Worcester Public Library Children’s Librarians are on a quest to talk about all of our favorite books of 2025! Let’s look at all of the chapter books we loved this year.

Medusa by Katherine Marsh

After a terrible day at school, Ava and her brother, Jax, are sent to Venice to attend a boarding school, Accademia del Forte. There, Ava discovers that she and all of her classmates are descendants of the monsters from Greek Mythology. This is a brilliant, feminist twist to the classic myth of Medusa, and it is perfect for fans of Percy Jackson.

Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar

Set in 1960s New York City, Ruthie is stuck in bed in a full body cast after a car accident. While she knows she is lucky to be alive, she is also lonely; Ruthie begins collecting stories from her Jewish grandparents, from her friends, and from her Mexican neighbor, who teaches her about Frida Kahlo. This poetic and insightful novel is engaging despite mainly occurring within the confines of Ruthie’s bedroom.

Tagging Freedom by Rhonda Roumani

Cousins Samira and Kareem were raised in different worlds: Samira is from Massachusetts and Kareen is from Syria. When Kareem is sent to live with Samira, they do not understand each other at first but find common ground in their love of art. This is an inspiring story about activism, family, and art.

Starfish by Lisa Fipps

Eleven-year-old Ellie Montgomery-Hofstein has created her unspoken “Fat Girl Rules” from her experience being bullied both at school and at home. Through support from her new neighbor, her father, and her therapist, Ellie finds the strength to stand up for herself. This is a powerful novel-in-verse about acceptance and self-advocacy.

Pocket Bear by Katherine Applegate

In this timely and charming novel interspersed with illustrations, Pocket leads the Second Chances Home for the Tossed and Treasured, where discarded toys are given an opportunity to be loved by Elizaveta and her daughter, Dasha, refugees from Ukraine. The story addresses the importance of friendship, themes of loyalty and survival, and the concept of war though an accessible lens.

The Teacher of Nomad Land by Daniel Nayeri

This beautifully crafted historical novel introduces readers to a lesser-known front of World War II, Iran. Recently orphaned thirteen-year-old Babak and his younger sister, Sana, decide to retrace their father’s path as a teacher among the Bakhtiari nomads. The story offers readers a profound lesson in the power of communication, cross-cultural understanding, and kindness.

The Library of Unruly Treasures by Jeanne Birdsall

Following in the footsteps of many McKinnon women before her, Gwen finds her purpose in the children's room of the library named after her family as she helps tiny creatures called Lahdukan relocate when their home is threatened. In this work of magical realism, readers will enjoy the mystical world of the Lahdukan and find a special connection in how the small creatures can only be seen by children. 

Once for Yes by Allie Millington

The narrator of this unique, lyrical novel is an old apartment building, the Odenburgh, whose residents—including 11-year-old protagonist Prue—are working to save it from demolition. Prue mourns her sister’s death and carries unanswered questions about the accident that took her life. The story explores themes of loss, connection, and community.

The Poisoned King by Katherine Rundell

In the second volume of the Impossible Creatures illustrated fantasy series, Christopher Forrester and Princess Anya work together to help save the ancient dragons who are dying in the Archipelago and free Anya's father, who has been imprisoned after being accused of poisoning the king. Although part of a series, this exciting, sweeping story can be read as a stand-alone book. 

Please Pay Attention by Jamie Sumner

In this powerful novel-in-verse, sixth-grader Bea, who uses a wheelchair, survives a school shooting. Bea must figure out how to navigate a world where she no longer feels safe and turns to equine therapy to try to heal. The author does not downplay Bea's experiences and emotions, and the verse format aids readers in processing the story piece by piece. 

It’s December already! That means 2025 is coming to a close, and librarians here at Worcester Public Library have been reflecting on our favorite books that we read this year. Here are some of our favorite picture books that we read in 2025. Make sure to check back soon for lists of our favorite chapter books, graphic novels, and non-fiction books.

The Bakery Dragon by Devin Elle

Ember isn’t like other dragons: he is not scary enough to steal gold. After meeting a baker in the village, Ember learns that baking gold is much better than stealing it. Both this book and its sequel, The Bakery Dragon and the Fairy Cake, are adorable with beautiful messages.

Snow Kid by Jessie Sima

As always, Jessie Sima knocked it out of the park on their most recent release! Snow Kid follows Twig as they grow and change and become. This is a beautiful story, both in its pictures and in its message. Make sure to check out Jessie Sima’s backlist as well for amazing tales like Not Quite Narwhal and CookieTime.

Sounds Like Joy by Yesenia Moises

This is a fun, beautiful book about music and friendship. It follows a mermaid named Joy as she finds and later tries to recreate a charming musical instrument. The last page of the book includes a craft where you can make your own musical instrument.

I Was Born A Baby by Meg Fleming

This fun and rhythmic picture book highlights countless adorable baby animals and their different names.

Twinkle Twinkle Winter Night by Megan Litwin

This peaceful, rhyming picture book perfectly depicts the joy and light of winter, from the moon reflecting off the snow to houses glimmering with holiday lights.

Paint with Ploof by Ben Clanton and Andy Chou Musser

This engaging picture book asks readers to help Ploof, a personified cloud. Readers become an integral part of the story as they are prompted to interact with Ploof.

Every Monday Mabel by Jashar Awan

This fun picture book follows Mabel on her Monday morning routine as we learn why Monday is her favorite day of the week. The bright colors and attention-grabbing onomatopoeia make this a fun read for everyone.

Capybara is Friends with Everyone by Maddie Frost

This colorful and silly book about friendship will resonate with all kids and teach important lessons about friends and boundaries.

I Know How to Draw an Owl by Hilary Horder Hippely

When Ms. Rio is impressed with her student’s ability to draw an owl, her student, Belle, does not want to explain how she learned. Belle is unhoused and has spent long nights in her mother’s car listening to the haunting soundtrack of an owl hooting. This impactful story features beautiful artwork that provides space for the reader to process the tale.

Marley’s Pride by Joëlle Retener

Marley has always wanted to join their Zaza at Pride, but they are always too nervous. They are determined to join in on the fun this year, and they do join their grandparent at their first Pride celebration. This book effortlessly incorporates many inclusive elements, such as they/them pronouns for both Marley and Zaza, Marley practicing mindfulness and using fidgets and noise-canceling headphones, and the diversity of the characters at Pride.

The Whatifs by Emily Kilgore

Cora’s story of wondering “what if…” resonates with everyone who struggles with anxiety. Kilgore personifies ‘whatifs’ as their own characters on the page always hovering around Cora. The story shows a new outlook through Stella’s perspective of her own ‘whatifs’ with a positive spin that helps Cora.

Bodies Are Cool by Tyler Feder

This book features beautiful and inclusive drawings. The repeating refrain that “bodies are cool” helps illustrate that all bodies-no matter what they look like-are cool!

 

We hope this list helps you find a new favorite too!

-Worcester Public Library Children’s Librarians

 

Crafts can be an amazing way to spend our time as the weather becomes colder. Aside from being a form of entertainment when the weather outside is frightful, crafts can be a great way for children to participate in gift giving without needing to spend much money. Below is a list of crafts that kids can make at home or librarians can use in library programs.

Popsicle Stick Boxes

This is a super fun craft that can double as a great homemade gift!

Supplies:

Popsicle sticks

Glue (tacky glue works better than regular)

Optional:

Decorations - rhinestones, markers, feathers, buttons, pipe cleaners

Instructions:

Step 1: Make the base

Place 11 popsicle sticks next to each other on your work space and then glue 2 popsicle sticks horizontally across them at the top and the bottom of the original 11 sticks.

Step 2: Make the sides

Glue 2 popsicle sticks vertically (one on each side) connecting the popsicle sticks that were placed horizontally. Then layer 2 more horizontally on top of the 2 that had been previously placed.

Continue to layer popsicle sticks horizontally and then vertically until you build the sides as high as you’d like.

Step 3: Make the lid

You can repeat step 1 and make a base for a lid, or you can use fewer popsicle sticks, leaving spaces between the popsicle sticks to allow for further decoration. Here is an example with spaces between the popsicle sticks.

Step 4: Decorate!

Add sparkles, color, feathers, pipe cleaners, or whatever else you like!

Paper Chain Crafts

Making paper chains is a great way to teach patterns, counting, and colors. Making the paper chains into animals is another way to make these crafts fun.

Supplies:

Construction paper

Glue or tape

Markers

Scissors

Instructions:

Step 1: Cut strips of paper

You can try different lengths, widths, and colors.

Step 2: Make a circle out of one of the strips.

Step 3: Make the chain

Put another strip through the first circle and tape or glue its ends together, making the second circle on the chain.

Repeat this step for as many chains as you would like. Make patterns with the colors or count the number of chains as you make them.

Step 4: Make it into an animal

To make it into a snake, cut out a strip of paper with a snake head at the end. Attach this chain in the same way you attach other chains.

Another option is to make the chains into a jellyfish by cutting out a jellyfish body. When making the final chain on the jellyfish tentacles, leave tabs to make it easier to glue the chains to the body.

Step 5: Add faces

Use markers or construction paper to bring these animals to life.

Salt Dough

Salt dough is an amazing craft that can act as a homemade play dough or, if left to dry, an alternative to clay.

Supplies:

1/2 cup all-purpose flour - or gluten-free flour

1/4 cup salt

1/4 cup water

Instructions:

Step 1: Make the dough

Combine the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Gradually add a little water at a time, mixing as you pour, to form a ball of dough.

Step 2: Knead the dough

Knead until the dough is smooth and firm. Additional water may be needed, depending upon humidity.

Step 3: Play and enjoy!

Store the salt dough for future use in a Ziploc bag or airtight container to prevent it from drying out, or shape it into whatever form you like and then leave it out to dry.

Yarn Mosaics

Supplies:

Paper

Pencils

Yarn scraps

Scissors

Instructions:

Step 1: Plan and draw out your mosaic.

Use pencil to lightly sketch out the image you would like to make

Step 2: Begin gluing pieces of yarn to create the image.

You can cover the entire paper with yarn or choose specific elements of the image to emphasize with yarn.

 

Find more ideas like these in the 740s of our nonfiction section:

Libraries are the important physical location where community teams up with the power of books, creativity, and education. Here are a few books that celebrate these magical spaces and their influence on the world.

Picture Books

Stacey’s Remarkable Books by Stacey Abrams

This bright and fun book follows Stacey introducing a new friend to the library where together they start a book club that celebrates other languages and cultures along with friendship and trying new things. 

No Cats in the Library by Lauren Emmons

A cat who loves the pictures in books is determined to get access to the Library. How will she convince the librarian that she should be allowed to enjoy the books as well?

The Library Book by Tom Chapin

This fun book follows a little girl singing a song about how she is spending her rainy day going to the library. It features many popular book characters and has a great rhythm that keeps the story moving.

The New LiBEARian by Alison Donald

When it’s time for storytime and the librarian has gone missing, Dee and her friends search the library and find a bear instead! This humorous picture truly brings books to life.

The Loud Librarian by Jenna Beatrice

Penelope is very excited to be this week’s class librarian, but she struggles with her “library voice.” This fun book follows Penelope as she takes on her role as librarian and finds how she fits in at the library while being true to herself.

Abuela’s Library by Lisette Norman

Alfonso and his Abuela’s favorite tree is cut down because it is dying, and they decide to make it into a library. This beautiful book is about community, determination, and turning something horrible into something amazing. 

Bunny’s Book Club by Annie Silvestro

When Bunny overheard the librarian’s outdoor storytime, he fell in love with books. This adorable picture book follows bunny as he falls in love with reading, shares that love with his friends, and learns how to use the library.

Nonfiction

The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq by Jeanette Winter

Jeanette Winter tells the true story of Alia Muhammad Baker, a librarian in Iraq amidst a war in 2003. When the city of Basra was invaded, Baker was able to save 70% of the collection before the library burned to the grown nine days later. This emotive book describes the realities of war while still being appropriate for children and emphasizing the unifying power of books and learning. 

Digging for Words: José Alberto Gutiérrez and the Library He Built by Angela Burke Kunkel

This book follows José Alberto Gutiérrez, the founder of the first library in the La Nueva Gloria barrio in Bogotá, Colombia. This beautiful narrative incorporates Spanish words seamlessly and discusses the power of books and libraries’ abilities to build community.

All about Librarians by Brianna Kaiser

The characters of Sesame Street introduce readers to librarians, their jobs, and libraries.

Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré by Anika Aldamuy Denise

This biography follows Pura Belpré, who was born in Puerto Rico and moved to New York City in 1921. Soon, she became a bilingual assistant at the New York Public Library, where she would retell the folktales from Puerto Rico. In order to share her stories, she soon became a puppeteer and author as well, and her work is now celebrated with a yearly award by the American Library Association. This inspiring story emphasizes the importance of seeing yourself reflected in books and at the library while displaying the difference that a person can make.

Graphic Novels

The Night Librarian by Christopher Lincoln

In Lincoln’s world set at the New York Public Library, books are magical and require night librarians to tame their forces. When twins Reed and Paige accidentally set off a magical upheaval where characters are set free from their books, adventure ensues. This book is filled with iconic characters and underscores the power of books and family. 

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library: the Graphic Novel by Chris Grabenstein

After twelve years without, Alexandriaville is getting a new library! Mr Lemoncello, a famous game designer and the library’s benefactor, has chosen twelve seventh graders to compete in games escaping the library for its grand opening. This adventure-filled book is full of fun and literary references.

Chapter Books

The Secret Library by Kekla Magoon

Eleven-year-old Dally doesn’t want to run Peteharrington Enterprises, despite her mother’s wishes. She is grieving the loss of her grandfather, who encouraged her love of adventure. When Dally opens an envelope from her late Grandpa, she finds a map to an enchanted library, taking her on an mystery-filled adventure through time and her family’s secret history.

Property of the Rebel Librarian by Allison Varnes

When June’s protective parents decide one of her books is inappropriate, they first go through her personal books before going after books in the school’s library and having the school librarian suspended. This funny chapter book starts important discussions about book banning, censorship, and activism.

The Forbidden Library by Django Wexler

When Alice moves in with her long-lost uncle, he tells her that the library is forbidden. When she gives in to temptation and opens a book, she finds herself trapped inside it! This fast-paced book is full of adventure and wit.

I hope this list helped you find a fun, new read!

-Alyssa