Looking Back on 2025

As we leave another year behind, it’s lovely to reflect on the incredible contribution children’s authors, illustrators, publishers and publicists have made to the world of children’s literature in the preceding 12 months. We’ve loved so many of the books that we’re released last year, with some particularly notable titles. All of these books do something rather special and important.

In February, we explored the concept that life can be messy (with a dollop of neurodivergence in there!) and dived into the brilliant novel, Murder for Two (A Tariq Twins Mystery) - by Niyla Farook (Picadilly Press, 16th January 2025). Farook crafted a fantastic multi-faceted narrative with themes of racial and cultural identity, family estrangement, neurodivergence and grief. A brilliant illustration of how bonds can be repaired even if the path to this doesn't run smoothly. Perfect for children in Year 6/7 and exactly the sort of book I would have loved to read as a tween.

April saw an edit that focused on the vernal equinox and the new life (and hope!) this can bring. One of the picture books we shared was No-one is Home by Mikolaj Pa, illustrated by Gosia Herba (Greystone Kids, 10th April 2025). Reminiscent of books by Richard Scarry, which some of you will remember from your own childhood, each page is filled with a feast for the eyes and a sense of the joy that spring in all its bloom can bring. This is such a fun read that carries the message that the best gift we can give a friend is our time and company. We think this would be a lovely book to support discussions around friendship in Key Stage 1.

Our Pride Month edit for June explored intersectionality and So Devin Wore a Skirt, Written by Shireen Lalji and illustrated by Lucy Fleming (Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, 8th May 2025) was one such book that allowed LGBTQIA+ children as well as their allies to see their whole selves within a text: authentically voiced and joy-filled from cover to cover. A gorgeously written and illustrated story filled with joy and acceptance. Brilliant for discussions around gender ‘norms’ and for children exploring their identities (or who simply enjoy the sensation of wearing floaty fabric!)

And then there were the non-fiction books… so many stunning books released across the year. One favourite was Life (As We Know It) by Ziggy Hanaor and Cristóbal Schmal (Cicada, 10th April 2025). How can something come from nothing? Hanaor’s clever ode to the beginning of life is depicted through Schmal’s gentle almost cartoon-like watercolours that seem to evolve in parallel with the information: new shapes, greater detail. A brilliant book to explore evolution and perfect for children in key stage 2. And another favourite was Zoom Out: Natural World WWF, illustrated by Owen Davey (DK Children, 3rd July 2025). From favourite author-illustrator of ours – Owen Davey – came the perfect melding of an expert team of WWF scientists and conservationists with Davey’s signature bold, geometric style. A visual feast perfect for anyone and everyone (and would look great on a shelf or coffee-table too)!

Looking Forward to 2026

So, what books are we getting excited about this year? This isn’t an exhaustive list – there are many more to come – but here are new some new titles (some of which are new series) to look out for.

Tyrannosaurus Veg The Carrot Crunching Dinosaur (Faber) – the first of a series – has been written by the wonderful Smriti Halls. With brilliantly vibrant illustrations by Katherina Manolessou, this is such a lovely exploration of identity, acceptance and…vegetarianism. Reginald the T-Rex will arrive mid-January and we think will be perfect for dino-loving children in Reception and Year 1.

Due at the end of January is the first instalment of another brand-new series: Finn’s Epic Fails by Phil Earle (Simon and Schuster). We’ve been lucky to have been sent a proof copy, and I must say that it’s had me guffawing from the start. The characters are likeable but there’s a real sense of ‘embracing’ who you are (and Finn’s little sister who is five is SO reminiscent of my own daughter when she was the same age in all her eccentricity!) Brilliantly done with real heart, we think that this will be a popular read for children in UKS2 and Year 7.

In February, b Small Publishing are releasing How to Speak and be Heard, by Sam Hutchinson and Vicky Barker. Part of the Learning Skills series, this is a toolkit for kids to develop oracy and confidence in speaking… this couldn't be more perfect a non-fiction offer in terms of how much this kind of thing is needed in schools, especially with the new Writing Framework and upcoming new curriculum.

March will see the launch of another series that’s perfect for tweens: The Overthinkers’ Club: Happy List, by Nat Luurtsema (Usborne). Like Finn and his ‘epic’ fails, Birdie is navigating the challenges of being a tween but overthinks and overanalyses EVERYTHING. Written in the format of a diary, the series explores mental health and self-care. Sweet, relatable and important, we think readers will love Birdie and feel better equipped to face the myriad challenges being this age often presents. 

We Can Be Mermaids by Lanisha Butterfield (Hodder Children's Books, March 2026). We were lucky enough to both meet with Lanisha as well as create a whole school writing root for her stunning debut, Flower Block, so anticipate that this new picture book will be every bit as good. Lanisha talks of wanting to write about experiences nobody else has written about and to ensure that all children feel welcomed into her ‘writingverse’, with authentic representation within everyday life at the heart of all that she does.

Author Ziggy Hanaor is set to have another busy year with the release of picture book for young children, I Want (Cicada, May 2026) – a narrative that explores the insatiable appetite that babies and toddlers have not just for food but for all the things! Baby watches Witch conjure up his every desire. All is well until Baby snatches Witch’s wand… There’s also the release of the paperback of Alte Zachen, also by Hanaor and illustrated by the brilliant Benjamin Phillips (for which we have a Writing Root).