2025 Staff Picks: Top Picks

“When it comes to 2025 picture books, I couldn’t get enough of the way Frank Morrison’s energetic and inviting illustrations bring to life Carole Boston Weatherford’s rhythmic words. Family Feast! celebrates the bonds that a family creates through cooking and sharing a meal.”

—Adrienne Waintraub, VP & Director, School and Library Marketing

“Whether you are a happy-go-lucky bird like Earl or a curmudgeon like Worm, you’ll have to agree that this new early reader series by award-winning creator Greg Pizzoli can’t be beat. These funny and heartwarming stories are great to read aloud and will delight fans of other iconic duos like Elephant and Piggie and Frog and Toad.”

—Katie Halata, Director, Library Marketing

“This thoughtful picture book tackles the difficult subject of school lockdown drills with sensitivity and care. The story not only helps children understand and manage their emotions during these drills but also provides parents and teachers with valuable resources to support their children. The poetic prose and gentle illustrations make it an engaging and reassuring read.”

—Michelle Campbell, Assistant Director, School Marketing

“It is rare to find a graphic memoir for middle grade readers as layered, heartfelt, and artful as How to Say Goodbye in Cuban by Daniel Miyares. This extraordinary story of how Miyares’s father fled Cuba as a young boy is also a relatable coming-of-age tale, artfully rendered with a level of detail that isn’t often seen in graphic novels. Black-and-white scenes open every chapter and offer historical context, making this a must-include in history classes as well as units on memoir.”

—Natalie Capogrossi, Senior Manager, School Marketing

“I have never been so riveted by a subject matter so chilling! Reigning queen of nonfiction Candace Fleming draws on firsthand accounts to masterfully chronicle the story of Jonestown in ways that illuminate, engage, and challenge readers to think critically about everything they thought they knew.”

—Katie Dutton, Manager, School and Library Digital Marketing

“This is a masterful piece of middle grade nonfiction that will captivate readers with its timely and poignant narrative. Drawing from historical archives, Nicholas Day weaves a tale that resonates deeply with today’s audience, addressing the pressing issue of climate change through the lens of human folly and hope. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to understand the impact of climate change and the importance of hope in the face of adversity.”

—Erica Trotta, Manager, Library Marketing

“A beautifully illustrated and heartwarming book about the love and the bond between a grandmother and her grandchild! One lucky girl believes her grandmother has real magic. From the way her grandmother calls to the coquíes to how she dances to bachata and how she makes flan—it must be magic. This book feels like an ode to Puerto Rico and its culture! It’s a must-read in English or in Spanish.”

—Jasmine Ferrufino, Associate, School and Library Marketing

“Any book that celebrates and highlights the utter magic of libraries is an automatic favorite of mine, and this warm, escapist middle grade has become my ultimate pick! This story so imaginatively immerses readers into a captivating and bookish adventure, but most importantly, Jeanne Birdsall paints a relatable and beautiful character in Gwen—one that all young readers (and myself) can see themselves in!”

—Taylor Belgrade, Marketing Assistant