Freedom in Congo SquareCarole Boston WeatherfordSlaves count down the days until they can meet in New Orleans’ famed Congo Square—the only place they could legally worship and make music together.All readersLexile AD600LATOS 5.4View book detailsNYPL Best Books for Kids 2016
Books chosen each year by New York Public Library staff and grouped into the library's own categories.
NYPL Best Books for Kids 2016See the original list
Selections100
Published byNew York Public Library
SectionsAll readers
All readers
100 selections
Freedom in Congo SquareCarole Boston WeatherfordSlaves count down the days until they can meet in New Orleans’ famed Congo Square—the only place they could legally worship and make music together.All readersLexile AD600LATOS 5.4View book details
Have You Seen My Trumpet?Michaël EscoffierSpot the animals in this seaside setting filled with fun and witty wordplay.All readersView book details
Henry & LeoPamela ZagarenskiWhen Henry’s best friend, a stuffed lion, goes missing, no one thinks he can find his way home.All readersView book details
I Am a StoryDan YaccarinoCelebrate the power of storytelling and all its various forms.All readersView book details
If I Had a GryphonVikki VanSickleSam thinks life would be so much more exciting with an exotic, magical creature as a pet. But would it?All readersLexile AD730LATOS 3.1View book details
The JourneyFrancesca SannaHaunting illustrations chronicle one refugee family’s harrowing escape from the darkness of war in this tale of love, courage, and perseverance.All readersLexile AD630LATOS 3.2View book details
Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a NeighborhoodF. Isabel Campoy, Theresa HowellMira meets an artist who helps transform their gray city into some-thing colorful and bright. Based on a true story.All readersView book details
The Night GardenerTerry FanGrimloch Lane is transformed by a mysterious stranger who creates magical topiaries by moonlight and inspires a young boy’s imagination.All readersLexile AD570LATOS 2.7View book details
OokoEsmé ShapiroOoko has a stick, a rock, and a leaf, yet some-thing is missing. Join this quirky fox in his quest to find what he wants most: a friend.All readersView book details
School’s First Day of SchoolAdam Rex & Christian RobinsonSchool is suffering from first day jitters. Luckily, a friendly janitor is there to provide a helping hand.All readersView book details
They All Saw a CatBrendan WenzelFollow a feline’s journey through the eyes of a fish, a flea, and a bee in this unique exploration of perspective.All readersLexile AD310LATOS 1.9View book details
Armstrong: The Adventurous Journey of a Mouse to the MoonTorben KuhlmannA stargazing mouse takes his dreams of space travel and makes them a reality in this finely detailed story.All readersView book details
A Beginner’s Guide to Bear SpottingMichelle RobinsonLearn to charm furry beasts with a simple teddy bear in this humorous how-to.All readersView book details
Bunny SlopesClaudia RuedaA bunny is getting ready to ski but needs some help from you in this interactive picture book.All readersLexile BR-360LATOS 1.1View book details
Dragon Was TerribleKelly DiPucchioWhen a magical menace terrorizes the people and unicorns of a small kingdom, an unlikely hero steps up.All readersLexile AD570LATOS 2.7View book details
Emma and Julia Love BalletBarbara McClintockEmma is study-ing dance and Julia is a professional ballerina. Take a look at a day in the life of two performers.All readersLexile AD480LATOS 2.7View book details
Thunder Boy Jr.Sherman AlexieWhat’s in a name? Find out in this story about a father and son.All readersLexile AD420LATOS 2.5View book details
Tree: A Peek-Through Picture BookBritta TeckentrupOwl peeks through the foliage as critters frolic through the seasons in these detailed illustrated cutouts.All readersView book details
A Voyage in the Clouds: The (Mostly) True Story of the First International Flight by Balloon in 1785Matthew OlshanA rollicking hot air balloon romp over the English Channel lands a Frenchman and an American on the seashore in their knickers.All readersView book details
The Water PrincessSusan Verde, Georgie BadielJourney with Gie Gie as she and her mother make the day-long trek to find life’s most precious necessity: clean water.All readersLexile 480LATOS 2.2View book details
What to Do with a BoxJane YolenTo an imaginative child, a cardboard box provides endless adventure. Artwork created with recycled materials.All readersLexile AD450LATOS 3.1View book details
The White Cat and the Monk: A Retelling of the Poem “Pangur Bán”Jo Ellen BogartTwo friends find fulfillment in a job well done in this retelling of an Old Irish poem.All readersView book details
Worm Loves WormJ. J. AustrianWave goodbye to convention and rip up the rule book on wedding etiquette! It’s time to toast the newlyweds.All readersView book details
Yaks Yak: Animal Word PairsLinda Sue ParkWild and witty wordplay abound in this marvelous menagerie.All readersView book details
Duck, Duck, Porcupine!Salina YoonWho needs goose when you have a friend like porcupine? Little duck’s expressions will make you laugh and scream “squee!”All readersLexile AD390LATOS 2.7View book details
Haggis and Tank Unleashed: All Paws on DeckJessica YoungTwo canine buddies embark on a swash-buckling adventure fueled only by their imagination.All readersView book details
Mango & Bambang: The Not-a-PigPolly FaberA shy tapir lost in the bustling city is rescued by a kind girl in this warm-hearted tale of unlikely friends.All readersView book details
My Life in Pictures (Bea Garcia)Deborah ZemkeAspiring artist Bea chronicles her encounters with Bert, the “monster” boy who has moved in next door and into her life.All readersView book details
Pugs of the Frozen North (A Not-So-Impossible Tale)Philip ReeveSika and Shen (and their team of 66 pugs!) want to win the Great Northern Race and meet the Snowfather, who will reward them with their heart’s desire.All readersView book details
Timo’s GardenVictoria AllenbyA passionate gardener learns the importance of friendship and picnics.All readersView book details
Waylon! One Awesome ThingSara PennypackerWaylon’s world is turned topsy-turvy when a classmate splits the fourth grade into cliques. Can science whiz Waylon bring everyone back together?All readersLexile 680LATOS 4.59View book details
Weekends with Max and His DadLinda UrbanMax and his dad share pizza, pancakes, and new adventures when divorce redefines their notion of home.All readersLexile 630LATOS 4.1View book details
What This Story Needs Is a Hush and a ShushEmma J. Virján.Will a pig in a wig ever get to sleep despite her noisy barnyard neigh-bors? Colorful illustrations accompany this amusing bedtime story.All readersLexile AD300LATOS 2.3View book details
Where Are You Going, Baby Lincoln?Kate DiCamilloBaby Lincoln braves her sister’s disapproval by taking the trip of a lifetime. New friends and jelly beans abound!All readersLexile 490LATOS 3.3View book details
All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. CookLeslie ConnorPerry has spent his entire life living in a minimum security prison with his inmate mother. When he is suddenly forced to live on the “outside,” he has to cope with being away from the only family he has ever known.All readersLexile 540LATOS 3.6View book details
As Brave as YouJason ReynoldsTwo brothers from Brooklyn spend the summer in rural Virginia and discover the complexities of family in this contemporary coming-of-age story.All readersLexile 750LATOS 4.8View book details
Beetle BoyM. G. LeonardWill some mutant beetles and three new friends solve the mysterious disappearance of Darkus’s father and defeat the creepy Lucretia Cutter?All readersView book details
The Best ManRichard PeckAs Archer navigates middle school, he learns about love, acceptance, and the true meaning of friendship in this hilarious tale with colorful characters and wacky shenanigans.All readersLexile 540LATOS 4.1View book details
The BoldsJulian ClaryThere’s something different about the new arrivals to the sleepy suburb of Teddington. Meet the Bolds in this fun-filled tale about trying to fit in when you clearly stand out.All readersView book details
The Door by the StaircaseKatherine MarshSpunky orphan Mary Hayes is adopted by the mysterious Madame Z, a witch who eats children.All readersView book details
Full of BeansJennifer L. HolmIn 1934, Beans Curry is tempted by a resident gangster, dreams of Hollywood stardom, and rallies locals to help rescue down-and-out Key West.All readersLexile 490LATOS 3.8View book details
GhostJason ReynoldsCastle Cranshaw, a.k.a. Ghost, keeps running into trouble until a mentor gets him on the right track.All readersView book details
Lily and DunkinDonna GephartA young transgender girl and a boy with bipolar disorder, both struggling for acceptance, find strength and bravery in each other.All readersLexile 680LATOS 4.3View book details
The Midnight War of Mateo MartinezRobin YardiAfter he catches two skunks stealing his old tricycle, Mateo follows them to “Stink Base.” Soon he is caught up in a turf war between the feisty neighborhood critters.All readersView book details
Moo: A NovelSharon CreechWhen Reena and her family unexpect-edly move to Maine, they find new friends in an elderly neighbor and a stubborn cow in this tender story told in verse.All readersView book details
Ms. Bixby’s Last DayJohn David AndersonJoin three misfits and one very special teacher for a day they’ll never forget.All readersView book details
The Girl Who Drank the MoonKelly BarnhillCan two witches, a swamp monster and a tiny dragon save villagers from an evil council of elders? Dive into this engrossing fairy tale of hope, love, and family.All readersLexile 640LView book details
The Island of BeyondElizabeth AtkinsonMartin’s world is shaken up when he is forced to unplug and travel to his great-aunt’s off-the- grid island. There he encounters wild forest friends, family secrets, and self-discovery.All readersView book details
It Ain’t So Awful, FalafelFiroozeh DumasIt’s 1979 and Zomorod (Cindy) is trying to fit into her new life in southern California. When the hostage crisis hits the headlines, she finds herself explaining all things Iranian, when all she wants is to rock a pom-pom belt.All readersView book details
PaxSara PennypackerForced apart by the coming of war, a young boy and his fox must each embark on their own epic journey to be reunited. Along the way, both must learn to trust new friends and their own instincts for survival.All readersLexile 760LATOS 5.3View book details
Some Kind of HappinessClaire LegrandFinley takes refuge in her imaginary world of Everwood when confronted with family mysteries and inner conflicts.All readersLexile 580LATOS 3.8View book details
Time Traveling with a HamsterRoss WelfordIf given the chance, would you go back in time to save a loved one? For Al Chaudhury, it almost seems too easy.All readersLexile 900LATOS 5.6View book details
UnboundAnn E. BurgWritten in verse, this powerful and evoca-tive story chronicles a family’s struggle to escape into the Great Dismal Swamp.All readersLexile 900LATOS 5.8View book details
When Mischief Came to TownKatrina NannestadA quiet town is woken up when a quirky, mischievous 10-year-old moves in with her strict grandmother. An irresistible story where the humor flows freely!All readersLexile 930LATOS 5.6View book details
The Wild RobotPeter BrownShipwrecked on a deserted island, robot Roz must adapt her factory settings and learn how to live in the natural world.All readersView book details
Wolf HollowLauren WolkIn a courageous act, Annabelle takes a stand against bullying, injustice, and cruelty in 1943 Pennsylvania.All readersLexile 800LATOS 4.9View book details
The Great Pet EscapeVictoria JamiesonJoin the class pets of Daisy P. Flugelhorn Elementary School for a hilarious adventure as they make a break for freedom and save their school along the way.All readersView book details
Hilo: Saving the Whole Wide WorldJudd WinickAfter evil sneaks to Earth through a portal created by his big toe, Hilo must stop a robot invasion and face his own destiny.All readersView book details
Lucy & Andy NeanderthalJeffrey BrownThis laugh-out-loud prehistoric tale of sibling rivalry and mischief is artfully paired with scientific facts and slapstick comedy.All readersView book details
The Nameless CityFaith Erin Hicks, color by Jordie BellaireCan two friends from different backgrounds bring together a city with a history of never-ending invasions?All readersLexile GN390LATOS 2.8View book details
Red’s PlanetEddie PittmanAfter Red is mistakenly kidnapped by a gang of intergalactic thieves, she finds herself closer to “Paradise” than she could have ever imagined.All readersLexile GN350LATOS 2.8View book details
Rutabaga the Adventure Chef: Feasts of FuryEric ColossalRutabaga, a chef with a recipe for adventure, cooks his way out of his encounters with tricksters, “gubblin” royalty, and a gargantuan spider!All readersView book details
Snow WhiteMatt PhelanSet in glamorous 1920s New York, this shadowy and atmospheric telling breathes new life into an old classic.All readersView book details
The Blue JackalShobha ViswanathJuno fools the forest animals into believing he is their newly appoint-ed king in this tale with earthy illustrations inspired by traditional Warli artwork.All readersView book details
Hare and TortoiseAlison MurrayWho will win the race in this modern retelling of a well-known Aesop’s fable?All readersLexile AD470LATOS 2.5View book details
I Am Pan!Mordicai GersteinIn this lively look at the mischievous life of the Greek god, Gerstein’s art is as playful as Pan himself.All readersView book details
The Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two VolcanoesDuncan TonatiuhThese illustrations in the style of the Mixtec Codices bring to life an ancient, Aztec love story.All readersLexile 770LATOS 4.3View book details
ThumbelinaXanthe Gresham KnightA young girl braves numerous adventures in this classic Andersen tale enhanced by bright, bold colors.All readersView book details
Echo Echo: Reverso Poems About Greek MythsMarilyn SingerAncient tales of Arachne and Athena, Perseus and Medusa, and other mythical figures are told from two perspectives.All readersView book details
Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to LifeAshley BryanInspired by plantation estate documents, these powerfully illustrated free-verse, first person narratives give voice to the horrors endured and the hopes of freedom.All readersLexile 730LView book details
Guess Who, HaikuDeanna CaswellIt is a puzzle / Use your imagination / Laugh out loud, guess who.All readersView book details
Jazz Day: The Making of a Famous PhotographRoxane OrgillNeighborhood children, a photographer, and a group of musicians share laughter and music on a hot day in Harlem.All readersView book details
Slickety Quick: Poems About SharksSkila BrownPlunge into the deep with the ocean’s most infamous pred-ators. What do you know about the goblin or cookie-cutter shark?All readersView book details
Wet Cement: A Mix of Concrete PoemsBob RaczkaWords wiggle, wave, and wander across the page in these playfully shaped poems.All readersLexile 580LATOS 3.8View book details
When Green Becomes Tomatoes: Poems for All SeasonsJulie FoglianoFrom blooming crocuses and glowing fireflies to falling leaves and snowy arms, gentle artwork depicts the delights of the seasons.All readersLexile 769LATOS 4.9View book details
You Can Fly: The Tuskegee AirmenCarole Boston WeatherfordMeet the men who faced adversity on multiple fronts, yet triumphed in the skies in this book complimented by scratch-board illustrations and inspired by archival World War II photographs.All readersView book details
Ada’s Ideas: The Story of Ada Lovelace, the World’s First Computer ProgrammerFiona RobinsonSpectacular mixed-media collage helps recount the story of the woman responsible for the foundations of modern-day computing.All readersView book details
Ada’s Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of ParaguaySusan HoodInspiration unfolds as a community built on a landfill unites through music.All readersView book details
Death Is StupidAnastasia HigginbothamThis book offers an honest look at how it feels when someone you love dies.All readersView book details
Deep Roots: How Trees Sustain Our PlanetNikki TateFrom cleaning the air to providing food and shelter, discover the ways trees are an integral part of life on Earth.All readersView book details
Giant SquidCandace Fleming, illustrated by Eric RohmannWith dark and rich illustrations, this lyrical study of Earth’s most mysteri-ous creature is equal parts suspenseful and informative.All readersLexile 990LATOS 3.2View book details
The Great Leopard Rescue: Saving the Amur LeopardsSandra MarkleDiscover the plans to save the critically endangered Amur leopards and the creation of a dedicated haven for these big cats.All readersView book details
How Much Does a Ladybug Weigh?Alison LimentaniA clever counting book introduces the concept of weight for budding scientists.All readersView book details
I Am NOT a Dinosaur!Will Lach & The American Museum of Natural HistoryEnter the exciting world of woolly mammoths, dimetrodons, and other exquisite creatures in this book filled with simple verse and paper-cut art.All readersView book details
I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her MarkDebbie LevyDiscover this humorous account of how one determined little girl became a driving force for change, equality, and justice in this nation—one disagreement at a time.All readersView book details
Let Your Voice Be Heard: The Life and Times of Pete SeegerAnita SilveyThe highs and lows of a folk music icon and activist who trav-eled the world sharing his love of music and championing numerous social and environmental causes.All readersView book details
Like a Bird: The Art of the American Slave SongCynthia GradyVibrant folk art paired with powerful spirituals raises thoughtful questions and brings a deeper under- standing of what it means to be enslaved.All readersView book details
Lincoln and Kennedy: A Pair to CompareGene BarrettaThis illuminating account explores the similarities between the lives of two commanders-in-chief.All readersView book details¡Olinguito, de la A a la Z!/Olinguito, from A to Z!Lulu DelacreExplore the flora and fauna of the Ecuadorean Andes while searching for an elusive mammal in this bilingual adventure filled with beautiful mixed media illustrations.All readersView book details
Pink Is for Blobfish: Discovering the World’s Perfectly Pink AnimalsJess KeatingPretty in pink? Think again! Have fun with this informative study of the extraordinary rosy- hued creatures that populate our world.All readersView book details
Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel BasquiatJavaka SteptoeA Brooklyn kid becomes a 1980s cultural phenom-enon after he takes the art world by storm with his unique paintings. Illustrations inspired by Basquiat’s work are used throughout.All readersLexile 1050LATOS 4.7View book details
Saved by the Boats: The Heroic Sea Evacuation of September 11Julie GassmanHundreds of boats answered the call for help and ferried 500,000 people to safety across the Hudson River, becoming “a light in the city’s darkest day.”All readersView book details
The Secret SubwayShana Corey, illustrated by Red Nose StudioDiscover New York City’s earliest incarnation of the subway system, told with exquisite stop-motion-esque figures.All readersLexile AD810LATOS 4.3View book details
Solving the Puzzle Under the Sea: Marie Tharp Maps the Ocean FloorRobert Burleigh, illustrated by Raúl ColónWhile the ocean floor remains a mystery, a tenacious woman perseveres and makes a triumphant discovery that spans the globe.All readersLexile 750LATOS 5View book details
Some Writer! The Story of E. B. WhiteMelissa SweetPersonal letters, photographs, and family ephemera create the perfect back-drop for this tribute to a beloved author—a delightful, educational biography that is a feast for the eyes.All readersView book details
Splat! The Most Exciting Artists of All TimeMary RichardsGet the inside scoop on 20 trend-setting, rule-breaking artists in concise chronological chapters with plentiful visual aids.All readersView book details
Tiny Stitches: The Life of Medical Pioneer Vivien ThomasGwendolyn HooksThis medical innovator revolutionized pediatric heart surgery in the 1940 s. But because of racial discrimination, his contributions went unacknowledged for decades.All readersView book details
We Will Not Be Silent: The White Rose Student Resistance Movement That Defied Adolf HitlerRussell FreedmanA group of brave friends ran a campaign of active resistance urging Germans to defy the Nazi government. Discover the inspiring story of Hans and Sophie Scholl and their belief that freedom is worth dying for.All readersView book details
Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of InventionsChris Barton, illustrated by Don TateFrom building rockets in his parents’ kitchen to becoming a NASA engineer, the Super Soaker king never backed down from tackling creative inventions.All readersView book details
The William Hoy Story: How a Deaf Baseball Player Changed the GameNancy ChurninDiscover this triumphant tale of a decidedly different and dedicated man who refused to let his disability keep him from achieving his dream.All readersView book details