The Best Children’s & YA Books of January
by the Brightly Editors
A new year brings a fresh crop of books for readers, young and young-at-heart! If you want to get 2024 off to a great start and make it the best year yet, we have the books to help. From humorous picture books to adventurous novels that will transport you to magical places, these are the most exciting books for children and teens this month.
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Picture Books
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Richard Scarry’s Cars and Trucks and Things That Go
Available from:This 50th-anniversary edition of the classic Busytown book is a must-have for Richard Scarry fans. Children will love poring over each spread, learning the names of the vehicles, and searching for the elusive Goldbug. This special edition also includes original sketches from the book and a poster to hang on your child’s bedroom wall.
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Ra Pu Zel and the Stinky Tofu
Available from:If you love reading unique retellings of fairy tales, pick up a copy of this delectable picture book. Ra Pu Zel is a Chinese princess who has eyes only for her food. When she locks herself in a tower to eat in peace, only a chef can convince her to come down. Young foodies will enjoy this food-inspired twist on the classic story of Rapunzel.
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Dr. Seuss’s If You Think There’s Nothing to Do
Available from:The next time your kid says they’re bored, have them read them this beginner book. The Cat in the Hat has plenty of creative ideas to kick boredom to the curb. Kids will giggle through every wacky suggestion the Cat makes — juggling books, balancing cats on your head, setting up a fish aquarium, and more!
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Don’t Trust Cats
Available from:Chip the dog returns with more life lessons in this follow-up to Don’t Eat Bees. Kids will fall in love with this adorable pup and the lighthearted wisdom he shares. While Chip believes animals like porcupines, squirrels, and small children are fine, he insists cats are untrustworthy. But when a cat offers him a treat, even good boys like Chip let their guard down.
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Grumpy Monkey Spring Fever
Available from:When Jim Panzee wakes up in an excellent mood, his cheerfulness makes the other jungle animals scratch their heads. Concerned, they try (and fail) to get him back to his grumpy old self. This humorous new addition to the Grumpy Monkey series is a crowd-pleaser!
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Happy St. Patrick’s Day from the Crayons
Available from:The Crayons bring their shenanigans to St. Patrick’s Day in their newest picture book. Now that Christmas is over, an exhausted Green Crayon takes some time off. But without Green, how are the Crayons supposed to celebrate the greenest holiday of the year?
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Gravity Is Bringing Me Down
Available from:Humor and science combine in this rib-tickling picture book about gravity. A little girl stumbles, trips, and crashes into everything. She thinks gravity must be in a bad mood until she learns how it works. Readers will also learn the science behind their clumsiness through the bouncy text and colorful illustrations.
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The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Peekaboo Easter
Available from:Peekaboo! Can you find The Very Hungry Caterpillar in each Easter basket? Tiny readers will enjoy searching through the bright illustrations to point out the caterpillar hiding behind eggs, rabbits, and sweets.
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Chapter Books & Middle Grade
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Sweet Valley Twins: Choosing Sides
Available from:Twin sisters Elizabeth and Jessica go head-to-head in the newest addition to the Sweet Valley Twins graphic novel adaptations. Elizabeth’s best friend, Amy, wants to join the cheer club. But Jessica and the rest of the cheer team don’t want her. Drama, friendship, and sibling dynamics make this series a favorite for young readers.
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The War of the Witches
Available from:Now is the perfect time for your kid to read or reread this magical chapter book series. The fifth and final book has Jax and his friends frantically searching for a way to stop a war between the witches and an ancient beast. This action-packed conclusion is a must-have for series fans!
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The Beast of Skull Rock (Monsterious, Book 4)
Available from:A beachfront tourist town, a museum full of spooky curiosities, and a series of mysterious break-ins combine in the fourth spine-chilling Monsterious book. Simon and Jade believe one of the taxidermy pieces at the museum is coming to life every night and terrorizing the town, but the truth is even spookier. Kids craving some spine-tingling fun will enjoy this book!
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Who Is Aaron Judge?
Available from:Young baseball enthusiasts will love learning about the 2022 All-Star, Aaron Judge. Readers will learn about Aaron’s childhood, influences, and accomplishments, like holding the American League record for most home runs in a season. The easy-to-digest text and black-and-white illustrations throughout the book make it an engaging and informative
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Adventures of Invisible Boy
Available from:Fans of The Last Kids on Earth and Hilo will love this new graphic novel about a boy who turns invisible after a magical potion spills on him. But Stanley’s new power comes with one big caveat — an evil scientist is also invisible and wants to destroy the town. If your kid is looking for a new action-packed graphic novel to read, pick this one up!
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Would You Rather? Family Card Game
Available from:Whether you want unconventional conversation starters or a hilarious game night, this card game from Lindsey Daly is just the thing. With 200 questions spanning topics like sports, history, and humor, it has no shortage of questions to tickle your funny bone.
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YA
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Dark Star Burning, Ash Falls White
Available from:Magic, romance, betrayal, and war collide in this breathtaking sequel to Song of Silver, Flame Like Night. Epic fantasy fans everywhere are obsessing over this new series from the author of the Blood Heir trilogy. It’s a high-stakes YA fantasy steeped in ancient Chinese folklore and mythology that will sweep you into its pages and on an unforgettable adventure.
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Dungeons and Drama
Available from:A music-loving teen with Broadway aspirations gets her heartstrings tangled in a knot in this adorable YA rom-com. When Riley gets grounded, she agrees to fake date a boy at work in exchange for him covering her shifts, giving her time to work on her high school musical. But the more time they spend together, the more their flirting feels like the real deal.
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Beasts of War
Available from:Ancient gods, monsters, friendship, and romance combine in the third and final book in the bestselling Beasts of Prey series. With threats mounting against them, Koffi and Ekon team up again to try and find enough powerful allies to save the mortal realm from utter destruction. But they’re running out of time, and Ekon’s past and Koffi’s powers could destroy everything they’ve fought for.
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Once a Queen
Available from:This fresh YA fantasy novel is perfect for young teens who love stories about mysterious manors, magic portals, and family secrets. At her grandmother’s house in England, Eva learns that the home once had many portals to magical realms. But the portals have started to close, and nobody knows how or why. Eva must dig into her family’s past to unravel the mystery.
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The Invocations
Available from:If you’re craving an immersive young adult novel brimming with thrills, chills, and witchcraft, look no further. A murdered sister and a deal with a demon drive Zara and Jude to seek out Emer, a teenage witch who can talk with spirits. The three girls team up to track down a supernatural killer targeting Emer’s clients before they become the next victims. Keep a flashlight close by while you’re reading this hair-raising tale!
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