What to read in 2025 Alison Green Books to Flying Eye

It’s become a Books for Keeps tradition for our first issue of the year to include recommendations of the books to read in the months ahead, as selected by their editors. We have another bumper reading list for you for 2025. Thank you to all the editors who contributed.

Alison Green Books

Welcome (June) is a happy, joyful book and an absolute ray of sunshine. Axel Scheffler’s fabulous, funny animals are the perfect ambassadors to show us all about friendship: how to laugh together, play together – and, most importantly, how to make friends again after a quarrel! A donation from every copy sold goes to refugee charity Three Peas. Alison Green, Alison Green Books

Andersen Press

Henry the Artistic Dog by Justin Worsley is, simply, one of the most original books I’ve ever worked on. A deceptively simple story – a dog goes for walks in the park with his owner – but the sculptures Henry creates, out of his own poo, are things of beauty, except that no one seems to notice, until, one day, they do.

An exquisitely crafted book, the artwork is exceptional, the spare, hilarious text is masterly.  It is joyous and exuberant, delivering a lesson in humility, generosity, perseverance and hope. An extraordinary debut from Justin Worsley, a truly exciting, authentic new voice in picture books. Sue Buswell, Editorial Director, Picture Books

The book I want to shout about is The Boy I Love. A beautiful, tender love story set in the trenches by the wonderful William Hussey. Meticulously researched for 3 years, Hussey’s book is an own voices masterpiece – a future classic of LGBTQ YA literature – and I don’t say that lightly. As the First World War rushes towards the first days of the Somme, Stephen, a young officer, and Danny, a corporal in his platoon, find themselves falling in love – with devastating results. Charlie Sheppard, Publishing Director

B small

I am most excited about Tales of Scary Beasts, written by Susan Martineau and illustrated in hair-raising style by Vicky Barker, which is the first in a series of innovative non-fiction readers. It follows on from our much-loved bestseller and Blue Peter Book Award-winning title, Real-life Mysteries. I know that it’s going to help promote the idea of reading for pleasure among those who like spooky non-fiction better than fiction! It’s out in April 2025. Sam Hutchinson, Publisher

Barrington Stoke

As a huge Stranger Things fan, I am particularly excited to be publishing the terrifying first instalment in a brilliant new sci-fi horror series, The Night House Files, from Dan Smith. The series promises to reveal the truth behind paranormal, extraterrestrial and bizarre events, and opens in barnstorming style with The Deadsoul Project, an exposé of a military experiment into teleportation gone horrendously wrong. With chilling illustrations from Luke Brookes, this gripping story of a soldier supposedly killed in action who mysteriously returns home carrying a deadly contagion is going to be a huge, if horrifyingly creepy, hit with our readers. Ailsa Bathgate Publisher

Big Picture Press (Bonnier Books UK)

A Home is a Nest is a heartwarming celebration of the love between parent and child, beautifully exploring family bonds and the meaning of home. Through gentle rhyming couplets, Emma Carlisle tells a tender story that follows the seasons – from cosy winter dens to spring’s new beginnings and a young bird’s first flight. A charming refrain ties the book together, capturing the growth of a young family alongside nature’s cycles. Perfect for new parents, this beautiful book is sure to become a beloved modern classic, offering comfort and joy to families for generations to come. Charlie Wilson, Senior Commissioning Editor

Bloomsbury

We are thrilled to present the first major title in our exciting new publishing partnership with Historic Royal Palaces – Ghosts in the Walls. This collection of 11 spooky stories takes inspiration from the history and mythology within the walls of Historic Royal Palace’s iconic buildings to create unique stories that will thrill readers of all ages. From a haunted maze at Hampton Court Palace to ghost ravens in the Tower of London, history meets horror in this ghost story anthology which includes stories from Joseph Coelho, Sam Sedgman, Jasmine Richards and Sophie Kirtley, alongside stunning black-and-white illustrations from Pam Smy. Emily Ball, Senior Commissioning Editor, Bloomsbury Non-fiction

We launch a hilarious illustrated young fiction series in February. Squirrel and Duck: Mission Improbable is by Tom Percival, the author/illustrator who created the bestselling Big Bright Feelings picture books, including Ruby’s Worry. Here Tom lets his anarchic sense of humour run riot in a page-turning story about the world’s only two talking animals. When they discover bungling burglars planning an art theft, Squirrel and Duck are determined to foil it. With just their pet cactus and a remote-control toy helicopter to help them, it’s not going to be easy. The laugh-out-loud text and brilliant illustrations will instantly engage young readers.  Alex Antscherl, Editorial Director, Bloomsbury Children’s Books

I’m excited to share the sweetly funny, heartwarming and occasionally heartbreaking, Tart by Becki Jayne Crossley with the world this August. Libby’s life starts to crumble when a video of her ‘cheating’ on her boyfriend, Dan, goes viral the night he has a serious bike accident. Now the only person who will talk to her is Neha, the new girl everyone else ignores. But with Dan in a coma, Libby and Neha grow closer, and their friendship starts to turn into so much more. This is a must-read exploration of queer joy, coming out and accepting who you truly are.  Catherine Liney, Editor, Bloomsbury YA

I’m excited that we’ll be continuing our collaboration with The Week Junior magazine in 2025, launching a new series with them this summer, beginning with The Week Junior Guide to Politics by Catherine Brereton and The Week Junior Guide to the Environment by Dr Sai Pathmanathan. These are accessible introductions to complicated topics, perfect for The Week Junior’s core audience of 8–12-year-olds. Answering baffling questions, from ‘who put politicians in charge?’ to ‘will we all be eating bugs in the future?’ these engaging and child friendly books tackle difficult topics with simple explanations, brilliant photos and fun facts. Hannah Rolls, Editorial Director, Bloomsbury Education

Chicken House

This year I’m very excited about YA dystopian murder mystery The Hive by Anna February (April). Full of thrilling, claustrophobic menace and intricate plot – this is an author to watch. Rachel Leyshon, Editorial Director

Child’s Play

It’s always exciting to have an addition to our collection of tactile board books! Written by Alex Strick, Let’s Play is a touch-and-feel book for absolutely everyone. It combines bright, high-contrasting imagery with tactile elements to engage the senses while giving children of all ages the opportunity to learn through both sight and touch. The main word on each spread is printed in braille and has an accompanying BSL sign on the back to make this book accessible to all. By blending touch, sight, and language, Let’s Play fosters connection and communication while ensuring nobody is left out. Sarah Dellow, Child’s Play (International) Ltd

DK

2025 is a year of growth, and we are continuing to grow (pun most definitely intended) into the fiction market with my absolute favourite for Spring: The Green Kingdom. A truly enchanting middle-grade read, set in the bustling city of Brooklyn, The Green Kingdom is full of intrigue in the form of hidden letters and mysterious riddles whilst our bold and brave heroine branches out with brand new friends. Written by the fantastically talented best-selling author Cornelia Funke and ethnobotanist Tammi Hartung, The Green Kingdom represents just the beginning of DK’s Kids Fiction list. Arabella Stein, Trade Publishing Director

I am most excited for our publishing with Rose Ayling-Ellis which starts with Marvellous Messages coming in March 2025 and then launches into board with a new 4 book collection, Rose Signs!  Over the course of four books we cover first phrases in BSL, and ASL in the US. Written in collaboration with consultants and experts in both the English language and British sign language, we bring Rose’s lived experience into an early learning space with fun and punchy illustrations from Margarida Sampaio. With a mirror surprise at the end of each book, little ones will have so much fun learning and will be signing their first phrases in no time! Francesca Young, Associate Publishing Director Picture Books

The book I’m most excited about in 2025 is The Hidden Heroes of Science, which is one of the first titles DK are creating in partnership with The Royal Institution. It’s a book that shines a light on the lesser-known figures who have made significant contributions to the field of science but never received the recognition they deserve. It’ll be perfect for kids who love science, but also those who love learning the stories of incredible people. It also has the punchiest, most vibrant illustrations imaginable by the inimitable Robbie Cathro, and we’re so excited to share it with readers. James Mitchem, DK Children’s Publisher Science

Did you know that hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones never cross the equator? Or that as you read this, there are 20 volcanoes erupting right now around the world? Or that a snowflake landing in the middle of Antarctica takes 100,000 years to flow in a glacier to the sea? These are just some of the incredible facts you can find in Maptastic!, a collection of fascinating, stimulating, and stealthily educational maps that make you see our world in a different light. There’s a map adventure on every page!  Andrew MacIntyre, DK Children’s Publisher 

David Fickling Books

Will Wolfheart is that very special, and rare, thing – a fully immersive, exciting, emotionally rich, story for 7 to 10s. Like a Pixar movie, it combines high adventure, humour, heart, and a distinctive setting into a visually stunning package. The wonderful Will, and his beloved dog Whisker – who, thrillingly, becomes his wolf in the magical world they visit – will make readers feel they are sharing every step of their quest. Author Teresa Heapy and illustrator Adam Beer have pulled off the magical achievement of creating a wonderfully big story that’s truly accessible and enchanting to young readers. Liz Cross, Managing and Publishing Director

2025 sees the launch of The Phoenix Comic Books imprint – a fabulous new iteration of the comics-making partnership of David Fickling Books and The Phoenix, bursting with comic-book delights! The most glorious sugar-rush of a comic series, Neill Cameron’s Donut Squad is jam-packed with hilarity, set to Take Over the World! But beware – the great enemies of the Donut Squad, the Bagel Battalion, are mixing up their own savoury schemes! Who will triumph? Sweet or savoury? We promise you’ve never read anything like this before. Only one thing is certain… laughs are guaranteed! – Anthony Hinton, DFB Commissioning Editor

Faber Children’s Books

Alwyn Hamilton’s Rebel of the Sands was one of the biggest YA debuts in 2016. In 2025, we’re thrilled to be publishing The Notorious Virtues, the start of a glittering fantasy thriller duology, featuring a family obsessed with money, power, fame – and magic. Two cousins are pitted against each other in the deadly Veritaz trials to determine the rightful inheritor to the family’s fortunes. Incredible tests, impossible choices and deadly odds await. But there can only be one winner… It’s absolutely intoxicating and irresistible and is already beloved by Samantha Shannon, Catherine Doyle, Katherine Webber and Alexandra Christo.’ Natasha Brown, Managing Editor

Farshore

Peter Burns’ Shadow Thieves is built on an epic scale, set in an imagined past where the real magic is sleight of hand – and with an unforgettable hero in Tom, a boy born into nothing who is destined to change the world. The school setting, with its fiercely competitive houses and year groups, will appeal to fans of Harry Potter and Skandar, and the high-octane drama hits that gap in the market for upper MG action-adventure. The stakes are dizzying, the locations glamorous, the heists intricate, the emotion gut-punching, and the villains truly wicked. Readers are in for a wild ride! Lucy Courtenay, Senior Commissioning Editor

Firefly Press

Fishfolk by Steven Quincey-Jones (April) is a debut middle-grade novel with woodcut illustrations from Hannah Doyle. The High-and-Dry is a windswept land fast being lost to the ever-growing sea. The only things left are seagulls, twins Luna and Oona, and their Grandad Mull. Luna and Oona grew up listening to Mull’s stories about the dastardly shape-shifting Fishfolk, who are apparently drowning them with their spells. Fishfolk are the reason Grandad Mull is all that is left of their family, he says. But when the twins meet a Fishfolk for real, Luna begins to question these stories, much to Oona’s confusion. A strikingly original fable for our times. Penny Thomas, Publisher

Floris Books

I’m excited to publish many books in 2025, but one that both touched me deeply and gripped me from start to finish is My Name is Samim by debut author Fidan Meikle. Discovered at a Scottish BPOC Writers Network pitching event, I was immediately captivated by Fidan’s beautiful writing and her story of a young Afghan refugee’s journey in search of a safe home. Heartbreaking but hopeful, powerful but pacey, I believe Samim’s story is an important one to share with today’s young readers, and I hope they will be inspired by his courage and capacity for empathy – Sally Polson, Editorial Director of Floris Books

Flying Eye Books

We have an incredible list this year and I am especially excited about a very special, unique book coming in October. The Notted Island by Katherine Child is a stunning and beautifully illustrated callback to classic fantasy. A young girl called Tisky searches for answers to the troubles that plague her island. Fascinated by the Notte, the person responsible for the drawing of the night sky, she travels to find them and the answers to her questions. Her journey will draw you in, enveloping you in a cast of curious characters and a fantasy setting that will linger with you long after reading. Fay Evans, Editorial Director