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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Happy Birthday, Wonderful You!: Encouraging Imaginative Play and Social Skills (Ms. Rachel)
Buy from:Celebrate your child’s birthday with Ms. Rachel! Children will love learning about their birthdays and why we celebrate them. Readers will also find helpful tips and a page of stickers included.
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The Wildest Thing
Buy from:Tiny readers can uncover their wild side with this enchanting book from the creator of the #1 New York Times bestseller, The Wonderful Things You Will Be. Gorgeous illustrations and rhyming text encourage little readers to embrace their imaginations and find out what makes them unique.
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Bath Time for the Crayons
Buy from:Young fans of the Crayons will love this latest addition to the series. The Crayons head to the bath, where they sing, play, swim, and draw. With their typical humor, the Crayons have a splashing good time in the tub!
(On sale: 1/13/2026)
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Two Artists, Grandad and Me
Buy from:Jerry Pinkney’s granddaughter shares her experience as a girl, connecting with her grandfather as they spend the day together in this beautiful picture book. Sitting next to her grandfather, she learns to embrace her creativity and cherish the memories they made together.
(On sale: 1/20/2026)
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Just Like Tina
Buy from:Shay wants to be just like her idol, Tina Turner. But when she gets the chance to perform on stage, Shay gets frustrated that no one shares her level of passion for the singing icon. With her grandmother’s gentle guidance, Shay learns that while it’s good to look up to people she admires, she needs to stay true to herself.
(On sale: 1/27/2026)
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Tractors in Space
Buy from:Chug-a-lug through space with the cutest guide in the universe! Toby the tractor motors around asteroids, visits other planets, and makes new friends as he explores the galaxy and beyond. This humorous and adorable picture book is the perfect addition to every space enthusiast's bedtime reading stack.
(On sale: 1/27/2026)
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Chapter Books & Middle Grade
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Sweet Valley Twins: Three’s a Crowd
Buy from:Fans of the Sweet Valley Twins series will be thrilled to find a new addition to the popular graphic novel series this month. Jessica and Elizabeth are busier than ever, so when their friend Mary offers her help, neither twin hesitates to say yes. Before long, the twins realize that Mary is the one who needs a helping hand.
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Pizza and Taco: Go Viral!
Buy from:Growing readers will gobble up the latest title featuring their favorite snacks. Pizza and Taco want to go viral, but first, they need to start a Stewtube channel. The two foods make a bumbling effort to create content their audience will love, with hilarious results!
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A Sea Monster Conundrum (The Misfits)
Buy from:When rumors of paranormal activity at an old lighthouse draw crowds of tourists to the Reforming Arts School, Olive and her friends worry that a fabled sea creature might be in danger. The group of quirky friends sets out to learn whether the creature exists and, if so, how to protect it. Young readers will love this third book in The Misfits series!
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Alice with a Why
Buy from:When Alyce visits her grandmother, Alice, she finds herself tumbling down the same rabbit hole she had heard stories about. As Alyce navigates Wonderland, she enlists the help of new and old characters to save the magical realm before returning home. Readers of all ages will get lost in this new adventure in Wonderland.
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Max and Chaffy: Hunt for the Pirate’s Gold
Buy from:Send your young reader on an excursion with Max and Chaffy as they explore the ocean floor, searching for pirate treasure! Newly independent readers will love this full-color early graphic novel that takes them beneath the ocean waves on a humorous, entertaining adventure.
(On sale: 1/13/2026)
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The Moon Without Stars
Buy from:Middle school, fame, and friend drama combine in this novel about a girl navigating seventh grade. When one of Luna’s zines becomes wildly popular, she finds herself pulled into a new group of friends. Suddenly, Luna must decide if it’s worth changing herself and her beliefs to fit in.
(On sale: 1/13/2026)
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Wallflower: A Graphic Novel
Buy from:Marlena can see other people’s emotions. When she meets another kid with the same gift, the two tweens team up to find out the truth behind their visions. With gorgeous artwork and a compelling plot, this vibrant graphic novel will captivate young readers' imaginations.
(On sale: 1/13/2026)
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The Daughter of Death
Buy from:Tweens who love spooky novels about magical boarding schools will be thrilled to return to the world of Fern’s School for Wayward Fae with this third book in the series. In this installment, Rosemary has a disturbing vision, her classmates start acting strangely, and a new threat against the school arises.
(On sale: 1/20/2026)
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YA
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Tidespeaker
Buy from:YA fantasy lovers will get pulled into this gorgeous and lush gothic novel about a girl with the ability to control the tide. Corinth feels honored to secure a job working for a noble family, but her euphoria takes an unexpected turn when she discovers that the family’s previous employee died. Now, she must use her powers to peel back the layers of secrecy surrounding her new employers.
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Room to Breathe
Buy from:Whenever you need a feel-good YA romance that will make you swoon, you can’t go wrong with a Kasie West novel. When Indy’s life turns upside down, it puts all her relationships in jeopardy. But when she gets stuck in a bathroom with her previous best friend, Beau, the two teens finally open up about their feelings for each other. This contemporary romance is a quick, enjoyable read to pick up for Valentine’s Day.
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Sundown Girls
Buy from:When Naomi and her family spend the summer vacationing next to a small Virginia town, she gets pulled into a perilous mystery. As she learns about the town’s violent and racist history, she also discovers that someone is keeping that history alive. Inspired by historical events, this thriller will keep you glued to the page!
(On sale: 1/27/2026)
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