News

17 February 2025

BREAKING NEWS: Announcing Better Reading’s 2025 Top 50 Kids’ Books!

BREAKING NEWS: Announcing Better Reading’s 2025 Top 50 Kids’ Books!

We’re excited to unveil Better Reading’s 2025 Top 50 Kids’ Book, a remarkable collection of stories that young readers adore!

Each year, Australians cast their votes for the children’s books and authors they cherish most. The Better Reading Top 50 Kids’ list has become a beloved annual tradition, sparking conversations, celebrations and a true reflection of what captivates young readers across the country. This year’s lineup is exceptional and we can’t wait to share it with you.

And now, without further ado, the 2025 top honour goes to… drumroll… Runt by Craig Silvey! This heartwarming and hilarious story is a celebration of kindness, friendship, overcoming challenges and inspiring the best in others.

Better Reading Director Cheryl Akle says, “Congratulations Craig Silvey, we’re incredibly excited to see Runt holding strong at the top of this year’s list! Its continued popularity speaks volumes about how deeply Australian readers connect with this story. This year’s Top 50 list offers a fantastic mix of picture books to YA novels, with stories that resonate with readers of all ages. While we have much-loved classics and fan favourites that continue to stand out, it’s also exciting to see new titles making their mark”

Some other noteworthy observations:

  • Over 20 authors from the 50 featured were written by women.
  • Over 10 books from the list are classics (written before the year 2000).
  • Over 10 books from the list were written by debut authors.
  • Over 20 books feature illustrations.
  • Over 15 authors from the 50 featured were written by Australian authors.

Here is the Top 10, as voted by you:

  1. Runt by Craig Silvey.
  2. Harry Potter & the Philosophers Stone by JK Rowling.
  3. The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton.
  4. Possum Magic by Mem Fox and Julie Vivas.
  5. Are We There Yet? by Alison Lester.
  6. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.
  7. Where is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox.
  8. Life Lessons for Little Ones: You Are Enough by Jess Sanders.
  9. Tomorrow When The War Began by John Marsden.
  10. The 13-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton.

The Top 50 Kids books are available in Big W stores nationwide, bookshops and libraries. All over the country, readers use the Top 50 kids as their annual book list, counting down their reads alone, with friends, in libraries and school classrooms and on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using the hashtags #Top50Kids2023 #BRTop50Kids.

Thank you to everyone who voted in this year’s Top 50 Kids! We are pleased to announce the following seven winners who will receive a copy of all 50 books:

Sally J – ACT

Victoria N.S. – NSW

Tiahne T – QLD

Kate T – SA

Allison O – TAS

Adrian C – VIC

Joe M – WA

All winners have been notified by email.

Click here to view the full booklist

The 2025 Better Reading Top 50 Kids’ Books

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    COMMENTS

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    1. vinay sine says:
      26 February 2025 at 3:40 pm

      I like classics because of the interesting slope run content.

      Reply
    2. Wendy Bowen says:
      27 February 2025 at 10:10 pm

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    3. Jenna Copeland says:
      27 February 2025 at 10:11 pm

      Thank you for taking the time to write and share this article. It really means a lot to me. Play game Chill Guy Clicker free

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    5. Robert says:
      10 April 2025 at 11:50 pm

      This is a wonderful collection! It’s lovely to see how much care is taken in honoring tales that influence children. As a parent and someone who’s always loved to read, I’m consistently searching for good books to read with my children. Lists such as this one simplify that process greatly. I’m eager to get my hands on some of these books!

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    6. toll-byplate.com says:
      26 April 2025 at 7:25 pm

      The 2025 Better Reading Top 50 Kids’ Book list, determined by Australian readers’ votes, has been announced, with the top honor going to “Runt” by Craig Silvey. This heartwarming toll-byplate.com and humorous tale celebrating kindness, friendship, and resilience has resonated deeply with young Australian readers.

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    7. Erinvenus432 says:
      21 July 2025 at 2:05 pm

      Glad to see both classics and new releases getting love. Kids today are lucky to have such amazing stories to grow up with! Retro Bowl

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    8. marco says:
      28 July 2025 at 12:55 am

      Loved the article! If you’re curious, the full selection is over on imdb.

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    9. Kiersten says:
      3 August 2025 at 11:04 pm

      This is fantastic timing! My kids are always looking for new books, and this ‘Top 50’ list is a lifesaver. It’s so hard to choose with so many options out there. Can’t wait to dive in and find some new favorites for their Christmas list! Thanks, Better Reading! ragdoll archers

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    10. Georges says:
      3 August 2025 at 11:05 pm

      Yay! The 2025 list is out! I always look forward to this. My youngest devoured so many from last year’s recommendations. Time to see what new adventures await us this year. So excited to check out the full list! drive mad game

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    11. Amberleigh says:
      3 August 2025 at 11:06 pm

      Glad to see this! We’ve found so many gems through Better Reading’s lists over the years. For anyone wondering, don’t just stick to the top few; some of the less obvious ones further down the list have become our family’s most beloved. Highly recommend exploring the whole thing! drift boss

      Reply
    12. Beaudreau says:
      3 August 2025 at 11:08 pm

      It’s great to have a new list, but I always wonder about the selection process. Are these chosen by popularity, literary merit, or a mix? It would be interesting to see a bit more insight into how the ‘top 50’ are determined. Still, a good starting point for parents! doodle baseball

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    13. Blandford says:
      3 August 2025 at 11:09 pm

      Reading these lists always makes me nostalgic for my own childhood books. It’s so vital to foster a love for reading early on, and initiatives like this are truly invaluable. Every book opened is a new world discovered for a child. Thank you for championing kids’ literacy! For instant naming inspiration, Name Generator offers custom categories and endless ideas!

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    18. sahi says:
      6 January 2026 at 12:27 am

      good collection of books..

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