Book Lists on Imagination Soup

BOARD BOOKS

The Best Board Books for Babies and Toddlers — a curated list of kid-favorites!

PICTURE BOOKS

Age 2: 20 Best Books for Age 2

Age 3: Best Books for Age 3

Age 4 & 5: Best Books for Age 4 and 5

Aging: Children’s Books about Aging, Memory Loss, and Alzheimer’s

Alphabet: Kids’ Favorite Alphabet Picture Books

African Americans: Best Biographies for Black History Month (and anytime)

Artists: Picture Books About Famous Artists

Autism: Best Books with Characters on the Autism Spectrum

Back-to-School: Back to School Picture Books 

Baseball: Picture Books About Baseball

Bedtime: Picture Books About Going to Bed

Being Yourself: Picture Books About Growing Up and Being Yourself , Picture Books About Being True to Yourself

Biographies: Big List of the Best Picture Book Biographies 

Birds: Beautiful Bird Books for Kids

Books: Best Books About Books

Bugs: Best Children’s Books about Bugs (Insects, Worms, and Arachnids) 

Cats: Picture Books About Cats

China / Chinese Language: Picture Books About China and the Chinese Language

Christmas: Best Christmas Secular Books, Best Christmas Christian Books

Classics: Literary Classics as Picture Books

Colors: 16 Exciting Picture Books About Color

Cooperation: 17 Picture Books That Encourage Cooperation

Cumulative: Favorite Cumulative Stories for Kids

Death: Helpful Picture Books About Grief and Death

Description: Mentor Texts to Teach Description

Dinosaurs: Outstanding Dinosaur Books for Kids

Divorce: Recommended Children’s Books about Families with Divorced Parents

Dogs: Picture Books About Dogs

Ecosystems & Habitats: Picture Books About Habitats & Ecosystems

Emotions: Picture Books About Emotions, Feelings, Emotional Intelligence

Engineering: Picture Books about Engineering and Invention 

Fairy Tales: Huge List of Fairy Tale Books for Kids (with reviews), Beauty and the Beast Retellings

Fall: Wonderful Picture Books About Fall

Fears: Picture Books About Facing Fears & Finding Courage

Funny: The Funniest Funny Picture Books

Friendship: Picture Books about Playing and Sharing with FriendsPicture Books About Friendship

Ghosts: Popular Ghost Stories for Kids

Glasses: Picture Books About Kids (and Animals) Who Wear Glasses

Global Stories: Picture Books from Countries Around the World

Graduation: Best Children’s Books to Give as Graduation Gifts

Grammar: Picture Books That Teach Grammar

Grandparents: Picture Books with Stories of Loving Grandparents (Great for Grandparents Day)

Growth Mindset: 14 Growth Mindset Picture Books , Growth Mindset Biographies

Hair: Delightful Picture Books That Celebrate Hair

Halloween: Favorite Halloween Books for Kids

Holocaust: Children’s Books About the Holocaust

Imagination: Picture Book About Imagination

Immigration: Picture Books About Immigration and Migration

India: Children’s Books about India, Indian Culture, and Indian Mythology

Interactive: The Best Interactive Children’s Picture Books (That Kids Love)

Japan: Picture Books About Japan

Kindness: Picture Books About Kindness

Learning: Learning Differences in Children’s Books

LEGO: Favorite LEGO Books

Library: Picture Books That Celebrate the Library and Librarians

Love: Children’s Picture Books About Love

Manners: Picture Books About Manners

Mindfulness: Mindfulness Books for Kids

Movie Adaptations: Huge List of Children’s Books Adapted Into Movies

Moving: Picture Books for Kids Moving to a New House

Narwhal: Best Narwhal Books for Kids

Nature: Picture Books About Nature

New Sibling: Picture Books about a New Baby and Families 

Ninjas: Best Picture Books About Ninjas

Nocturnal Animals: 12 Books About Nocturnal Animals

Numbers: Counting and Number Books for Kids

Ocean Animals: 29 Books for Kids About Ocean Animals

Olympics: Children’s Books About the Winter OlympicsChildren’s Books About the Summer Olympics

Onomatopoeia: Picture Books to Teach Onomatopoeia

Personification: Picture Books That Teach Personification

Perspective: Picture Books That Teach Perspective (How You See the World)

Pets: Picture Books About Pets

Pirates: Picture Books About Pirates

Physical Disabilities: Books about People with Physical Differences (Disabilities)

Poetry: The Best Poetry Books for Kids

Pop-up: Amazing Pop-Up Books Your Kids Won’t Want to Put Down

Poverty: Picture Books About Poverty

Prejudice: Picture Books That Teach About Prejudice, Inclusion, and Tolerance

Presdent’s Day: Favorite President’s Day Books for Kids

Problem –  Solution: Mentor Texts that Teach Problem Solution

Pumpkin: 14 Pumpkin Books for Kids

Robots: Riveting Robot Books for Kids

Scientific Method: The Scientific Method in Children’s Books 

Seasons: Picture Books That Teach Kids About the Seasons

Sequence: Books that Teach Sequencing (Beginning, Middle, and End)

Shapes: 15 Fun Books About Shapes

Sharks: Shark Week Books for Kids

Shoes: Picture Books About Shoes

Siblings: Warm-hearted Books About Siblings

Similes & Metaphors: Mentor Texts to Teach Similes & Metaphors

Space / Solar System: Best Books for Kids About Space

Spring: Cheerful Children’s Books About Spring

STEM Science, tech, engineering, and math: STEM Picture Books

Story: 20 Picture Books About Writing a Story (Mentor Texts for Writing Workshop)

Superheroes: Superhero Books for Kids

Thanksgiving: Best Thanksgiving Books for Kids

Trees: Children’s Books About Trees

Trucks: Picture Books about Trucks

Unicorns: 22 Magical Children’s Books About Unicorns

Valentine’s Day: Best Valentine’s Day Books 

Vehicles: Picture Books about Vehicles

Voting: Children’s (Picture) Books about the Election and Voting

Women’s History: Best Biographies for Women’s History Month

Wordless: The Best Wordless Picture Books + Activities

Words: Picture Books About Words and Wordplay

Yoga: Yoga Books for Children

Best Picture Books of 2018

Best Picture Books of 2017

Best Picture Books of 2016

Best Picture Books of 2015

Best Picture Books of 2014

Best Picture Books of 2013

Newbery and Caldeott Winners 2015

Newbery and Caldecott Winners 2016

Newbery and Caldecott Winners 2017

Newbery and Caldecott Winners 2018

60 Multicultural Children’s Picture Books with Diverse Main Characters

Books (Author Study) of Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Books (Author Study) of Robert Munsch

Books (Author Study) of Mo Willems

Books (Author Study) of Audrey Wood

READ ALOUD BOOKS

Read Aloud Books for 1st Grade

Read Aloud Books for 2nd Grade

Read Aloud Books for 3rd Grade

Read Aloud Books for 4th Grade

Read Aloud Books for 5th Grade

Read Aloud Books for 6th Grade

Read Alouds for Families With Kids of Different Ages

CHAPTER BOOKS

5- and 6-year-olds:
Best Easy Reader Books for 5 and 6 Year Olds 
Best NONFICTION Books for 5 and 6 Year Olds

6- and 7-Year-Olds:
Best Easy / Beginning Chapter Books for 6- and 7- Year- Olds 

7-Year-Olds:
Best Books for 7 Year Olds (2nd Grade)
18 Fantastic Chapter Book Series for 2nd Graders (7-Years-Old)
Best NONFICTION Books for 7-Year-Olds

8-Year-Olds:
Best Books for 8-Year-Olds (3rd Grade)
24 Book Series for 3rd Graders (8-Years-Old)
Best NONFICTION Books for 8-Year-Olds

9-Year-Olds:
Best Books for 9 Year Olds (4th Grade)
32 Book Series for 4th Graders (9-Years-Old)
Best NONFICTION Books for 9-Year-Olds

10-Year-Olds:
Best Books for 10-Year Olds (5th Grade)
27 Book Series for 5th Graders (10-Years-Old)
Best NONFICTION Books for 10-Year-Olds

11-Year-Olds:
Best Books for 11-Year Olds (6th Grade)
26 Book Series for 6th Graders (11-Years-Old)
Best NONFICTION Books for 11-Year-Olds

12-Year-Olds:
Best Books for 12-Year Olds (7th Grade) 
Best Book Series for 7th Graders
Best NONFICTION Books for 12-Year-Olds

13+:
Best Books for Teens

CHAPTER BOOKS BY GENRE

Adventure

Fantasy

Funny

Graphic Novels

Historical Fiction

Mystery

Realistic

Scary

Science Fiction

BEGINNING CHAPTER BOOKS

Best Beginning / Easy Chapter Books 

Wholesome Easy Chapter Books for Girls

Wholesome Easy Chapter Books for Boys

30 Beginning Chapter Books with Diverse Main Characters

Read Alike Books for Kids Who Love The Princess in Black

If you Love The Magic Tree House, You’ll Also Like These Books

Books for Kids Who Like Junie B. Jones

CHAPTER BOOKS BY TOPIC

ALL Chapter Book Recommendations by Age

Best Boxed Book Sets for Kids

Adventure: Can’t Put Down These Adventure Chapter Books

Aging: Children’s Books about Aging, Memory Loss, and Alzheimer’s

Audiobooks: 27 Favorite Audiobooks for Families with Kids Ages 6 – 12

Autism: Best Books with Characters on the Autism Spectrum

Asia: Chapter Books Set in Asia (Japan, Chia, Korea, Mongolia, Hong Kong, and Nepal)

Baking & Cooking: Yummy Chapter Books for Foodie Kids (Who Like to Cook and Bake)

Baseball: Chapter Books About Baseball

Banned Books: Banned Books for Tweens and Teens 

Boys: Best Chapter Books for Boys,  Short Stories for Boys, Wholesome Chapter Books for Boys

Cats: Best Cats in Chapter Books

Choose Your Own Adventure: The Best Choose Your Own Adventure Chapter Books

Civil Rights: Historical Fiction Books About the Civil Rights Movement

Civil War: Chapter Books for Kids About The American Civil War

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Books for Kids Who Like Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Diverse Main Characters: Chapter Books with Diverse Main Characters

Divorce: Recommended Children’s Books about Families with Divorced Parents

Dogs: Chapter Books About Dogs

Dragons: Best Chapter Books with Dragons 

Dystopian: Best Dystopian Chapter Books for Tweens

Fairy Tales: Beauty and the Beast Retellings , Fairy Tale Mash-UpsHuge List of Fairy Tale Books for Kids (with reviews)

Fantasy: Favorite Fantasy Novels for Kids

Foster Care: 10 Chapter Books Featuring Kids in Foster Care

Funny: Funny Books Kids Love to Read

Ghosts: Popular Ghost Stories for Kids

Girls: Strong Female Protagonists You Want As Your Best Friend

Graphic Novels: The Best Graphic Novels for Kids

Greek Mythology: The Best Greek Mythology Books for Kids

Harry Potter: Books for Kids Who Love Harry Potter

Historical Fiction: Huge List of the Best Historical Fiction Books

Holocaust and WWII: Children’s Books About the Holocaust

Immigration: Chapter Books About Immigration, Refugees, and Migration

India: Children’s Books about India, Indian Culture, and Indian Mythology

Japan: Books That Take Place in Japan and Japanese Culture

Learning: Learning Differences in Children’s Books

Magical Realism: Hook Tweens on Magical Realism with These Incredible Books

Mental Illness: Mental Illness in Children’s Books

Minecraft: Favorite Minecraft Books 

Movie Adaptations: Huge List of Children’s Books Adapted Into Movies

Mysteries: Intriguing Mystery Chapter Books

Norse Myths: Norse Mythology in Fictional Chapter Books (For Magnus Chase Fans)

Physical Disabilities: Books about People with Physical Differences (Disabilities)

Poverty: Chapter Books About Poverty

Realistic: Realistic and Coming of Age Books

Revolutionary War: Historical Fiction Chapter Books about the Revolutionary War

Roald Dahl: Roald Dahl Books and Printable

Scary: Spooky, Scary Books Kids Won’t Be Able to Put Down

Science Fiction: Science Fiction Chapter Books

Scientific Method: The Scientific Method in Children’s Books 

Sherlock Holmes: Sherlock Holmes Books for Kids

Summer: Summer Vacation Books About Summer Vacation

Steampunk: Steampunk Books for Kids

Unicorns: 22 Magical Children’s Books About Unicorns

Verse: 12 Novels in Verse (That Get Kids Reading)

Westward Expansion: Historical Fiction Chapter Books About Westward Expansion

Wholesome: Wholesome Chapter Books for Girls, Wholesome Chapter Books for Boys

Zombies: Horde of Zombie Chapter Books

Best Chapter Books of 2018

Best Chapter Books of 2017

Best Chapter Books of 2016

Best Chapter Books of 2015

Best Chapter Books of 2014

Best Chapter Books of 2013

NONFICTION STEM

30 Biographies That Model a Growth Mindset

Best Nonfiction Books of 2018

Best Nonfiction Books of 2017

Best Nonfiction Books of 2015

African Americans: Best Biographies for Black History Month (and anytime)

Birds: Beautiful Bird Books for Kids

Bugs: Best Children’s Books about Bugs (Insects, Worms, and Arachnids) 

Coding: Coding Books for Kids 3 Products That Help Kids Learn to Code, 40+ Coding Classes, Websites, Games, Toys & Apps for Kids

All Nonfiction Book Reviews for Kids 

Dinosaurs: Dinosaur Books for Kids

Ecosystems & Habitats: Picture Books About Habitats & Ecosystems

Lego: The Best LEGO Building Books

Nocturnal Animals: 12 Books About Nocturnal Animals

Ocean Animals: 29 Books for Kids About Ocean Animals

Robots: Robot Books for Kids

Sharks: Shark Week Books for Kids

Space / Solar System: Best Books for Kids About Space

Spring: Cheerful Children’s Books About Spring

STEM Science, tech, engineering, and math: STEM Picture Books, STEM Beginning Chapter Book Series  , 25 Best STEM Chapter Books for Kids

Trees: Children’s Books About Trees

Voting: Children’s (Picture) Books about the Election and Voting

Women’s History: Best Biographies for Women’s History Month

SEASONAL

Christmas: Best Christmas Secular Books, Best Christmas Christian Books

Halloween: Favorite Halloween Books for Kids

Spring: Spring Picture Books

Thanksgiving: Best Thanksgiving Books for Kids

Valentine’s Day: Best Valentine’s Day Books 

Winter: Best Winter Themed Picture Books

ACTIVITY BOOKS

Activity Books (General): Awesome Activity Books Travel and Activity Books for KidsBest Activity Books for Travel

Clay: How to Make Cute Clay Creatures

Cookbooks: Favorite Cookbooks My Kids Actually Use

Mazes: Pierre the Maze Detective Coloring Book

Origami: How to Make Origami Fashion

2020 Holiday Gifts for Kids