The Best New Kids’ & YA Books To Read Right Now
by the Brightly Editors
New year, new books! Start the year off with some fantastic titles from beloved authors and exciting new voices. Whether you’re looking for picture books for your toddler or adventurous novels for your tween or teen, you’ll find plenty of options coming your way this month. Here are the best children’s and YA books releasing in January.
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Picture Books
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I’m So Happy You’re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy
Buy from:Mychal Threets, host of the relaunched Reading Rainbow, encourages readers of all ages to visit the library in his new picture book. Young readers will tour the stacks and learn about all the exciting things libraries offer their patrons. It’s an excellent introduction to the library!
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There’s a Bunny in Your Book
Buy from:This festive addition to the bestselling Who’s In Your Book? series is the perfect title to tuck into your child’s Easter basket. It offers children a rib-tickling, interactive story about sharing that will have them clapping, spinning, and shaking the book while they read.
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Maya’s World
Buy from:When Maya’s classmates say that her drawing of a rainbow doesn’t look right, she bravely shares her inspiration with them. This gorgeous picture book from beloved children’s creator Andrea Pippins celebrates the beautiful intersection between imagination and art.
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The Great Escape
Buy from:Desperate to escape her clingy younger siblings, Evie performs a trick that sends her tumbling into a magical world under the snow. To her dismay, her siblings followed her into this alternate realm. But as the children explore the magical world and help out a creature in danger, Evie forgets to be annoyed with her siblings. With its gorgeous artwork and magic-filled adventure, this picture book taps into the wonders of imagination.
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Exca-Gator!
Buy from:When Exca-Gator gets a little too excited at the construction site, the resulting mess annoys all his friends. Now, Exca-Gator must figure out how to set things right. This adorable picture book is perfect for kids who love big machinery, animals, and bouncy, rhyming text.
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Emily Saw a Door
Buy from:This book is a beautiful, unique story about finding acceptance and extending it to others. A little girl named Emily goes from door to door, hoping to find one that will welcome her inside, but none do. Finally, she makes her own door that she opens to everyone who knocks.
(On sale: 2/24/2026)
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You Are the Land
Buy from:This beautifully illustrated picture book celebrates a child’s connection to nature. As the child grows, the earth nurtures her and feeds her soul, and she returns the favor. If you want a book that will help children grasp the wonder and beauty of nature, this is it.
(On sale: 2/24/2026)
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Forty the Fortune Teller
Buy from:Kids who loved The Day the Crayons Quit will want to get their hands on the author’s newest title. In this story, an abandoned paper fortune teller recruits several other forgotten items to repair the school’s playground equipment. Kids will laugh out loud at this delightfully wacky playground tale!
(On sale: 2/24/2026)
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Chapter Books & Middle Grade
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Revenants Return
Buy from:The highly anticipated sequel to The Dragon’s Apprentice is hitting bookstore shelves this month! Young readers will delight in this hilarious story as they follow Ciara’s misadventures with magic, dragons, revenants, and an arrogant prince who thinks he’s the hero his kingdom needs.
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Unstoppable Us, Volume 3: How Enemies Become Friends
Buy from:The third book in this New York Times bestselling series continues the story of human civilization. Young readers interested in history will love the account of how societies collaborated, traded, and formed cultures and countries. With its full-color illustrations and captivating writing, this series is a must-read for curious young minds.
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The Catastrophic Friendship Fails of Lottie Brooks
Buy from:Tween readers will be excited to dive back into this hilarious and bestselling series about a girl navigating the ups and downs of middle school. From boyfriends and baby sisters to phones and friendship, Lottie has plenty of drama to share with readers. With its stick-figure illustrations and diary-style writing, this series is perfect for fans of Dork Diaries.
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Forever Rogue (The Forgotten Five, Book 7)
Buy from:Young readers everywhere are hooked on this action-packed series from the author of The Unwanteds series. In the final installment, the Forgotten Five take on a corrupt politician and his plot to fix the election so he stays in power. Kids won’t want to miss the exciting conclusion to this series!
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Mythspeaker
Buy from:Native American mythology, adventure, and friendship combine in this fast-paced fantasy novel about a boy destined to save the world. When invaders steal the Egg of World Turtle, Kyta knows he has to get it back before the angry Turtle destroys everything. Kyta and his friends face down thieves, ogres, and monsters to pull off a heist and return the Egg to its rightful place.
(On sale: 2/24/2026)
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YA
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Carnival Fantástico
Buy from:Romantasy lovers, add this novel to your to-read list! You’ll fall head over heels for this glittering romance novel about a girl named Esmerelda who works as a fortune teller in a magical carnival. When she crosses paths with an old flame who wants her help exposing his father’s corruption, they get a second chance at love.
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Lovely Recipe
Buy from:Sofia wants to learn how to cook her grandmother’s recipes, and enlists the help of a classmate whose family owns a restaurant. As the girls spend more and more time together, sparks fly between them. This charming graphic novel is the perfect romance to escape into for Valentine’s Day.
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Sibylline
Buy from:When Raven, Atticus, and Dorian get rejected from the magical university, Sibylline, they get jobs on campus instead. As they sneak into classes and pore over ancient books, the three teens awaken both their magic abilities and powerful feelings for each other. When a threat against the school arises, the teens must harness their powers and overcome their fractured relationships to save the university.
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Call of the Dragon
Buy from:From the author of Skin of the Sea comes a new fantasy novel steeped in African mythology. When a king tries to steal the dragon gods’ power, he succeeds only in weakening the gods and unleashing chaos on his kingdom. Now, Moremi must race against time and opposing forces to restore the gods to power and save the kingdom from destruction.
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To the Death
Buy from:Romance, magic, and conflicting interests — this book has it all! Sam wants revenge for her brother’s death. Tamsin wants fame. To get what they want, the girls both agree to a magical duel in which they will fight to the death. However, an unexpected attraction between the girls throws a wrench into their individual plans.
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