"The Gentle Pen" Children's book trends......

plowmanpublishing
May 28, 2025
4 min read

Trendy Tales & Tired Typing: Confessions of a Kids’ Book Author in 2025

by Liv McLean –

Children’s Author, Illustrator, and Comfortably Caffinated!

Let’s face it: the world of children’s books is more dazzling than a toddler in a tutu during a full moon dance recital. It's 2025, and the trends in children's publishing are flying faster than a goose with a jetpack. But fear not—I’ve been keeping up, one scribble, rhyme, and possibly coffee-fuelled nap at a time.

As an author (and illustrator, and Nana), I’ve leaned fully into these trends—not because they’re trendy, but because they reflect something timeless: the very human need to see ourselves in stories. Aristotle said, “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” And children’s books in 2025? They’re going straight for the heart.

Let’s explore what’s hot—and why my books just might be your new family favourites.

Neurodiverse Narratives: Meowing is Meaningful

The world has finally caught up with what many of us have known for ages: there’s no “normal” when it comes to how kids think, feel, or interact with the world. Books today reflect that beautifully.

Take “Finny Minny Meow”, for example. Finny doesn’t just meow like a kitten—she can make many cat imitations, create art with her whole soul, and turn puddles into stages for splashy self-expression. It’s not a book about labels—it’s about loving who you are, whatever noises you make. This book has been embraced by teachers, parents, psychologists, and kids who proudly meow along.

The psychological world calls this neuro-affirming literature. I call it good storytelling.

Environmental Adventure: Save the Bees (and the Seaweed)

Books that inspire kids to care for the planet are buzzing all over the bestseller lists. And rightly so—today’s children are eco-warriors in the making. They’re composting before they’re reading chapter books. And they expect their heroes to be as passionate as they are.

“Nutty and the Whimsy” brings this home with a grey squirrel named Nutty who discovers magical forest beings deep in the roots of an ancient tree. It’s about friendship, connection, and yes—a gentle nudge toward environmental stewardship. It’s a whimsical gateway to deeper conversations about caring for the world and each other.

As Shakespeare said, “One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.” I aim to ensure that touch comes with laughter, leaves, and a side of acorn pie.

Perfect Is Out. Peculiar Is In.

Kids in 2025 want characters who feel like them—messy, noisy, impulsive, fabulous little bundles of contradiction. That’s why “Tommy and the Broken Window” continues to resonate. Tommy is tall, mischievous, allergic to haircuts, and accidentally very good at breaking things. But he learns about accountability—not through punishment, but through self-reflection and the love of a slightly exasperated parent.

There’s no moral hammer here—just real life, delivered with giggles and a splash of juice on the walls.

Books like this encourage what psychologists call emotional regulation through narrative. (Yes, it’s a real thing. You don’t have to tell your kids they’re learning it. Let’s call it story magic.)

Interactive Reading: Shake, Shout, Snort-Laugh

Today’s best picture books don’t just invite kids to read—they demand it. With full-body storytelling experiences on every page, they’re part book, part workout, and part Broadway audition.

Enter “Netti Spaghetti and Noni Macaroni”—a raucous ride of a book where two pasta-obsessed TWINS try to outdo each other with the most outrageous dinner imaginable. Kids don’t just read this book—they perform it. The pasta duel ends in an explosion of laughs, learning, and a reminder that family and food can get messy—and still be deliciously worth it.

This one’s a favourite for classroom read-alouds, and you’ve never truly lived until you’ve seen an entire kindergarten shout “PASTA, PASTA, EVERYWHERE!”

Hidden Heart Lessons: Sugar-Coated Wisdom

The best books teach deep lessons without heavy hands. Today’s stories are expert at delivering soul-sprinkles with their silliness.

“The Ruckety Tuckety House” is a shining example. Yes, it’s about a creaky house that might be haunted by a ghost named Pegleg McSmart. But it’s also about what makes a home feel safe, loved, and full of friendship. It gently reminds readers that treasure isn’t always gold—sometimes it’s the people, or mice, that build the walls with you.

This book was born from my five-year journey restoring an 1880s house. Blood, sweat, months of intricate plaster restoration, and creative design choices were involved. But the real treasure? My family by my side—and the joy of turning it all into a story that helps kids see their own homes and hearts as treasure chests.

Storytime Isn’t Going Anywhere

Ultimately, these trends—neurodiversity, eco-themes, quirky characters, interactive antics, and hidden lessons—aren’t just fads. They’re proof that storytelling is evolving in the best possible way.

Children’s books today are more innovative, profound, funnier, and inclusive than ever. That means I get to write with wild abandon, throw in a few literary winks, and remind little readers (and their big people) that they are seen, valued, and loved.

Shakespeare would probably approve. At the very least, he’d say, “Though she be but little, she is fierce.” And he’d be talking about your five-year-old launching handfuls of pasta at bedtime! *wink*

So, if you’re looking for books that reflect your child’s big heart, wild ideas, and wiggly spirit—books that might make you laugh until your tea goes up your nose—I humbly invite you into my little library: