12 of the Best New Children’s Books Coming Out in October 2025

Sleep Here, Wake There by Caio Zero (October 7)

Every morning, César wakes up at his aunt’s house, even though he fell asleep at home. His theories range from sleepwalking to extraterrestrial visitors, so he tries his best to stay up all night and catch the culprit in this sweet picture book.

Mary Oliver, Holding on to Wonder by Erin Frankel and Jasu Hu (October 14)

When Mary Oliver was a little girl, she loved to spend time in nature and wonder about the plants and animals she saw. This picture book biography is a beautiful introduction to Oliver’s poetry that inspires young readers to ask questions about the world around them.

And They Walk On by Kevin Maillard and Rafael López (October 14)

When his grandmother passes away, a young boy struggles to let go. So he continues talking to her and finds her lingering in unexpected places—like the smell of recipes she used to make. Does grief have to be a final goodbye, or can this boy find ways to hold onto his grandmother’s love?

Broken by X. Fang (October 14)

Mei Mei was supposed to spend a relaxing day with her ama. But when she accidentally breaks Ama’s cup, she panics and blames it on the cat. Is there anything Mei Mei can do to set things right, or is she (and the cup) doomed?

Curry Means More by Maria Marianayagam (October 28)

Shirin’s friend Charlotte has never eaten curry before. How can Shirin describe a food that can encompass so many ingredients, flavors, and traditions? As the two girls cook a curry dish with Shirin’s mom, they discover that love is ultimately what makes a meal.

Busted by Dan Gemeinhart (October 7)

Oscar Aberdeen lives with his grandpa at the Sunny Days retirement home—or at least he did until his grandpa was served an eviction notice. This leaves Oscar with no choice but to make a deal with Jimmy Deluca, a resident who offers a reward of hidden treasure if Oscar can help him escape Sunny Days.

Bunns Rabbit by Alan Barillaro (October 7)

Bunns Rabbit is a “bad omen bunny”— or so the villagers call her. The elders believe her short ears will bring bad luck to their community. When her family is threatened with banishment, Bunns sets off into the world in search of belonging.

Dragonborn by Struan Murray (October 14)

Alex Evans may seem like an ordinary girl, but inside her is a sleeping dragon. When her father’s death and her mother’s overprotective rules push her to the brink, the dragon within awakens. But she’s not the only dragonborn, and there are some who wish to burn the Earth in a war against humans. Only Alex and a group of dragon children stand a chance at bringing peace.

A Glimmer of Change by Elle McNicoll (October 14)

This prequel to McNicoll’s award-winning A Kind of Spark stars Keedie Darrow, an autistic 13-year-old girl living in a small Scottish town. When her friend group is targeted by school bullies, Keedie starts an anti-bullying agency, which leads to unexpectedly tricky situations.

The Beasts Beneath the Winds: Tales of Southeast Asia’s Mythical Creatures by Hanna Alkaf (October 21)

This illustrated anthology is perfect for young mythology lovers! In each chapter, children encounter cryptids from Southeast Asian folklore and find both danger and adventure in their midst.

The Cassette Tape Secret by Danielle Herzog (October 21)

For 13-year-old Alex, life with obsessive-compulsive disorder means hiding as much as he can to fit in. But when he’s paired with a new girl named Ida to work on a class project, he learns that he’s not the only one with struggles and that he doesn’t have to face them alone. October 12-18 is the annual OCD Awareness Week, so this is a thoughtful and timely read!

Fooled by Susan Haas and Lexi Haas (October 21)

Sixth grader Lil Evers is an aspiring wizard stuck in an unfortunately mundane world. Thankfully, her friends in the Exceptional Children’s program are happy to pretend like they’re attending a magic school. When Lil waves her wand at a bully, she accidentally tricks the whole school into believing she can cast spells. But, like the magic in her favorite books, it doesn’t take long for consequences to arise.

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