Best Picture Books for New Years: 5 Picks Compared

A parent hunting a January read-aloud wants the new year on the page, not just snow: best picture books for new years means resolutions, countdowns and first-of-the-month stories for young readers. We compared five picture books for ages 3 to 8, plus five more picks. Every detail below comes from the listings.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Shante Keys by Davenport	9.7/10	Buy
2	Squirrel's Resolution by Miller	9.7/10	Buy
3	Meet January by Martin	9.7/10	Buy
4	Night Before New Year's by Wing	9.7/10	Buy
5	Happy New Year, Spot! by Hill	9.5/10	Buy

1

Shante Keys by Davenport

Gail Piernas-Davenport·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 32-page picture book about a girl borrowing black-eyed peas for New Year's Day, for readers 4 to 8.

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Pros

• Reading age 4-8 and grade Preschool-3 both stated, no customer mark
• New Year's Day tradition at the center of the story
• 32 pages from Albert Whitman, 2017 reprint

Cons

• Reprint edition from 2017, not a new release
• No extras like discussion questions stated
• Narrow holiday window for rereading

2

Squirrel's Resolution by Miller

Pat Miller·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 32-page picture book about a squirrel learning what resolutions are, for readers 5 to 7.

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Pros

• Reading age 5-7 and grade Preschool-3 both stated
• The listing states a 2013 Children's Choice Picture Book Award nomination
• Resolutions theme fits the keyword exactly

Cons

• Reading age marked as from customers, not the publisher
• Resolutions theme suits January only
• No extras stated

3

Meet January by Martin

April Martin·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Book 1 of a 12-book series introducing January, for readers 5 to 7.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 12 in a series about the months
• 40 pages with discussion questions and a recipe stated
• Ages 4-9 and grades Pre-K to 2nd checkmarks

Cons

• Reading age marked as from customers
• January-focused rather than New Year-focused
• Series hook means more books to buy

4

Night Before New Year's by Wing

Natasha Wing·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 32-page rhyming countdown to midnight on New Year's Eve, for readers 3 to 6.

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Pros

• Reading age 3-6 stated
• New Year's Eve countdown at the center of the story
• Part of the Night Before series

Cons

• 2009 edition, the oldest here
• Reading age marked as from customers
• No grade level stated

5

Happy New Year, Spot! by Hill

Eric Hill·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 10-page board book about celebrating the New Year early, for readers 3 to 5.

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Pros

• Board book edition, reading age 3-5 stated
• Familiar character for young readers
• 2016 edition from Warne

Cons

• Only 10 pages, the shortest here
• No grade level stated
• Too brief for older readers

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More picks to compare

• Ava Gabriela by AlessandriFor bilingual New Year traditions, ages 4-8, 32 pages.Check on Amazon
• The Lucky Grapes by KyleFor Spain's grape tradition, ages 3-6, rhyming text.Check on Amazon
• Two New Years by HoFor Rosh Hashanah and Lunar New Year, ages 3-5, 44 pages.Check on Amazon
• Lunar New Year by YimFor the 15-day festival with activities, ages 5-7, 48 pages.Check on Amazon
• New Year Around the World by SneeFor 21 countries' traditions, 48 pages, no age stated.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 20 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level. All five picks list a reading age; three list a grade level as well. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best picture books for new years

Match the reading age, and read the mark

Listed reading ages run 3 to 8 years across the five picks. Two listings mark the reading age as from customers (Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution and Meet January, both 5 to 7, and The Night Before New Year’s, 3 to 6); the other two state it plainly (Shante Keys, 4 to 8; Spot, 3 to 5). A customer mark is not a publisher recommendation, so weigh it against the grade level where one is stated. See our best picture books for winter for more cold-month lists.

Series or standalone for the new year

Meet January is Book 1 of a 12-book series about the months, so it commits the reader to more books; The Night Before New Year’s belongs to the Night Before series but reads standalone. The other three are standalones. For a one-night read, a standalone keeps things simple; for a classroom, a series starter gives the year structure. Also see our best Christmas picture books for older kids.

Before you buy

• Check the edition or reprint year on the listing: two picks are 2017 reprints and one is a 2009 edition.
• Match the listed reading age or grade level to the reader; three listings mark the reading age as from customers.
• For series starters, check which book comes first: Meet January is Book 1 of 12.

Frequently Asked Questions

What ages are these books for?

The listed reading ages run 3 to 8 years. Three listings mark the reading age as from customers rather than the publisher.

Which are part of a series?

Meet January is Book 1 of the 12-book Calendar Kids series, and The Night Before New Year’s belongs to the Night Before series. The other three are standalones.

Which book is the longest?

Meet January at 40 pages. Most of the others state 32 pages, and Happy New Year, Spot! is a 10-page board book.

Still deciding? Our top pickShante Keys by Davenport

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Related lists

See every picture books list and all kids and teens lists.

More lists: browse picture books, young adult books and every book list.