The climate outdoors is frightful, however new books are so pleasant!

Three new books for January 2026: I Am a Big Fish, Alice With a Why, Lovely One
We Are Academics; Amazon

What higher approach to ring within the new yr than with a bunch of terrific recent reads? We’ve scoured the evaluations, and these are the brand new books for January 2026 we’re most excited to take a look at.

FREE PRINTABLE

January Studying Log

Obtain this free printable to assist college students hold monitor of their studying progress all through the month of January! Simply observe the hyperlink on the button under to get yours.

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We Are Academics

New Fiction Image Books in January 2026

How Many Animals Fit Into This Book? cover
Amazon

How Many Animals Can Slot in This Guide? by Natalia Yaskina

In accordance with Ant, this guide is completely sized for one tiny animal. However all the opposite animals appear to disagree! Children could have a blast counting every new creature that seems on this guide that’s certain to turn into a read-aloud favourite.

Purchase it: How Many Animals Can Fit in This Book?

The Wildest Thing book cover
Amazon

The Wildest Factor by Emily Winfield Martin

This new image guide will remind readers of The place the Wild Issues Are in all the very best methods. When younger Eleanor wakes to find her room stuffed with the forest and the wild issues that reside there, she joins within the enjoyable, releasing the “wildest factor” of all inside herself!

Purchase it: The Wildest Thing

This Hair Belongs book cover
Amazon

This Hair Belongs by JaNay Brown-Wooden, ailing. by Erin Ok. Robinson

January brings a number of new books encouraging youngsters of all ages to embrace their pure hair. This image guide tells a strong story of Black hair via historical past, making little ones happy with the colour, textures, and kinds of their very own hair as we speak.

Purchase it: This Hair Belongs

Together Right Now book cover
Amazon

Collectively Proper Now by Olga Fadeeva

In our busy day by day lives, we don’t typically cease to consider what others all over the world are doing on the similar time. This guide makes the case that we actually ought to, serving to youngsters think about what individuals of all ages (and animals too!) is likely to be doing elsewhere proper at that second. 

Purchase it: Together Right Now

What a Small Cat Needs book cover
Amazon

What a Small Cat Wants by Natalia Shaloshvili

Animal lovers will delight on this candy new learn translated from Russian. When it’s first born, all somewhat cat wants is 2 ears, two eyes, whiskers, and a tail. What else does it want because it grows up? Every part from milk to heat arms to carry it shut—maybe yours!

Purchase it: What a Small Cat Needs

New Straightforward Reader / Chapter Books in January 2026

Ling and Ting's Lunar New Year book cover
Amazon

Ling & Ting’s Lunar New 12 months: Two Occasions Fortunate by Grace Lin

Chinese language American twins Ling and Ting are again to please the chapter guide crowd, this time with a celebration of Lunar New 12 months! Children aware of the vacation’s traditions will like seeing the twins take pleasure in them, whereas those that aren’t shall be fascinated to be taught all about them.

Purchase it: Ling & Ting’s Lunar New Year

I Am a Big Fish book cover
Amazon

I Am a Huge Fish! by Susie Lee Jin

One little fish meets a collection of larger and larger fish on this enjoyable new straightforward reader, every louder and prouder than the following. Then a shark seems on the scene, and all the large fish scatter, leaving the little fish to puff out and show he’s an enormous fish in spite of everything!

Purchase it: I Am a Big Fish!

Bug on the Bus book cover
Amazon

Bug on the Bus by David Catrow

Searching for a enjoyable new decodable guide to your latest emergent readers? This one’s certain to be successful! Beginning with a bug, a collection of animals board a bus—till the skunk arrives, and solely the bug sticks round, becoming a member of him for a day on the seaside. Quick phrases and easy sentences have not often been a lot enjoyable.

Purchase it: Bug on the Bus

The Letter Setters in Fun! book cover
Amazon

The Letter Setters in: Enjoyable! by Ethan Lengthy

The Letter Setters are a gaggle of pups with easy names like Pat, Bob, and Bub, good for youths nonetheless sounding out phrases (decoding) as they learn. Be a part of all of them for a day on the seaside on this new learn that celebrates short-vowel phrases.

Purchase it: The Letters Setters in: Fun!

New Center Grade Fiction Books in January 2026

Alice With a Why book cover
Amazon

Alice With a Why by Anna James

A few years after the unique go to to Wonderland, Alice’s granddaughter Alyce tumbles in herself. However the world she finds is a really completely different one—one at battle. With the assistance of a well-recognized forged of characters, Alyce should set Wonderland proper and make it dwelling safely once more. This new twist on the basic story is an actual deal with for the trendy viewers, even when they solely know Alice from films.

Purchase it: Alice With a Why

Maple for the People book cover
Amazon

Maple for the Folks by Kate McGovern

Sixth grader Maple is operating for sophistication president, however her slate is already full with friendships, monetary issues at dwelling, and worries about her dyslexia (the guide is printed in a dyslexic-friendly font). With help from her good friend Jack, she focuses her marketing campaign on serving to her neighborhood after a neighborhood fireplace. Maple’s journey will encourage youngsters to embrace their energy to make actual change.

Purchase it: Maple for the People

The Ordinary and Extraordinary Auden Greene book cover
Amazon

The Atypical and Extraordinary Auden Greene by Corey Ann Haydu

When fantasy-loving Denny is transported into the fairy-tale world she created along with her drifting finest good friend, she trades locations with Princess Auden, who’s overwhelmed by her personal looming duties. As every woman struggles to navigate the opposite’s life—whether or not preventing dragons or dealing with real-world friendships and household hardship—they confront the pressures of rising up. 

Purchase it: The Ordinary and Extraordinary Auden Greene

The Moon Without Stars book cover
Amazon

The Moon With out Stars by Chanel Miller

Seventh grader Luna Midday decides to shed her “boring” character by publishing a faculty zine along with her good friend Scott. Quickly, she’s a part of the favored crowd—however provided that she’s keen to go away Scott behind. Simply how a lot of herself is Luna keen to surrender in alternate for all times as a “cool child”?

Purchase it: The Moon Without Stars

Eureka book cover
Amazon

Eureka by Victoria Chang

In 1885, violence in opposition to Chinese language immigrants forces 12-year-old Mei Mei to go away San Francisco for supposedly safer Eureka. Compelled into kitchen labor for a rich household, she finds solace in a sort prepare dinner and a secret friendship that teaches her English. When the city of Eureka expels all Chinese language individuals, Mei Mei returns dwelling with new braveness and a deeper understanding of the significance of freedom. (Novel in verse)

Purchase it: Eureka

New Younger Grownup Fiction Books in January 2026

Beth is Dead book cover
Amazon

Beth Is Lifeless by Katie Bernet

You’ve in all probability by no means imagined Little Girls retold as a homicide thriller, however right here it’s! Set within the trendy world, this adaptation follows the March sisters as they try to resolve the homicide of Beth, who was discovered lifeless within the woods on New 12 months’s Day. Everybody suspects everybody else, with even shut relations beneath suspicion, on this twisty thriller.

Purchase it: Beth Is Dead

A Wild Radiance book cover
Amazon

A Wild Radiance by Maria Ingrande Mora

Josephine, an orphan skilled to wield her highly effective radiance for the authoritarian Home of Trade, is shipped to the distant city of Frostbrook, the place forbidden friendships and new emotions make her query all the things she’s been taught. As illness spreads via the countryside, Josephine should discover a approach to expose corruption on the Home and are available to phrases with who she actually is.

Purchase it: A Wild Radiance

I Don't Wish You Well book cover
Amazon

I Don’t Want You Properly by Jumata Emill

Eighteen-year-old Pryce Cummings returns to his hometown of Moss Pointe, Louisiana, to analyze the notorious Trojan murders that shook the neighborhood 5 years earlier. As he uncovers new proof that questions the convicted killer’s guilt, Pryce dangers uncovering harmful secrets and techniques for his podcast—and his life.

Purchase it: I Don’t Wish You Well

Sundown Girls book cover
Amazon

Sunset Women by L.S. Stratton

Sixteen-year-old Naomi arrives within the seemingly quaint city of Sparksburg, Virginia, and shortly uncovers the city’s historical past as a former “Sunset City.” As she investigates two current disappearances and is haunted by a ghostly woman, Naomi should confront each a present-day menace and her personal previous trauma to seek out the lacking ladies.

Purchase it: Sundown Girls

Winter White book cover
Amazon

Winter White by Annie Cardi

Many Shakespeare performs have acquired the trendy YA novel therapy, however this can be the primary to tackle The Winter’s Story. Use it within the classroom for a side-by-side comparability with the unique, or add it to your cabinets to encourage college students to discover the basic play on their very own.

Purchase it: Winter White

New Graphic Novels in January 2026

Sidekicks: Thick as Thieves book cover
Amazon

Sidekicks: Thick as Thieves by Dan Santat

Captain Superb is on trip when a serious knowledge breach places town’s heroes in danger. A mysterious newcomer named Whipley reveals up at his dwelling, alarming a lot of the captain’s sidekicks. As suspicions rise, the sidekicks should decide whether or not Whipley is really Shifty’s long-lost brother or a villain out for revenge. That is the second quantity within the Sidekicks graphic novel collection, so encourage new readers to take a look at the primary. (Grades 3–7)

Purchase it: Sidekicks: Thick as Thieves

Wrong Friend book cover
Amazon

Unsuitable Good friend by Charise Mericle Harper, ailing. by Rory Lucey

Neighbors Casey and Charise have lengthy been finest mates, however this yr Casey is beginning highschool whereas Charise continues to be a number of grades youthful. Now Charise is looking out for a brand new finest good friend, however she’s having hassle assembly somebody who actually is aware of methods to be a great good friend. This graphic novel is absolutely the writer’s memoir, with a classic aptitude trendy youngsters will take pleasure in. (Grades 3–7)

Purchase it: Wrong Friend

Serendipity book cover
Amazon

Serendipity by Gabbie Benda

Serendipity, a high-achieving teen charmed with lifelong good luck, immediately finds all the things falling aside after a carnival mishap leaves her satisfied she’s been cursed. As her wins flip to failures and chaos takes over her fastidiously managed life, she turns into decided to interrupt the curse—or threat shedding all the things that after got here simply. (Grades 3–7)

Purchase it: Serendipity

Run Home book cover
Amazon

Run Residence by Alyssa Bermudez

Right here’s one other new graphic memoir, this one about 14-year-old Alyssa, a freshman at a brand new college the place everyone seems to be a stranger. When her dad and mom power her to affix the cross-country staff, she expects to hate it. However the staff seems to be a supply of friendship and enjoyable—and help when her father immediately falls ailing.  (Grades 5–9)

Purchase it: Run Home

Children of the Night book cover
Amazon

Kids of the Night time by Victoria Setian, ailing. by Savanna Ganucheau

Aspiring photojournalist Mina Murray is pulled into the orbit of a charismatic new pupil, Raf, whose arrival coincides with more and more sinister occasions. As classmates fall ailing and unusual behaviors unfold, Mina suspects Raf is hiding a lethal secret and should uncover the reality earlier than catastrophe strikes on this younger grownup spin on Dracula. (Grades 9–12)

Purchase it: Children of the Night

New Nonfiction for All Ages in January 2026

Frog: A Story of Life on Earth book cover
Amazon

Frog: A Story of Life on Earth by Isabel Thomas, ailing. by Daniel Egnéus

Would you consider the entire story of the universe is contained in a single frog? By wanting again via time all the best way to the Huge Bang, this guide reveals how a frog (similar to each dwelling factor) is a part of a protracted story that’s nonetheless in progress, all in a method youngsters can perceive. (Grades Ok–2)

Purchase it: Frog: A Story of Life on Earth

Basket Ball book cover
Amazon

Basket Ball by Kadir Nelson

Sports activities lovers, take word! This new historical past of basketball traces all of it the best way from its humble beginnings as a ball tossed right into a peach basket to as we speak’s fast-paced, extremely expert recreation. It is a nonfiction guide good for youths preferring capturing hoops to turning pages. (Grades 4–8)

Purchase it: Basket Ball

How to Have a Thought book cover
Amazon

How To Have a Thought by Nicholas Day, ailing. by Hadley Hooper

Spend a while with Charles Darwin studying how the good man got here up along with his nice concepts. This new nonfiction image guide is each an introduction to the daddy of evolution and a information to encouraging youngsters to give you nice concepts of their very own. (Grades Pre-Ok to grade 3)

Purchase it: How To Have a Thought

Troubled Waters book cover
Amazon

Troubled Waters by Carole Boston Weatherford, ailing. by Bryan Collier

It is a story advised by the Alabama River about its lengthy historical past—from fossils to newer artifacts. Be taught concerning the Native Individuals who trudged its banks alongside the Path of Tears, and enslaved African Individuals who hid beneath the waters as they escaped to the north. The tales are troublesome to learn, however this informational image guide will fascinate readers mature sufficient to discover them. (Grades 4–8)

Purchase it: Troubled Waters

Fros, Fades, and Braids book cover
Amazon

Fros, Fades, and Braids by Sean Qualls

Right here’s the second guide out this month celebrating Black hair in all its glory. It’s stuffed with surprising and interesting information and tales that may educate, enlighten, and empower. (Grades 4–8)

Purchase it: Fros, Fades, and Braids

Lovely Ones young readers adaptation book cover
Amazon

Beautiful One (Younger Grownup Adaptation) by Ketanji Brown Jackson

Supreme Court docket Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s bestselling memoir is now out there in a younger grownup model, good for school rooms! It traces her story from a highschool dream of serving on the Supreme Court docket to the triumph of changing into the primary Black lady Justice in 2022. (Grades 8–12)

Purchase it: Lovely One (Young Adult Adaptation)

Don’t overlook to seize your free printable January Studying Log!

an image of a January reading log printable
We Are Academics

Use this studying log to trace books and pages learn all through this wintry month. It’s a straightforward approach to encourage youngsters to begin the brand new yr off proper with a lot of studying! Simply click on the button under and observe the hyperlink to get your free printable studying log.

What new books are you most excited so as to add to your classroom cabinets in January 2026? Come share your ideas within the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook!

Plus, try Inspiring Martin Luther King Jr. Books for Kids of All Ages.