Finding the perfect book for a child can feel like striking gold. This is especially true when that book sparks imagination, encourages curiosity, or helps them see the world in a whole new way. Over the years, we’ve discovered some truly outstanding reads that have captured the hearts (and giggles) of the little ones in our lives. Whether you’re looking for bedtime favorites, classroom treasures, or page-turners for independent readers, we’ve rounded up a collection of books for kids that stand out for all the right reasons. These are the stories kids ask to read “just one more time.” We’re excited to share them with you!
Percy Jackson and the Olympians The Percy Jackson Coloring Book
Demigods, grab your pencils – adventure awaits!
For over a decade, Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians has captivated millions of young readers, parents, and educators by bringing ancient Greek mythology to life in a fun, fresh, and modern way. Now, fans of all ages can bring Percy’s world to life themselves with The Percy Jackson Coloring Book.
Packed with detailed illustrations, iconic characters, and dramatic scenes, this large-format paperback invites readers to color their way through Camp Half-Blood, Mount Olympus, and beyond. It’s perfect for introducing young readers to the series. It also lets longtime fans relive their favorite moments and enhances classroom lessons on Greek mythology.
Whether you’re new to Percy’s world or a seasoned demigod, this coloring book is a fun and creative journey you won’t want to miss!
Coloring Animal Manadalas
Kids love to color, but did you know it can be just as calming and rewarding for adults? Mandalas have been used for centuries in meditation and healing. Coloring Animal Mandalas brings that tradition to life with the beauty of the animal kingdom. Inside, you’ll find intricate designs featuring everything from butterflies, tigers, and swans to snakes, peacocks, and seahorses. There’s even the occasional unicorn! This book truly has something for everyone. I enjoyed it so much that I’m tempted to treat myself to a better set of colored pencils just to bring out all the details. The creative possibilities are endless. Honestly, it’s a book you may find yourself fighting your kids over! So tell me, what animal would you be most excited to color?
Books open doors to imagination, creativity, and lifelong learning. They are some of the most valuable gifts we can give children. From heartwarming stories to adventurous tales, the right book can inspire, entertain, and even shape how a child sees the world. I hope this list of outstanding books for kids has sparked some ideas for the young readers in your life. Which story do you think they’ll want to dive into first?
Hugs For Snoopy
Back-to-school season is in full swing, and kids are already buried in homework and textbooks. But Snoopy has a reminder for parents and kids alike—don’t forget to take a break and have some fun! Two new Peanuts-themed books are here to do just that. The first, “Hugs for Snoopy” from Simon Spotlight, is a sweet novelty board book featuring a touchable, huggable plush Snoopy face right on the cover.
Whether you’re happy, sad, lost, or found, nothing warms the heart like a hug—and Snoopy proves it on every page. From earning a hug from Linus to snuggling Woodstock through the sniffles to sharing a cuddle with Charlie Brown, this book captures all the cozy charm of Peanuts. It’s a heartwarming read that lets Peanuts fans of all ages feel the love.
Calvin, Look Out!: A Bookworm Birdie Gets Glasses
Everybody’s favorite book-loving birdie, Calvin, is back, and this time, he’s having trouble seeing! When he reads the word “wagons,” it looks like “dragons,” and he’s stumbling over chairs at the library. The problem? Calvin needs glasses! But when he shows off his new specs, his family just teases him. Poor Calvin.
Things take a turn when Calvin gets lost in the forest and it’s his glasses (and clever thinking) that help him find the way. Suddenly, everyone realizes how important glasses are, and Calvin’s whole flock becomes the coolest crew of starlings in the sky.
Calvin, Look Out!: A Bookworm Birdie Gets Glasses is a heartwarming and relatable story, particularly for families with young children who wear glasses. Both of my kids have worn glasses since they were three years old, and this book would have been such a comfort back then. If your child is about to get glasses (or already wears them) this story is a wonderful way to remind them that glasses aren’t just helpful, they can be super cool. Highly recommended!
The LEGO Build-It Book, Vol. 1: Amazing Vehicles
With just one collection of LEGO® bricks, you can create 10 awesome models from a speedy Go-Kart to a detailed Rescue Truck. The LEGO Build-It Book, Vol. 1: Amazing Vehicles makes it easy! Honestly, my husband enjoyed this book just as much as Madison and Will did. There are endless ways to build with LEGO, and this guide really shows you how.
Here are just a few of the builds included:
- Off-Roader
- Go-Kart
- Muscle Car
- Stroller
- Multi-Purpose Truck
- Historic Racer
- Classic Car
- Wheel Loader
- Street Rod
- Rescue Truck
The best part? You don’t need any special pieces. With a standard LEGO set, you can make all these cool vehicles. Each project comes with step-by-step picture instructions that even I could follow, and that means hours of creative, hands-on fun for the whole family.
We absolutely loved The LEGO Build-It Book, Vol. 1: Amazing Vehicles, and I can only recommend it for any LEGO fan in your house!
Aesop’s 1st Book of Childhood Adventures: Aesop’s fables and other short stories
Aesop’s 1st Book of Childhood Adventures: Aesop’s Fables and Other Short Stories reimagines three classic fables—The Tortoise and the Hare, The Friends and the Bear, and The Crow and the Pitcher through the eyes of a curious child. In this unique series, Aesop himself is portrayed as a raccoon, learning about the world by observing, exploring, and asking questions.
Two of the stories (The Friends and the Bear and The Crow and the Pitcher) were new to me, which made this book especially intriguing. Each tale is filled with timeless lessons, but what I loved most is the way Aesop learns through real-life experiences and self-motivation. That’s exactly how our own kids learn best.
This book encourages children to nurture their natural curiosity, seek out answers, and feel empowered to never stop asking “why.” It’s a refreshing take on classic fables and a wonderful resource for both teaching and inspiring young readers.
The Interactive Art Book
Discover the fundamentals of art (light and color, pattern and composition, narrative, style, movement, and more) in a whole new way. The Interactive Art Book uses inventive paper engineering to bring these concepts to life with clever pop-ups and lift-the-flaps. From the Dutch masters to the Impressionists and even Picasso, this hands-on activity book makes art exciting and accessible for readers of all ages.
Inside you’ll find:
- 60 masterpieces (25 with interactive flaps) that highlight the process of making and appreciating art.
- 12 three-dimensional models demonstrating perspective, color-mixing, the illusion of movement, abstract composition, and more.
- An 18-page removable Activity Book with creative projects like prints, collages, scratch pictures, potato prints, and sculptures.
I absolutely love this book. With so many schools cutting back on art programs, resources like The Interactive Art Bookfeel more important than ever. It makes learning about art approachable, fun, and hands-on. Both of my kids (ages 5 and 9) enjoyed exploring it and I’ll admit, I had fun flipping flaps and even learned a thing or two myself!
This is a fantastic introduction to art, whether you’re a parent, teacher, or simply an art lover. The Interactive Art Book is a must-have for your bookshelf, and I highly recommend it!
The Third Wheel (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Book 7)
Greg Heffley refuses to be the odd one out.
When a school dance has everyone scrambling for a partner, Greg is determined not to get left behind. Desperate to find a date, he hatches a series of schemes to secure someone (anyone) for the big night.
Of course, nothing goes as planned. In true Greg fashion, his ideas backfire spectacularly, and he ends up heading to the dance with his best friend Rowley Jefferson and a girl from their class… as a so-called “group of friends.” But the night is full of surprises, and things don’t turn out the way anyone expects. Who will walk away a winner, and who will be stuck as the third wheel?
For longtime Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans, this installment delivers all the laughs, awkward moments, and relatable middle school drama you know and love.
Don’t Let the Pigeon Finish This Activity Book
The Pigeon really, really wants to finish this activity book—but Duckling keeps getting in the way! And to make things even more chaotic, a brand-new character shows up, stirring up all sorts of trouble. Luckily, the Bus Driver is there to guide you as you write, color, draw, create—even build an airport—in this interactive, laugh-out-loud book starring the Pigeon and YOU!
I absolutely love this book—it’s massive and packed with fun activities to keep kids entertained. It’s perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon or a long car ride when boredom usually strikes. Both of my kids (ages 5 and 8) found plenty to do inside, which makes it a big win in my house.
Don’t Let the Pigeon Finish This Activity Book! is a must-have for any young fan of Mo Willems’ beloved Pigeon series. I highly recommend picking up a copy. You won’t regret it!
Books open doors to imagination, creativity, and lifelong learning, making them some of the most valuable gifts we can give children. From heartwarming stories to adventurous tales, the right book can inspire, entertain, and even shape how a child sees the world. I hope this list of outstanding books for kids has sparked some ideas for the young readers in your life. Which story do you think they’ll want to dive into first?