Sunday, December 28, 2025

Favorite reads of 2025


Since I find it unlikely that I'll review any children's books this week, I'm going to share my favorites now. Will I keep reviewing books at Young Readers next year? Maybe. Maybe not. Will I have a high goal of a hundred books? Definitely not.

In January, I read one five-star book:

4. Mustache Baby. Bridget Heos. 2016. HMH. 36 pages. [Source: Review copy] 

In February, I read two five-star books:

11. Noodles on a Bicycle. Kyo Maclear. Illustrated by Gracey Zhang. 2024. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, Caldecott Honor, historical picture book, picture book]

20. Lone Wolf Goes to School. Kiah Thomas. Illustrated by K-Fai Steele. 2024. 56 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, early chapter book, animal fantasy]  

In March, I read five five-star books! 

22. Lone Wolf Gets a Pet. Kiah Thomas. Illustrated by K-fai Steele. 2024. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, early chapter book, humor, animal fantasy]
24. Hi, Cat. Bye, Cat. Jade Orlando. 2025. 24 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars] [board books, cats]
25. Squash the Cat: Stuck in the Middle. Sasha Mayer. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, cats, jealousy, toys, picture book]
28. The Baby Who Stayed Awake Forever. Sandra Salsbury. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, bedtime book, humor, family, 5 stars]

30. Will the Pigeon Graduate? Mo Willems. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, picture book, gift book, inspirational, humor]

In April, I read four five-star books!

34. Board book: This Dog. That Dog. Jade Orlando. 2025. 24 pages. [Source: Library] [dogs, pets, board book, 5 stars]

37. Little Freddie Two Pants. Drew Daywalt. Illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, picture book, humor] 

42. It's Hard To Be a Baby. Cheryl B. Klein. Illustrated by Juana Medina. 2024. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, picture book, babies]

43. You're a Poet: Ways to Start Writing Poems. Sean Taylor. Illustrated by Sam Usher. 2025. [March] 72 pages. [Source: Library] [nonfiction, poetry, 5 stars]

In May, I read five five-star books!

44. Orris and Timble: Lost and Found (Orris and Timble #2) Kate DiCamillo. Illustrated by Carmen Mok. 2025. 80 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, early chapter book, animal 

50. Downpour: Splish! Splash! Ker-Splash! Yuko Ohnari. Translated by Emily Balistrieri. Illustrated by Koshiro Hata. 2025 (2018). 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, 5 stars]51. Leo the Late Bloomer. Robert Kraus. Illustrated by Jose Aruego. 1971/1994. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, picture book] 

53. Our Gorgeous Baby. (Board book). Smriti Prasadam-Halls. Illustrated by Eve Coy. 2025. 24 pages. [Source: Library] [board book, babies, 5 stars]

54. Can't Stop Kissing That Baby. K.L. Going. Illustrated by Fiona Lee. 2025. [Source: Library] [3 stars, picture book]

55. The Peddler of Puddles. Beth Ferry. Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld. 2025. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, picture book]

In June, I read six five-star books!

57. Piggle the Pig #1 The Perfect Pigsty. Dudolf. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [early reader, 5 stars]
58. The Monster At The End of This Book. Jon Stone. Illustrated by Michael J. Smollin. 1971. Golden Books. 32 pages. [Source: Bought]

65. The Man Who Didn't Like Animals. Deborah Underwood. Illustrated by LeUyen Pham. 2024. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars] [picture book]

67. Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes. Eric Litwin. Illustrated by James Dean. 2010. 40 pages. [Source: Online Audio]

68. Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons. Eric Litwin. Illustrated by James Dean. 2012. 40 pages. [Source: Online Audio and picture book]


71. Pop Goes the Nursery Rhyme. Betsy Bird. Illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi. 2025. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, humor, fractured nursery tales, 5 stars]

In July I read four five-star books!

72. Mouse and Spoon: Owlets and Tarts. (Ready to Read Level 2) Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Janna Mattia. 2025. 

75. Lone Wolf On Vacation. Kiah Thomas. Illustrated by K-Fai Steele. 2025. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, early chapter book, early reader]
76. Lone Wolf Goes to the Library. Kiah Thomas. Illustrated by K-fai Steele. 2025. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, early chapter book, series book, animal fantasy]

78. Zebra and Yak The Backwards Alphabet Book. Paul Friedrich. 2025. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, humor, picture book]

In August I read three five-star books!

83. A Scrub in the Tub. Jan Thomas. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, humor, 5 stars]
84. The Elephant's Birthday (Mouse and Spoon). Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Janna Mattia. 2025. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [early reader, ready to read level 2, animal fantasy, series book; 5 stars]
85. George & Lenny Are Always Together. Jon Agee. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, animal fantasy, friendship, picture book]

IN September, I read one five-star book!

94. Rabbit Tea (Mouse and Spoon) (Ready to Read Level 2). Cynthia Rylant. Illustrated by Janna Mattia. 2025. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, animal fantasy, early reader]

In October, I read two five-star books!

102. Detective Beans: Adventures in Cat Town. Li Chen. 2025. 208 pages. [Source: Library] [j graphic novel, animal fantasy, 5 stars]

103. Tuck Me In. Nathan W. Pyle. 2025. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, picture books, science, bedtime stories]

In November, I read one five-star book!

106. The Dog and Pony Show: Dance Pants. Jeff Mack. 2025. 64 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, if the Cybils exist in 2026 which is questionable, this one would be eligible] [early reader, early comic]

In December I didn't read a five-star book.

© 2025 Becky Laney of Young Readers

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