2025 ALSC Notable Children's Books — YoungerLike this list

57 items

• Abuelo, the Sea, and Me

  Williams, Ismée,

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  In this Cuban American family's immigration story, an abuelo shares stories of his childhood in Havana with his granddaughter as they spend time together visiting the ocean throughout the year.

• Adela's Mariachi Band

  Vega, Denise,

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  Adela longs to join her family's mariachi band but struggles to find where she belongs—until she discovers the perfect way to share her love of their music.

• Ahoy!

  Blackall, Sophie,

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  A child and parent embark on a high-seas adventure without leaving their living room, celebrating the boundless possibilities of imagination.

• Barnaby Unboxed!

  Fan, Terry,

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  "Perfect Pet" Barnaby feels loving attention, jealousy, and heartbreak in this lost-and-found tale of resiliency and reunion.

• Be Careful, Xiao Xin!

  Pung, Alice,

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  Xiao Xin believes he is a fearless Red Fire Warrior, but his family thinks the world is too dangerous for him—can he inspire them to trust his bravery? A bilingual tale told in English and Chinese.

• Being Home

  Sorell, Traci,

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  A young Cherokee girl eagerly moves with her mother from the city to their ancestral homeland, embracing family, nature, and the comforting rhythm of being home.

• The Book That Almost Rhymed

  Abed, Omar,

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  An earnest boy's rhymes are hilariously hijacked by his little sister's unexpected twists, leading to a collaboration that proves two storytellers can make a tale twice as nice.

• The Boy and the Elephant

  Blackwood, Freya,

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  In a bustling city, a young boy finds solace in a small patch of green space, where he imagines an elephant among the trees. When developers threaten his sanctuary, he takes action to protect it.

• Built to Last

  Lê, Minh, 1979-

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  Two boys literally bump into each other while building with blocks, and a friendship is born. As they grow, their imaginative creations become increasingly elaborate until one fails spectacularly.

• Chooch Helped

  Rogers, Andrea L./ Kunz, Rebecca Lee (ILT)

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  Chooch’s “help” frustrates his older sister, but her anger softens as she realizes her role in teaching by example and chooses to model love and patience.

• Desert Song

  Kemp, Laekan Zea,

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  As the sun sets over the Texas desert, a family gathers on their porch to play music, harmonizing with the nocturnal creatures and connecting with their ancestors under the starry sky.

• Dive, Dive Into the Night Sea

  Lu, Thea,

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  Mixed-media illustrations, rich with texture and mystery, and creative lift-the-flap opportunities reveal wonders of the night sea.

• Dog Vs. Strawberry

  Buchet, Nelly,

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  A competitive but ungainly hound engages in an epic race against a strawberry across the living room, showcasing a delightful blend of humor and imagination.

• Drawn Onward

  Nayeri, Daniel,

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  In this picture-book palindrome, a grieving boy embarks on a fantastical quest, discovering that those we love are never truly gone.

• The Dream Catcher

  Verdad, Marcelo,

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  As Miguelito works with his abuelo selling dream catchers and coconuts, he dreams of being with his parents and ultimately finds beauty in the here and now.

• Exactly as Planned

  Nyeu, Tao,

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  Cleverly presenting two perspectives, this friendship story shows how Fox and Moose each experience the same day differently.

• The First Week of School

  Beckmeyer, Drew,

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  At the beginning of the school year, Pat, the class pet, is the only one who notices the new student might be a bit out of this world.

• A Flicker of Hope

  Harmony, Cynthia,

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  A parallel story of migrants and monarch butterflies, told from the perspective of a young girl as she waits for her father to return home.

• Fox Versus Fox

  Tabor, Corey R.,

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  Can there be more than one Fox? Red Fox puts a white Arctic Fox to the test, resulting in a budding new friendship.

• Go and Get With Rex

  LaRochelle, David,

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  Jack, Jill, and their dog Rex play a game of "Go and Get," fetching items that start with specific letters, but Rex's unconventional choices add a humorous twist to this alphabetical adventure.