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From conservation and recycling to a simple appreciation of nature, these books provide a greater understanding of the world and our place in it.

Holi, also known as the Festival of Colors, is a Hindu festival celebrating spring. Young readers will enjoy these colorful picture books about the holiday.

Purim is a Jewish holiday that commemorates events told in the biblical Book of Esther. Hand these titles to young readers so they can share in the parties, costumes, and food that are all part of the festivities.

Shark Teeth by Sherri Winston and Black Girl You Are Atlas by Renée Watson are this year's winners in the younger readers and teen categories, respectively.

Some kids love narrative nonfiction; others, expository literature. Learn more about these two styles of books and browse a list of recent outstanding examples. 

The new law in New Jersey aims to limit book removals and protect librarians from criminal prosecution; in Illinois, some school districts are choosing to lose state grants instead of complying with its Freedom to Read law; additional titles removed in Oregon and Tennessee; and more in censorship news.

These three chapter books feature lovable, quirky animal sleuths solving wacky mysteries and getting into plenty of high jinks along the way.

At story hours or in more casual settings, readers will come away from these two charming books about family and baking hungry. In each, family and friends—woodland animals or human dear ones—gather, and beautiful loaves of challah are enjoyed by all.

Whether portraying a humble farming community, a home in the south of Korea, a synagogue filled with love and hope, or a neighborhood where more than small things are mended, the best picture books of 2024 celebrate how those working together are the models for humanity we want our children to witness.

Mythology and animal stories compose a large part of this early reader and chapter book list, alongside contemporary tales of young protagonists staying true to themselves and the things they love while figuring out how to act among peers. These titles will help children learn how to read as well as model ideas for how they can be authentically themselves.

From puppy love to the latest collection from fan-favorite Junji Ito, these 10 new manga releases are bound to be a hit with readers of all ages.

During the pandemic, many families relied on Mo Willems’s playful, calm, and supportive “Lunch Doodle” videos, sponsored by the ­Kennedy Center, on YouTube. The Mo Willems Workshop channel has expanded its content. Here's SLJ's review.

These librarians convey the rules with a light touch.

10 entertaining books for young children about patience, impatience, apologies, and more. 

This roundup of 2024 books centering Native American stories offers something for every reader to enjoy this November and all year long.

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, occurs this year on October 31 through November 1. Share these titles about the holiday with young readers.

Librarians responding to our 2024 Transitional Books Survey had a lot to say about their favorite series. Here's why "Fly Guy," "Mercy Watson," and others stand out to them. 

Early chapter books? Easy readers? Whatever you call them, transitional books are key for young students, librarians say.

A group of parents in Montgomery County, MD, has asked the Supreme Court to review their school district's decision not to allow them to opt their children out of seeing books with LGBTQIA+ characters; and Sarah J. Maas books and other titles removed in Cobb County, GA, and Rutherford County, TN.

Throughout history and around the world, dancing has been a way for people to express themselves and celebrate their cultural identity. Share these titles with young readers in time for National Dance Day on September 21.

Starting a new school, or even a new school year, can elicit a lot of emotions for many children. These board books, picture books, and early readers will help reassure young readers that all will be well when they step into their new classroom.

This list showcases 19 books that reflect our differences and model healthy interactions with those unlike us. These books are about recognizing, accepting, and celebrating our differences.

Physical books that play narration can increase students' reading confidence. Parents also like the format as an alternative to digital devices.

Houston Public Library youth and family services manager LaTrisha Milton wanted to help families manage during difficult times. With the help of partner organizations, she put together a mental health program for more than 50 patrons.

Creators are never so ambitious than when they want to get the facts into the hands of young readers. Here is our list of outstanding nonfiction books from the first part of 2024.

These diverse offerings include stories featuring STEM, mythology, gentle lessons, and more.

In these two picture books, a couple of different illustrators have shared their creative vision for Emily Dickinson’s famous poem, “Hope Is the Thing with Feathers.”

Two picture books take on the magic of trees springing up from mere seeds in stories with redemptive themes as well as teaching moments.

New readers can feed their minds as they read these books about feeding their bellies.

The New York Times best-selling author and Caldecott Honor-awarded picture book illustrator talks with School Library Journal about creating the Mo Willems Workshop channel and how librarians can use it with their students.

As reading instruction swings toward phonics, librarians need to stay in the game with decodables. These suggestions, plus a sampling of publishers' offerings, will help.

These titles take a look at two traditions around the Muslim holiday that commemorates the story of Ibrahim (Abraham).

National Book Award winner A First Time For Everything by Dan Santat and  Sunshine by Jarrett J. Krosoczka are among the many children's literature titles nominated for the 2024 Eisner Awards.

Conveying a range of experiences, these stories of family, love, humor, and loss will engage children during Caribbean American Heritage Month and beyond. 

These early readers and chapter books will be just the thing for independent readers looking to meet new characters and engage with fun stories during the summer months.

Daniel Bernstrom, Carole Boston Weatherford, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Kekla Magoon, Scott Reintgen, and others share stories about educators who played an important role in their lives.

From the Caldecott-winning Big by Vashti Harrison to a bilingual counting book in Mi’kmaw and English, these illustrated works are guaranteed to engage young readers during summer break and all year around.

Characters in these books, including a few classics, are comfortable being different from others and engage with their world in nontraditional ways.

Eid al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan, is expected to fall around April 9 to April 11 in 2024. These picture books, along with a board book and an early reader, can be shared with young ones while they wait for the first appearance of the crescent moon that marks the end of the long month of fasting.

This selection of picture books features various traditions and ways to celebrate the holy month, showing young readers the diversity within the Muslim community while celebrating the shared principles.

Illustrated titles about strong women and self-empowerment for girls from the 2024 Rise Booklist. 

National Tell a Fairy Tale Day is February 26 this year. Young readers can revisit stories about Goldilocks and Jack and the Beanstalk—with new characters and formats giving the classic stories a fresh feel.

Bustard tells the story of a Italian priest who became a saint, Churnin writes about a female entrepreneur in the 1800s, and Strauss informs readers about the preservation of a 14th-century manuscript.

Young readers will love the sense of accomplishment they feel after reading these stories about Valentine's Day on their own or with a caregiver.

The Black Caucus of the American Library Association released its 2023 Best of the Best Books list, featuring more than 75 titles divided into three categories: PreK–4, Grades 5–8, and Grades 9–12.

The theme for Black History Month 2024 is "African Americans and the Arts." In these titles, young readers can learn about people who loved to express themselves through visual art, dance, song, and other forms of artistic creation.

In these three titles—a board book, picture book, and early reader—brother-and-sister duos celebrate Lunar New Year and Valentine's Day.

Lunar New Year falls on Saturday, February 10 in 2024. From wish soup to dragon gifts, these board books and picture books show young readers many ways to celebrate the holiday.

Here are the overall Top 10 books chosen from six curated lists, spanning early readers to YA.

When it comes to young learners, wonder is a key tool. It helps children become self-motivated learners, excited to explore where their knowledge will take them.

The SLJ reviews editors rounded up our reviews of the books lauded at the 2024 Youth Media Awards. Here, the reviews of the Caldecott Medal and Honors winners.

Remember Us by Jacqueline Woodson and Saints of the Household by Ari Tison were honored with the awards in the younger reader and teen category, respectively.

After a student shared an upsetting incident on social media, Jones set out to teach her students about safely managing social media and ended up learning a lot herself.

Three Kings Day, also known as Epiphany, is on January 6 and commemorates the biblical story of the wise men who brought gifts to the newborn baby Jesus. It is mostly celebrated in Latinx communities and marks the end of the Christmas season. Share these three picture books with young readers to teach them more about the holiday.

From a glittering party in Harlem to a dazzling parade in Tokyo, from a baba's small patch of soil to a cadre of children learning to love who they are or stand up for others, the very best of 2023's picture books invite readers into pages to meet the world head on.

In these 16 early readers and chapter books, children who are learning to read will see themselves reflected on the pages and feel a sense of accomplishment as they embark on their reading journeys.

A runaway dreidel, parading yokai, and dancing ornaments make these holiday picture books that much more magical.