27 Children's Books That Anyone Of Any Age Will Want To Read Over And Over Again

    Looking for your next read? These books for younger readers are perfect for anyone, no matter their age. From laugh-out-loud picture books to moving middle-grade novels, this list has something for everyone!

    Haley Neil
    by Haley Neil

    BuzzFeed Contributor

    1. Milo Imagines the World by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson

    Profile of a Black boy with a green beanie, glasses, and a pencil behind his ear. Behind him there is an imaginary city landscape styled to look like a child's drawing. Text on the hat reads: Milo Imagines the World
    G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers / Via penguinrandomhouse.com

    Release date: February 2, 2021

    What it's about: Curious Milo can't stop imagining the world around him. On a subway ride with his sister, he pictures what the other passengers' lives look like and draws them in his sketchbook...except maybe the truth isn't exactly what he imagines. Told through lyrical words and a blend of artistic styles, Milo will have you questioning your own assumptions and looking for the best in those around you. 

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local bookstore via Indiebound here. 

    2. A Hundred Thousand Welcomes by Mary Lee Donovan, illustrated by Lian Cho

    Five children from around the world sit outside on a brick wall, waving to the reader. Text above them reads: A Hundred Thousand Welcomes
    Greenwillow Books / Via harpercollins.com

    Release date: October 12, 2021

    What it's about: Travel the world with this welcoming picture book! Told in multiple languages with stunning illustrations, A Hundred Thousand Welcomes is like a vacation and a warm hug rolled into one. 

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local bookstore via Indiebound here. 

    3. The Heart and the Bottle by Oliver Jeffers

    Yellow cover. A little white girl stands next to a big bottle. Inside the bottle is a small anatomical heart. Above the heart are the words: The Heart and the Bottle
    Philomel Books / Via penguinrandomhouse.com

    Release date: March 4, 2010

    What it's about: When a creative little girl experiences loss, she does the logical thing: take her heart out of her body and place it in a bottle to keep it safe. Much later, when she meets someone younger and still curious, she decides it's time to put her heart back. Only problem? She can't seem to get it out of the bottle. An absolutely breathtaking tale of grief, love, imagination, and growth. Warning: The Heart and the Bottle will probably make you cry. If you need a pick-me-up after, try out Stuck, one of Jeffers' other books (they're all brilliant)!

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local bookstore via Indiebound here.

    4. Gitty and Kvetch by Caroline Kusin Pritchard, illustrated by Ariel Landy

    A young white girl with curly hair smiles and has her arms raised out, standing in a patch of flowers. She is wearing a yellow shirt and blue overalls. A bird with a hat looks at her. There's a rain cloud behind him. The title reads: Gitty and Kvetch
    Atheneum Books for Young Readers / Via simonandschuster.com

    Release date: September 14, 2021

    What it's about: Gitty always sees the bright side, while her best friend Kvetch can't stop complaining. Roles reverse when a raincloud spoils Gitty's plans. This utterly adorable tale of friendship and feelings is peppered with so many Yiddish phrases that I can't stop kvelling. 

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local bookstore via Indiebound here.

    5. We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan Higgins

    A dinosaur in pink overalls stands in the middle of a classroom. There's a read sneaker by her feet with droll puddled around it. The text reads: We don't eat our classmates
    Disney-Hyperion / Via books.disney.com

    Release date: June 19, 2018

    What it's about: Penelope Rex is overjoyed to finally start school. That is, until she finds out her classmates are all delicious humans. This utterly hilarious picture book about self-control is the perfect read for anyone looking for a laugh! 

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local bookstore via Indiebound here.

    6. I Don't Want to Read This Book by Max Greenfield, illustrated by Mike Lowery

    Orange cover. A book with arms and legs waves to the reader. A yellow note styled to look like a post-it note reads: I Don't Want to Read This Book
    G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers / Via penguinrandomhouse.com

    Release date: November 9, 2021

    What it's about: Did you know that books have words? And sentences?! Actor Max Greenfield (famous for his role as Schmidt on New Girl) was inspired to write this work of comedic gold by his kids. A tongue-in-cheek take on the struggles of reading, I Don't Want to Read This Book is reminiscent of The Book With No Pictures in the best way possible. 

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local bookstore via Indiebound here.

    7. Red: A Crayon's Story by Michael Hall

    A blue crayon with a red label draws in blue. The bottom of the cover is white with other crayons at the bottom. The orange crayons says "What?" and the yellow crayon says "Uh-oh." Title reads: Red. Below that reads: A crayon's story
    Greenwillow Books / Via harpercollins.com

    Release date: February 3, 2015

    What it's about: The crayon is red. At least that's what its label says. Which is why it's especially frustrating that everything it draws comes out blue. Offering a straightforward way to talk about identity and labels, this book should be mandatory reading for anyone with a beating heart. 

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local bookstore via Indiebound here.

    8. Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima

    A creature that looks like a unicorn with a clear helmet swims underwater, towards rainbow colored light. Three fish swim alongside him
    Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers / Via simonandschuster.com

    Release date: February 14, 2017

    What it's about: Kelp is positive he's a narwhal, just like the rest of his family. Sure, he's not the best swimmer and he looks a little different, but that doesn't mean anything. Right? Things get even more confusing when he discovers creatures that look just like him and finds out that they're called unicorns. Is Kelp a land narwhal? A sea unicorn? Both? A touching look at identity featuring unicorns, narwhals, and a whole lot of rainbows. Bonus: A companion book called Perfectly Pegasus comes out March 29, 2022!

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local bookstore via Indiebound here.

    9. The Sad Little Fact by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Pete Oswald

    An abstract, circular blue creature stands under a rain cloud.  The cloud reads: "The sad little fact"
    Schwartz & Wade / Via penguinrandomhouse.com

    Release date: May 7, 2019

    What it's about: When the sad little fact is locked away by the Authorities for telling the truth, a group of fact finders come to the rescue. This children's book about "fake news" and the importance of uncovering the truth is exquisitely told. The layers of meaning and expert storytelling make this the perfect read for children and adults alike. 

    Get it from Target or your local bookstore via Indiebound here.

    10. Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival

    Green cover. A young Black girl looks at an abstract yellow creature. The tittle above reads: "Ruby finds a worry"
    Bloomsbury Children's Books / Via bloomsbury.com

    Release date: September 3, 2019

    What it's about: Bright and optimistic Ruby stumbles upon something quite unexpected: a Worry. The Worry starts out small, but grows bigger and bigger until it's all she can think about. Will that Worry ever go away? This book about emotions transcends age. Perfect for anyone who has ever experienced any fear or anxiety (that's all of us at this point, right?). 

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local bookstore via Indiebound here.

    11. The Princess and the Pony by Kate Beaton

    A young biracial girl stands with a hand on her hips and the other arm raised on the top left side of the cover. A pony is on the bottom right side. The text reads: "The Princess and the Pony"
    Scholastic Inc. / Via shop.scholastic.com

    Release date: June 30, 2015

    What it's about: Princess Pinecone is a warrior, and all warriors need horses to ride into battle. When her parents get her an adorable and entirely useless pony for her birthday, she doesn't know what to do. So with a big battle looming, Princess Pinecone decides to make the most of it and train her pony to be a noble stead. A sometimes silly, always charming tale about adapting to the unexpected and embracing the power of cuteness. 

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local bookstore via Indiebound here.

    12. The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale, illustrated by LeUyen Pham

    Blue cover with a black line by the spine of the book. A young white princess with a tiara, black mask, and black outfit with a flower on it stands under the words: "The Princess in Black"
    Candlewick Press / Via candlewick.com

    Release date: April 14, 2015

    What it's about: Princess Magnolia has a secret. While everyone knows her as a prim and proper princess, she's also the Princess in Black, a monster-fighting hero! Can she hide this double life when Duchess Wigtower comes to visit just as a monster gets loose? This charming series opener shows girls can like tea parties just as much as they love kicking monster butt.

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local bookstore via Indiebound here.

    13. Dory Fantasmagory by Abby Hanlon

    A young white girl in a striped night gown and a red cape smiles under the text "Dory Fantasmagory." In the background there is part of a house. Figures, both human and imaginary, can be seen near the house
    Puffin Books / Via penguinrandomhouse.com

    Release date: July 7, 2015

    What it's about: Move aside Junie B. Jones — there's a new troublemaker in town! Dory, better known as "Rascal" by her family, often blends her real life with her imaginary one. When her two older siblings warn her that she'll be captured by the fictional Mrs. Gobble Gracker if she keeps acting like a baby, Dory takes the game a little too far. I'm not saying I wrote a paper on Dory for grad school or picked one of the books in this series when it was my turn to choose a book club read for a group of adults, but yes, I obviously did both of those things. 

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local bookstore via Indiebound here.

    14. The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser

    A colorful illustrated picture of New York City. A red building is in the center of the cover. From the windows you can see five children. An older man is in the top lefthand window. The title reads: "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street"
    Clarion Books / Via amazon.com

    Release date: September 4, 2018

    What it's about: The Vanderbeeker family has always lived on 141st Street. When their curmudgeonly landlord/upstairs neighbor decides not to renew their lease, the kids decide to do everything in their power to charm their way into his heart and save their home. 

    There is an entire series that follows this big, bustling, biracial family, and you're going to want to read every single one. Highlights include an animal rescue mission, starting a community garden, and connecting to their Chinese immigrant grandparents. 

    Get it from Amazon or your local bookstore via Indiebound here. 

    15. Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea by Ashley Herring Blake

    Two white girls, one with red hair, the other blonde, stand facing the ocean at sunset. Around them are two illustrated mermaids. The title reads: "Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea"
    Little, Brown Books for Young Readers / Via amazon.com

    Release date: May 25, 2021

    What it's about: Hazel Bly is not OK. Grieving after the loss of her mom in a terrible accident two years ago and now struggling with crippling anxiety, all Hazel wants is to return to her California home. Her mama keeps saying they will, but that promise seems further and further off every new town they visit. When they arrive in Rose Harbor, Maine, Hazel is hopeful that this will be it. But then her mom runs into an old childhood friend who has a peculiar daughter Hazel's age who won't stop talking about a local mermaid myth. As Hazel gets closer to this new girl and learns more about the local legend, she begins to wonder if maybe, just maybe, magic is real after all. 

    I fell absolutely in love with Ashley Herring Blake's debut middle-grade novel, The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James. I loved this book. I don't know how to put it more plainly, but you need Ashley Herring Blake's stories in your life. (Bonus: Her first adult romance comes out on February 22, 2022!)

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local bookstore via Indiebound here.

    16. The Pants Project by Cat Clarke

    Blue cover. Top has a row of skirts with one person wearing pants in the middle, who is only shown from the waist down. Below reads: "The Pants Project"
    Sourcebooks / Via barnesandnoble.com

    Release date: October 1, 2019

    What it's about: Liv knows he's a boy. But with his new school's dress code, he's forced to wear a skirt. Liv is sure that if he can change the dress code at school, things will be a lot easier. Maybe he'll even be able to talk to his moms about his gender identity. So he comes up with a plan: the pants project. What follows is a striking story about friendship, family, and finding your voice. 

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local bookstore via Indiebound here.

    17. Blended by Sharon M. Draper

    Pink and white striped cover. A young biracial girl stands wearing a white dress and holding an ice cream cone. The ice cream is melting by her feet. One is a scoop of vanilla and the other is chocolate. The title reads: "Blended"
    Atheneum / Via simonandschuster.com

    Release date: October 30, 2018

    What it's about: Isabella lives two lives. One week she's with her white mom in the not-so-fancy house she grew up in — the next week she's with her Black father in the nicest part of town. She's used to switching houses, backpacks, and even nicknames. She'll never be used to the fighting. This story about identity and family is perfect from start to finish. Heads-up: There's a twist near the end that is both shocking and unfortunately not surprising. This timely turn is handled with an extraordinary amount of grace and care. 

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local bookstore via Indiebound here.

    18. Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga

    Profile of a young Syrian girl. Image in the night sky looks like a sky with an airplane. Image on her outfit is a line of houses. Title reads: "Other Words for Home"
    Balzer & Bray / Via harpercollins.com

    Release date: May 28, 2019

    What it's about: This novel-in-verse follows a young girl from her childhood in Syria to her new life in America. Jude never thought that she'd leave her home, her father, or her brother behind, but when things start to turn volatile in her town, her mother decides it's best for them to move in with Jude's uncle in Cincinnati. Now she's living with relatives she barely knows in a country she hardly understands. Can new friends and new experiences help her find herself? This book is an absolute work of art. 

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local bookstore via Indiebound here.

    19. From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks

    A young Black girl sits at a desk, holding a letter and listening to something through earphones. There is a cupcake on the desk and a cookbook underneath the desk. The title reads: "From the Desk of Zoe Washington"
    Katherine Tegen Books / Via harpercollins.com

    Release date: January 14, 2020

    What it's about: On Zoe Washington's 12th birthday, she receives a letter from the father she's never met. What do you write to the man who's been in prison your whole life for a terrible crime? What if he didn't commit that crime in the first place? Zoe should be focused on her new internship at a local bakery, but she can't stop thinking about her father's letter and whether or not he is innocent. What follows is a summer of writing, baking, and sleuthing. The court system might have failed, but can Zoe uncover the truth? Janae Marks knows the recipe for the perfect read. You'll gobble this one up. 

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local bookstore via Indiebound here.

    20. Rez Dogs by Joseph Bruchac

    A young Wabanaki girl sits among red flowers, petting a dark gray dog. The title reads: "Rez Dogs"
    Dial Books / Via penguinrandomhouse.com

    Release date: June 8, 2021

    What it's about: When stay-at-home orders are issued, Malian's visit to her grandparents' home on a Wabanaki reservation is indefinitely extended. Separated from her parents and struggling to attend virtual school with the inconsistent internet access on the reservation, Malian has to adjust to her new normal. Not that she's worried: She knows she can get through anything with her grandparents and new dog by her side. 

    I'll admit — I wasn't sure if I was ready for a book about the pandemic. Rez Dogs succeeds in its specificity: Malian's story takes place in 2020 and avoids the pitfalls of predictions. This book is a brilliant ode to family and the power of storytelling. 

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local bookstore via Indiebound here. 

    21. The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

    A Black boy stands in shadow, spinning a basketball made out of words. The title reads: "The Crossover." Two awards are on the cover: The Newbery medal and a Coretta Scott King honor award
    HMH Books for Young Readers / Via rainbowresource.com

    Release date: March 18, 2014

    What it's about: Twins Josh and Jordan Bell might be great on the court, but their father is Da Man. At least that's what he was called during his basketball career, which he gave up when he found out he'd need knee surgery. This lyrical novel in verse, told from Josh's perspective, follows the family through new love, heartbreak, and a whole lot of basketball. To be the right amount of cliché, this beautifully written book is a slam dunk. Warning: Keep tissues nearby for this one. 

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local bookstore via Indiebound here. 

    22. Starfish by Lisa Fipps

    A white girl wearing a floral bathing suit floats in a pool, stretching out. The title reads: "Starfish." A Printz honor medal is on the cover
    Nancy Paulsen Books / Via penguinrandomhouse.com

    Release date: March 9, 2021

    What it's about: Ellie is sick of being fat-shamed. The kids at school might mock her, but that pales in comparison to the bullying she faces at home from her mother. The only place she feels truly comfortable is in her pool, where she loves to stretch out like a starfish and take up space. With her dad, her therapist, and her new neighbor by her side, maybe Ellie can learn to cast aside her Fat Girl Rules and starfish in real life. This novel in verse is utterly striking with its thoughtful examination of bullying and perfect Jewish interfaith representation.

    Get it from Target or your local bookstore via Indiebound here. 

    23. Barakah Beats by Maleeha Siddiqui

    A young girl wearing a hijab and holding a microphone jumps in a school hallway. Four kids peak out from the sides of the cover behind her. The title reads: "Barakah Beats." Stars and music notes are around the girl and the title
    Scholastic Press / Via clubs.scholastic.com

    Release date: October 19, 2021

    What it's about: Nimra has spent her whole life attending Islamic School. So when her parents decide it's time for public school, she isn't sure what to expect. At least she'll have her childhood best friend, Jenna, by her side — or so she thought. Jenna starts giving hijab-wearing Nimra the cold shoulder at school. Desperate to get her friend back, Nimra comes up with the perfect plan: join the most popular band in school. Only problem? Nimra was taught music isn't allowed in Islam. This book about friendship and faith absolutely sings. 

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local bookstore via Indiebound here. 

    24. Saffy's Angel by Hilary McKay

    A blonde girl holding yellow flowers stands in the forefront. A girl with dark hair is in a wheelchair behind her. There are old buildings behind them. The title reads: "Saffy's Angel"
    Margaret K. McElderry Books / Via bookshop.org

    Release date: September 1, 2003

    What it's about: The Casson children are all named after colors. When Saffron realizes that her name isn't on the color chart, she discovers that everything she knows about her family is wrong. Her mom is actually her aunt, her siblings are cousins, and she had a now-forgotten life in Italy. When her grandfather dies, he leaves her an angel from her time in Italy in his will. No one is even sure if the angel is real, since her grandfather had been very sick at the end of his life. All hope seems lost of finding this sole connection to her past until the day Saffy is barreled over by her mysterious, wheelchair-bound neighbor. A tale of family, new friendships, and adventure, this book reads like a British sitcom in the absolute best way. 

    Get it from Bookshop or your local bookstore via Indiebound here. 

    25. The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

    A white girl faces away and airfield, standing. One of her feet is bent to the side. There is a pony in the field in front of the airfield. The title reads: "The War That Saved My Life." There is a Newbery honor medal on the cover
    Dial Books / Via penguinrandomhouse.com

    Release date: January 8, 2015

    What it's about: Looking for some historical fiction? The War That Saved My Life, a book set in World War II Britain, is definitely for you. Ada has never left her one-room apartment. She isn't allowed to, since her mother is too embarrassed by Ada's untreated club foot. When she finds out that the neighborhood children are being evacuated, including her younger brother, she sneaks out to join them. That brave decision changes her entire life. With a new guardian and new life in the countryside, Ada learns to read, ride a pony, and even cope with her past trauma. But will that be enough to survive the war? A moving tale of bravery and change. 

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local bookstore via Indiebound here. 

    26. Cattywampus by Ash Van Otterloo

    Two white girls are on the blue cover. One holds a book and a wand, the other is upside down and has glowing hands and a raccoon on her shoulder. Title reads: "Cattywampus"
    Scholastic Press / Via scholasticlibrary.digital.scholastic.com

    Release date: August 4, 2020

    What it's about: Delpha McGill and Katybird Hearn are not friends. They can't be: They're from witching families with a rivalry that spans ages. Not that they're allowed to do magic, since witchcraft is strictly off limits in their Appalachian town. Except Delpha doesn't care much for rules. So when she finds her family's old book of hexes, she knows it will be the perfect solution to fix her mom's money troubles. But Katybird, who is struggling with her own powers (something she fears is because she was born intersex), wants the book too. Things take a turn for the worse when they accidentally awake an army of zombie relatives. Forced to work together, the girls race to save the town from their undead ancestors. You'll love the rich setting and magical shenanigans in this dazzling read. 

    Get it from Bookshop, Target, or your local bookstore via Indiebound here. 

    27. This Is Our Rainbow: 16 Stories of Her, Him, Them, and Us, edited by Katherine Locke and Nicole Melleby

    A diverse group of kids stands around the words "This is our rainbow: 16 stories of her, him, them, and us." The kids at the bottom are holding a pride flag
    Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers / Via penguinrandomhouse.com

    Release date: October 19, 2021

    What it's about: Looking for some stunning representation across multiple genres? This short story anthology has you covered. This Is Our Rainbow features a diverse set of stories from some of the absolute best children's writers working today. If you're craving more kids' books after you finish this list, definitely check out their other titles!

    Get it from Bookshop or your local bookstore via Indiebound here.