20+ Books to Read for Children’s Book Week

Updated on May 8th, 2025

AD – PR Product | 2025 marks the 106th anniversary of Children’s Book Week. To celebrate the event, I want to share a list of over 20 fantastic children’s books to read.

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What is Children’s Book Week?

Children’s Book Week began in 1919 as an initiative to celebrate books for young people and the joy of reading. Children’s Book Week is held twice a year in May and November. For 2025, the theme is An Ocean of Stories, and the event takes place from May 5th-11th and from November 3rd-9th. You can get involved in Children’s Book Week by simply reading. You can find children’s books at your local library, bookstores, or on your own bookshelf. Every Child a Reader has a selection of free resources, including posters, bookmarks, activity pages, and coloring pages to celebrate Children’s Book Week.

To help get you started, I created a list of children’s books that I have personally read and would recommend. I selected books with diverse topics, including history, the environment, and body positivity, and they have good messages overall. I included the age rating for each book as well. Now let us dive in!

20+ Children’s Books to Read for Children’s Book Week

#1 Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré by Anika Aldamuy Denise (Age 4+)

Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré tells the story of Pura Belpré, who was the first Puerto Rican librarian in New York City. She came to America in 1921 and became a bilingual assistant at the library. Pura Belpré was an author, puppeteer, and storyteller, and the book shares the power of storytelling and the impact she had on bilingual literature. The book also includes beautiful illustrations and is a wonderful story for children to read.

Available at Bookshop

#2 Laxmi’s Mooch by Shelly Anand (Age 4+)

Laxmi’s Mooch follows a young Indian American girl, Laxmi, who is teased about her mooch (mustache). After coming home from school and discussing with her parents that she is hairy, she accepts her body hair and celebrates her heritage. The book is great for normalizing body hair and has a wonderful body-positive message.

Available at Bookshop

#3 My Two Border Towns by David Bowles (Age 4+)

My Two Border Towns is a touching story about a father and son’s weekend ritual of visiting the border town in Mexico. They eat breakfast at their favorite restaurant, visit their aunt and uncle’s jewelry shop, play with cousins, pick up items for family and friends, and give supplies to refugees seeking asylum. The book shares the importance of caring for the community and the complexity and vibrancy of life on the US-Mexico border.

Available at Bookshop

#4 I Believe I Can by Grace Byers (Age 4+)

I received a review copy of I Believe I Can. The story celebrates every child’s limitless potential and is an affirmation for children of every background that they can do anything if they believe in themselves. The story is told with rhyming lines and features illustrations of diverse characters. I Believe I Can is a wonderful story with a positive message.

Available at Bookshop

#5 Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper (Age 4+)

Juneteenth for Mazie follows Mazie as she gets ready to celebrate freedom and the day in American history when her ancestors were no longer slaves. She remembers their struggles and triumphs, and the book does a great job of sharing the history of Juneteenth and the celebration today. Also, the book ends with a short history of the Civil War ending on June 19, 1865, which brought the end of slavery in the US.

Furthermore, Floyd Cooper was an American children’s book author and illustrator who explored African American experiences in his books. He passed in 2021, and in his memory, Floyd Cooper Day is celebrated in May. Reading Juneteenth for Mazie or another one of his books is a great way to remember his impact on children’s literature.

Available at Bookshop

#6 If the Slipper Fits… by Lindsay DeRollo (Age 4+)

I received an ebook copy of If the Slipper Fits… to review. In the book, Emma and Pinky are ready to take on their new roles in the ballet recital. However, Emma overhears a classmate saying that she is too tall to be a real ballerina and get a lead role. Emma then learns that she is perfect just the way she is. The book has a lovely message, and the illustrations are cute.

Available at Bookshop

#7 Berry Song by Michaela Goade (Age 4+)

Berry Song follows a grandma and a girl who pick gifts from the earth, including salmon, herring eggs, and berries. The book has nice illustrations and a wonderful message of taking care of the earth and of kinship to generations that came before.

Available at Bookshop

#8 Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho (Age 4+)

Eyes That Kiss in the Corners is about a young Asian girl who notices her eyes look different from her peers, but her eyes are like her mom’s, amah’s, and little sister Mei-Mei’s. She realizes her eyes are beautiful, and she is empowered. The story has nice illustrations and a beautiful message of recognizing your own beauty and having self-love.

Available at Bookshop

#9 Wally Wombat: Anxiety Body Clues by Sarah Hodgson and Emily Pomfrett (Age 2+)

I received an ebook copy from the authors. Wally Wombat: Anxiety Body Clues is written by sisters Sarah and Emily. The book is great for children to recognize the signs of anxiety and prompts an open discussion about anxious feelings. The book begins with a reminder that it is okay to worry and be anxious. Next, the book discusses in a rhyming scheme various physical signs that a child could be anxious. The illustrations are also nice and demonstrate the different signs.

Sarah and Emily also wrote Wally Wombat: Anxiety Strategies (available at Bookshop), which discusses practical strategies to help children when they are feeling worried, from breathing and grounding to coloring and doing yoga.

Available at Bookshop

#10 Diwali in My New Home by Shachi Kaushik (Age 4+)

I received a copy of Diwali in My New Home from the author. The book follows Priya, who remembers her time in India during Diwali compared to her new home in the US, where no one seems to know about the holiday. However, when she comes home from school, her parents begin preparations for Diwali, and her neighbors join in for the celebration. The story is sweet, and the illustrations are bright and colorful. The book ends with information on Diwali and a glossary of words used, which makes the book both entertaining and educational for kids.

Available at Bookshop

#11 I Found Some Ancient Hieroglyphs by J.R. Lamar (Age 8+)

I received a review copy of I Found Some Ancient Hieroglyphs. The book is a collection of poems that encourages children to learn about the world. The poems have fun rhymes and play on the names of cities and locations all around the world. Also, each poem includes cute illustrations and a fact about the topic of the poem. Lastly, the book ends with maps of the continents and a list of the 5 most populated cities on each continent. I Found Some Ancient Hieroglyphs is a fantastic book for children interested in poetry and the world.

Available at Bookshop

#12 Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal (Age 4+)

Alma and How She Got Her Name is about Alma Sofia Esperanza José Pura Candela. One day, she asks her dad why her name is so long, and she learns the story of her different names. The book ends with a note from the author, Juana Martinez-Neal, about how she got her name. The book includes nice black-and-white illustrations with pops of red, and it encourages children to be curious about their names and origins.

Available at Bookshop

#13 The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali (Age 4+)

The Proudest Blue follows Faizah on her first day of school and her older sister Asiya’s first day of hijab, which is made of a beautiful blue fabric. However, not everyone at school sees hijab as beautiful. The book has beautiful illustrations and a wonderful message of being proud of who you are and the bond between siblings.

Also, The Kindest Red is the sequel (available at Bookshop). The sequel is about when Faizah’s teacher asks them to think about the world they want to live in, and Faizah imagines a world where everyone is kind. Regarding the author, Ibtihaj Muhammad is an Olympic medalist, and she is known as the first Muslim American woman to wear a hijab while competing for the United States in the Olympics.

Available at Bookshop

#14 Viola Desmond Won’t Be Budged! by Jody Nyasha Warner (Age 5+)

Viola Desmond Won’t Be Budged! tells the story of Viola Desmond, who went to the movie theater in 1946. She was told by the usher to sit upstairs with the black patrons, and she refused to move. The police were called on her, and she was taken to jail and fined for not paying the proper ticket price. Viola and the black community in Nova Scotia tried to appeal for change, but in 1947, the Supreme Court canceled the appeal because they believed the case was fair. However, the Supreme Court’s decision did not stop the movement, and in the late 1950s, segregation was made against the law. The book ends with a glimpse of African Canadian history.

There are numerous children’s books that focus on black history in the US, but it is important to learn about black history in other countries as well, like Canada. Viola Desmond owned a popular beauty salon and founded the Desmond School of Beauty Culture because many beauty schools refused to train black students. Her refusal to move seats in the movie theater sparked change in Canada.

Available at Bookshop

#15 All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold (Age 4+)

All Are Welcome is a sweet book that celebrates diversity and gives encouragement and support to all kids. The story includes rhyming, and diverse characters are represented in the illustrations. The book has a lovely message that no matter what, all children are welcome and have a place and a space.

Available at Bookshop

#16 Be a Good Ancestor by Leona Prince and Gabrielle Prince (Age 4+)

Be a Good Ancestor is written by Indigenous sisters, and the book encourages readers to consider the ways in which they live in connection with the world around them and calls to action on how your actions impact the world and future generations. The book has beautiful illustrations and is great for covering the impact people can have on the environment.

Available at Bookshop

#17 And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell (Age 4+)

And Tango Makes Three fictionalizes the true story of two male penguins, Roy and Silo, who became partners and raised a penguin chick in the Central Park Zoo. The story and illustrations are sweet, and the book has a nice message of how families can be different.

Available at Bookshop

#18 Free by E.B. Roshan (Age 9+)

I received a copy of Free from the author. Free is the first part of a 2-part graphic novel series that follows Rex, who used to be a bodyguard. After an accident, he now works as a fruit picker. However, he still has the dream to be a bodyguard again, and he is soon given the opportunity to do so. Despite fulfilling his dream, he realizes that being a bodyguard is not what he actually wants. The art style is fantastic, and the story is engaging. The graphic novel also has wonderful themes of kindness, friendship, and doing what is right.

Available at Amazon

#19 Where Are You From? by Yamile Saied Méndez (Age 5+)

Where Are You From? follows a girl who constantly gets asked where she is really from. She then turns to her abuelo for help. The book includes beautiful illustrations and has a powerful message on identity and self-acceptance.

Available at Bookshop

#20 Ramen for Everyone by Patricia Tanumihardja (Age 4+)

Ramen for Everyone begins when Hiro’s dad makes delicious ramen for dinner every Sunday. Hiro attempts to make a perfect bowl of ramen like his dad, but things do not go as planned. He then discovers every person’s perfect bowl of ramen is unique. The illustrations are bright and colorful, and the story has a great message of not giving up. Also, the book ends with a section on ramen and kitchen rules for staying safe while cooking, which is a nice addition.

Available at Bookshop

#21 Nibi’s Water Song by Sunshine Tenasco (Age 5+)

Nibi’s Water Song follows Nibi, who is thirsty but does not have access to clean water. Nibi then works together with the community to make a change. Nibi’s Water Song shares the importance of clean water and the impact protesting can have on change. Also, the book highlights the issue that many Indigenous communities in Canada do not have access to clean water. The book is great for encouraging children to be a part of change.

Available at Bookshop

#22 Watercress by Andrea Wang (Age 5+)

Watercress follows a girl’s Chinese immigrant parents who spot watercress on the side of the road. She helps her parents gather the watercress, but she is embarrassed. At dinner, she does not want to eat the watercress because she only wants to eat vegetables from a grocery store. Her mother then tells a story about her past in China, and the girl takes a bite of the watercress and eats it all with her family.

Watercress is based on the author, Andrea Wang’s, experience of picking watercress and feeling like she did not belong. If her parents shared their family history, she would have more empathy and pride and less shame and anger. The book is great for children who feel different and families with difficult pasts, and highlights the importance of sharing memories.

Available at Bookshop

#23 Dream to Change the World: The Story of John La Rose by Ken Wilson-Max (Age 5+)

I received a copy of Dream to Change the World: The Story of John La Rose. The book depicts John La Rose’s early years in Trinidad and following his dreams to do great things. The book ends with a timeline of the real life of John La Rose. Also, the book is published by the George Padmore Institute to help fill the void of black history books for younger children.

Available at the George Padmore Institute

If you are looking for more books to read for Children’s Book Week, I have previously shared 15 Must-Read Children’s Books. I have also reviewed Children’s Books by Beffy Parkin and Children’s Books by Melanie Lopata.

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Will you be celebrating Children’s Book Week?