Each year, a team of CPL librarians evaluates the year’s new books and selects the best books for Chicago's kids.

Check out our annual lists below to find your next favorite book, or browse all our past kids Best of the Best selections in our catalog.

2021

• Board Books
• Picture Books
• Fiction for Younger Readers
• Informational Books for Younger Readers
• Libros en español
• Fiction for Older Readers
• Informational Books for Older Readers

2020

Watch librarians discuss the 2020 Kids Best of the Best.

• Board Books
• Picture Books
• Fiction for Younger Readers
• Informational Books for Younger Readers
• Libros en español para niños desde el nacimiento hasta el tercer grado
• Fiction for Older Readers
• Informational Books for Older Readers

2019

• Board Books
• Picture Books
• Fiction for Younger Readers
• Informational Books for Younger Readers
• Fiction for Older Readers
• Informational Books for Older Readers

2018

• Board Books
• Picture Books
• Fiction for Younger Readers
• Informational Books for Younger Readers
• Fiction for Older Readers
• Informational Books for Older Readers

2017

• Board Books
• Picture Books
• Fiction for Younger Readers
• Informational Books for Younger Readers
• Fiction for Older Readers
• Informational Books for Older Readers

2016

• Picture Books
• Fiction for Younger Readers
• Informational Books for Younger Readers
• Fiction for Older Readers
• Informational Books for Older Readers

2015

• Picture Books
• Fiction for Younger Readers
• Informational Books for Younger Readers
• Fiction for Older Readers
• Informational Books for Older Readers

2014

• Picture Books
• Fiction for Younger Readers
• Informational Books for Younger Readers
• Fiction for Older Readers
• Informational Books for Older Readers

2013

• Picture Books
• Fiction for Younger Readers
• Fiction for Older Readers
• Informational Books

2012

• Picture Books
• Fiction for Younger Readers
• Folklore and Poetry for Younger Readers
• Informational Books for Younger Readers
• Fiction for Older Readers
• Informational Books for Older Readers

2011

• Picture Books
• Fiction for Younger Readers
• Folklore and Fairy Tales and Poetry for Younger Readers
• Informational Books for Younger Readers
• Fiction for Older Readers
• Informational Books for Older Readers

2010

• Picture Books
• Fiction for Younger Readers
• Folklore and Fairy Tales and Poetry for Younger Readers
• Informational Books for Younger Readers
• Fiction for Older Readers
• Informational Books for Older Readers
• NatureConnections Books