Despite being the shortest month of the year, February has so much to offer: holidays dedicated to love, celebrations of history and culture, crisp temperatures giving way to spring greenery, and so on. Even better, this coming February has plenty of amazing books for kids on the way that readers and their grown-ups should be extra excited about!

Tales of fantasy, friendship, identity, adventure, and so much more are on the way next month, so here are our picks for the books that you and your young reader should not miss!

Picture Books

Rumpelstiltskin by Mac Barnett, illus. by Carson Ellis (2/3)

Following up on Barnett’s phenomenal retelling of The Three Billy Goats Gruff, the picture book legend pairs up with Carson Ellis for this modern rendition of a fairytale classic. In addition to Ellis’s cheeky illustrations, this version builds a winning protagonist in the miller’s daughter, with a bit more personality (and self-reliance) than previous iterations.

Jayden Noticed by Carolyn Crimi, illus. by Shamar Knight-Justice (2/3)

I’ll be honest: I’m a sucker for books about young introverts. In this tender tale, readers are introduced to Jayden, a “noticer” with a fondness for the details of life: the changes of the moon, a delicate spiderweb, and the special rocks he collects. When Jayden moves to a new neighborhood, he worries about the big changes in his life… but perhaps noticing the small details will lead him to a new friend.

A Home on the Page by Kao Kalia Yang, illus. by Seo Kim (2/3)

This deeply affecting and painfully timely story follows Nou, a Hmong-American girl navigating racism—both overt and subtle—in her daily life. To cope, she turns to her notebooks, where she channels her hurt, fear, and hope into a place she feels welcome. Unlike many stories on the subject, there is no tidy solution in which her aggressors face punishment or see reason, adding a depth of realism and the acknowledgement that resilience must often (but can) come from within.

Bread Is Love by Pooja Makhijani, illus. by Lavanya Naidu (2/10)

A marvelously tasty tale for young bakers, this story follows a family through their weekly ritual of baking bread. Using the slow pace and often unpredictable nature of making fresh bread as an analogy for the steady constancy of familial love and tradition, every page is as warm and comforting as a loaf fresh from the oven.

The Princess and the Grain of Rice by Tina Cho, illus. by Honee Jang (2/10)

Another fairytale retelling with a fabulously reimagined female protagonist, this title places the classic fable of The Princess and the Pea into 18th-century Korea, casting the real-life Queen Jeongsoon as the titular heroine. Gorgeously infused with Korean culture and art, Jeongsoon’s kindness, cleverness, and benevolence make her a princess that readers will love to root for as she navigates her tests of royalty.

Here Come the Aunties! by Cynthia Leitich Smith, illus. by Aphelandra (2/10)

Anyone who was raised by a close-knit community of women will tell you that “auntie” is not a title determined by bloodline. This is especially true of the aunties in River’s life, who range from family to teachers to community leaders in his Muscogee Nation reservation. A touching celebration of both Indigenous pride and what truly makes someone family, this title is a warm group hug of a read.

The Sweater: A Story of Community by Larissa Theule, illus. by Teagan White (2/10)

A heartwarming look at community support that feels especially necessary right now. When Holly the raccoon notices a newcomer to her woodland neighborhood—a small bird who appears to have “been through some things”—she knows exactly what to do. While the bird is too shy or fearful to interact at first, Holly organizes a neighborhood collection of items to help the bird settle into its new home.

Celebrate Nowruz!: A Persian New Year Holiday to Honor Spring by Zohreh Ghahremani, illus. by Susie Ghahremani (2/17)

Young Ariana is the only one in her class who celebrates Nowruz, the Persian holiday that she describes as “a birthday party for Mother Nature.” While helping her Nana and Dad prepare for the holiday, Ariana laments the fact that so many people miss out on its joys: painted eggs, tasty baklava, and fresh greens. Her Nana encourages her to invite others to celebrate with them—including the reader!

The Dream by Gideon Sterer, illus. by Nik Henderson (2/17)

In this stunning wordless picture book, a child ponders an industrial landscape and what it would take for nature to reclaim it. From there, an astonishing fantasy begins to unfurl, as towering creatures work to halt elements of natural destruction. In addition to breathtaking artwork by Henderson, this simple narrative of environmental protection is a reminder that no power is too large to fight, especially when the whole world is at stake.

Kitty Caterpillar by Annabeth Bondor-Stone and Connor White, illus. by Brigette Barrager (2/24)

Kitty Caterpillar may not look like other cats—what with the ten legs, antennae, and extra-long body—but she’s a feline in every way that matters: she loves sunny naps, cozy cardboard boxes, and her little girl, Hazel. She’s also perfectly content to be inside… until the day a butterfly chase unexpectedly leads her outdoors. A classic lost pet story with an impossibly charming critter at its center.

Middle Grade

Dante N. Ferno Is NOT a Loser by Brian Gordon (2/3)

In this delightfully weird mashup of The Divine Comedy and middle school madness, readers are introduced to Dante Nimrod Ferno, a horned tween who is having trouble with the transition to sixth grade. While dodging bullies, cliques, and a humiliating incident from his past, can Dante navigate the labyrinthine halls of Purg Middle School… and perhaps even make a friend?

Relic Hamilton, Genie Hunter by Joseph Coelho, illus. by Hyun Song We (2/3)

In this trilogy opener, 12-year-old Relic is just trying to mind his business, balancing a rough school life with helping his grandfather run their shop, Anansi Antiques. That is, until the day he accidentally unleashes a malevolent entity and gets swept into a society of genie hunters. This gripping adventure stands out for its highly relatable young protagonist, but be warned: the cliffhanger ending will leave readers eager for the forthcoming sequels.

The Lions’ Run by Sara Pennypacker, illus. by Jon Klassen (2/3)

This deeply complex novel by the author of Pax is not for the faint of heart. While main character, Lucas DuBois, is called Petit Éclair by the other boys at the orphanage for his tender nature, he is living in a time where such kindness can be dangerous: occupied France during WWII. A sometimes frightening look at often-unexplored aspects of Nazi occupation, this title still offers triumphant hope in Lucas, who proves that true courage is often rooted in a good heart.

The Nowhere Beast by Leslie Vedder, illus. by Abigail Larson (2/10)

Being a teenager can be complicated, especially when your mother is Death. Following up on the phenomenal series starter, The Labyrinth of Souls, readers are reunited with Ix Tatterfall and her friends at Candle Corps Academy. This time, however, there’s a magical test called the Reckoning and a ravenous shadow beast to contend with… as well as Ix’s feelings of self-doubt and isolation. A strong sophomore entry with a surprising resolution, this is an awesome read for new and returning fans.

Serendipity by Gabbie Benda (2/10)

Serendipity has got to be the luckiest kid in the world: from earning class president to getting the lead in the school play to winning raffles, she is effortlessly fortunate and exceedingly nice. However, her life changes drastically when a carnival mishap curses her with bad luck… forever. Bursting with color and humor, this graphic novel also offers some important lessons on setting boundaries and practicing self-care.

Some of Us Are Brave by Saadia Faruqi (2/10)

In the lead-up to 2017’s Hurricane Harvey, three middle schoolers in Houston are dealing with very different issues: Mona balances her art with caring for her young brother, Cody is being raised by racist, xenophobic messages, and Yassir is being bullied mercilessly… by Cody. When the Hurricane makes landfall, the kids must band together to survive, bridging their gaps and cementing a bond of friendship amid the floodwaters.

Goodbye, French Fry by Rin-rin Yu (2/17)

Since Ping-Ping’s father works for the U.N., she’s no stranger to travel: she gets to explore the world every summer with her family. However, her dad’s new job could relocate their household to Kenya, which is fairly daunting for a kid already wrestling with her third-culture identity. Amid dealing with racist and sexist microaggressions, nailing her taekwondo belt test, and getting new glasses, Ping-Ping’s got enough on her plate; fortunately, she’s got friends, family, and an unconquerable spirit.

Angry Girls Will Get Us Through by Rebecca Traister, apt. by Ruby Shamir (2/17)

I’ll tell you this right now, folks: this is going to be one of my favorite middle grade books of 2026. An adaptation of Traister’s writings on the power of feminine rage (especially Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women’s Anger), young readers are given a crash course on not only the history of female-led social and political revolutions, but also why the power of female anger was instrumental to their success. Infuriating, empowering, and unapologetically feminist, this book is a must. read.

Mythspeaker by Christopher Roubique (2/24)

In a fantastical world inspired by American Indigenous stories, 13-year-old Kyta has always known that he would be the one to save the world; it was prophesied when he was young, and he has been preparing for it since then. So when the Egg of the World Turtle is stolen, Kyta is ready to spring into action to steal it back… but he will need help. Immersive worldbuilding, rich characters, and surprising twists fill this adventure, including a much-appreciated subversion of the “chosen one” trope.

Hail Mariam by Huda Al-Marashi (2/24)

This story is centered on Mariam Hassan, the only Muslim and Arab student at her new Catholic school. In addition to the typical middle school woes, Mariam is juggling a lot: her community and family expectations, her young sister’s health problems, and a crisis of faith when she is cast as Mary in the school’s nativity play. Based on the author’s own experiences, this sincere exploration of identity is a nuanced yet impactful tale that encourages readers to embrace all parts of themselves.

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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 best new books of last month!