Explore The Top 30 Children's Books Releasing Spring 2025 

Spring has sprung, and we’re hopping with excitement over the newest books for young readers! At BookPal, we’ve got our eyes on the latest and greatest thanks to our close relationships with publishers and authors. So trust that these picks are making waves in the book world right now. 

From whimsical picture books to adventurous middle-grade reads and thought-provoking young adult stories, this year’s Spring Spotlight Education Catalog is packed with must-reads for classrooms, libraries, and community programs. These books are not only new but also inspire curiosity, spark conversations, and leave a lasting impact. 

Without further ado, here are the standout education tiles of spring 2025!

Picture Books:

1. Good Golden Sun by Brendan Wenzel

Get ready to bask in the brilliance of Good Golden Sun! With playful rhymes and vibrant collage-style art, this radiant new picture book follows the sun’s touch on everything from flowers to animals to the earth itself. Perfect for Earth Day, or any day, this book will spark wonder and curiosity about the world around us!

2. The Teeny-Weeny Unicorn's Great Big Wish by Shawn Harris 

The Teeny-Weeny Unicorn is back, and this time, he has a great big wish! When his dream of being bigger doesn’t come true, a lucky gust of wind and a clever princess send him on a quest to find someone even smaller than he is. But the biggest surprise of all? He’s about to become a BIG brother! Full of charm, humor, and heart, this delightful tale is perfect for story time magic. 

3. Home by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Loren Long 

From the award-winning duo comes a lyrical and heartfelt tribute to the places that make us feel safe, loved, and truly ourselves. Whether it’s a bustling city street, a houseboat on the water, or the embrace of family, this stunning picture book reminds us that home isn’t just a place, it’s a feeling.

4. Hello There, Sunshine by Tabitha Brown, illustrated by Olivia Duchess 

Tabitha Brown brings her signature warmth and joy to a heartwarming tale about finding your own light in this adorable picture book. When young Tabitha wakes up to a cloudy sky, she sets off on a mission to find the missing sun, only to discover that sometimes, the brightest shine comes from within. This is an uplifting story for young dreamers!

5. Bearsuit Turtle Makes a Friend by Bob Shea 

Your kiddos are going to fall in love with Bearsuit Turtle, a turtle in a bear suit determined to prove he’s a for-real bear! But can he convince a turtle who claims to be a bear expert? With plenty of laugh-out-loud antics, this quirky tale by Bob Shea is a hilarious celebration of friendship, fun, and being yourself, bear suit or not!

6. A Thousand Years by Christina Perri, illustrated by Joy Hwang Ruiz

Christina Perri’s beloved song A Thousand Years comes to life in this heartwarming picture book about a mother’s timeless love. As a child takes brave steps into the world, their mother watches with pride, knowing their bond will last forever. With tender words and dreamy illustrations, this book is a beautiful reminder that love knows no bounds. 

7. The Girl Who Was Too Big for the Page by Geena Davis 

Meet Sheila, the girl who’s too big for the page, and she’s about to show the world just how BIG she really is! From eating pizza to making friends, Sheila wonders if she’s interesting enough to have a book all about her. With humor, heart, and a whole lot of sass, this book is all about taking up space, speaking your truth, and growing into the fabulous person you’re meant to be! 

8. Bear Feels Sad by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman

Bear’s feeling the blues when his friends are too busy to play, and nothing seems fun… not even building a fort! But when he stumbles upon a field of flowers, Bear has the perfect idea to turn his frown upside down: collecting special gifts to share with his friends. With sweet, gentle charm, this is a heartwarming story about turning lonely moments into acts of kindness and joy. 

9. The Day the Crayons Made Friends by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

The crayons are back, and this time they’re making friends outside the crayon box! Duncan’s crayons set out to explore his room, meeting all sorts of new objects along the way. From firetruck-driving Red to fashion doll-helping Blue, and Esteban off taming a teddy bear, this adorable picture book will have everyone laughing out loud.

10. The Wild Robot on the Island by Peter Brown

A companion to the fan-favorite Wild Robot series, this beautifully illustrated picture book follows Ron, a robot who’s not built for the wild! After washing up on an island, she must learn from the local animals to survive. This heartwarming adventure is perfect for new readers and longtime fans alike. Get ready for an island journey filled with surprises, friendship, and a whole lot of heart. 

Middle School Books:

11. The Ripple Effect by Rebecca Caprara

Zella’s big class prank might’ve flopped, but when she’s given a second chance to have a lasting impact, she learns that kindness and connection can make a bigger difference than she ever imagined. Told through alternating perspectives, this heartwarming story is perfect for young readers looking for a sweet tale of personal growth. 

12. Cousins in the Time of Magic by Emma Otheguy 

When three cousins stumble upon a time portal in their aunt’s yard, they’re transported back to 1862, right into the heart of the Battle of Puebla! Jorge, Camila, and Siggy must work together to deliver a magical sword to General Zaragoza and help ensure history unfolds as it should. This enchanting middle-grade fantasy brings history to life and celebrates the power of family and cultural heritage. 

13. Cincinnati Lee, Curse Breaker by Heidi Heilig

Cincinnati Lee’s great-great-grandfather’s legendary adventures have left her with a big problem, she’s cursed! To break the family curse, Cincinnati must track down and return the ancient artifacts her ancestor “saved” from history. Full of action, mystery, and heart, this whirlwind adventure will have readers racing alongside Cincinnati to save the world and break the curse! 

14. Octopus Moon by Bobbie Pyron

Pearl feels overwhelmed by the changes of fifth grade and the weight of her emotions. Struggling with school, friendships, and feeling “too much” she connects with the octopuses at the aquarium, wishing she could be as tough as a turtle. Through this heartfelt story in verse, Pearl learns that even when she doesn’t feel whole, she’s still her true self, and that’s enough. 

15. The Cartoonists Club: A Graphic Novel by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud

Makayla has tons of ideas but struggles to turn them into stories, while Howard loves to draw but can’t find his spark. Lynda can’t stop drawing, but she gets stuck on perfection, and Art is just excited to try anything new. Together, they form The Cartoonists Club! This graphic novel is packed with tips, fun, and friendship, perfect for anyone looking to unleash their inner artist and storyteller.

16. Family Week by Sarah Moon

Every summer, Mac, Lina, Milo, and Avery gather for Family Week in Provincetown, MA, where LGBTQ+ families unite to celebrate love, identity, and acceptance. But this summer feels different because everything is changing. This year may be their last Family Week together, but Lina’s determined to make it unforgettable. This is a poignant coming-of-age story about navigating change, embracing identity, and finding strength in found family.

17. Dreamslinger by Graci Kim

Fourteen-year-old Aria Loveridge is no stranger to magic. She lives at a home for Dreamslingers, kids whose dreams bring them to a magical realm. When the Royal Hanguk Kingdom opens the first Dreamslinger trials, Aria sees a chance to expose dark secrets and take down the League from within. But the trials reveal more than she expected, and Aria must survive to uncover the truth about her past. 

18. The Summer of the Fortune Tellers by Lisa Greenwald

Millie, Nora, and Be an are ready for the perfect summer- babysitting, beach days, and no drama. But when homesickness, crushes, and a looming threat to the community shake things up, mysterious fortune tellers start appearing again with messages just for them. If they listen closely, the girls might just find the courage to stand up, speak out, and save their summer. 

19. The Wish Switch by Lynn Painter

Beloved #1 New York Times bestselling author Lynn Painter makes her middle grade debut with this hilarious and heartfelt magical adventure. When Emma follows her late Nana’s instructions to a secret wishing well, she hopes to make middle school perfect, but thanks to a new kid Jackson, her wishes start coming true for him instead. As chaos unfolds, they must work together to fix the magic before disaster strikes! 

20. Chef's Secret by Kelly Yang

The bestselling Front Desk series continues with Jason Yao’s biggest challenge yet, figuring out how to be the perfect boyfriend to Mia Tang. Between helping run the motel, chasing his dream of becoming a chef, and trying to make new friends, Jason is juggling more than ever. But when secrets from his past start catching up to him, he’ll have to decide if being the “perfect” boyfriend means being honest about who he really is.

Young Adult Books:

21. Wings of Starlight by Allison Saft 

A young fairy queen is determined to prove herself by stopping a monster threatening her kingdom, but instead, she finds an unexpected ally, a guardian from the forbidden Winter Woods. As they work together to save their lands, their growing bond defies ancient laws and unearths secrets that could change everything. With danger closing in, they must choose between their duty and a love that was never meant to be. 

22. Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven

Evelyn has lived, and died, across a thousand lifetimes, always at the hands of Arden, the soul forever tied to hers. But in this life, she refuses to let fate win, especially when her little sister’s survival depends on her. To break the curse, she must uncover the truth behind their deadly cycle… without falling for the one destined to kill her, again. 

23. Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid

In a world where debt is a death sentence, Inesa is chosen as the next sacrifice in Caerus’s brutal, televised hunt. Melinoë, a lethal assassin, has never failed to kill her mark, but Inesa is unlike any target before. As they battle across the wasteland, survival turns to something more, forcing them to question everything they’ve been told about fate, freedom, and each other. 

24. Oathbound by Tracy Deonn

Bree Matthews thought she could escape the dangerous world of the Legendborn Order, but now she’s bound to a monster, a deal with the elusive Shadow King that forces her to become his protege. As war looms and new threats emerge, Bree must confront the consequences of her choices, even as the shadows of the past refuse to stay buried. 

25. Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

The next thrilling installment in the beloved Hunger Games series, this fifth book takes Haymitch Abernathy into the brutal arena of the fiftieth annual Hunger Games. Torn from his family and love, he must fight against impossible odds, knowing the stakes are higher than ever before, and the consequences will echo far beyond the deadly arena. 

26. Fearless by Lauren Roberts

The thrilling conclusion to the Powerless trilogy that took BookTok by storm! Paedyn Gray and Kai Azer return to the Kingdom of Ilya, where Paedyn must make a life-altering choice that will decide not only her fate but the fate of everyone she loves. In this epic final battle of love and loyalty, the stakes are higher than ever. 

27. The Floating World by Axie Oh 

Sunho, an ex-soldier from the Under World, takes a dangerous job to track down a girl with silver light. Ren, a cheerful acrobat, unknowingly becomes the target after revealing her hidden powers during a deadly demon attack. As their paths collide, Sunho and Ren discover their pasts and destinies are far more intertwined than they could have imagined. 

28. The Survivor Wants to Die at the End by Adam Silvera

Paz Dario is ready to prove Death-Cast wrong by ending his life on his own terms. But just before he can, Alano Rosa, a boy with ties to the Death-Cast empire, saves him and the two strangers forge an unexpected bond. As they navigate their complicated relationships with death, Paz and Alano must help each other learn to live, even as a violent organization threatens their lives. 

29. Cruel Is the Light by Sophie Clark

In a world ravaged by a century-long war between humanity and demons, Selene Alleva, a skilled exorcist, and Jules Lacroix, a fierce battlefield orphan, are forced into an uneasy fake engagement to investigate a series of unprecedented demon attacks. But as their fake relationship deepens, they uncover a dangerous secret that could shatter everything they’ve known. 

30. Never Thought I'd End Up Here by Ann Liang 

Leah Zhang never expected her cousin’s wedding to go so wrong, but when a slip-up in Mandarin ruins the ceremony, her parents send her on a travel program across China to “get back to her roots”. What should be a relaxing trip quickly becomes anything but when she’s forced to share the journey with Cyrus Sui, the boy whose lie wrecked her life. But as they explore China’s beautiful cities, Leah finds herself falling for the last person she expected.

We hope these upcoming releases spark your imagination and fuel your literary adventures this season! Want to explore even more? Check out our full education catalog for even more incredible titles, or connect with an account manager to get a custom quote on these books or any others you have in mind. Here’s to a spring filled with fresh reads, new beginnings, and unforgettable journeys! Let us know what books you are most excited for this Spring!