Bank Street Books - The Best of 2025

Best books published in 2025 - AND yes there are some Australian titles - congratulations.

In evaluating books for their literary merit, the Bank Street Children’s Book Committee (CBC) recognizes the importance of diversity in children’s literature and acknowledges and celebrates the voices and cultures of all of our readers. Diversity encompasses the varied and unique identities, experiences, perspectives, and cultural communities of a book’s main and supporting characters, whose attributes include (but are not limited to):

• race  

• ethnicity 

• gender 

• abilities 

• sexuality

• class

• religion

• family structure

• local and global challenges

All children benefit from seeing themselves reflected in what they read, and from seeing characters with different identities, depicted accurately and without stereotypes, in texts and/or illustrations. The CBC values representations of characters who are change agents and advocates for social justice, inclusivity, and equity.

TIPS FOR READING WITH CHILDREN

• Show how much you enjoy reading along with your child.

• Discuss your reading together.

• If your child is willing, don’t stop reading aloud to them, even when they can read independently.

• Encourage your child to choose books to read aloud to someone else.

• Help your child to select books from a wide range of subjects, formats, and genres.

• Encourage your child to read, and reread, whatever they enjoy, even if it appears to be too easy or too hard.

• Find time for your child to visit and browse in libraries and bookstores.

• Let your child see you enjoying your own reading

You can see the whole list here. Or from a link here. 

AUSTRALIAN titles (I didn't look through the YA list):

Emmie Builds Something New written and illustrated by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall

A plucky mouse tinkers with wondrous mechanical inventions to scare off a newly arrived house cat. 

Bright, energetic drawings bursting with detail. 

Drop Bear by Phil Bunting

A koala’s tendency to apparently fall out of trees starts being wrongly attributed to bad intentions. What 

will stop the rumor mill? Humorous gouache, digital collage, and duct tape illustrations.

Found You! by Jane Godwin, illustrated by Sylvia Morris Note title change 'The Best Hiding Place'

Soft, tender illustrations depict a boy’s worry when the other children take too long to locate him during hideand-seek—and his relief at finally being found.

Afloat Kirli Saunders illustrated by Freya Blackwood

An Elder and a child gather people from many cultures together as they explore weaving in a changing world. A metaphorical tale of unity. Haunting mixed-media illustrations.

One Day a Mayfly by Shirley Marr, illustrated by Michael Speechley Note title change

A mayfly nymph emerges as an adult with only 24 hours to live and spends that time in discovery, wonder, and joy. Inviting pencil, ink, and gouache illustrations.

Dawn by Marc Martin

See the world come alive as the sun rises and animals, insects, and flowers greet the day. Spare text and 

elaborate watercolor, pencil, and digital illustrations.

Chickenpox by Remy Lai

When Abby, 12, and her younger siblings get the chickenpox at the same time, mayhem ensues. Clear, 

colorful illustrations. Based on the author’s childhood experience.

Evie and Rhino by Nerida McMullin

Evie bonds with shipwrecked Rhino, but he belongs to the Royal Melbourne Zoological Society. Can she keep him? Detailed grayscale illustrations.

Into the Bewilderness: A Graphic Novel written and illustrated by Gus Gordon

Luis the bear and Pablo the mole leave their cabin in the woods for an adventure in the Big City. Things 

don’t go exactly as planned. Soft clear artwork.

The Unlikely Heroes Club by Kate Foster

During spring break, Oli must attend daily socialization classes for autistic kids. Rescuing a stray dog provides unexpected opportunities for collaboration and friendship.

I also spied Every Monday Mabel; Island Storm illustrated by Sydney Smith; Pop goes the Nursery Rhyme by Betsy Bird; Odder; Orris and Timble; Bear and Bird; Don't trust fish; His fairytale Life by Jane Yolen; The House on the Canal; Lost Evangeline; The Forest of a Thousand eyes; Tyger; and The Endless sea.

On the 12-14 list I have read The Burning Season; All the Blues in the Sky; Busted; The Trouble with Heroes; Impossible Creatures (Book one and Two); Candle Island; Max in the Land of lies; and The Experiment. Pop a title in my search bar to read more.