“What are the best Kids, Children, and Youth books released in 2020?” We looked at 565 of the top Kids, Children, and Youth books, aggregating and ranking them so we could answer that very question!

The top 36 books, all appearing on 4 or more “Best Kids, Children, and Youth” book lists, are ranked below by how many times they appear. The remaining 525+ titles, as well as the sources we used, are in alphabetical order on the bottom of the page.

Our other Best Of 2020 Articles:

• The Best Art, Photography, And Coffee Table Books
• The Best AudioBooks
• The Best Biography And Memoir Books
• The Best Graphic Novels And Comics
• The Best Cookbooks
• The Best Fiction Books
• The Best Books (All Categories)
• The Best History Books
• The Best Kids, Children, and Youth Books
• The Best Mystery, Horror, and Thriller Books
• The Best Nonfiction Books
• The Best Poetry Books
• The Best Science And Nature Books
• The Best Science Fiction And Fantasy Books
• The Best Young Adult Books

Previous Years: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015

All titles have been added to a Bookshop list as well!

Happy Scrolling!

Top 36 Best Kids, Children, and Youth Books From 2020

36.) Antiracist Baby written byIbram X. Kendi

Lists It Appears On:

• Goodreads 2
• Amazon
• Book Riot
• Brightly

A #1 New York Times Bestseller! Featured in its own episode in the Netflix original show Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices! Featured on Good Morning America, NPR’s Morning Edition, CBS This Morning, and more! From the National Book Award-winning author of Stamped from the Beginning and How to Be a

35.) Becoming Muhammad Ali written byJames Patterson and Kwame Alexander, illus. by Dawud Anyabwile

Lists It Appears On:

• Publishers Weekly 2
• Amazon
• Imagination Soup
• The New York Times

Nikki Grimes, Coretta Scott King Award winning author, and acclaimed illustrator Elizabeth Zunon’s latest children’s masterpiece creates an imagination-fueled and animal-filled journey to bedtime.”Has the feel of an all-time great bedtime picture book”–The New York TimesIt’s bedtime. But Mommy’s li

34.) Echo Mountain written byLauren Wolk

Lists It Appears On:

• Publishers Weekly 2
• Bookshop Santa Cruz
• Bookpage
• NPR

“Soothing and exquisitely written.” -People “Surely there has never been a better time to read about healing, of both the body and the heart.” -The New York Times Book Review “A supple tale of struggle, ingenuity and the restorative power of generosity even in bitter times. This is a book that will

33.) Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away written byMeg Medina, illus. by Sonia Sánchez

Lists It Appears On:

• Kirkus
• NYPL
• Publishers Weekly
• Amazon

From Newbery Medalist Meg Medina comes the bittersweet story of two girls who will always be each other’s número uno, even though one is moving away. A big truck with its mouth wide open is parked at the curb, ready to gobble up Evelyn’s mirror with the stickers around the edge . . . and the sofa th

32.) Fighting Words written byKimberly Brubaker Bradley

Lists It Appears On:

• Publishers Weekly 2
• Imagination Soup
• Bookpage
• NYPL

A candid and fierce middle grade novel about sisterhood and sexual abuse, by Newbery Honor winner and #1 New York Times best seller Kimberly Brubaker Bradley Fighting Words is raw, it is real, it is necessary, a must-read for children and their adults–a total triumph in all ways. –Holly Goldberg S

31.) Julian at the Wedding written byJessica Love

Lists It Appears On:

• Waterstones
• Publishers Weekly
• The Guardian
• Book Riot

The star of Julián Is a Mermaid makes a joyful return–and finds a new friend–at a wedding to be remembered. Julián and his abuela are going to a wedding. Better yet, Julián is in the wedding. Weddings have flowers and kissing and dancing and cake. And this wedding also has a new friend named Maris

30.) Just Like Me written byVanessa Brantley-Newton

Lists It Appears On:

• Goodreads 2
• Moms
• Brightly
• Book Riot

An ode to the girl with scrapes on her knees and flowers in her hair, and every girl in between, this exquisite treasury will appeal to readers of Dear Girl and I Am Enough and have kids poring over it to find a poem that’s just for them. I am a canvas Being painted on By the words of my family Frie

29.) Mañanaland written byPam Muñoz Ryan

Lists It Appears On:

• Publishers Weekly 2
• Shelf Awareness
• NYPL
• The New York Times

Newbery Honoree Pam Muñoz Ryan weaves an entrancing tale of courage and self-discovery. Uniquely magical…Timely and timeless. — New York Times * This tightly packed, powerful fantasy contains resonant truths. — Kirkus Reviews, starred review * Another unforgettable work from a master storyteller

28.) Our Little Kitchen written byJillian Tamaki

Lists It Appears On:

• Publishers Weekly
• Washington Post
• Bookshop Santa Cruz
• The New York Times

A lively celebration of food and community from Caldecott Honoree Jillian Tamaki Tie on your apron! Roll up your sleeves! Pans are out, oven is hot, the kitchen’s all ready! Where do we start? In this lively, rousing picture book from Caldecott Honoree Jillian Tamaki, a crew of resourceful neighbors

27.) Outside In written byDeborah Underwood, illus. by Cindy Derby

Lists It Appears On:

• NPR
• NYPL
• Publishers Weekly
• The New York Times

Perfect for fans of Joyce Sidman and Julie Fogliano, Outside In reminds emerging readers of the ways nature creates and touches our lives in homes, apartments, and cars, and is the perfect homeschooling tool to reflect on the world’s connectedness.

26.) Show Me a Sign written byAnn Clare LeZotte

Lists It Appears On:

• Bookshop Santa Cruz
• Imagination Soup
• NYPL
• NPR

Deaf author and librarian Ann Clare LeZotte weaves a riveting Own Voices story inspired by the true history of a thriving deaf community on Martha’s Vineyard in the early 19th century. * A must-read. — Kirkus Review, starred review LeZotte’s novel is more than just a page-turner. Well researched an

25.) The Blue House written byPhoebe Wahl

Lists It Appears On:

• Publishers Weekly
• Kirkus
• NYPL
• NPR

In the tradition of Virginia Lee Burton’s The Little House comes a heartfelt story about a father and son learning to accept the new while honoring and celebrating the old. For as long as he can remember, Leo has lived in the blue house with his dad, but lately the neighborhood is changing. People a

24.) The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read written byRita Lorraine Hubbard Oge Mora (Illustrator)

Lists It Appears On:

• Kirkus
• NYPL
• Goodreads 2
• Amazon

Imagine learning to read at the age of 116! Discover the true story of Mary Walker, the nation’s oldest student who did just that, in this picture book from a Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator and a rising star author. In 1848, Mary Walker was born into slavery. At age 15, she was freed, and by ag

23.) The One and Only Bob written byKatherine Applegate Patricia Castelao (Illustrator)

Lists It Appears On:

• Goodreads
• Moms
• Parents
• Amazon

A #1 New York Times bestseller!Return to the unforgettable world of the Newbery Medal-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling novel The One and Only Ivan (soon to be a major motion picture!) in this incredible sequel, starring Ivan’s friend Bob!Bob sets out on a dangerous journey in search of his

22.) We Dream of Space written byErin Entrada Kelly

Lists It Appears On:

• Goodreads
• Bookpage
• NYPL
• The New York Times

Newbery Medalist and New York Times-bestselling author Erin Entrada Kelly transports readers to 1986 and introduces them to the unforgettable Cash, Fitch, and Bird Thomas in this pitch-perfect middle grade novel about family, friendship, science, and exploration. A great choice for readers of Kate D

21.) What We’ll Build: Plans For Our Together Future written byOliver Jeffers

Lists It Appears On:

• The Guardian
• Waterstones
• Barnes & Noble
• Brightly

An instant New York Times bestseller! From Oliver Jeffers, world-renowned picture book creator and illustrator of The Crayons’ Christmas, comes a gorgeously told father-daughter story and companion to the #1 New York Times bestseller Here We Are! What shall we build, you and I? Let’s gather all our

20.) Wink written byRob Harrell

Lists It Appears On:

• Imagination Soup
• Time
• NYPL
• NPR

A hilarious and heartwrenching story about surviving middle school–and an unthinkable diagnosis–while embracing life’s weirdness. Ross Maloy just wants to be a normal seventh grader. He doesn’t want to lose his hair, or wear a weird hat, or deal with the disappearing friends who don’t know what to

19.) Your Name Is a Song written byJamilah Thompkins-Bigelow, Illustrated by Luisa Uribe

Lists It Appears On:

• Kirkus
• NYPL
• Time
• Book Riot

Frustrated by a day full of teachers and classmates mispronouncing her beautiful name, a little girl tells her mother she never wants to come back to school. In response, the girl’s mother teaches her about the musicality of African, Asian, Black-American, Latinx, and Middle Eastern names on their l

18.) If You Come to Earth written bySophie Blackall

Lists It Appears On:

• Barnes & Noble
• Publishers Weekly
• Amazon
• Time
• The New York Times

From two-time Caldecott Winner author-illustrator Sophie Blackall! If You Come to Earth is a glorious guide to our home planet, and a call for us to take care of both Earth and each other. This stunning book is inspired by the thousands of children Sophie Blackall has met during her travels around t

17.) The Paper Kingdom written byHelena Ku Rhee Pascal Campion (Illustrator)

Lists It Appears On:

• NPR
• Bookpage 2
• Kirkus
• Parents
• Amazon

An office at night is reimagined as a fantastical kingdom of paper complete with friendly dragons in this own voices picture book. When the babysitter is unable to come, Daniel is woken out of bed and joins his parents as they head downtown for their jobs as nighttime office cleaners. But the story

16.) All Because You Matter written byTami Charles

Lists It Appears On:

• Barnes & Noble
• Amazon
• Kirkus
• Shelf Awareness
• NYPL
• NPR

Instant New York Times Bestseller! A lyrical, heart-lifting love letter to Black and brown children everywhere: reminding them how much they matter, that they have always mattered, and they always will, from powerhouse rising star author Tami Charles and esteemed, award-winning illustrator Bryan Col

15.) Class Act written byJerry Craft

Lists It Appears On:

• Publishers Weekly 2
• Powells
• Parents
• Bookshop Santa Cruz
• Imagination Soup
• The New York Times

New York Times bestselling author Jerry Craft returns with a companion book to New Kid, winner of the 2020 Newbery Medal, the Coretta Scott King Author Award, and the Kirkus Prize. This time, it’s Jordan’s friend Drew who takes center stage in another laugh-out-loud funny, powerful, and important st

14.) Everything Sad Is Untrue written byDaniel Nayeri

Lists It Appears On:

• Bookshop Santa Cruz
• Amazon
• Bookpage
• NYPL
• NPR
• The New York Times

At the front of a middle school classroom in Oklahoma, a boy named Khosrou (whom everyone calls “Daniel”) stands, trying to tell a story. His story. But no one believes a word he says. To them he is a dark-skinned, hairy-armed boy with a big butt whose lunch smells funny; who makes things up and tal

13.) Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera written byCandace Fleming, illus. by Eric Rohmann

Lists It Appears On:

• NPR
• Kirkus
• Shelf Awareness
• NYPL
• Publishers Weekly
• Bookshop Santa Cruz

Take to the sky with Apis, one honeybee, as she embarks on her journey through life! A tiny honeybee emerges through the wax cap of her cell. Driven to protect and take care of her hive, she cleans the nursery and feeds the larvae and the queen. But is she strong enough to fly? Not yet! Apis builds

12.) Lift written byMinh Lê, illustrated by Dan Santat

Lists It Appears On:

• Kirkus
• NYPL
• Parents
• Washington Post
• Bookshop Santa Cruz
• Book Riot

Iris loves to push the elevator buttons in her apartment building, but when it’s time to share the fun with a new member of the family, she’s pretty put out. That is, until the sudden appearance of a mysterious new button opens up entire realms of possibility, places where she can escape and explore

11.) Skunk and Badger (Skunk and Badger #1) written byAmy Timberlake, illus. by Jon Klassen

Lists It Appears On:

• Shelf Awareness
• NYPL
• School Library Journal
• Bookshop Santa Cruz
• Publishers Weekly 2
• Amazon

Wallace and Gromit meets Winnie-the-Pooh in a fresh take on a classic odd-couple friendship, from Newbery Honor author Amy Timberlake with full-color and black-and-white illustrations throughout by Caldecott Medalist Jon Klassen. No one wants a skunk. They are unwelcome on front stoops. They should

10.) Ways to Make Sunshine written byRenée Watson and Nina Mata

Lists It Appears On:

• The New York Times
• NYPL
• Publishers Weekly 2
• Powells
• Parents
• Amazon

From Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Award winner Renée Watson comes the first book in a young middle grade series about Ryan Hart, a girl who is pure spirit, kindness, and sunshine. Ryan Hart has a lot on her mind–school, self-image, and especially family. Her dad finally has a new job

9.) Before the Ever After written byJacqueline Woodson

Lists It Appears On:

• Goodreads
• Amazon
• Bookshop Santa Cruz
• Imagination Soup
• NYPL
• NPR
• The New York Times

National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson’s stirring novel-in-verse explores how a family moves forward when their glory days have passed and the cost of professional sports on Black bodies. For as long as ZJ can remember, his dad has been everyone’s hero. As a charming, talented pro football st

8.) Prairie Lotus written byLinda Sue Park

Lists It Appears On:

• Parents
• Amazon
• Washington Post
• Bookshop Santa Cruz
• Shelf Awareness
• NYPL
• NPR

Prairie Lotus is a powerful, touching, multilayered book about a girl determined to fit in and realize her dreams: getting an education, becoming a dressmaker in her father’s shop, and making at least one friend. Acclaimed, award-winning author Linda Sue Park has placed a young half-Asian girl, Hann

7.) The Old Truck written byJarrett Pumphrey and Jerome Pumphrey

Lists It Appears On:

• Shelf Awareness
• Publishers Weekly
• Amazon
• Washington Post
• Bookpage 2
• Kirkus
• NPR

When is an old truck something more? On a small, bustling farm, a resilient and steadfast pickup works tirelessly alongside the family that lives there, and becomes a part of the dreams and ambitions of the family’s young daughter.After long days and years of hard work leave the old truck rusting in

6.) You Matter written byChristian Robinson

Lists It Appears On:

• Barnes & Noble
• Publishers Weekly
• Readings
• Bookshop Santa Cruz
• NYPL
• NPR
• The New York Times

A New York Times bestseller! They All Saw a Cat meets The Important Book in this sensitive and impactful picture book about seeing the world from different points of view by Caldecott and Coretta Scott King Honoree Christian Robinson. In this full, bright, and beautiful picture book, many different

5.) I Talk Like a River written byJordan Scott, illus. by Sydney Smith

Lists It Appears On:

• NPR
• Bookpage 2
• Kirkus
• Shelf Awareness
• Publishers Weekly
• Washington Post
• Bookshop Santa Cruz
• The New York Times

What if words got stuck in the back of your mouth whenever you tried to speak? What if they never came out the way you wanted them to? Sometimes it takes a change of perspective to get the words flowing. I wake up each morning with the sounds of words all around me. And I can’t say them all . . . Wh

4.) The List of Things That Will Not Change written byRebecca Stead

Lists It Appears On:

• Goodreads
• Moms
• Publishers Weekly 2
• Powells
• Imagination Soup
• Shelf Awareness
• Time
• NPR

EIGHT STARRED REVIEWS! The reassuring book kids and families need right now. “An absolute original . . . a story that kids will love.” –R. J. Palacio, bestselling author of Wonder At a time when everything is changing for Bea and her family, the important things will always stay the same. A soon-to

3.) When Stars Are Scattered written byVictoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed

Lists It Appears On:

• NYPL
• Publishers Weekly 2
• Amazon
• Bookshop Santa Cruz
• Imagination Soup
• Time
• NPR
• The New York Times

Heartbreak and hope exist together in this remarkable graphic novel about growing up in a refugee camp, as told by a Somali refugee to the Newbery Honor-winning creator of Roller Girl. Omar and his younger brother, Hassan, have spent most of their lives in Dadaab, a refugee camp in Kenya. Life is ha

2.) I Am Every Good Thing written byDerrick Barnes, illus. by Gordon C. James

Lists It Appears On:

• NPR
• Kirkus
• NYPL
• Goodreads 2
• Publishers Weekly
• Amazon
• Bookshop Santa Cruz
• Time
• Book Riot

An upbeat, empowering, important picture book from the team that created the award-winning Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut I am a nonstop ball of energy. Powerful and full of light. I am a go-getter. A difference maker. A leader. The confident Black narrator of this book is proud of everything that m

1.) We Are Water Protectors written byCarole Lindstrom and Michaela Goade

Lists It Appears On:

• NPR
• Kirkus
• Shelf Awareness
• NYPL
• Publishers Weekly
• Powells
• Washington Post
• Bookshop Santa Cruz
• Book Riot

Inspired by the many Indigenous-led movements across North America, We Are Water Protectors issues an urgent rallying cry to safeguard the Earth’s water from harm and corruption–a bold and lyrical picture book written by Carole Lindstrom and vibrantly illustrated by Michaela Goade. Water is the fir

The 525+ Additional Best Kids, Children, and Youth Books Released In 2020

34 Best Kids, Children, and Youth Book Sources/Lists