Books
From rowdy forest animals to wig-loving goths: These are the best children’s books of 2025
From rowdy forest animals to wig-loving goths: These are the best children’s books of 2025
Here is our pick of 2025’s books for kids, by age group. Your Christmas list sorted
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt author Michael Rosen: ‘Life is harder for kids now than it was in 1989’
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt author Michael Rosen: ‘Life is harder for kids now than it was in 1989’
Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury’s exclusive new story for the Big Issue features a family living on the breadline
Top 5 books featuring animals, chosen by author and illustrator Andrea Cáceres
Top 5 books featuring animals, chosen by author and illustrator Andrea Cáceres
Heartfelt and visually stunning books that celebrate the animal kingdom
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt creators reunite to tell new, exclusive Christmas tale for Big Issue
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt creators reunite to tell new, exclusive Christmas tale for Big Issue
The Wax Child by Olga Ravn review – a portrait of women on the outskirts
The Wax Child by Olga Ravn review – a portrait of women on the outskirts
Nymph by Stephanie LaCava review – hollowing out the espionage genre
Nymph by Stephanie LaCava review – hollowing out the espionage genre
Top 5 Books for under-13s, chosen by children’s author Sophie Kirtley
Top 5 Books for under-13s, chosen by children’s author Sophie Kirtley
Science writer Alex Riley: ‘Even if humans cause mass extinction, life will still endure’
Science writer Alex Riley: ‘Even if humans cause mass extinction, life will still endure’
Men in the Sun and Other Palestinian Stories by Ghassan Kanafani review – diaspora, flight and exile
Men in the Sun and Other Palestinian Stories by Ghassan Kanafani review – diaspora, flight and exile
The Tower by Thea Lenarduzzi review – a strange, engrossing literary hall of mirrors
The Tower by Thea Lenarduzzi review – a strange, engrossing literary hall of mirrors
Top 5 books about the struggle of man in nature, chosen by author Cynan Jones
Top 5 books about the struggle of man in nature, chosen by author Cynan Jones
A Long Winter by Colm Toíbín review – a short but brilliant piece of fiction
A Long Winter by Colm Toíbín review – a short but brilliant piece of fiction
Artist Oliver Jeffers: ‘I want to be able to look my kids in the eye and say that I tried’
Artist Oliver Jeffers: ‘I want to be able to look my kids in the eye and say that I tried’
Top 5 queer love stories, chosen by poet, playwright and novelist Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Top 5 queer love stories, chosen by poet, playwright and novelist Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Philanthropist and banker John Studzinski: ‘I have never forgotten what Mother Teresa told me…’
Philanthropist and banker John Studzinski: ‘I have never forgotten what Mother Teresa told me…’
The Expansion Project by Ben Pester review – a surreal dismantling of corporate culture
The Expansion Project by Ben Pester review – a surreal dismantling of corporate culture
Blood Book by Kim de l’Horizon review – extended meditations on non-binary identity
Blood Book by Kim de l’Horizon review – extended meditations on non-binary identity
Top 5 Balkan books, chosen by Slovenian author and journalist Ana Schnabl
Top 5 Balkan books, chosen by Slovenian author and journalist Ana Schnabl
A Fine Line Between Stupid and Clever: The Story of Spinal Tap review – give them some money
A Fine Line Between Stupid and Clever: The Story of Spinal Tap review – give them some money
Top 5 locked room mysteries, chosen by fantasy writer Tim Major
Top 5 locked room mysteries, chosen by fantasy writer Tim Major
Relearning to Read by Ann Morgan review – eye-opening and revelatory
Relearning to Read by Ann Morgan review – eye-opening and revelatory
100,000 Birthdays by Cynthia Rogerson review – as fun as it is profound
100,000 Birthdays by Cynthia Rogerson review – as fun as it is profound
Top 5 books about migration and personal journeys, chosen by Gosia Buzzanca
Top 5 books about migration and personal journeys, chosen by Gosia Buzzanca
Will There Ever Be Another You by Patricia Lockwood review – evoking our collective Covid brain fog
