawthorne have grown up under the Ministry of Manners, where politeness isn't a choice – it's the law. When the Ministry takes Margot, and Alfie falls in with the Unsilenced – those who still dare to speak – the two must fight to ensure the rebellion succeeds.

A bold new adventure from award-winning author David Solomons.

May

Love, Gods and Sinners by Camille Chong (14+)

Set in an alternate futuristic world, where descendants of ancient magical clans don secret identities and do battle on the streets of Singapore, Camille Chong's debut YA novel is an action-packed enemies-to-lovers urban fantasy with a sizzling rivals-to-lovers romance at its heart.

January

Pokémon: The Ultimate Search & Find Travel Collection (5+)

Can you find the Pokémon in every packed scene? Travel through the regions, spotting lots of Pokémon along the way! Plus, don't forget to count the berries and Poké Balls in each scene!

Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World by Kate Pankhurst (5+)

Celebrate 10 years of Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World with this special anniversary edition. Featuring brand-new content and a foreword from Kate Pankhurst, this is a brilliant introduction to some of history's most awe-inspiring women, from Jane Austen and Emmeline Pankhurst to Taylor Swift and Malala Yousafzai.

Minecraft Puzzle Adventure: A Warden's Warning (7+)

You're exploring the deep dark with Zuri, when you accidentally summon a warden. You engage in an epic battle, but the warden is just too strong! You escape to fight another day, but wait a second… Where is Zuri?! Can you use your puzzle skills to track down Zuri before it's too late?

This book is stuffed to the brim with Minecraft-themed puzzles that engage kids in an adventure across the Overworld.

The Amazing Generation by Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price (8+)

The Anxious Generation started a world-changing conversation about the effects of smartphones and social media on young people. Now, bestselling authors Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price have teamed up to talk directly to those young people about how they can live a life without screens.

From AI to Wi-Fi: How the internet works! written by Craig Steele and illustrated by Terri Po (8+)

Everyone uses the internet! But do we understand how it really works? From AI to Wi-Fi is the ultimate to the internet's most crucial topics, featuring tips, tricks and activities to help them surf the web like a pro!

Featuring fun, friendly illustrations by Terri Po, this packed-out guide is the perfect tool to support children safely on their internet adventures.

Formula Fast: Your Ultimate Guide to Formula One Racing! by Matt Ralphs (8+)

The ultimate illustrated guide to Formula One racing, the world's fastest sport: from superhuman drivers to legendary tracks to cutting-edge cars.

Packed with facts, stats, and impactful illustrations, this book answers all the questions car-obsessed kids want to know: How do you become a superstar driver?

Fake News and How to Spot It by Holly Bathie and Alex Frith (11+)

Packed with entertaining illustrations alongside practical information, this book helps identify many pitfalls of everyday and online life – from scams and advertising tricks, to one-sided information and image manipulation. A must-have tool to help make wise choices and navigate a fast-changing world safely and confidently.

February

I Tell Myself I'm Awesome written by Joshua Seigal and illustrated by Chris Piascik (7+)

A delightfully uplifting new collection of children's poetry from Joshua Seigal, winner of the 2020 and 2023 Laugh Out Loud Book Awards.

Whether they're in the mood for something hilariously silly or sentimental, this new collection of witty, reflective, and rather ridiculous poems will lift their mood, spark their imagination, and give their mental health a little boost!

Chickens and Other Dinosaurs: How Dinosaurs Became the Birds We Know Today written by Ben Lerwill and illustrated by Sarah Edmonds (7+)

Birds are all around us – and they've been here a lot longer than we have... But did you know that every single bird – every pigeon, every penguin, every hummingbird and hawk – is actually a real-life DINOSAUR?

A fascinating illustrated guide to birds... and their surprising prehistoric ancestors!

Adventures of the Lungs written by Dr Numbere K. Numbere and illustrated by Gary Goller (8+)

Discover what the lungs do, their role in talking, eating, singing and what the respiratory system is anyway. Each book in this series focuses on a certain part of the human body, using the body part as an approachable cartoon character in a series of relatable everyday situations.

Mixed: Explore and Celebrate Your Mixed Identity by Emma Slade Edmondson (9+)

Featuring inspirational letters by mixed-race people from a range of cultural backgrounds and filled with practical advice and engaging activities, this is the essential guide for mixed-race children and their families to explore and celebrate the different parts of their identity, with contributions from Dean Atta, Jessie Mei Li, Ashleigh Plumptre, and more.

False Vs. Facts by Dan Marshall (9+)

Can you really see the Great Wall of China from space? Is the five second rule real? Does lightning never strike the same place twice? Are dinosaurs older than sharks? Go on a fact-filled journey to separate the truth from the lies, bust some myths and discover once and for all what is false and what is fact.

The Wonder of Life on Earth written by Henry Gee and illustrated by Raxenne Maniquiz (9+)

The Wonder of Life on Earth packs billions of years of evolution into one amazing 80-page book, journeying through disasters, evolutionary oddities, and a planet shaped by supervolcanoes, toxic air, and asteroids – always focusing on the most pivotal, important moments.

Complete with a glossary, a timeline and a view into the future, this readable natural history is perfect for younger readers and anyone looking for an accessible introduction to the biggest topic around: LIFE.

March

Once Upon An Island written by Alice Albinia and illustrated by Helen Cann (7+)

Award-winning historian Alice Albinia takes readers on a journey across oceans and centuries, uncovering the secrets of 20 fascinating islands, each vividly brought to life through firsthand stories and illustrated maps.

Blast Off! Look Inside Spectacular Spacecraft by Ben Elcomb (7+)

From early rockets to distant space probes, learn what it takes to blast off from Earth and even live in space. With incredible cross-sections of 20 real-world spacecraft, discover what happens to them during take-off, what life is like inside the International Space Station, and what future missions to the Moon could look like.

The Story of Art Without Men written by Katy Hessel and illustrated by Ping Zhu (9+)

Journey through history, from the Renaissance to the Second World War, and across the globe, from Cornwall to Manhattan, Nigeria, Japan and more, to discover the stories of women who changed the world with their incredible art.

Based on the bestselling book of the same title, this children's version includes breathtaking illustrations and a host of new art and artists to discover.

April

A Poem in the Sky written by Benjamin Zephaniah and illustrated by Nila Aye (3+)

There's a poem on your face
There's a poem in the sky
There's a poem in outta space
There are poems passing by

Poems are EVERYWHERE – in your dreams, on your fingers and in your teeth! There's even a poem in you. Can't you see it? It's right there.

A joyful picture book that celebrates the magic of poetry.

May

Cute FACTopia! written by Kate Olesin and illustrated by Andy Smith (8+)

Follow an ingenious trail of 200 facts about all things cute, cosy, and sweet. Kids will meet the pygmy hippo called Moo Dheng, whose ears wiggle when she sleeps, and encounter the world's tiniest teddy bear. They'll learn that elephants dance in the rain, and babies hiccup inside the womb. And they'll even jet off into space to discover a comet shaped like a rubber duck and a dwarf planet with a huge, heart-shaped ice field on its surface.

Test their knowledge of all things icky, sticky, smelly and disgusting with our ridiculously revolting quiz inspired by Gross FACTopia!, and check out this year's £1/€1.50 World Book Day book, Funny FACTopia!.

Mini Murdle Junior: Summer Fun by G. T. Karber (8+)

The bestselling Murdle series presents a new puzzle activity book for younger detectives! Join Buster to connect the dots, solve mazes and follow the curious trail of clues to catch whodunnit.

June

What If... Pigs Could Fly? And Other Amazing Animal Questions by Emma Young (7+)

What if snakes were fluffy? Or skunks sprayed perfume? Or there were as many lions as ants? Find out the answers to these questions and many more with science author Emma Young! Even reluctant readers will find this book irresistible to dip into to find out the answers to the wacky, bizarre, and surprising questions.

Discover Emma Young's article, 6 brilliant children's books about the human body, over on Books to Read.