Welcome back to The Read Aloud Classroom. I’m Sara, and today I am so excited to share something a little different with you. We’re talking about brand new picture books from 2025 that make absolutely perfect gifts—whether you’re shopping for your students, building your classroom library, or picking out books for your own kids at home.
And here’s the best part: every single book I’m sharing today comes straight from my 2025 Read Aloud Guide. If you haven’t heard about this yet, let me give you a quick overview. This guide features over 100 brand new picture books from 2025—books that are engaging, meaningful, and perfect for teaching. For each book, you’ll find the cover image so you can easily spot it at the bookstore or library, a summary of what the book’s about, and most importantly, exactly what you can teach with it. Whether you need books for character traits, story elements, SEL, or content area connections, it’s all organized and ready for you. I’ve done all the reading and vetting so you don’t have to spend hours searching. I’ll leave a link to grab your copy in the show notes—don’t miss this resource for planning your spring semester and beyond.
Alright, let’s dive into these amazing books!
Let’s start with some beautiful winter and holiday-themed books, because I know so many of you love collecting holiday books to share throughout December. These would be perfect additions to that collection—or even to start a tradition of reading a new book each day with your own children.
First up is The Gift of Words by Peter H. Reynolds. If you love The Word Collector—and I know so many of us do—you’re going to adore this holiday follow-up. In this story, Jerome is looking forward to collecting words of hope, love, and joy to share during the holiday season. But as he starts searching, he realizes that inspirational words are harder to find than he thought. Eventually, Jerome discovers a way to connect with his community and share the greatest gift of all: the gift of words.
This book makes such a thoughtful gift because it’s not just a beautiful story—it’s a reminder about the power of language and connection during the holidays. It’s perfect for sparking conversations with kids about kindness, gratitude, and how our words matter. Plus, Peter H. Reynolds’ illustrations are absolutely stunning. This is one kids will want to return to year after year.
Next is The Littlest Solstice Tree by Lisa Varchol Perron. This one is told from the perspective of a small tree in the forest who dreams of being crowned Tree of the Year for the winter solstice. Sapling’s chances seem small—literally!—but when she befriends an overlooked neighbor, they discover they might reach new heights together.
What I love about this as a gift is that it’s both cozy and meaningful. It brings together themes of friendship, challenging the status quo, and the idea that even the smallest among us can make a difference. If you’re looking for a winter book that goes beyond the typical holiday fare and introduces kids to winter solstice traditions, this is it. The author’s note even gives context about how trees have been part of winter celebrations for centuries, which is such a nice educational touch.
And our third winter pick is The Old Sleigh by Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey. The Pumphrey brothers are Caldecott Honorees, and this magical story is a companion to their books The Old Truck and The Old Boat. In The Old Sleigh, an old sleigh delivers firewood on winter nights, bringing warmth and light to a small town. But as the town grows and families expand, the old sleigh becomes overwhelmed. Eventually, a new sled and a new generation carry on the tradition.
This book is perfect for gift-giving because it celebrates community, tradition, and the simple act of giving. It’s heartwarming without being overly sentimental, and the illustrations are absolutely gorgeous. Kids will love the cozy, magical feel, and it’s a wonderful way to talk about how traditions are passed down and how we can all contribute to our communities. If you’re building a collection of winter books, this one is a must-have.
Okay, moving on to some books that are all about being yourself and celebrating what makes you unique. These are such fun picks for kids who are figuring out their own identities and learning that it’s okay to be different.
Let’s start with Billie Jean Peet, Athlete by Andrea Beaty. If you’re familiar with Rosie Revere, Engineer or Ada Twist, Scientist, you already know Andrea Beaty and David Roberts create magic together. Billie Jean is the middle kid in a house full of music—her older sister sings, her younger sister drums, even the family mouse can bust a move! But when Billie Jean tries to join in, her notes come out sharp and flat. She’s convinced she’s just not good at anything. Then, a mistake on the basketball court leads to an unexpected revelation, and Billie Jean realizes she can combine all her interests to create something completely her own.
This makes a fantastic gift because every kid has felt like Billie Jean at some point—wondering where they fit, worrying they’re not good at anything. This book is such an empowering reminder that you don’t have to do things the way everyone else does. You can march to the beat of your own drum and forge your own path. Plus, it’s funny and engaging, which means kids will actually want to read it over and over.
And now for one that’s going to make kids absolutely giggle: Hedgehogs Don’t Wear Underwear by Marissa Valdez. This book is hilariously zany! Jacques is a little French hedgehog with a big secret—he loves wearing underwear! But in the hedgehog world, that’s just not done. Hedgehogs eat grubs, they make nests, they snort with their sniffly snouts. They do NOT wear underwear. So Jacques has to decide: will he muster the bravery to share his love of tighty-whities with the world?
Okay, this book is just pure fun. Kids are going to think it’s absolutely hysterical, which makes it a perfect gift. But underneath all the silliness, it’s actually about identity and self-acceptance. It’s about having the courage to be yourself even when you’re worried about what others will think. Plus, it’s great for potty-training time if you’re looking for something that gets kiddos pumped about underwear. Trust me, this one’s going to be a hit.
Now let’s talk about some books that really tug at your heartstrings—books about relationships, big feelings, and learning to navigate emotions.
First is I Got You by Derrick Barnes. This is such a touching celebration of siblinghood. Rasheed has the best big brother in the world—Anthony has been his hero from day one, keeping him safe during storms, teaching him about worms and mud pies and how to fly on a swing. As Rasheed gets older, Anthony teaches him big-kid things like buttoning his shirt and riding a bike. But he also teaches Rasheed something really important: that sometimes Anthony needs his own space and time with his buddies. At first Rasheed feels crushed, but Anthony reassures him that even when they’re apart, he still loves Rasheed and nothing will change that. And when their parents share the news that they’re both about to be big brothers, Rasheed knows exactly what kind of big brother he wants to be.
This is such a beautiful gift for siblings, especially if there’s a new baby on the way or if you have a child who’s learning to navigate that big-sibling, little-sibling dynamic. It’s joyful and tender, and it really captures what it means to love someone and give them space at the same time. I can see so many teachers using this for SEL lessons, but it’s also just a wonderful book to have at home.
Next up is The Marvelous Now by Angela DiTerlizzi. If you loved The Magical Yet and The Curious Why, you’re going to want this one too. The Marvelous Now is all about mindfulness and staying present when things feel overwhelming. Missed the bus? Flubbed a test? Got overwhelmed in a crowd? When you’re feeling big feelings or having a bad day, it’s hard to calm your racing mind. This book gives kids the tools to recognize that right now—this moment—is exactly where they need to be.
This makes such a thoughtful gift because, let’s be honest, kids today are dealing with a lot. They need strategies for calming down, resetting, and finding their happy place. The accessible, rhythmic verse makes it easy to read aloud, and the illustrations are colorful and joyful. This is one of those books that you’ll reach for again and again when a child needs help regulating their emotions. It’s practical and empowering—and that’s exactly what makes it gift-worthy.
Alright, if you’re looking for something that’s going to inspire creativity and self-expression, I’ve got the perfect pick for you: Rap It Up by Carole Boston Weatherford.
This book is an infectious, read-aloud introduction to the poetry and craft of rap. From scribbling words on the page to spitting rhymes on the mic, a joyful narrator guides readers through the emotions, literary techniques, structures, and motifs that make rap so amazing. The illustrations are vibrant and leap right off the page, and the whole book urges readers to believe in themselves and the power of their creativity.
Why does this make a great gift? Because it’s celebratory, it’s educational, and it’s incredibly empowering. Whether you have a child who’s already into music and poetry or one who’s just starting to explore creative writing, this book is going to inspire them. It’s perfect for kids who need that reminder to express themselves and let the world hear what they’ve got to say. Plus, it’s just plain fun to read aloud. The rhythm and energy are contagious!
And finally, let’s wrap up with a beautiful animal story: Odder: An Otter’s Story by Katherine Applegate.
This stunning picture book is adapted from Katherine Applegate’s bestselling middle-grade novel, which spent over 100 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. The story follows Odder, an otter who spends her days playing underwater and learning life lessons from her mother. But when Odder’s life takes a dramatic turn, she’s rescued by humans. The people are kind and introduce Odder to other rescues, and soon it becomes clear that Odder has a real talent for teaching other otter pups how to otter. The story is actually inspired by a real program that pairs orphaned otter pups together.
This book makes a wonderful gift because it’s heartwarming, it’s based on a true story, and it beautifully illustrates themes of resilience, community, and finding your purpose. Kids will fall in love with Odder, and they’ll learn about the importance of rescue and rehabilitation programs. If you’re looking for a book that’s both tender and educational, this is it. Plus, Katherine Applegate’s writing is just gorgeous—you can’t go wrong with anything she creates.
Okay, friends, those are my top picks for brand new picture books from 2025 that make perfect gifts. Whether you’re shopping for your students, adding to your classroom library, or picking out books for your own kids, I hope this list gave you some great ideas.
And remember, all of these books—and so many more—are featured in my 2025 Read Aloud Guide. That guide has over 100 books with summaries, teaching applications, and everything you need to make confident book choices for your classroom. Grab your copy today—I’ve got the link waiting for you in the show notes. Don’t miss this resource for planning your spring semester and making your read-aloud time even more meaningful.
Thanks so much for listening, and happy reading!
