World Book Day: Best Books to Read in 2025

World Book and Copyright Day is more than just a celebration of stories—it’s an invitation for children to fall in love with reading, discover new worlds, and meet unforgettable characters. As we step into 2025, it’s time to refresh our shelves with stories that inspire curiosity, imagination, and empathy. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or young reader, this curated kids’ reading list 2025 is packed with must-read books for children that align with the spirit of World Book Day.

From laugh-out-loud adventures to thought-provoking tales, here are our top book recommendations for World Book Day 2025.

For the Littlest Readers (Ages 0-5):

1. “Nancy and the Dosa Cake“ by Reshma Joel: Nancy and the Dosa Cake is a beautiful story for young readers that will make them smile, feel seen, and maybe even inspire a little kitchen creativity at home.
2. .”Gana-Bajana” by Devdutt Pattanaik: This colourful board book introduces young children to Hindu mythology through the musical instruments of various gods and goddesses. Pattanaik’s simple yet engaging storytelling, combined with vibrant illustrations, makes learning about culture fun.
3. “My Big Book of Dogs” by Geeta Dharmarajan: A delightful book that introduces various dog breeds to young children. Dharmarajan’s warm writing style and engaging descriptions make it a charming read for animal lovers.

Building Imaginations (Ages 6-8):

1. “Aliens in the Cupboard” by Aarna Grover: Emily is an ordinary 9-year-old girl, but her day turns extraordinary when she finds a green alien named Sam in her cupboard! What follows is an exciting adventure as she decides to help Sam get back to his home planet.
2. “The Rabbit in the Moon: Two Tales from the Panchatantra” retold by Meena Arora Nayak: Introduce children to the timeless wisdom of the Panchatantra with these beautifully retold tales. Nayak’s accessible prose and the vibrant artwork bring these classic Indian stories to life for young readers.
3. “Zooni’s Alarm Clock: A Modern Tale of a Tradition From Kashmir” by Vibha Batra: This heartwarming story introduces children to a Kashmiri tradition through the eyes of a young girl named Zooni. It’s a lovely way to expose children to different cultural nuances within India.

Exploring New Worlds (Ages 9-12):

1. “The Multiverse Diaries“ by Atharv Faldessai: It is a fast-paced thriller that takes over the life of a happy-go-lucky game developer.
2. “Submerged Worlds and Other Amazing Stories of India’s Mighty Rivers” by Vaishali Shroff: This non-fiction book beautifully blends storytelling with environmental awareness, exploring the importance and the challenges faced by India’s rivers. It’s an engaging way to educate children about their country’s geography and environmental issues.
3. “Vanya and the Wild Hunt” by Sangu Mandanna: While the protagonist is a British-Indian girl, the story delves into themes of belonging and identity, which resonate universally. This fantasy novel with rune magic and mythical creatures offers a captivating adventure.

Trusted Sources for Children’s Book Recommendations & Literacy Support

1. World Book Day (UK)

One of the most influential literacy initiatives, offering free resources, book tokens, themed book lists, and activities for all age groups.

https://www.worldbookday.com//

2. Scholastic Reading Club

Provides curated book recommendations by age and grade level, plus reading activities and tools for families and schools.

https://clubs.scholastic.com/home

3. Common Sense Media

Known for its honest and detailed reviews of books, apps, and media, this platform helps parents and educators choose age-appropriate, diverse, and meaningful books for kids.

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews

Looking for More Great Book Recommendations?

If you’re on the hunt for even more handpicked reads, don’t miss some of our recent blogs packed with recommendations loved by young readers and parents alike:

https://bookosmia.com/shop/featured-products/books-from-india-5-of-our-best-books-showcased-by-national-book-trust/
A proud showcase of Indian stories selected by the National Book Trust — perfect for this World Book Day.

https://bookosmia.com/3-best-magical-mythical-books-for-kids/
Explore mythical worlds and magical creatures with books that ignite wild imagination.

https://bookosmia.com/3-best-mystery-books-for-kids-that-will-blow-their-minds-this-halloween-i-blog-by-team-bookosmia/
For your little detectives — these thrilling reads are packed with suspense and clever twists.

https://bookosmia.com/childrens-books-on-inclusion-by-aditi-17-years/
A thoughtful list of inclusive books curated by a young reader, encouraging empathy and acceptance.

World Book and Copyright Day is a powerful reminder of the importance of reading for pleasure. The titles on this list go beyond entertainment. They spark conversations, invite reflection, and help kids connect with themselves and the world around them. Whether you’re building a classroom library or looking for bedtime stories, these World Book Day books 2025 are designed to light up young imaginations.

World Book Day is a reminder that every child deserves a story that speaks to them — and at Bookosmia, we are committed to curating and creating books that do just that.

Check out our latest titles and explore stories by young authors, Indian storytellers, and voices that spark joy, curiosity, and confidence.

https://bookosmia.com/shop/

Let’s celebrate this World Book Day by giving kids stories they’ll never forget — and maybe even inspire them to write their own.

This article is written by Reshma Joel, an engineer with an MBA, transitioned from a fulfilling HR career to follow her passion for writing. Now a freelance content writer and creative writing mentor, she inspires children to express themselves confidently. She teaches on kid-friendly platforms like Bookosmia and is the author of Nancy and the Dosa Cake, a heartwarming birthday story about love, surprises, and family.

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This article is published by Bookosmia, India’s #1 publisher for and by young people. Bookosmia publishes stories, books, podcasts, events, TED-Ed talks, workshops, bedtime stories and more related to kids and young adults.

Photo Credit – Copyright Free, Royalty Free images from Pexels

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