The end of 2025 is fast approaching, and a lot of folks are thinking about their favorite books of the year. Already magazines and newspapers like School Library Journal and The New York Times have put out their best-of-lists, but what about Children's Staff here at NPL? Well, we've got you covered! Check out our 2025 faves below!
Lauren, BBTL's new Curriculum & Training Coordinator, loves We're Different and It's Totally Cool! from debut picture book author and illustrator Camey Yeh!
Marie, Program Coordinator for BBTL, chose the newest title by the inimitable Bob Shea for her 2025 pick!
BBTL's Outreach Coordinator, Heather, finds If We Were Dogs by Sophie Blackall delightful.
Caroline, Bilingual Family Literacy Assistant at BBTL, loves cats, and so of course she loves Kittybunkport by picture book author Scott Rothman!
Are you looking for a translated picture book? Destinee, Children's Program Specialist at Donelson, loves the Italian import Short Stories.
Emily, Children's Librarian at Edmondson Pike, loves The Interpreter by Oliva Abtahi. This book has received five starred reviews, so a lot of other folks love it too!
Children and Teens Librarian Magda from Thompson Lane made Broken by X. Fang her 2025 pick. Haven't read any picture books by X. Fang? Well, you are in for a treat!
Recess by Lane Smith received four starred reviews, and a big 2025 seal of approval from Pat, Children's Manager at Main!
Ashley, Children's Associate at Southeast, loves the tender and funny story of friendship that is Aggie and the Ghost. Written and illustrated by Matthew Forsythe, this picture book has received four starred reviews and appears on more than one "Best of 2025" list!
Knoxville-based writer Mary Tebo released her picture book debut The Sparrow this year, and Callie Ann, Children's Librarian at Southeast, utterly loves it.
Old Hickory's Children and Teens Associate, Kelly, loves the newest installment in Philip Christian Stead's beloved Amos McGee series, A Snow Day for Amos McGee!
Bellevue Children's Librarian Nikki was not the only NPL staffer to choose Stalactite & Stalagmite by Drew Beckmeyer as her 2025 pick for best book of the year. With four starred reviews, it's obvious that others love it too!
As for my favorite book of 2025, it's hard to choose just one (I loved Broken by X. Fang, for example), but I am going to give a shout out to Late Today by Jungyoon Huh. Originally published in Korea, this book featuring a tiny kitten in a busy city shows us how one small act can make a huge difference for someone.
We of course can't name every book we loved this year, but we hope this has piqued your interest. For other end-of-year/best-of lists, check out the links below. Remember: books always make great holiday gifts. Try before you buy at the library!
New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books
Best Picture-Book Read-Alouds of 2025
