The Best Children’s and YA Books of December 2019
by the Brightly Editors
As we dive into the holiday season, make sure your household has plenty of reading material to enjoy over a cozy winter vacation. We’ve rounded up the best new book releases for kids and teens, from new versions of old favorites to continuations of beloved series.
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Picture Books
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The Serious Goose
Buy from:Jimmy Kimmel’s first picture book is a little bit Grumpy Monkey, a little bit The Book with No Pictures — which adds up to a riotous good time. Serious Goose refuses to laugh (unless your young reader wants to give it a try?). Proceeds from Kimmel’s giggle-inducing, participatory book will be donated to children’s hospitals around the country, so you can feel extra good about stocking up on copies this holiday season.
(On Sale: 12/3/19)Buy from: -
Freedom Soup
Buy from:It’s New Year’s Day, and Belle is finally old enough to learn her grandmother’s recipe for Freedom Soup. While Belle and Ti Gran cook in rhythm, Belle also learns about the Haitian Revolution, her family’s background, and why this dish is so important to New Year’s celebrations. Mixed-media artwork dances across the pages in this vibrant, must-read picture book.
(On Sale: 12/10/19)Buy from: -
If You’re Happy and You Know It
Buy from:Jane Cabrera’s classic, reader-favorite books are getting the hardcover treatment, so families can enjoy them for even longer. Suitable for ages 2 to 5, other Cabrera titles will be rolling out in the coming weeks and months, including One, Two, Buckle My Shoe (out 12/10/19) and Kitty’s Cuddles (out 1/7/20).
(On Sale: 12/10/19)Buy from: -
A Picture Book of Alexander Hamilton
Buy from:Grown-ups aren’t the only ones who can appreciate the story of Alexander Hamilton, catapulted into the zeitgeist by Lin-Manuel Miranda’s 2015 musical. Part of the Picture Book Biography series, this riveting read follows Hamilton from his coming-of-age in the Caribbean to his untimely death by duel — and all the accomplishments in between.
(On Sale: 12/10/19)Buy from: -
No More Bedtime!
Buy from:Elliot is determined to evade bedtime, no matter what it takes. An inventive young boy (ever heard of the Banana-Bed 5000?), Elliot comes up with a device that will keep the sun from setting so he never has to go to bed again! But what kind of trouble can brew in a never-ending daytime?
(On Sale: 12/10/19)Buy from: -
Rain Makes Applesauce
Buy from:You may remember this collection of zany, nonsensical verse from your own childhood. Now, the 1964 classic has been lovingly remastered so it can be fully enjoyed by a whole new generation. Wonderful for wacky read-alouds, and filled with lessons on loosening up and getting creative, it’s a must-have for any home and school library.
(On Sale: 12/10/19)Buy from: -
A Valentine for Uni the Unicorn
Buy from:Kickstart your Valentine’s Day vibes with the latest addition to Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s beloved Uni the Unicorn series. The first to debut as a board book, it’ll have little readers totally heart-eyed and jonesing for more Uni books to enjoy.
(On Sale: 12/17/19)Buy from: -
ABCs of Kindness
Buy from:A heartwarming addition to the alphabet-book canon, Patricia Hegarty’s ABCs of Kindness espouses caring and positivity in an adorable board-book format. D is for dear ones who mean the world to you — is there a sweeter way to learn the alphabet?
(On Sale: 12/24/19)Buy from: -
Kindness Makes Us Strong
Buy from:In vibrant and cheerful illustrations, this sweet picture book shows readers the power of kindness, and how they have the power to be kind all throughout their days, in all variety of ways. With rhythmic text and a simple but essential message, Kindness Makes Us Strong is an important reminder that we can reflect the kindness we want to see in the world.
(On Sale: 12/24/19)Buy from: -
Love from the Crayons
Buy from:The Crayons are back and full of love in this joyful continuation of the book series about everyone’s favorite quitters. What color is love to you? Is it bright? Warm? A mix of all the crayons in the box? One thing’s for sure, as The Crayons say: it’s okay to love outside the lines!
(On Sale: 12/24/19)Buy from: -
Under the Southern Cross
Buy from:Under the light of the Southern Cross constellation, all across the Australian continent, families gather for a medley of nighttime activities — from watching movies under the stars to observing how the moonlight reflects off the ocean’s surface. A cheerful exploration of natural beauty and shared humanity under the same sky.
(On Sale: 12/24/19)Buy from:
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Middle Grade
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Sisterland
Buy from:Celebrated Finnish author Salla Simukka opens Sisterland with epigraphs from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Secret Garden, and Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen, which gives you an idea about the vibe of this enchanting new read. When Alice finds herself in Sisterland, a place of perpetual summer, she and her new friend Marissa embark on a quest to save the magical land — and their faraway homes.
(On Sale: 12/3/19)Buy from: -
Who Is Ruth Bader Ginsburg?
Buy from:There’s so much to learn and admire about Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and now middle grade readers can get the lowdown — from her baton-twirling days as a teenager to her illustrious career fighting for gender equality and civil rights.
(On Sale: 12/3/19)Buy from:
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YA
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Sabrina the Teenage Witch
Buy from:Sabrina Spellman is a teen heroine for the ages, and boy, does she have her hands full: A new home (with aunts Hilda and Zelda), a new high school (that needs perpetual saving from supernatural events), new love interests (two!), and new friendships with a couple of like-minded misfits. This coming-of-age comic is perfect for fans of Archie.
(On Sale: 12/10/19)Buy from:
