Using five million data points—gathered from questionnaires, reading experts, book reviews, and parental feedback—Literati combines human expertise and innovative technology to curate the best books for kids. Every month, readers receive a box of five books aligned to their interests and reading level, and parents only purchase the books their child loves. 

Literati strives to ensure every book selection is an exciting, perfectly challenging adventure, allowing every child to fall in love with books and excel at reading. Below are this year’s favorites from across eight categories.

Literati’s Kids’ Favorite Books of 2022

Board Books

1. The ABCs of Love by Rose Rossner; illustrated by AndoTwin
2. Wild Animals by Ingela P. Arrhenius
3. My Magical Dragon by Yujin Shin

Girl Power Books

1. Marie Curie: My First Marie Curie by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara; illustrated by Frau Isa
2. Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Paleontologist by Linda Skeers; illustrated by Marta Álvarez Miguéns
3. Women Who Dared: 52 Stories of Fearless Daredevils, Adventurers, and Rebels by Linda Skeers; illustrated by Livi Gosling

Dinosaur Books

1. Play Felt Roarsome Dinosaurs! by Amber Lily & Dan Crisp
2. Bizzy Bear: Dinosaur Safari from Nosy Crow; illustrated by Benji Davies
3. Illumisaurus: Explore the World of Dinosaurs with Your Magic Three Color Lens by Lucy Brownridge

Social-Emotional Learning Books

1. The Cool Bean by Jory John; illustrated by Pete Oswald
2. Tomorrow I’ll Be Brave by Jessica Hische
3. Learn to Go to School by Margot Channing; illustrated by Ilana Excelby

STEM Books

1. Weird But True 10 from National Geographic Kids
2. Our Weather from Little Hippo Books
3. Good Night to Your Fantastic Elastic Brain by JoAnn Deak & Terrence Deak; illustrated by Neely Daggett

Activity Books

1. Puzzle Masters Dot to Dot by Sarah Wade
2. Write and Draw Your Own Comics by Howard Hughes
3. What’s So Funny Diary from Peaceable Kingdom

Chapter Books

1. A Collection of Rudyard Kipling’s Just So Stories
2. Stairway to Doom: A Miss Mallard Mystery by Robert Quackenbush
3. Stick Dog by Tom Watson

Fiction Books

1. A Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne Parry; illustrated by Mónica Armiño
2. Nine by Zach Hines
3. The Terrible Two by Jory John; illustrated by Mac Barnett

List of Winners Includes Most Kept by Kids Book Club Customers in 2022

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That’s why our literary experts here at Literati put together this list of exciting nonfiction on every topic under the sun, moon, and stars. Whether you’re looking for nonfiction books for 10-year-olds, budding readers, or interactive learners, we’ve got something that’s sure to satisfy your amateur scientist. Or engineer. Or entomologist.

First Explorers: Night Animals

By Jenny Wren

For diaper-wearing nature lovers, First Explorers: Night Animals encourages fine motor skills while introducing marvelous nocturnal animals. A perfect bedtime read, this sturdy board book invites readers to explore the natural world at night. Beautiful full-color illustrations paint nighttime settings of a farm, meadow, and garden, allowing kids to draw a whole new perspective of the world around them. Interactive flaps, pull-outs, and pop-ups will keep readers ages 0 to 3 engaged as they learn about how owls, foxes, and bats navigate the night. Looking for more ways to build babies’ reading habits early? Check out our tips on reading aloud to babies.

The Ultimate Book of Cities

By Anne-Sophie Baumann

Grocery stores, post offices, and buses may seem like mundane places—but for young readers widening their horizons, they’re part of a brave, new world. If your child is beginning to ask questions like “Where does the mail go?” or “How do traffic lights work?” The Ultimate Book of Cities offers answers. Packed with pop-ups and flaps that give kids a sneak peek inside buildings and even underground, every page interactively explores the inner workings of a city. For 5- to 8-year-olds beginning to read independently, each page contains new vocabulary words and context clues to help decipher them.

This is Not a Science Book

By Clive Gifford

Looking for a book to get older kids off their electronics and onto hands-on activities? Look no further! This is Not a Science Book is one of our favorite nonfiction books for 10-year-olds to 12-year-olds. (But a word to the wise: older siblings and parents will want to get in on the fun, too.) Grab a pencil and get ready for brain-teasers, visual puzzles, experiments, and optical illusions. Hand your child this book on your next long car ride—and don’t be surprised if they don’t look up for a few hours. Once they do, give your junior scientist some fiction to mix it up from our list of best sci-fi books for 4th and 5th graders.

The Big Sticker Book of Bugs

By Yuval Zommer

Artistic yet informational, The Big Sticker Book of Bugs brings a creative, sticky twist to learning. Guided by Freddy the Fly, readers from Kindergarten and up can color, decorate, and arrange bug stickers across different habitats. Find drawing activities and insect facts with vocabulary for readers who are beginning to sound out words on their own. And don’t shriek with fear! This book is not single-use. All 500 stickers are reusable, allowing for endless bug arrangements and discoveries. Whether you have an insect-lover or a not-so-fond-of-creepy-crawlies kiddo, this interactive sticker book is too engaging to resist.

Maze Quest History: Travel Through Time

By Anna Brett

For George and his pup Milly, it’s just a normal day at the Natural History Museum—until they’re suddenly rocketed into the past! To get home, they’ll need the reader’s help. Your little historian must take to the helm and help George and Milly navigate time itself. With over 48 mazes to solve, this interactive book sprinkles historical facts across several time periods, from ancient Egypt to the American Civil War. Perfect for readers ages 7 and up who are reading independently and love to share facts they’ve learned from books.

Build Imaginations and Confidence With Literati Book Clubs

The best nonfiction gives kids a glimpse into the fascinating, surprising, and exciting world outside their bedroom windows. As a Literati Kids book club member, you’ll never run out of amazing nonfiction books for 10-year-olds, pre-K, and early elementary schoolers—or any other reading level, for that matter.

Whether your child wants to dive into the mysteries of the deep, dig into the past, or blast off into space, Literati is here to help them reach their fullest academic potential. Just take our quick personalization quiz to tell us more about your reader’s interests and reading level, and we’ll send a selection of books they’re sure to fall in love with. Get your young reader started on a real reading adventure today.

The post The Best Fun and Engaging Nonfiction Books For Kids appeared first on Literati.

Wild Honey from The Moon

by Kenneth Kraegel

Brace yourself for a wild ride as Mother Shrew sets off to save her son from an unexpected illness. The cure? Wild honey from the moon, of course. This picture book contains seven exciting chapters full of twists and turns that’ll take you and your little one on a fantasy-filled adventure. Pace yourselves as Mother Shrew overcomes numerous adversaries on her quest to find the wild honey. As you read, your preschooler can use the book’s vibrant watercolor illustrations to make thoughtful inferences and connections. Wild Honey From the Moon is captivating and creative —and might just be a story you pass down for generations.

Don’t Wake the Dragon

By Bianca Schulz

If you’re looking for the ultimate bedtime story for the tiny tot who loves to say, “I’m not sleepy!” look no further. From the very first page, you learn that the rascal dragon has finally fallen asleep, and it’s up to you and your little one to ensure it remains sleeping. (It’s a bit more challenging and a lot more fun than it sounds!) Using a variety of playful and engaging text, this interactive book sharpens your children’s listening skills (lest they risk waking the dragon!) while simultaneously tuckering them out for their own night of peaceful, fire-snuffed slumber.

Bear and Wolf

By Daniel Salimieri

Invite your curious explorer to join Bear and Wolf, two unlikely strangers who become companions as they explore and bond over their shared home: the snowy woods. They masterfully employ their 5 senses to discover discreet, yet beautiful, aspects of their surroundings—an owl overhead, the fish sleeping under a frozen lake, and so much more. Help your child uncover the beauty of appreciating the little joys in life with one of Daniel Salimieri’s best picture books, brimming with poignant illustrations and moving imagery.

Duck for President

by Doreen Cronin

Now begins the official campaign: Duck for President. Like many presidential candidates, this duck began his life in a humble pond, progressing up the ladder to the position of farmer and governor. You won’t want to miss any stops on the campaign trail of his most ambitious journey yet: running for president. Your preschooler will appreciate the humorous barnyard illustrations and can even gain a basic understanding of democracy along the way. At the same time, you’ll be laughing at the uncanny similarities between the duck and a few well-known politicians.

The Antlered Ship

by Dashka Slater

Marco is an inquisitive fox. And like any curious creature, he has questions… okay, he has a lot of questions. Unfortunately, the other foxes don’t share Marco’s burning need for truth. So when a spectacle of a ship adorned with antlers arrives, Marco joins the crew in search of answers. On this beautifully illustrated quest, your little explorer will find adventure, intrigue, and the answer to a profound secret to friendship. (We won’t give it away, but we’ll give you a hint: asking questions is a marvelous place to start.)

Find the Best Picture Books for Your Kids with Literati

Whether your little one is just beginning to put two-word sentences together or practicing new sight words, picture books are a wonderful place for preschoolers and other young learners to jumpstart a curiosity and love for flipping pages. And here at Literati, we have so many more of the best picture books for your child to discover. 

With Literati’s monthly book club, our team will handpick five curated books tailored to your reader’s comprehension level and interests. Gone are the days of wondering if you’ve found a book they’ll actually like. Instead, you can spend that time reading with them and supporting them on their path to literary success. 
To get the ball rolling, take our personalization quiz to tell us what your learner loves, and we’ll assemble a perfect picture-book box just for them.

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Dragon Post

By Emma Yarlett

If your little one has ever wanted to receive a letter of their own, invite them to open their very own Dragon Post. In this fun tail—err, tale—little Alexander discovers a red dragon in his basement and embarks on a mail-service mission to educate the whole town on how to handle his scaly friend. Letters with dragon-handling tips arrive throughout the story for kids to unfold and read aloud, making it ideal for young minds that thrive on interactive learning. With memorable, poetic language and cartoon-like illustrations, Emma Yarlett weaves an approachable fantasy for vocabulary expansion and reading confidence.

Little Children’s Nature Activity Book

By Rebecca Gilpin

Calling all leaf-pile divers, bug catchers, and butterfly chasers! With Little Children’s Nature Book, your backyard or neighborhood park becomes a whole world of literary exploration. Lace up your sneakers and tackle stimulating activities like mazes, puzzles, dot-to-dots, and drawing—each with the goal of providing your child an up-close experience of nature and new concepts. In an environment your child is ecstatic to be in, they won’t hesitate to confidently turn each page and soar through challenges as smoothly as the kites in the sky. Gifting your child a lasting love of reading and our beautiful planet? We can’t think of a better win-win.

The Cool Bean

By Jory John

This title is a wonderful introduction to puns and wordplay, and captures the hearts of any kid who’s ever wanted to be the coolest bean in school. But what makes a bean cool? Kindness, of course. When this lovable bean starts to feel like an uncool “has-bean,” the resident Cool Beans in school show him that being cool means making people feel included and special. This heartwarming tale will teach your little reader valuable lessons about inclusion and friendship. You might notice them start to share the way stories like this one make them feel—complete with a punny joke or two.

Memoirs of a Hamster

By Devin Scillian

Elementary-school readers will enjoy the humor, art, and thrills aligning in this enriching tale packed with learning opportunities. Life is pure bliss in hamster Seymour’s cage. But when Pearl the Cat comes knocking, he leaps into life outside his home. In this diary-style tale, readers are exposed to the first-person format to build comprehension and empathy with plenty of helpful illustrations in between. Your child won’t be able to resist grabbing their own helmet (and maybe even their diary) and hopping on Seymour’s FuzzyBoy 360 hamster wheel to enjoy the ride!

Wild Honey from The Moon

by Kenneth Kraegel

Brace yourself for a wild ride as Mother Shrew sets off to save her son from an unexpected illness. The cure? Wild honey from the moon, of course. This picture book contains seven exciting chapters full of twists and turns that’ll take you and your little one on a fantasy-filled adventure. Pace yourselves as Mother Shrew overcomes numerous adversaries on her quest to find the wild honey. As you read, your preschooler can use the book’s vibrant watercolor illustrations to make thoughtful inferences and connections. Wild Honey From the Moon is captivating and creative —and might just be a story you pass down for generations.

Mold Your Little Learner into a Confident Reader With Literati Book Clubs

Toddlers who are first learning to read have boundless potential waiting to be unlocked. One of the best learning tools you can hand them are books for kids learning to read. Books like the titles above help them channel their imagination into a lifelong commitment to reading, learning, and creativity.

As a Literati Kids Book Club member, you can keep the bookshelf forever full of books curated for your child’s learning stage—at every stage. No more guessing or letting books gather dust in the playroom. Just take our personalization quiz to tell us what your child loves, and we’ll take care of the rest. Start your subscription today and watch the remarkable journey of your child learning to read tomorrow.

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Whether your little learner is new to the world of fantasy books or they’re a young fantasy fanatic, the fantasy and folklore genre offers a myriad of benefits. The imaginative world an author builds can stimulate your child’s creativity, boost their vocabulary, and teach them to find victorious heroes in the most unlikely places.

Crumbled! (The Misadventures of Nobbin Swill)

By Lisa Harkrader

Fairytale meets adventure in this comedic tale of Nobbin Swill, a dung farmer (yes, the very one) who dreams of a more fulfilling life. When he finds a shiny ring in a not-so-shiny pile of poo, he knows it’s his ticket out of the dung-laden field for good. The only obstacle standing between him and his newfound freedom? Helping Prince Charming solve the mystery of the missing children, Hansel and Gretel. Whether your 7- to 12-year-old is a jokester, a belly-laugher, or a master of bizarre antics, they’ll enjoy flipping through this story independently alongside illuminating illustrations.

There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Book

By Jomike Tejido

Have you heard of the old woman who lived in a shoe? Well, this old woman lives in a book-shaped house—and her six children have gone missing! With some quick thinking, she enlists the help of a few esteemed children’s story characters to help her find her missing brood of babes. The Three Bears? More like the three helpers. Humpty Dumpty? Prepared to assist. If your preschool reader is familiar with nursery rhyme characters, they’ll be enthralled by this imaginative retelling complete with thoughtful illustrations to help them follow along.

We Are Water Protectors

By Carole Lindstrom

Join an earnest Native American narrator as she encourages your 3- to 6-year-old to take a stand for environmental justice. The story’s foundation is laid upon two of the earth’s most valuable elements: water and land. When an evil black snake threatens to poison these sacred resources, your young reader will receive an easy-to-follow lesson on water pollution and the importance of caring for our planet. Little ones learning to read will grasp the basic components of a story, while younger listeners will follow the footsteps of brave environmentalists—which could someday be them!

Ragweed (Poppy #1)

By Avi

A country mouse, Ragweed, packs his bags and heads for adventure in the big city—and it’s better than he could have imagined. He finds excitement, friends, and a band of musical rats who just so happen to need a bandmate. He couldn’t ask for anything more! Well, except for the city to be rid of those frisky feline foes. With bold and zany characters peppered through each page, Avi creates an engaging atmosphere for your reader to identify the character traits of protagonists, antagonists, and every creature in between. With such an action-packed plot, Ragweed is at the top of our list of the best fantasy books for kids.

Once Upon a Tim (Once Upon a Tim #1)

By Stuart Gibbs

Full of middle-school humor, Once Upon a Tim centers Tim, a peasant who wishes he was anything but. By some magical miracle, a prince offers him the chance to prove himself worthy of more, so Tim and his friends suit up on a quest to save the princess from the evil Stinx. Throughout the book, Gibbs plants challenging vocabulary words around context clues to help 7- to 10-year-old readers learn with ease. If you’re looking for a book that’ll have your reader exploring the dictionary and craving even more complex mystery books, this is it.

Amari and the Night Brothers

By B. B. Alston

When Amari’s older brother, Quinton, mysteriously goes missing, no one seems to bat an eye. Searching for clues, Amari soon finds herself in a supernatural world full of mermaids, yetis, and weredragons. To find her brother, she’ll have to use her recently discovered magic and compete against other kids who’ve spent their lives honing their magical might. This unforgettable novel leaves plenty of discussion points for parents and children, like the importance of persevering, feeling confident in your skin, and overcoming everyday challenges.

Introduce Your Reader to the Best Fantasy Books with Literati

Once your child immerses themselves in the vast worlds of magic, talking animals, and unlikely protagonists, they’ll be more than ready for their next round of the best fantasy books for kids. Take the guesswork out of book buying and let us do the heavy lifting. We’ll find titles your child loves, and that grow their budding minds.

When you and your reader join the Literati Kids Book Club, you receive so much more than books. You’ll unlock a priceless relationship with reading, literacy, and learning while creating timeless memories together. Take the personalization quiz today to kickstart their book journey.

The post The Best Fantasy & Folklore Books For Kids appeared first on Literati.

The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake

By Robin Newman

Captain Griswold and Detective Wilcox are two hard-boiled, no-nonsense MFIs—Missing Food Investigators. They also happen to be mice in trench coats. But don’t let the fur fool you: these mice are fearless detectives who won’t rest until they catch the crook. With plenty of clues tucked into quick, readable text, your reader will race to solve the case until they reach the ending twist they’ll never see coming. Readers from preschool to second grade will devour this hilarious first installment in the Wilcox and Griswold easy reader series and still be hungry for more.

Surfboard to Peril: A Miss Mallard Mystery

By Robert Quackenbush

Robert Quackenbush is a master of the easy-to-read chapter book category, so it’s no surprise that the Miss Mallard Mystery stories are among the best mystery books for kids. This installment finds world-famous duck-tective Miss Mallard solving a tricky case involving ancient artifacts, sacred Hawaiian land, and a greedy condominium developer. You’ll appreciate Quackenbush’s clever use of elevated language while your young reader trails the twisty plot and clue-embedded illustrations.

The Secret Zoo

By Bryan Chick

For animal-loving readers who have graduated from early chapter books and are ready for a more challenging mystery, The Secret Zoo is a winner. Book 1 in the series introduces siblings Noah and Megan and their best friends, Richie and Ella. The fearless four live next door to the local zoo, and when the animals start acting a little strange, the kids are hot on the trail—that is, until Megan disappears. Readers will roar with delight as they practice following dialogue and help Noah, Richie, Ella, and a few four-legged helpers find their missing friend.

Legend of the Star Runner

By J.I. Wagner

Dust off your magnifying glass for this one. If you’ve got a reader who loves visual puzzles, Legend of the Star Runner is their perfect match. Like a contemporary Encyclopedia Brown, every chapter of this book ends with a puzzle for readers to solve. Each mystery can be solved by discovering the hidden clues in the detailed, full-color illustrations peppering each page. To add another layer of interactive learning , each puzzle has a rating to tell young scouts how Timmi and his friends fared at the challenge, on a scale from easy-peasy to the ultimate challenge.

The Great Ghost Hoax

By Emily Ecton

Fans of James Howe’s classic Bunnicula, rejoice—there’s a new mystery-solving pack of pets on the scene. In this hilarious and just-a-bit-spooky chapter book , an adventure-loving Dachshund named Butterbean and her furry friends investigate the mysterious happenings in their apartment building. Objects move on their own, pets are going missing, and things are going bump in the night. Is it a ghost… or a hoax? The bouncy storyline and snappy banter between the animals help introduce higher-level vocabulary words and advanced dialogue. Third to sixth graders will chase this tale as Butterbean chases her tail.

The Animal Rescue Agency #1: Case File: Little Claws

By Eliot Schrefer

The Animal Rescue Agency is different than your typical animal rescue. If you think humans are doing the rescuing, think again! The agency is run by the daring (and well-dressed) Esquire Fox and her rooster business partner, Mr. Pepper. Animal lovers will be captivated by Esquire’s adventures as she tracks down a missing baby polar bear. The back of the book is equipped with a “field notes” section with conservation facts, offering a perfect opportunity to get kids digging deeper into the real-life science behind this wild story.

The Clues All Lead to Mystery Books from Literati Book Clubs

The best mystery books for kids provide a unique experience with every read: the first time through, readers are left awestruck. The second, they’re flipping through clues they missed before. It’s twice the reading fun—and a sneaky way to get them dialed in to details and dialogue as they’ve never been before. 
Don’t let your junior detective run out of intriguing cases in their to-read pile. When you join the Literati Kids Book Club, your reader will always have a selection of books customized to their tastes and reading level, so you can be sure each title is both engaging and developmentally beneficial. How do you get started? It’s no mystery—just fill out our quick personalization quiz and the game’s afoot!

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The Land of Roar

By Jenny McLachlan

Crawl inside the creaky bed in grandad’s attic and enter a secret world: The Land of Roar. With soaring dragons and crafty wizards, twins Arthur and Rose created Roar as their own make-believe playground. But when Grandpa disappears into the bed, the lines between fantasy and reality blur. Can they save Grandpa from the magical world they designed? Hitting the sweet spot between childhood and teenhood, Jenny Mclachlan’s captivating fantasy is a tale of vivid language and heart. Middle-grade readers will learn to believe in the power of imagination—and more importantly, the power of familial love.

The Lost Property Office

By James R. Hannibal

Thirteen-year-old Jack Buckles can find just about anything. A missing diary? No problem. A lost family locket? Easy peasy. But when Jack’s dad disappears, he is thrust into the most important search of his life. Now, Jack must enter The Lost Property Office (a secret society of British detectives) to save his father—and the entire city of London. Riveting and complex, The Lost Property Office blends history, mystery, and old-fashioned problem-solving. Young readers will learn problem-solving and puzzle decoding with every step through James R. Hannibal’s literary maze.

Ways to Make “Sunshine”

By Renee Watson

Ryan Hart is like most fourth-graders. She rolls her eyes at her bossy older brother (ugh); she practices her class speech on wobbly knees (eek), and she can’t believe her family is moving (oh no!). But no matter what life throws her way, Ryan knows she can always “make sunshine”—finding the positive in every single day. In this slice-of-life series, Renee Watson teaches young minds that happiness is a practice. Ways to Make “Sunshine” is one of the best chapter books for younger readers, showing them that all emotions help pave the road to happiness. Watch your child make their own sunshine with this relatable and accessible tale.

Revenge of the Witch (Last Apprentice #1)

By Joseph Delaney

It’s not scary enough that the world expects Tom, a regular 12-year-old, to take over the job of the Spook. Now he has to confront age-old witches and save the human race, too? The Spook’s job is to ward off ghosts, goblins, and other evil entities from the town—and as the seventh son of a seventh son, he must step into these fateful shoes. Between creepy suspense, clever character development, and imagery that’ll have them skeptical of their own basement, Revenge of the Witch is ideal for inspiring your middle grader to read independently. We promise they won’t be able to put this one down (or the rest of the books in the series).

The Inheritance Games

By Jennifer Lynn Barnes

We’re inviting Jennifer Lynn Barnes to our next Escape Room party, because she is a master of puzzles. This fast-paced chapter book fuses mystery, suspense, and romance into its 400 pages of meticulous thrill. Avery Grambs is prepared to walk (or stumble) down her graduation stage like any other high school senior—until she receives a hefty fortune from a billionaire she’s never met. But that’s not even the best (or worst) part. She must unweave this billionaire’s tangled web of cryptic messages in his very own estate to claim her prize. The Inheritance Games is perfect for burgeoning true-crime lovers or readers who need a little motivation to share what they’re learning with you.

Shadow Queen

By C.J. Redwine

For fantasy adorers, hopeless romantics, and fans of the stellar work of Sarah J. Maas, Shadow Queen offers no shortage of mystic twists and turns. Meet Lorelai, a magic-wielding princess and fierce trailblazer of paths less traveled. When her father is taken from her and the throne is taken from her people, she’ll have to battle the dangerous and cunning Queen Irina—who has some tricks of her own up her sleeve. As Lorelai stands bravely in the face of dark magic, forbidden love, and everything to lose, your reader will soak up lessons about following your instincts, tuning your moral compass, and leading with your heart.

Literati Book Clubs: Your Reader’s Next Best Chapter Books

Whether your growing reader is dipping their toes or diving like a pro into the picture-free pool, these best chapter books for kids will keep them swimming excitedly. With each stroke, they’ll strengthen their metaphor muscles, solo-reading skills, and language comprehension—and Literati will be poolside with a towel, a snack, and a glittery sign at the finish line. 

At Literati, we help support your child’s learning by sourcing valuable reads for every level. From tactile infant board books to thrilling young adult mysteries, our books are meant to build a life-long love of reading and discovery. Join the Literati Kids Book Club, and your child will receive specially selected stories to support their unique education. Take our personalization quiz to find the reading level that will nourish their imagination and skills the best.

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Say hello to their new favorite gadget: board books. 

Tactile and interactive, board books are good books for babies at the start of their reading journey. Combining image, touch, and language, these enchanting tools will plant seeds of literary love and build motor skills. Start with our favorite hands-on stories and your baby will see (and feel) that board books are anything but boring.

Busy Numbers

By Martha Costa

Just starting on the 1-2-3s? Build a bridge to counting with the charming construction sites of Busy Numbers! Colorful bulldozers, cranes, and trucks drive this numerical journey. After counting a given item on the page—like how many orange hats or red trucks there are—little readers can spin a number wheel to show their answer. (No idle hands or minds on this worksite!) Before you know it, your 12- to 24-month-old will be pointing out numbers and colors on the page like a hard-hat professional. And if your child is a fan, author Martha Costa has an entire board book series waiting for them, from Busy Shapes to Busy Colors.

Light Up the Stars!

By Gabrielle Clima

Baby’s hands are always busy—reaching for Mom’s hair, snagging a banana slice on the high chair tray, or pointing gleefully at every puppy in sight. Light Up The Stars! illuminates ten million more directions to reach for. Slide down shimmering rainbows and cruise across constellations as you explore the language of night and day. Your 1- to 3-year-old will unlock their motor skills to pull tabs, grow flowers, and even light up a city sky with its high-contrast illustrations.

Everybody Needs a Buddy

By Ellen Jackson

We’re pretty sure it’s a scientific fact: Baby brains (and adult brains) love adorable animals. Wielding the power of cuteness, Everybody Needs a Buddy is one of the good books for babies starting to internalize key lessons. Watch your little ones learn the importance of friendship as they guide their furry friends through lessons of kindness. On each sturdy board page, Maddie Frost’s illustrations capture companionship across the animal world while Ellen Jackson’s rhymes add memorable musicality. When you read together, your baby may just roar and crow with every lyrical line.

What Makes a Rainbow?

By Betty Schwartz

Rainbow, schmainbow. As adults, we may forget just how beautiful the colors of those arches are. But for your baby? Every new hue is like a laser light show at a Wiggles concert! Explore the wonder of colors through our hoppy friend the Little Rabbit in What Makes the Rainbow? Watching him bounce from color to color and friend to friend, your budding reader will get to practice story sequences as they work to construct a magnificent rainbow!

My Magical Dragon

By Yujin Shin

Alphabet letters, colors, and numbers are all important early-life skills. But what about bravery? Or imagination? My Magical Dragon ignites that adventurous spirit, wrapping your child in a mystical, cloud-filled escapade. Spin wheels and slide panels while following this sparkly dragon into his enchanted land. Tactile details keep curious hands engaged, while special holographic foil adds a shimmer that draws your reader’s attention. If your little one loves fairytale books, My Magical Dragon will introduce them to their imagination and their love of reading.

I’ll Love You Till the Cows Come Home

By Kathryn Cristaldi

How much do I love you? To the moooooon and back! Kathryn Cristaldi’s sweet board book is the perfect bedtime send-off for your favorite newborn or toddler. Let your little one know how much you love them as they sail off to Mars with their favorite spotted friends. Sturdy pages, touching illustrations, and the perfect dash of humor make this nighttime read a verbal and tactile dream. They’ll be requesting this bedtime story until the cows come home!

Burrow into Board Books for Baby Bookworms with Literati

With wide eyes and curious hands, babies are meant to enjoy board books like Dora enjoys exploring. That’s what makes board books such good books for babies entering the literary world. Little ones can pull, grab, examine, learn from (and maybe even chew on) each page to immerse themselves in the fantastic world of a story. 

At Literati, we believe it’s never too early to start enjoying the magic of literature. Introduce your child to the wonder of words through our Literati Kids Book Clubs, where we send handpicked titles for their reading skills and favorite topics. From enchanting board books to soothing picture books, our titles will always lend something more to enjoy. 

Open the literature lab with our personalization quiz to find the book box with their name on it.

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If fairy wings and wizard wands fill your child’s toy chest, then these titles will offer inspiration and a few moral lessons during playtime. Our favorite fables paint pictures of mystical deserts, architect pigs, and even choose-your-own woodland adventures for a basketful of enchanted escapades. Cast a spell of bewitched engagement on your sorcerer-in-training with our best fairy tale books for kids.

Endlessly Ever After

By Laurel Snyder

Three little pigs, meet Snow White! Throw on your jacket (or red riding hood) and venture into Laurel Snyder’s twisty-turny fable world—where you make the magic happen. In this hilarious and vividly illustrated book, classic fairy tale characters mish-mash into a make-your-own adventure. As your child writes the plot of a fable all their own, they’ll learn the power of narrative along the way. The endless story possibilities mean your author-in-training will never get bored—the type of books for third graders the whole family can appreciate.

Puss in Magical Motocross Boots (Far Out Fairy Tales)

By Brandon Terrell

Get ready for a tale of brotherhood, self-acceptance, and a touch of magical cat-titude. Puss in Magical Motocross Boots brings our favorite talking feline into the modern world—with a few new biker skills up his boots. Hank Miller, a disabled and talented mechanic, inherits a few oddities from his father’s passing: his old motocross bike, and…a cat named Gus? Hank is frustrated by these mediocre gifts—until Gus turns meows into human words! With the help of some other magical hand-me-downs, Gus and Hank take the motocross world by storm. Between its riveting action and touching dialogue, this classic update will leave your fantasy lover warm and fuzzy (or should we say, furry?).

Jack and the Beanstalk: An Interactive Fairy Tale Adventure

By Blake A. Hoena

Sure, you could climb the beanstalk like Jack. But what if you could wear the shoes of the giant? Or watch chaos unfold through his mother’s eyes? In this choose-your-own-adventure book, readers get to explore this classic tale from every character’s point of view. Watch your 8- to 12-year-old learn the power of perspective, empathy, and narrative building as they empower their own path. But be careful—one wrong page turn, and they may fall off the beanstalk! (Don’t worry. We’ve got more fantasy books waiting for them if they do.)

Interrupting Chicken

By David Ezra Stein

If your little one loves bedtime stories (and makes their excitement audibly known—a lot), then they’ll bond right away with one of the best fairy tale books for kids: Interrupting Chicken. Before bed, the little red chicken adores a good story. But when Papa tries to read one, she can’t help but add her two clucks! Ultimately, she learns that attention is a gift worth giving and receiving. With gorgeous painting-like illustrations and poetic prose, this Caldecott winner is one of the best fairy tale books for readers ages 2 to 5.

The Sandman: The Story of Sanderson Mansnoozie

By William Joyce

Enter the Sandman—or should we say, Sanderson Mansnoozie. Newly recruited by the Man in the Moon (yes, that one), Sanderson must guard all sleeping children against the Nightmare King when the moon is less than full. But can the sleepy Sandman handle the job? Building a magical and breathtaking universe of hazy purples and desert oranges, The Sandman: The Story of Sanderson Mansnoozie is the soothing sunset any 4- to 8-year-old needs to drift off to sleep with pleasant dreams and newfound plot-deducing skills.

Enchant Your Child’s Learning with Literati Book Clubs

Whether you know a budding fairy princess or dragon rider in training, fairy tales harness your child’s wonderful imagination as a powerful learning tool. Watch your little one absorb poetic language, moral lessons, and narrative structure with these best fairy tale books for kids. These enchanting tales may even cast our favorite love spell—a lifelong love of books.

At Literati, we help children of every reading level carve a path to literary fondness. From the nursery to middle school halls, our Literati Kids Book Club collections can help them feel confident along their educational journey. Start with our personalization quiz to help us find titles that suit your child’s needs, and watch their eyes light up with joy.

The post The Best Fables & Fairy Tales For Kids appeared first on Literati.

Along with these benefits, the best children’s poetry also supplies stimulating vocabulary to make a lasting impression on your child’s literacy and memory. Poetry, in all its unique harmony and dissonance, is a fantastic genre to help young readers improve their lexicon and strengthen their spirits. The best children’s poetry books for your child await—so prepare your snapping fingers!

Every Color of Light

By Hiroshi Osada and Ryoji Arai

Bedtime readers will welcome this peaceful story of a calm that pervades in the aftermath of a turbulent storm. (No shortage of life-relevant metaphors here.) As the moon rises and the forest goes to sleep, your child will be enveloped by the lyrical text—perfect for crafting their own soothing lullabies. This dazzling portrayal of the natural world also makes a wonderful guide for your 3- to 5-year-old’s first ventures into independent reading, especially with its vivid illustrations for guided context.

No Buddy Like a Book

By Allan Wolf and Brianne Farley

Young balladeers and bards will delight in this enchanting invitation to a lively party honoring the power of the written word. Perhaps your young adventurer hopes to bottle moonlight, drift down the Nile, or even ascend Everest. In that case, this buoyant tale will have them boldly sounding out new words and discovering their reading confidence (just over the Arctic icebergs and beyond the African antelopes). The pleasant limericks and encouraging new friends contained within these pages definitively prove that anything is possible in the world of books.

The Stuff of Stars

By Marion Dane Bauer and Ekua Holmes

Calling all admirers of stars and souls! This awe-inspiring story of the very big and the very small connects the birth of our universe to the birth of humankind. Breathtaking illustrations paint the stars of life that ignited in our galaxy from ancient origins. Bauer and Holmes’s bound masterpiece on time and space offers an inspiring setting for your reader to practice remembering the chronological sequence of stories and sounding out new interstellar words. (It’ll also set them up for even more picture books.)

Haiku Baby

By Betsy E. Snyder

Introduce baby readers to the world of the best children’s poetry and to their first poetic form: the Japanese haiku! Sweet smiles emanate from this collection of poems that celebrate seasons, animals, and the elements. Give baby the opportunity to build page-turning confidence as they engage with illustrations and practice their alphabet in the accompanying rhymes. When your little learner has mastered the 5-7-5, hand Haiku Baby down to a new mom-to-be and spread the learning fun!

The Crossover

By Kwame Alexander and Dawud Anyabwile

For 5th- to 8th-grade readers who have grown up embracing the refrain “ball is life” comes a plucky tale of friendship, teamwork, and hooping. This award-winning bestseller seamlessly packages important themes of family and fairness into a fastbreak plot. Whipsmart hip hop-inspired wordplay keeps the story in motion and the pages turning. A serenade to sports and the narratives they inspire, The Crossover contains infectious energy and poetic prowess that will win over even the most reluctant readers.

One Thing You’d Save

By Linda Sue Park and Robert Sae-Heng

This mind-stretching title with pleasing colored-pencil illustrations poses the question: If your house were on fire, what one thing would you save? Your elementary-school philosopher will enjoy puzzling over their own answer as they encounter a series of poems that capture a diverse array of peer responses. (Spoiler alert: each answer is thoughtful, groundbreaking, and terrifically beautiful.) You’ll love watching your reader think abstractly as they gain a new perspective on gratitude, love, and what matters most to them. And when they’re hooked on abstract thinking, turn their attention to these enticing chapter books.

Uncover the Best Children’s Poetry with Literati Book Clubs

Our list of the best children’s poetry runs the gamut of age groups, forms, and illustration styles to suit a legion of blossoming Elizabeth Bishops, Amanda Gormans, and Rupi Kaurs. But this is just the tip of the quill. 

At Literati, we take pride in developing a ledger of the highest-quality books to support your child’s emotional and linguistic development and promote new skills across every school subject. For our Literati Kids Book Club members, our band of bibliophiles ships a box of curated books to your doorstep. Then, the real fun begins.

Start with our quick personalization quiz to tell us about your young explorer, and get ready to open their doors to a brand new literary world.

The post The Best Children’s Poetry appeared first on Literati.

Route Their Literary Treasure Map with Literati Book Clubs

Convincing kids to explore new books is easy once you realize the unending reach of their visionary young minds. At this formative age, young readers want to soak up every captivating new subject. All they need is your guidance on where to look—with help from Literati. 

It’s never been simpler to map an enriching literary journey for your child. With Literati Kids Book Clubs, our team of experts curates books for your reader’s unique preferences, learning styles, and goals, and delivers them right to your door. With all the best genres of books for kids available, our quick personalization quiz is your first step to placing the power of learning straight into their hands.

The post How To Get Your Child To Explore Different Genres appeared first on Literati.

By handing them the best YA chapter books, with storylines far more enticing than captions!
Fantasy meets horror? Exciting. A supernatural romance? Engrossing. When your not-so-little one decides they enjoy reading simply because it’s engaging, they’ll gain valuable lessons without even realizing it. Between epic proportions of young love, heroism, and the clashes of good and evil in these esteemed young adult chapter books, your reader will sharpen their moral compass and hone their uniquely brilliant points of view.

Gallant

by V. E. Schwab

Amidst an orphaned childhood at the Merilance School for Girls, Olivia Prior receives a letter from her estranged uncle summoning her to his estate called Gallant. She’s looking forward to meeting him—until she realizes he’s dead. With only the servants and an unwelcoming cousin for company, Olivia must unmask the secrets of Gallant and its haunted residents. Twists, turns, and questions plague every corner—along with a hair-raising ghostly realm. This fast-paced thriller turns curious teens into problem-solving masters Nancy Drew would be happy to crack a case with.

Revenge of the Witch (Last Apprentice #1)

by Joseph Delaney

The local villages depend on a special kind of security guard. They call him The Spook, and it’s his job to protect their borders from supernatural threats. It’s time to crown a new Spook for the town—but after 29 applicants, no apprentice is quite suited for the task. Well, except for Thomas Ward. But he’s only 12 years old! He couldn’t possibly… could he? Readers who enjoy fantasy and horror with a sprinkle of witty raillery will find friendship, bravery, and wicked fun with Tom in his enchantingly haunted world.

Black Brother, Black Brother

by Jewell Parker Rhodes

If your burgeoning reader prefers a more real-life setting, Black Brother, Black Brother offers that and more. This gripping story follows Donte, a Black student at an all-white boarding school, as he wades the familiar (but mostly unfamiliar) waters of teenhood. Donte bravely overcomes racial injustices, masters his favorite sport, and maintains brotherly bonds across racial divides. This book is ideal for young athletes, but an incredibly moving read for any teenager, shining light on powerful topics like equality, family, and tenacity. (It also makes for compelling dinner table conversations.)

The Inheritance Games

Jennifer Lynn Barnes

16-year-old Avery learns that she’s the benefactor of a 46 million dollar inheritance. The challenge? Receiving said inheritance. To acquire her fortune, she’ll have to jump through a lot of hoops, like living in a stranger’s home for a year. With no understanding of why she was gifted such a large sum, she begins to hunt down clues in search of answers. The first novel in this mystery series, The Inheritance Games will offer your teen the opportunity to develop their puzzle-solving skills in lockstep with the inquisitive narrator.

Shadow Queen

By C. J. Redwine

Experience the classic trope of good versus evil with a novel that checks off plenty of boxes in the fantasy genre: magic, dragons, and romance—oh my! And did we mention Shadow Queen is also a riveting retelling of Snow White? Enter: the princess, Lorelai Diederich, currently hiding from her evil stepmother, Queen Irina. Lorelai dreams of revenge against Irena, who murdered her father to become ruler of the kingdom. With all of its thrilling twists and turns, it’s no wonder this novel is considered one of the best YA chapter books in school libraries and beloved by animal-adoring middle schoolers everywhere.

We Are Not Free

By Tracy Chee

For your history buff, pick up this deeply moving young adult historical fiction novel that Time magazine named one of the best of all time. Mere months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, 14 Japanese-American teens face an unjust fate when they’re forced from their homes in San Francisco into detention camps—simply because of their Japanese heritage. Chee masterfully employs a different narrator in each chapter, where your teen can learn to distinguish between first-, second-, and third-person points of view. We Are Not Free takes a candid look at the effects of racism and war and delicately incorporates the many vibrant hues of resilience. (For even more historical fiction, check out these titles.)

Discover the Best YA Chapter Books with Literati Book Clubs

The exciting and heartfelt novels like the best YA chapter books listed above are sure to send your tweens and teens straight to the book nook after homework, where they’ll expand their vocabulary, worldly perspective, and fact-discernment skills. At Literati, we consider it our job to find the book that ignites their lifelong love of reading. 
When you become a Literati book club member, our dedicated team members will send a selection of books tailored to your child’s interests and reading level. With a supply of curated books on hand, they’ll expand their cultural horizons and think more complexly about challenges that come their way. Jumpstart your reader’s journey with our personalization quiz today.

The post Best Young Adult Chapter Books appeared first on Literati.