Children's Books from 2019

Last updated: January 31, 2020

There is no shortage of wonderful children's books out there, with some truly great picks that came out in 2019. These middle-grade novels and picture books are sure to engage and delight everyone from a reluctant reader to an avid bookworm. Some of the books on this list became instant classics with their moving stories, gorgeous art, and kid-friendly characters. Check out this list on your way to the library or bookstore. And if you'd prefer to see the latest kids' offerings, take a look at our list of New Children's Books 2020.

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Cerca / Close Poster Image

BOOK

Cerca / Close

age 2+

Engaging, simple bilingual book shows what "close" means.

Juan Felipe Herrera Board (2019)

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Lejos / Far Poster Image

BOOK

Lejos / Far

age 2+

Charming, fun, bilingual lesson on what "far" means.

Juan Felipe Herrera Board (2019)

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So Many Sounds Poster Image

BOOK

So Many Sounds

age 2+

Fun exploration of everyday noises all around us.

Tim McCanna Picture Book (2017)

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This Is Baby Poster Image

BOOK

This Is Baby

age 2+

Lively lesson in naming body parts -- human and animal.

Jimmy Fallon Picture Book (2019)

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A Piglet Named Mercy Poster Image

BOOK

A Piglet Named Mercy

age 3+

Cute picture book origin story of popular series pig.

Kate DiCamillo Picture Book (2019)

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Across the Bay Poster Image

BOOK

Across the Bay

age 3+

Emotional but unlikely journey of boy in Old San Juan.

Carlos Aponte Picture Book (2019)

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Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border Poster Image

BOOK

Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border

age 3+

Heartwarming Christmas story set at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Mitali Perkins Picture Book (2019)

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Días y días / Days and Days Poster Image

BOOK

Días y días / Days and Days

age 3+

Engaging art and spare text teach about seasons.

Ginger Foglesong Guy Picture Book (2019)

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Fry Bread Poster Image

BOOK

Fry Bread

age 3+

Lyrical tale shows role of special food in family, culture.

Kevin Noble Maillard Picture Book (2019)

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Grumpy Monkey Poster Image

BOOK

Grumpy Monkey

age 3+

Warm, funny lesson about a chimp's bad mood.

Suzanne Lang Picture Book (2018)

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Hair Love Poster Image

BOOK

Hair Love

age 3+

Lively, loving celebration of a dad, daughter, and her hair.

Matthew A. Cherry Picture Book (2019)

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High Five Poster Image

BOOK

High Five

age 3+

Uneven rhymes make silly hand-slapping contest less fun.

Adam Rubin Picture Book (2019)

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Hush, Little Bunny Poster Image

BOOK

Hush, Little Bunny

age 3+

Papa bunny protects his little one in sweet spring tale.

David Ezra Stein Picture Book (2019)

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Kiki & Jax: The Life-Changing Magic of Friendship Poster Image

BOOK

Kiki & Jax: The Life-Changing Magic of Friendship

age 3+

Upbeat pro-tidying tale shows how mess can intrude on fun.

Marie Kondo Picture Book (2019)

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Llama Llama Mess, Mess, Mess Poster Image

BOOK

Llama Llama Mess, Mess, Mess

age 3+

Llama gets a fun lesson in keeping things tidy at home.

Anna Dewdney , Reed Duncan Picture Book (2019)

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One Is a Piñata: A Book of Numbers Poster Image

BOOK

One Is a Piñata: A Book of Numbers

age 3+

Fun counting book introduces Latinx culture, Spanish words.

Roseanne Greenfield Thong Picture Book (2019)

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Roar Like a Dandelion Poster Image

BOOK

Roar Like a Dandelion

age 3+

Whimsical wordplay, wacky pictures in delightful ABC book.

Ruth Krauss Picture Book (2019)

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Señorita Mariposa Poster Image

BOOK

Señorita Mariposa

age 3+

Beautiful bilingual rhyming book about a monarch's journey.

Ben Gundersheimer Picture Book (2019)

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The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! Poster Image

BOOK

The Pigeon HAS to Go to School!

age 3+

Fresh, wacky take on first-day-of school jitters.

Mo Willems Picture Book (2019)

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The Sad Little Fact Poster Image

BOOK

The Sad Little Fact

age 3+

Wry, whimsical story of "facts" and their fake counterparts.

Jonah Winter Picture Book (2019)

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