As we slowly move out of winter, towards spring, we have plenty of new kids’ books on the way. February brings with it a bumper round of new children’s releases, from picture books to longer middle grade stories, so kids of all ages can add plenty of new reads to their TBR piles. For younger readers, there are stories to teach kids about festivals like Holi, tales of family love and bonding through the medium of bread, stories of finding a name for a furry companion, and song-based books telling the tale of important journeys. With beautiful illustrations and heartwarming messages, February’s picture book publications are a great choice for young readers and their families.
Middle grade readers can explore relatable real-world situations with stories about activism and standing up for the community, some of them taking place in fiction, others focusing on historical events and political movements. There are also some great new stories for fantasy fans, from werewolf conspiracies to supernatural tales where magic and technology blend in new and dangerous ways. Whatever the young reader in your life enjoys, there’s something for them in this February’s crop of new kids’ releases, so celebrate the end of winter with some fantastic new stories.
Picture Books
Bread Is Love by Pooja Makhijani, illustrated by Lavanya Naidu
This sweet story is the perfect family read. By looking at bread—the different ways it can be made, the simplicity of putting the ingredients together, and the scientific processes that are part of baking—Bread is Love tells a heartwarming tale of love and the bonds between family members.
Holi by Sital Gorasia Chapman, illustrated by Pranami Bora
Just in time for the celebration of Holi in March, this beautifully illustrated book is great for young kids who want to learn about this festival. Holi follows a pair of twin sisters as they take part in all the activities that surround the festival—some of which readers can join in with at home, thanks to the recipe and activities included in the book.
Abdullah’s Bear Needs a Name! by Yasmin Hanif, illustrated by Sophie Benmouyal
Abdullah is given a teddy bear as an Eid present, but he can’t work out what its name might be. When he takes the bear to school, his friends all suggest Western names, but Abdullah decides that he wants to give his bear a name similar to his own. With colourful illustrations and a cute story, Abdullah’s Bear Needs a Name! is a great read for all kids with their own beloved toys.
La Golondrina by Sonia De Los Santos and Teresa Martínez
Written in English and Spanish, La Golondrina tells the story of the connection between a girl and a swallow that she sees in the trees outside her grandmother’s home. Both the swallow and the girl are about to embark on long, life-changing journeys, but they will both find love and belonging along the way.
Middle Grade Books
The Mighty Macy by Kwame Alexander
In this empowering story, Macy finds a new book series she loves. But when she heads to her local library to borrow the second installment, she discovers that budget cuts have limited the library’s opening hours. Drawing strength and inspiration from her parents and friends, Macy steps up and advocates for her library and her community.
When the World Ends by Joanna Nadin (UK release)
Focusing on climate change and resilience, When the World Ends tells the story of two groups of kids whose lives are turned upside down by climate disaster. As the children struggle to survive in their new situation, they have to work together to find a new place and a way to survive.
The Last Wolf by Rob Biddulph (UK release)
Fans of spooky stories will love The Last Wolf, a high-stakes werewolf tale. When a werewolf attack takes place, a group of four friends are the prime suspects. Together, the friends have to find out who committed the attack, while dealing with the fallout of the event and all the suspicion that has surrounded them.
Angry Girls Will Get Us Through by Rebecca Traister
This nonfiction book for young readers counters narratives that tell girls to squash their anger down and be nice, telling them that instead, their anger is valid and can be used for good. Looking at political and social movements from history through to the present day, Traister champions angry girls and shows her readers how to channel their feelings.
Amari and the Metalwork Menace by B.B. Alston
I’m a huge fan of Alston’s Amari books, and can’t wait to dive into this fourth installment in a stellar series. Following the events of the previous books, Amari’s future at the Bureau of Supernatural Investigations is in question – however, her plan to step back for a while and work out what to do is interrupted when people both supernatural and mortal start turning into machines.
For more picture book recommendations, try Blast Off and Dream Big with These Science Fiction Picture Books. If you want to add to your middle grade TBR, check out The Most Anticipated Children’s & Middle Grade Books of 2026.
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