4 Children’s Booksellers On Their Favorite Kids Books of 2022 (So Far!)

For ages 2-4: "The back and forth word play in Spanish and English between bird and dinosaur make this bilingual book a treat to read to the toddler set."

For ages 3-5: "I loved finding out about all the big, small, in-between and deliciously surprising things in this picture book for all ages."

For ages 4-8: "This is an essential picture book for kids (and adults) who ever felt ashamed of their natural features, especially the largely underrepresented Asian boy. I especially love how Joanna Ho celebrates the monolid eye shape as a gift passed down through generations and how Dung Ho's warm illustrations seem to illuminate the page."

For ages 6-10: "This new early graphic had me laughing and smiling throughout. I absolutely loved the medieval flare incorporated amongst common backyard critters like rolly pollys and snails, who use the power of bravery and delicious lemon cake to overcome an obstacle and make a new friend."

For ages 8-12: "This middle grade graphic has it all: punchy post-apocalyptic worldbuilding, a faraway battle that pulls all grown-ups out of the picture, and a wacky team of supernaturally quirky kids (save our hero) left to hold down the fort and protect each other from the mutant perils of the outside world. I can’t wait for fans of Last Kids on Earth and Fart Quest to discover this gem!"

For ages 8-12: "Loved this novel for 10 and up because of the friendship between June and Tyrell who tell their story of braving life in a homeless shelter."

For ages 8-12: "This book is important, depicting multiple biographical accounts of young indigenous and people of color on the front lines fighting for climate and social justice. These folks demand to be heard, so please do them, yourself and our planet a favor, and listen."

For ages 9-12: "Formerly published in 2015 with the title George, this beautiful middle grade story about a transgender girl Melissa is now republished to reflect the name the main character wants folks to know her as, and that just makes me so excited!!! The new title gives well deserved power to a main character you will be cheering for as she tries for the role of Charlotte in her class play."

For ages 9-13: "I grew up reading and rereading Harry Potter, and this series instantly sparked that same fantastical obsession. The writing is both spooky and magical, with an introverted main character, Rosie, who is unexpectantly thrust into the role of witch hunter. I have loved to follow her exponential growth over the first two books and can't wait for the final third book to come out."

For ages 10 and up: "I’m always searching for books that experiment with form, and this atypical biography about sci-fi pioneer Octavia Butler–made up of scanned images, concrete poems, and prose– took me on a celestial reading journey and showed me a magical new way to think about storytelling."