Best Storytime Books of 2025 (Preschool, Kindergarten, 1st Grade)

2025 was a big year for picture books with thousands of new titles.

Did I have time to read them all? No.
Did I still read over 500? Yes.

Did I then painstakingly narrow that list down to a top 10 for storytime read-alouds—eliminating many truly wonderful titles (but still including them in the Storytime Central database)? YES.

Here are my top ten for storytime!

Broken (2025)
By X. Fang · Published by Tundra Books

I love everything X. Fang does, and this one is a gem. It works beautifully with humorous narrative pacing, visual humor, opportunities for prediction, and discussion about problem-solving and perspective. Especially great for small- to mid-sized groups.

Cats in Construction Hats (2025)
By Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen · Illustrated by Leeza Hernandez · Published by Random 

House Books for Young Readers
A perfect mash-up of animals and construction that naturally invites sound effects, repeated phrases, and audience participation. Also great for felt-board dress-up magic, keeping both construction-loving and cat-loving kiddos fully engaged.

Cranky, Crabby Crow (2025)
By Corey R. Tabor · Published by Greenwillow Books

CAW! A fabulous read-aloud, puppet story, or felt-board story rich with characterization, repetition, and a surprising twist. A special message for the grown-ups in the room, who are constantly saving the world from impending doom behind the scenes.

Don’t Trust Fish (2025)
By Neil Sharpson · Illustrated by Dan Santat · Published by Dial Books

A hilarious read-aloud that positions whomever is reading it as a foolishly paranoid know-it-all. Isn’t that what grown-ups are, after all? Kids LOVE reacting to this one. Perfectly paced. No notes.

Every Monday Mabel (2025)
By Jashar Awan · Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Full of opportunities for sound-making and movement, this delightful read-aloud celebrates how garbage trucks move, how they sound, and how they work—all from the perspective of Mabel, who (like many kiddos) thinks they’re the best thing ever.

Go, Sloth, Go! (2025)
By Toni Yuly

Minimal text and expressive illustrations make this an easy win for participation. Kids love calling out encouragement (in slow-mo voices), noticing visual humor, and making predictions as the story unfolds at the sloth’s pace.

Henry Is an Artist (2025)
By Justin Worsley

Are you in the mood to make poop-shaped felt-board pieces? Then you’re in luck. This book invites children to think about creativity, self-expression, and confidence, and works well for open-ended questions and reflective conversations…about dog poop.

The Bear Out There (2025)
By Jess Hannigan

Modern classic alert! Bold design, intentional pacing, and dynamic narration and typography make this a high-engagement storytime pick with a hilarious twist.

We Are the Wibbly! (2025)
By Sarah Tagholm · Illustrated by Jane McGuinness

A hilarious life-cycle book told from the perspective of a tadpole that invites movement, visual inference, characterization, and silly wordplay.

Zip Zap Whickety Wack: A Story About Sharing (2025)
By Matthew Diffee

Full of dry wit, rhythmic wordplay, and opportunities for characterization, this book shines as a read-aloud or as a story told with puppets. Bonus points for being a great entry point for talking about sharing and turn-taking.