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This website has articles about children's books based on age and category.

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Brightly | Helping Parents Grow Lifelong Readers

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Find great books for kids, reading strategies, age-specific book lists, exclusive author content, and more.

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Growing up, everyone had their favorite book or books. The books we treasured and read in our childhoods have inspired and shaped our imaginations into our adulthood. And the stories in those books changed with time as the trends in children's literature changed to reflect the times they were written in.

Children's literature is one of the more complex forms of writing, as its impact is incredible. The books can inspire and teach in ways not possible with other mediums. And it may seem like a daunting challenge to write for children and tap into that book market. But understanding what kind of books are popular in children's literature can help give you direction.

Children's literature is books aimed at newborns to eighteen-year-old teenagers. These include both fiction and non-fiction.

Before this blog delves into trends in children's literature in 2021, we'll look at the potential of the children's literature market. We'll also expand a little on what it means by trends in literature.

The Potential of Children's Literature

The potential market for children's literature globally is massive and is expected to continue growing in the coming years. Currently, it is expected that 2021 will see 18.2 billion US dollars through the sales of children's books. And this figure is expected to rise to 25 billion US dollars by 2025.

A significant part of the sales comes from adults also reading trending children's books. The most well-known of these would be the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. The HP series' popularity went beyond its intended market of school children. This phenomenon is not new, as many beloved children's tales have found a home beyond their intended markets. Books like The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S Lewis and Roal Dahl's Charlie and The Chocolate Factory are examples of children's books popular among adults.

Another thing to understand is that trends in children's literature are not confined to just fiction. Nonfiction has gained increasing popularity in recent years as well. We will go through the types of books trending in non-fiction and what kind of topics they cover later on.

The potential is there, and the market is ever-growing, so there is always room for another good children's author. Who knows, your creation may be the next popular children's book character.

Understanding What Is Meant by Trends in Literature

We feel it is important to understand what is meant by trends in literature before we look at the current trends in children's literature. A trend in literature is something the writer abides by in a way that mirrors the general idea of the time period a piece is written in. The writer abides with regards to form, ideologies, themes and expressions.

Examples of trends in literature, in general, are Modernism, Post-Modernism, Realism, etc. Trends in children's literature do see the impact of trends in adult literature but sometimes impact is reversed. Defining trends is a bit more difficult as the concepts and things that form the focal points of trending children's books can be whimsical or arbitrary in some cases.

So let's see the trends for 2021 and what is capturing the imaginations and inspiring children around the globe.

Trends in Children's Literature That You Should Know

Children's literature, both fiction and non-fiction, has a greater responsibility now more than ever at what it presents. The trends reflect this sense of responsibility that many children's authors feel. Beyond reflecting the times we live in, the current trends show that people want children to be imaginative and better people as they grow up.

Some of the trends in popular children's literature these days are as follows:

Female Empowerment

There was a time when almost all major story protagonists fit very specific criteria. But, those days are in the past. So, we are seeing more and more popular children's literature with a diverse range of empowered female protagonists and characters.

These stories take place in various settings, from the modern to fantasy to the future, with diverse protagonists. These tales are meant to inspire and give girls around the world heroes and role models to look up to. Some characters are fictional, and others depict real-life characters going on adventures.

This trend in children's literature has produced some amazing works covering a wide range of issues that girls face today. The sheer joy when one reads a character experiencing a similar situation to oneself cannot be stated enough.

Books like "I Like Myself" by Karen Beaumont teach children how to be comfortable with who they are. Or "The Princess Knight" by Cornelia Funke spins a tale of sexism and how the world discourages girls from pursuing certain paths. In this story, it is the desire to become a knight and learn the ways of the sword. Another great example that goes beyond female representation and adds representation for neuro-divergent people is "The Girl Who Thought In Pictures" by Julia Finley Mosca.

The examples are many, and each year more and more authors are adding stories of girls who can, creating mirrors to the issues in the real world. Of all the trends in children's literature to gain traction, this has the potential to have the largest impact.

Inclusivity

The world is diverse, and people come in all shapes and shades. Stories that showcase the theme of inclusivity, whether it be tales of a person of color or someone differently-abled, are becoming more common. It's hard to imagine a time when these kinds of stories weren't present, and children had a hard time relating to their circumstances.

Representation matters! Not only does it help kids relate to their circumstances. But, stories that are representative and inclusive are also great ways to teach children how to interact with others who are different. This point about representation matters is valid for both people of color and people who are differently-abled. But it goes beyond that to identity, to family dynamics, and more. As a result, more and more trending children's books feature inclusivity in one form or another these days.

One hopes that these inclusive tales will have a positive impact and make the world a more tolerant and diverse place. Some examples of this trend in children's literature are given below.

"It's Okay To Be Different" by Todd Parr is a rhyming book aimed at toddlers and is meant to teach diversity to them. The book showcases many characters with different traits such as braces, glasses, runny noses, wheelchairs, etc. It shows that people are different, and it is okay to be different.

Another example is "Hello Goodbye Dog" by Maria Gianferrari tells the tale of Zara and, through this story, teaches the concept of service animals. Or "All Are Welcome" by Alexander Penfold uses a classroom setting to teach about diversity and inclusion and its importance.

These stories are bringing forth popular children's book characters who are relatable. They show children stories where they see themselves. Where they see their own lives reflected, and it shows them that life is diverse, wondrous, and it's okay to be different.

Dragons

The previous two trends in children's literature that we talked about are serious and have real-world impacts. But children's literature is more than lessons imparted. It is also about unleashing the creativity and imagination of children. Popular children's literature has often taken kids of all ages to wonderous lands and distant times on amazing adventures.

In recent years there has been a surge of tales featuring dragons in one way or another for children. And it's not just the kids. It's even adult literature that has become fascinated again by these majestic creatures.

Depending on the age group, the tales featuring dragons can range from humorous and whimsical to grand adventures of yore. For example, "The Dragonet Prophecy" by Tui T. Sutherland is an exhilarating tale of destiny, prophecy amidst dragons for teenagers. While "Dragons Love Tacos" by Adam Rubin is a whimsical tale of inviting dragons to your party through the deliciousness of tacos.

Video Games

Video games have come a long way since the pixelated days of pong. And as the industry grows, its influence can be seen in other mediums as well. The worlds crafted in video games are made into the pages of books the same way books are being adapted into video games. Video games already offer such extensive worlds, characters, heroes, villains, and more that it makes sense that they have jumped mediums.

Popular children's literature involving video games comes in different forms. It could be tie-in books from popular video games aimed at children and young adults. They can also be stories where the characters' love of video games plays an integral part, or they get transported into video games.

One of the more enduring and early examples of this trend before it became popular was "Only You Can Save Mankind" by Terry Pratchett. The series of books by PopularMMO, a Youtuber, takes young readers into fantastical adventures in the worlds of popular video games like Minecraft. Or the many tie-in novels set in the Pokemon universe or the Star Wars universe written specifically for children.

This particular trend in children's literature will continue to grow in popularity as video games become more and more part of our pop culture.

Mysteries

Mysteries is one of those trends in literature that never quite go out of popularity. Mysteries have endured the test of time, and changing trends and books falling under it remain as popular as ever. Children's mystery books are appearing more and more in the trending children's books lists, and the resurgence does not seem to be slowing anytime soon.

These books are favorites of many children around the world because of the intrigue they bring and the curiosity they spark. Books like "City Spies" by James Ponti, "Jada Sly, Artist & Spy" by Sherri Winston, or "Mac Undercover" by Mac Barnett are all examples of popular mystery books for children. And of course, one cannot mention mystery books for children without mentioning "The Hardy Boys" series.

Spooky & Scary Tales

It seems counter-intuitive that spooky & scary stories would be one of the popular trends in children's literature. But, the number of books being published and loved says otherwise. These stories are spooky but not terrifying like adult horror. Just as some kids love reading tales of dragons and distant planets, some are interested in monsters and the spooky.

These children's books are aimed at the higher age group but are nevertheless popular. Some have even been adapted for shows and movies in recent years, showcasing their growing popularity and market demand.

The most popular and trailblazer of all spooky stories for children was the "Goosebumps" series by R.L. Stine. More recent examples include books such as "Eerie Elementary'' by Max Brailler, "Creepy Carrots!" by Aaron Reynolds, Caroline By Neil Gaiman, etc.

Non-Fiction

Once non-fiction was only for adults, but now there are so many wonderful books aimed at children. These comprise books that explain the world and the universe to give role models to children of real-life superheroes. There are several trending children's books among the various fictional works available, with more and more coming out each year.

The sheer diversity of books that fall under this umbrella makes it difficult to cover all possible categories. However, a few examples and what they entail are possible. For example, the "Rebel Girls" books showcase women, heroes from history, and current years. They tell tales of inspirational women of color, history, science, and much, much more. Or "Planes: From the Wright Brothers to the Supersonic Jet" by Jan Van Der Veken is a guide to the history and development of powered flight.

Non-fiction has its place within children's literature alongside fiction. They both teach and inspire in different ways.

Final Thoughts

Trends are transitory, and some remain, and some go. However, one thing that has always been evident regarding trends in children's literature is that every page is a lesson bundled in an enjoyable package irrespective of the theme.

So, consider including themes of tolerance, humor, manners, and morals when writing or buying a book for children.

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Growing up, everyone had their favorite book or books. The books we treasured and read in our childhoods have inspired and shaped our imaginations into our adulthood. And the stories in those books changed with time as the trends in children's literature changed to reflect the times they were written in.

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The Journal of Children's Literature, a refereed publication of the Children's Literature Assembly of the National Council of Teachers of English, explores issues of current concern to scholars in the field of children's literature, librarians, and classroom teachers-preschool through middle school.

As a peer-reviewed professional publication, the Journal of Children's Literature features research-based and scholarly articles that explore contemporary issues that are of interest to elementary and middle grade teachers, scholars and researchers of children's literature, teacher educators, and librarians. It also recognizes the diversity of methodologies and theories and seeks critical perspectives on issues related to race/ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, dis/ability, language and other similar topics in children's literature

We value the unique position JCL occupies in the field, bridging theory and practice by publishing research-based and theoretical manuscripts that have immediate implications for the ways in which children's literature is shared in elementary and middle grade classrooms, and discussed in communities outside the classroom.

With the November 2015 approval of NCTE's "Resolution on the Need for Diverse Children's and Young Adult Books, JCL is committed to the recognition of diverse voices, the support of emerging IBPOC scholars and researchers, and to excellence in interdisciplinary research and scholarship in the field of children's literature. We therefore welcome submissions that center literature studies in relation to issues of social justice, and equity, the representations of populations that have been historically marginalized or under-represented in children's texts and culture, as well as the intersections between popular culture and identity.

First Issue (Spring 2023)

We are living in a time when children's literature is making headlines more than perhaps ever before. To meet this moment, supporters of readers and reading need to be organized, educated, and vocal. That means the field of children's iterature needs clear, accessible, high quality, published research. Journals that publish such research have the potential to supply accurate, meaningful knowledge and data related to literature for young people for the public, while also illustrating the broader possible questions, perspectives, and conclusions scholars of this literature might come to through their studies, regardless of media headlines. In other words, we envision a theory-into-practice focus where research into and analysis of literature is valued, especially where it's presented in or alongside connections to reading, readers, and teaching practice to support practitioners.

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The Journal of Children's Literature, a refereed publication of the Children's Literature Assembly of the National Council of Teachers of English, explores issues of current concern to scholars in the field of children's literature, librarians, and classroom teachers-preschool through middle school.

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The fraught history of the Oompa-Loompas captures the irresolvable tension at the heart of children's literature and theatre: it is impossible to separate these stories from the ideological fabric of our world.

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Children's literature News, Research and Analysis - The Conversation

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The fraught history of the Oompa-Loompas captures the irresolvable tension at the heart of children's literature and theatre: it is impossible to separate these stories from the ideological fabric of our world.

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This is a way to see what is trending

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While growing up, I am sure that you had a few treasured storybooks that you use to pour-over. These books probably inspired your love for weird and wonderful creatures such as dragons or unicorns, which often spilled over into pretending you were these creatures. Books inspire children to be brave, kind, and compassionate; most importantly, they encourage children to fall in love with reading.

It may seem like a daunting task to consider tapping into the children's book market, but research has shown that there is potential for even more growth and a world of opportunities for would-be authors. Sales of children's books continue to rise, especially in the middle grade and young adult categories.

Keen to pen your first children's book? Consider the following 10 current trends to help you create a best-seller!

10 Trends in Children's Books That You Must Know

Here are the most current trends in children's books for 2020 and 2021.

Empowered Females

Now, this is something we can get behind! More and more storybooks are beginning to cover a diverse range of empowered females. Some stories focus on young girls who encourage change or who do something significant, whereas other books write about real-life characters such as Hilde, a female journalist from the book series, Hilde Cracks the Case. All have a strong theme, which is to be proud of who you are as a woman!

Dragons

Dragons have never lost their place amongst storybooks in all these years. They have even leaked into popular adult shows such as The Witcher and Game of Thrones. This shows that the topic of dragons can be for both young and old to enjoy.

Popular books about dragons include A Friend for Dragon and Wings of Fire.

Unicorns

Children love the world of magic, mystery, and sparkle. Unicorns represent this in a fun and exciting manner.

Much like dragons, unicorns remain relevant in books. The majority of books inspired by unicorns teach valuable lessons such as friendship and kindness. Phoebe and Her Unicorn, The Last Unicorn, and Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great are examples of such books.

Pugs

Yep, this beloved dog breed has taken the world by storm and entered into the children's book market. These books are centered around humor and often silly pugs that entertain children as they read. is especially popular right now.

Wild Creatures

Children will always be fascinated with the animal kingdom, and what better way to enrich them than through books detailing funny, entertaining, and empowering animal characters like those found in top-sellers such as Giraffes Can't Dance and The Pout-Pout Fish.

Ghosts, Monsters, and Scary Things

There has been a gradual increase in books that write about spooky (though not too scary) ghosts, monsters, and ghastly ghouls in a manner that sparks interest but is not terrifying for children.

Just like boys and girls love dragons and unicorns, some have an interest in zombies and monsters. Though reserved for older children, stories such as and Eerie Elementary are just a few titles that are proving popular with young readers.

Video Games

The world of video games is slowly making its way onto the pages of books and vice-versa. As there is so much to offer in terms of worlds, characters, monsters, and villains, it makes sense why these would begin to make their way into children's literature. Books such as Press Start! can also help younger kids feel as inspired and involved as their older siblings do who play videogames.

Mysteries

The popularity of mystery and ' whodunnit' books is slowly on the increase, gaining a strong following in 2019 and continuing its momentum into 2020 and 2021. Young readers cannot get enough of young characters solving cases and uncovering mysteries. Books such as It Wasn't Me and Mac Undercover prove that spy-fueled adventures are here to stay.

Gross and Goofy

It does not matter how old you are, gross and goofy will always pique an interest among readers. Books such as these were trendy in the past and will remain so for quite some time! The book series Diary of Wimpy Kid paved the way forward for this genre.

Non-Fictional Titles

Child-friendly, nonfiction titles that teach children about the world around them also have room among all the fantasy-inspired storybooks. The most popular book series in this genre is probably National Geographic for Kids which depicts and explains the natural world in an easy to learn, colorful format.

So you think you know which trend appeals to you, but where do you start? Read our article on how to write a children's book that sells for more information.

Top Kids Books Niches

Trends come and go, but in terms of the children's book category, many themes still serve as the mainstays.

For example:

Coloring books are covering broader topics instead of focusing on simple images. Some even tell a story that kids can follow as they color. For older children, titles such as Harry Potter: The Coloring Book and Seuss Coloring Book will ensure their love for coloring never fades.

Activity books can include coloring in sections, stickers, join-the-dots, find what is missing, and more. Books such as these cater to older children, but basic activity books such as First Words Sticker Activity Book help little ones learn words and numbers through the use of stickers.

Choose your own adventure books are back! These are interactive storybooks that allow the reader to decide which path the character will take through the book, finally settling with an alternative ending. Books such as Dungeons and Dragons: Endless Quest and Midnight Arcade are proving that there is a market for these books.

Life lessons are an essential part of storytelling. Books that teach young ones about sharing, diversity, body positivity, and manners are crucial in shaping a young reader's mind and also builds humility and tolerance. Bestseller Rock What Ya Got is one such example.

Mythology, fantasy, and time travel will never fall out of fashion either and are a good way to spark interest in young readers as plot twists and turns are synonymous with themed books such as these. , The Storm Keeper's Island, and The Storm Runner are a few examples of these trends.

Watch a YouTube mom, Emily Norris, showcase a few of her children's favorite books, which may help you determine which theme you would like to explore further in your writing.

Writing a Children's Book That Sells FAQ

Your questions about writing stories for kids answered!
Why is reading important for children?
Young children and babies are captivated by communicating and adore the sound of language before they can even speak a word, let alone notice the words printed within a book.

Reading to children helps educate them about the world and encourages imagination. They also learn how to listen and it supports them in understanding the written word.
How do you write a popular children's book?
First, determine which age group your book will cater too. Select a theme and a broad idea. Focus on building your characters and the plot. Write the correct amount of words based on the age-group. Use repetition in your story, and always write with the illustrations in mind.
How many pages should a children's book have?

Infant to three-year-old: Picture book, 0 words, 32 pages, and illustrated on every page.

Age two to five: Young reader picture book, 200 to 400 words, 32 pages, and illustrated on every page.

Age four to eight: Trade picture book, 400 to 800 words, 32 or more pages, and illustrated on every page.

Age six to 10: Picture storybook, 1,000 to 3,000 words, 32 or more pages, and illustrated on every page.

Age six to 10: Chapter book, 3,000 to 10,000 words, 32 or more pages, and illustrated on every other page.

Age eight to 12: Middle-grade book, 15,000 to 40,000 words, 82 pages, and 12 or more illustrations.

Final Thoughts

Though trends come and go, what remains evident is that, regardless of the book's theme, with every turn of the page, valuable lessons are taught which the reader will hopefully apply to their life.

Consider including cultural tolerance, humor, manners, and morals within your book. You will have one significant part of your book covered, and it will be bound to attract readers and appeal to parents who will inevitably be buying your books for their little ones.

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10 Current Trends in Children's Books: What Kids Want to Read

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While growing up, I am sure that you had a few treasured storybooks that you use to pour-over. These books probably inspired your love for weird and wonderful creatures such as dragons or unicorns, which often spilled over into pretending you were these creatures.

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This list is updated constantly and can be used to keep up with current children's literature.

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Children’s Picture Books - Best Sellers - Books - The New York Times

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The New York Times Best Sellers are up-to-date and authoritative lists of the most popular books in the United States, based on sales in the past week, including fiction, non-fiction, paperbacks, children’s books, audiobooks, graphic books and more.