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Each year at Toppsta, we publish our Best Books of the Year lists by age, from picture books right through to young adult. This page brings all of those books together in one place, a celebration of the children’s books that really stood out, across every stage of reading.
Toppsta is built around reader's voices and particularly the opinions of children. We’re a reading community where young readers review books in their own words, helping other children but also parents, teachers and librarians discover stories they’ll genuinely love. That means our lists aren’t shaped by sales charts or celebrity authors but by how books land with real readers.
You might notice that some very popular or heavily promoted titles don’t appear here and that’s intentional. Our aim is to champion brilliant writing, originality and emotional impact, whether that comes from an established author or a debut. We actively support lesser-known writers and books that might otherwise be overlooked, but which children connect with deeply.
You’ll also find a list of children’s books enjoyed by adults. Many of us genuinely love reading children’s books, for the joy, comfort and quality of the storytelling. Adults are also key gatekeepers in children’s reading lives, often choosing and recommending the books that get read. So we're proud to include the children's books adults have enjoyed themselves, and are keen to pass on, read aloud and champion.
Taken together, these books offer a snapshot of the stories children have loved most in 2025 and there's everything from funny, thoughtful, adventurous, comforting and surprising books. Whether you’re looking for a first read-aloud, a confidence-boosting chapter book, a brilliant graphic novel, or something to completely lose yourself in, you’ll find our recommendations below, all shaped by the readers who matter most.
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