Midnight is the one bedtime a child will fight to reach. There are noisemakers, sparkling cider in a real glass, a countdown shouted at a television, and the strange grown-up idea that a year can simply end and another one start clean. New Year books run on that fizz—the staying up, the fireworks, the lucky food eaten for luck's sake—and on the quieter part underneath, where somebody decides to be a little different than they were in December.
Bookroo's collection of 52 New Year books covers both the party and the promise: countdown stories for children who have never seen midnight, resolution read-alouds that survive a classroom's first week back, and mysteries in which the year ends with something stolen. It also follows the holiday around the calendar, because the new year arrives more than once—with dumplings and dragon parades for Lunar New Year, apples and honey at Rosh Hashanah, black-eyed peas in a Southern kitchen, goldfish and sprouted greens for Nowruz. Start with our 12 favorites, then browse the age shelves below.
Squirrel wants a New Year's resolution of her own, and spends the whole forest talking everybody else into theirs.
Can the family stay awake until midnight on New Year's Eve?
Join a family as they prepare and celebrate the vibrant Lunar New Year.
One family celebrates two new years: challah and honey in the fall, dumplings and dragons in the spring.
Shanté races to find black-eyed peas, uncovering diverse New Year's traditions along the way.
Maomao's father comes home once a year, for New Year, and this year he hides a lucky coin for her to find.
Jim Panzee decides the new year calls for a new Jim, and asks his friends to help him get rid of his grumps.
Two black horses pull a sled through a snowy town on the last night of the year, carrying light from house to house.
Someone is leaving clues at the New Year's Eve party, and Bradley, Brian, Nate, and Lucy have until midnight to read them.
A young girl navigates her first Lunar New Year without her mother, finding comfort and new traditions with her father and friends.
Mallory has planned every detail of the perfect New Year's Eve, then spends it in a hospital bed.
Sixteen new years, one per poem, from a January countdown to Songkran's water fights and Enkutatash in September.
Sweeping out the old year, red envelopes, lanterns, party hats, and one very sleepy countdown—sturdy books for ages 0–4.
Discover the vibrant traditions of Lunar New Year in this festive celebration.
Discover Rosh Hashanah traditions with a family celebrating the new year.
A puppy finds a way to celebrate New Year before midnight.
Join a curious monkey as he explores Chinese New Year traditions with his friend.
Staying up until twelve, first resolutions, lucky foods, dragon dances, and families who come home for one night a year—ages 3–8.
A clever girl faces a fearsome monster threatening Shanghai during Chinese New Year.
A young girl visits her neighbors on Chinese New Year and causes chaos in their home, leading to a series of unfortunate events and a lesson in responsibility and kindness.
A shy girl must find her voice to join a festive New Year's celebration.
A girl shares Korean New Year traditions with her classmates, overcoming her brother's bad mood.
A family cooks New Year's soup, uncovering the story of Haitian independence.
A young girl yearns to join her family's Lunar New Year traditions.
A boy's encounter with a stranger changes his view on gifts and generosity.
Izzy struggles to apologize for a past mistake during Rosh Hashanah's Tashlich ceremony.
Marisa's dumplings may not be perfect, but will they bring her family together?
A girl prepares for the Lunar New Year with traditional attire.
Celebrate Lunar New Year with a special candy box and family traditions.
Can Angelina save the New Year's Eve ice dance from chaos?
Countdown parties that go wrong, parade mysteries, resolutions kept and broken, and the traditions behind the celebrations—ages 6–12.
A girl vanishes during a parade. Can young detectives solve the mystery?
A young ghost is vanishing. Can a little zombie save him before it's too late?
A century-old feud ignites when a cabin burns. Can Sammy solve the mystery?
New Year's Eve reveals chilling secrets in the abandoned house next door.
Julie finds hope in new traditions after her parents' divorce.
Karen's New Year's promises unravel as friends break theirs. Why is she the only one keeping them?
Frog and friends navigate new friendships, festive holidays, and unexpected traditions.
Discover the vibrant traditions of Lunar New Year across Asia.
A mysterious package challenges a group to embrace virtues, but one resists. Can unity prevail?
A sleepover away from home challenges Hubie with fears and unexpected New Year's plans.
Slim races against time to fix his engagement before it's too late.
Lost in a festival crowd, twins must find their family.
