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A lively, educational celebration of mariachi instruments and a strong addition to bilingual board book collections.
PREMIUM
Ghost and Witch, Vol. 1
Hand this to horror fans who aren’t ready for Junji Ito and to readers who enjoy fantasy and Irish folklore.
A great pick for fans of shoujo manga, magical girls, and stories that bring magic into everyday life.
PREMIUM
La profecía equivocada
This magical boarding school drama with a Greek myth twist would be perfect for Spanish-language fantasy collections.
An excellent choice for elementary classrooms, young naturalists, homeschooling families, and any child fascinated by animals, ecosystems, or environmental stewardship, filled with sensory language, and captivating images.
A must for Spanish-language collections serving tweens, especially where fantasy is popular.
PREMIUM
Open: Every Seed Has Its Moment
This would be a good choice for libraries needing SEL books about change and growth, or natural science books about seeds and the needs of plants.
PREMIUM
Hammers, Drills, and Wrenches
This lively overview is straightforward and engaging and will encourage young readers to dream of what they can create.
An inspiring look at architectural, engineering, and community creativity in response to climate change.
An evocative and engaging book that turns deep-sea science into a thrilling exploration. This is an excellent, educational addition to any library and perfect for readers fascinated by the natural world’s greatest mysteries.
Like the best dungeon fantasies, this story is filled with magic, trickery, and surprises, but it also invites readers to think more deeply about the environment and the beasts that inhabit it.
PREMIUM
The Shark Book
Whether Shark Week or not, this is a good choice for collections where shark books are popular.
PREMIUM
The Prince’s Keeper, Vol. 1
A stellar pick for romantasy fans, including those who don’t usually read manga.
PREMIUM
Shugo Chara! Jewel Joker, Vol. 1
A solid choice for fans of the original series, but this reads very much like a sequel and may be hard for newcomers to get into.
PREMIUM
Because of a Bee
A worthwhile addition to collections where books about bees, gardens, and pollinators are popular, this is sure to spark curiosity about how even the smallest creatures make a big impact.
With a cheery tone and lots of examples to reference, this is a great how-to book for budding manga artists.
This is a stunning collection of animals and their nests that will make an ideal addition to any nonfiction picture book collection.
A unique globe-trotting scientific exploration sure to pique the interest of budding young mycologists and naturalists.
PREMIUM
El porqué de las estaciones
A great purchase for early elementary school collections and curriculum and for communities serving Spanish speakers.
A beautiful reminder that America is shaped by many different stories and experiences, and that the goal is to continue expanding who is included in that “we.” Perfect for all libraries.
This colorful, fast-moving adaptation is an engaging read and a brisk introduction to the original story.
A necessary purchase, this glorious collaboration between author and illustrator brings the world of jellyfish to unforgettable life.
A visually playful introduction to Latin American treats that works best for Spanish-speaking families. While the concept is appealing, stronger Spanish-language board books exist for teaching vocabulary.
PREMIUM
Akira Failing in Love, Vol. 1
An amiable rom-com that’s a good match for other shonen romances such as “Komi Can’t Communicate,” where the humor stems from awkwardness and misunderstandings.
Purchase for early elementary school collections and communities serving Spanish speakers and learners.
The evocative language, layered illustrations, and purposeful historical framing make this a meaningful addition to classroom libraries and a valuable anchor text for conversations about history, identity, and contribution.
PREMIUM
Grendizer U: The Inception.
Give this to sci-fi fans, whether or not they are into anime.
A visually appealing and browsable offering that will be appropriate for many nonfiction collections.
PREMIUM
Watch Me Grow: Sunflowers
This strong nonfiction picture book is a first purchase for all children’s collections.
Not suitable for a science lesson, but the visual and sonic energy, plus the unusual format, may provide enough oomph for infant and preschool story hours.
PREMIUM
Corner Kick! A Branches Book
Fans of the “Ballpark Mysteries” and “MVP” series by David A. Kelly will enjoy this informative, accessible soccer story.
PREMIUM
Tough Times: El Toro & Friends
This story of sport and persistence should be a buy for any library.
This charming story will engage new readers, and the colorful illustrations will help them navigate the story. It’s recommended for purchase.
A must-purchase, universally appealing story to build on diversity and social justice in early fiction collections. Neville’s debut is sure to be a hit with fans of the “Jada Jones,” “Jo Jo Makoons,” and “Yasmin” series.
PREMIUM
The Healer and the Phoenix
Recommended for independent readers who enjoy fast-moving fantasies.
PREMIUM
Penelope Positano Sees It All
An energetic girl takes the starring role in a story that young readers will enjoy.
Another sweet tale of friendship from Kat and Mouse, well worth the investment.
PREMIUM
Stick Dog Meets Poo-Poo
This simplified comic story is sure to win over a new, younger generation of Stick Dog fans.
PREMIUM
The Three Wolves
This enthralling book will capture the hearts of animal lovers who will be rooting for the successful release of the wolf pups. Recommended for collections seeking fresh, nature-centered stories.
Contagious fun for elementary–age readers, this series continues to explore how exciting experiences can provide opportunities for emotional growth.
A lighthearted chapter book that honors Cree culture while navigating the complexities of identity, change, and friendship.
As a balm to frenetic, quick-cut storytelling; as a soul-filling friendship tale; as the satisfying conclusion to a beautiful series
PREMIUM
chi miigwech, big thank you
A crisp light text accompanied by compelling graphics, this book will entertain small children and prompt older readers learning about Indigenous culture and language to explore further.
This charming pictorial work will be devoured by budding ornithologists and nature lovers alike. Highly recommended for all nonfiction collections.
A more fact-driven but engaging introduction to bunnies. Ideal for themed, bilingual story times or early Spanish nonfiction collections.
PREMIUM
Eres libre
This poetic picture book teaches children about diversity, freedom, identity, and respecting others; it’s a great addition to any SEL collection.
PREMIUM
Magical Girl Dandelion, Vol. 1
A solid magical girl action story for fans of dark supernatural manga like “Jujutsu Kaisen” and “Gachiakuta.”
A delightful, curious, and engaging collection; if there is only one poetry book to add this year, this is it.
A charming introduction to read at home or for a themed bilingual story time.
PREMIUM
Tay Naja Nitajtaketzki Achtu Tik Nawat: Mis Primeras Palabras en Nahuat/My First Words in Nahuat
A must-purchase for the elementary shelves, offering aspects of under-represented languages and cultures for well-rounded collections.
PREMIUM
Ichi the Witch, Vol. 1
This Shonen Jump manga will appeal to fans of “One Piece” and other magical stories, while fantasy readers may enjoy the worldbuilding and the variety of characters.
The 2026 Award season is officially over, so Heavy Medal will take a break. We'll return with 2027 suggestions starting in March, and Mock Newbery discussions resuming in September.
With (at least) two Little Women reimaginings coming out in 2026, let's see what other retellings there are!
We've a mere four titles in today's publisher preview but whatta four it is!
Our 2025 Best Books list celebrates the many pages and words that make up the superb works published for children this year. Taking another look at this year’s selections, the editors have highlighted some of the words that ring rung true and have reverberated in hearts and minds.
As we closed out 2025, many books rose to the top, including lots of manga and new offerings from middle grade favorites Gordon Korman and Sara Pennypacker.
A free global education platform from BBC Studios that features over 1,000 instructional video clips, reading passages, classroom-ready lessons, and activities for students of all age levels and their educators.
This dedicated page features everything about the awards, including all of SLJ's reporting of the 2026 Youth Media Awards ceremony and recognized titles and creators; a complete list of winners and honor books; plus links to book reviews, author interviews, blog posts, and related coverage.
How many times had I been called too loud? Annoying? Too much? In my original draft, I was unknowingly touching a tender spot in my life that I hadn’t even realized was there.
Behind the scenes of the StoryKind podcast with Kelly Yang and Kate DiCamillo!
Kimmel creates a brand-new tale that feels ancient and wise; Kurpiel finds so much more in these mighty giants.
This month’s board book roundup is bursting with variety. From globe-trotting adventures to nature facts, silly animals, dancing feet, and everything in between, there’s something for every child.
At the 2026 Youth Media Awards, author Candace Fleming became the first person to receive the Children’s Literature Legacy Award and the Margaret A. Edwards Award in the same year. In addition, her book Death in the Jungle won the Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults.
Proceeds from this auction will support organizations providing legal aid, emergency assistance, food, and community resources to those in urgent need.
It's time to look ahead to the 2027 Newbery medal. We don't have a lot on our radar, what's on yours?
Author Jarrett Dapier discusses banned books, youth activism and his new graphic novel
If educators let kids see their experiences as expertise, they could really thrive and assimilate a lot more quickly.
As a longtime reader and writer, I’ve found light in words. My hope is that young people also find it in the pages of my books.
Taking a look at upcoming books by our new Caldecott Medal and Honor winners.
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