New year, new books on the shelf! As we welcome a new month and year in a few days, it’s the perfect time for readers to refresh their TBRs with some of the most anticipated titles releasing in January—and obviously, that includes little bookworms as well!

From cozy family stories to empowering adventures, from grounded coming-of-age tales to astounding fantasies, these are the middle grade and picture books that we are most looking forward to in January 2026.

Picture Books

The Wildest Thing by Emily Winfield Martin (1/6)

One of the modern masters of picture books returns with this absolutely stunning ode to embracing one’s wild side. Join young Eleanor as she steps into the wilderness of her imagination in a gorgeous, meditative bedtime story perfect for animal lovers, dreamers, or anyone who is happiest being their truest self.

Ai & Aiko and the Dinosaur Hug by Peter Draw (1/6)

Fans of sending GIFs might be familiar with little Ai and Aiko, the boy and his dog who love nothing more than spreading love and happiness. When the pair find a blue dinosaur shivering on a cold, snowy day, it’s the warmth of kindness to the rescue!

A Golden Eid by Hiba Noor Khan, illus. by Singgih Cahyo Jadmiko (1/6)

While Ramadan doesn’t begin until February, this lovely little book about the holiday and its concluding commemoration—Eid al-Fitr—is a great way to build excitement for the holy month. Following Hafsa’s family celebrations, readers are immersed in a sweet story with a tasty twist.

You and Me, Baby by Aisha Saeed, illus. by Ebony Glenn (1/6)

Along with the new year comes new babies, and this tender title is an ideal pick for welcoming a bundle of joy. A love letter from mother to child that embraces the trials and triumphs of that first year, this one makes a brilliant gift for expecting moms.

Proud Dog by Sharon Davey (1/13)

I absolutely love to see queer family representation in picture books, even more so when the story is such a universal one! Another great read for families expecting a new addition, this one follows the story of a slightly stressed dalmation, Dorothy, as she adapts to the massive changes that her dads’ new baby brings to the household.

Apapacho Love: A Story About Hugs from the Heart by Cynthia Harmony, illus. by Erika Meza (1/13)

For those unfamiliar, “apapachos” aren’t simply hugs, but a type of physical touch that offers comfort and healing to one’s entire soul. When Luna’s mother has to go out of town, she wonders how she will get along without her mother’s apapachos… until she realizes that hugs that come from the soul are all around her.

Just Right by Torrey Maldonado, illus. by Teresa Martínez (1/20)

Toby’s dad can be difficult to please, and his dismissal of Toby often makes the boy feel sad. However, his Uncle always makes him feel special, valued, and like he matters. A tricky yet touching look at how secondary caregivers can positively impact children’s lives, this quietly powerful story is filled with poignance, especially for those who grew up with less-than-supportive parents.

A Family of Readers by Rob Sanders, illus. by Gabbie Benda (1/20)

Everyone knows that the library is a great place to get books, but these precious places are almost always so much more! This picture book love letter to libraries follows one family as they spend a day at the library, checking in to clubs, reconnecting with friends, and exploring all that these vital community spaces have to offer.

Hugged by the Night by Harold Green III, illus. by Karabo Poppy (1/27)

Part comforting bedtime story and part celebration of Blackness, this stunning folktale from poet Green III and Poppy is breathtaking to behold. With dreamy art and affirming words that both reassure and ignite the imagination, this is a can’t-miss title that shows readers that there is great beauty in the deep, rich world of nighttime.

Stronger Than by Nikki Grimes and Stacy Wells, illus. by E. B. Lewis (1/27)

When a Black Choctaw boy named Dante struggles with nightmares, his mother encourages him to look into his family lineage, both sides of which are a testament to survival against the harsh realities of racism. Fearlessly covering the real-life tragedies of the Trail of Tears and the Tulsa Race Massacre, this read encourages young readers of color to embrace the strength that their very existences speak to.

Middle Grade

Alice with a Why by Anna James, illus. by Matthew Land (1/6)

Fans of Alice in Wonderland will want to check out this delightfully dizzy homage to Carroll’s classic. After her father’s death, Alyce (granddaughter of the original) receives an invitation to a tea party that quite literally leads her down the rabbit hole, and into a bizarre world that she had previously believed to be a product of her grandmother’s imagination.

Wallflower by Iasmin Omar Ata (1/13)

This dreamy fantasy introduces Marlena, an eighth-grade girl who experiences visions of flowers growing on the people around her, colorful blooms that express the truest feelings of their subject. Marlena has never met anyone who sees the flowers, too… that is, until Ashe transfers to her school and not only shares Marlena’s visions, but also a mysterious past connection with her.

A Tale of Plagues and Perfumes by Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski (1/13)

Speaking of fantastical mysteries, this darkly intriguing adventure follows Nia, a clever kid with a keen sense of smell who is desperate to avoid being branded a “Sinsory”—a citizen with heightened senses in a world where deadly plagues regularly sweep through the population, and religious superstition reigns.

The Moon Without Stars by Chanel Miller (1/13)

The celebrated author-illustrator of Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All makes her sophomore debut with another powerful and deeply personal coming-of-age tale. When the quiet Luna gains schoolyard notoriety for one of her zines, she is drawn into the popular crowd, leaving her best friend Scott behind. But how much of her true self is Luna willing to sacrifice to keep pace with the cool kids?

Gumshoe by Brenna Thummler (1/13)

In the dusty town of Stony Lonesome, Willa is a quiet kid who takes solace in the connections that mailing letters can bring. Yet when she is wrongly accused of being Two Gum Tilly, a notorious mail thief, she must find a way to prove her innocence. Good thing she has the able assistance of the Gumshoe Gang, a girl-powered pack of slueths eager to set things right.

A Year Without Home by V. T. Bidania (1/13)

After the Vietnam War, thousands of Hmong—Indigenous peoples of Southeast Asia—were displaced by conflict, especially those who had joined the Americans in fighting the Vietnamese forces. Gao Sheng’s father was one of those people, and now she and her loved ones are fleeing the jungle highlands of their home. A tragic tale of childhood cut short, set against the backdrop of a refugee migration largely underrepresented in children’s fiction.

Eureka by Victoria Chang (1/27)

Another powerful narrative of an often-overlooked historical event, this title follows twelve-year-old Chinese-American Mei Mei, who is sent to Eureka, California, after her parents are threatened by the crooked brokers who paid for their passage to the United States. A visceral novel in verse about racism that feels exceptionally (and unfortunately) timely, this one will resonate with readers of any age.

Run Home by Alyssa Bermudez (1/27)

An intensely personal graphic novel from memoirist Bermudez, this title follows Alyssa through her freshman year at a new high school, where her divorced parents’ mandate that she must join an athletic activity does nothing to build her confidence in making friends… until it does. An intimate balance of the everyday and the extreme, told via diary entries, this memoir is an engrossing and emotional read.

The Star of Moon Village by Jennifer Ann Richter (1/27)

Aspiring scientist Priscilla Cobb has dreamed all her life of visiting the underground scientific labs on the Moon, so when she has the opportunity to join a student research voyage, she is ecstatic. That is, until it turns out that the trip is largely a media op for teen pop sensation Starletta, and Priscilla’s research and training are pushed to the side. What’s a STEM kid to do? Use the power of science, of course!

Saber-Tooth by Robin Gow (1/27)

While Jasper used to be super-close with his big brother Callan, the two fell out before Callan left for college, and now the trans, autistic teen is feeling angry and abandoned. He starts to dig for fossils in his backyard, but it shocked to hear a voice emerging from the ground: the bones of a saber-tooth tiger, who entreats Jasper to free him by digging. But is this tiger real or imagined? What’s more… is it friend or foe?

---

We hope that you and your young readers check out the books on this list! If you’re looking for more amazing reads, be sure to check out our picks for the Top 10 Picture Books of 2025 and the Top 10 Middle Grade Books of 2025!