Start 2026 With 5 Must-Read Kids Books

2025 has been a brilliant year for young readers, offering a vibrant mix of gripping adventures, heartfelt journeys, big laughs and bold new worlds. If you’re looking to start 2026 with excitement, wonder and plenty of page-turning magic, here are five must-read kids books from 2025.

Trapped by Julia Lawrinson

In 1907, the mining town of Bonnie Vale experiences a sudden deluge of rain that floods a gold mine while miners are still at work down the shaft. Joe’s dad is one of them. And it soon becomes clear that he’s the only one who hasn’t made it back out yet. Where is he? Why didn’t he escape with the others? And more importantly, how will they rescue him? Inspired by the true story of the trapped miner of Bonnie Vale and told in verse, Julia Lawrinson weaves a tale that will beckon readers down into the gold mine with Joe’s dad to find out how the rescue unfolded.

Buy a copy of Trapped here.

Detective Beans #2: Adventures in Cat Town by Li Chen

Detective Beans is back to solve all the mysteries that you need solved, and even the ones you don’t need solved. He’s that good. In between playing Scrabble, having sleepovers and trips to the beach, there’s always time for crime solving. Whether it’s who ate Mum’s donuts, who has lost their handbag in the park, which pigeon stole King Chip, or even a burgled diamond ring, Beans is ready for anything. He’s so ready that he’s even starting a detective school – if he can find any students . . .

Buy a copy of Detective Beans #2: Adventures in Cat Town here.

The Year We Escaped by Suzanne Leal

Europe, 1940. With war on their doorstep, German classmates Klara and Rachel, and French brothers Lucien and Paul, are forced to leave their homes. They are taken to Gurs, a French detention camp in the south-west of France. It’s a crowded place, with little comfort and even less food. When Klara and Rachel are promised safe refuge in a remote French village, Lucien and Paul are anxious to join them — and will risk their own lives to get there. Filled with adventure, danger and intrigue, this is the story of four unlikely friends desperate to escape from a war that keeps coming closer.

Buy a copy of The Year We Escaped here.

A is for … a Rabbit’s Tale by Jackie Hosking, Illustrated by Lucinda Gifford

A quirky, funny and clever alphabet book with a twist – with bright and colourful illustrations by much loved illustrator Lucinda Gifford A is for A rabbit. B is for Buy this book! A hilarious alphabet story – for anyone who ever wanted a pet … and for everyone who loves a wonderful tail, um, tale with a twist!

Buy a copy of A is for…a Rabbit’s Tale here.

Oceanforged #1: The Wicked Ship by Amelia Mellor

The realm of Aquinta has fallen into a dark age. And no one knows that better than thirteen-year-old Cori, who is fighting for her life in a pirate crew more beastly than Aquinta’s sea monsters. But Cori’s life changes when she finds the Oceanforged Gauntlet – a piece of armour belonging to the legendary Champions who once ruled the islands. Whoever wears the armour wields the Champions’ magic and has the power to return Aquinta to its lost glory. Cori must begin a treacherous journey to find the rest of the armour. But first, she’ll have to escape from her captain, who craves the gauntlet’s magic for himself … The quest begins in the first instalment of an epic new fantasy adventure series from the bestselling author of The Grandest Bookshop in the World.