Top 15 Most-Clicked Stories in Children’s Publishing for 2025

Publishers Weekly has released its list of the 15 most-clicked stories of 2025, covering children’s and young adult book publication, highlighting the industry moments that captured the most reader attention throughout the year. From major publishing shakeups and market trends to surprising creative collaborations and literary discoveries, the ranking offers a snapshot of the stories that defined kid lit in 2025.

At the top of the list were revelations about unpublished works by the late Ellen Raskin, a surprising creative partnership between Stephen King and Maurice Sendak, and an in-depth look at hidden gender bias in picture books featuring animal characters. Below is a recap of the top 15 articles, ranked from least to most popular.

15. Albert Whitman Seeks Chapter 11 Protection

In April, Albert Whitman & Co., a children’s publisher founded in 1919, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Once known for holding the rights to The Boxcar Children, the company had faced long-term financial difficulties. Authors and agents had raised concerns over unpaid royalties and limited communication from the publisher.

14. Ellie Berger Announces Departure from Scholastic

After four decades at Scholastic, Ellie Berger stepped down as president of Scholastic Trade Publishing and executive vice president. During her tenure, she played a key role in publishing global phenomena such as Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and Dav Pilkey’s bestselling series.

13. Inside Shel Silverstein’s Private Archives

PW received rare access to the archives of Shel Silverstein in Chicago, thanks to the author’s family. The collection showcases Silverstein’s creative process through handwritten notes, sketches, and writings found on everything from notebooks to napkins.

12. Scholastic Restructures Children’s Publishing Divisions

Following Berger’s announcement, Scholastic revealed plans to merge its trade publishing, book fairs, and book clubs into a unified Scholastic Children’s Book Group. Sasha Quinton was named president, with Jackie De Leo serving as publisher and chief merchant.

11. Captain Underpants Heads to Manga

Dav Pilkey is adapting his Captain Underpants series into manga form for Scholastic’s Graphix imprint. The first volume, illustrated by Japanese manga artist Motojiro, is scheduled for release in 2026.

10. The Search for Kid Lit’s Online Community

As authors and publishers move away from Twitter/X, PW explored where the children’s book community is heading online, examining the growing use of platforms like Bluesky and Threads.

9. Barbara Marcus Retires from Random House Children’s Books

Barbara Marcus stepped down as president and publisher of Random House Children’s Books after decades of leadership. Mallory Loehr succeeded her as head of the group.

8. YA Publishing Trends in 2025

Agents and editors reported that young adult fiction continues to swing between lighter romance-driven stories and darker, high-stakes narratives, with genres like dark academia and heist stories remaining popular.

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7. Middle Grade Faces Challenges but Persists

Despite declining sales, increased censorship, and funding challenges, middle-grade publishing remains resilient. Industry professionals shared how they are adapting in a challenging market.

6. Google’s Gemini Storybook Raises Industry Questions

Google’s launch of Gemini Storybook, a personalized storytelling app for children, sparked concern among publishers about the role of AI in children’s literature and its long-term implications.

5. Examining Gender Bias in Animal Picture Books

An essay by researcher Melanie Walsh explored how gender imbalance often appears subtly in picture books that use animal characters, prompting widespread discussion across the industry.

4. A Look Ahead at Spring 2026 Children’s Books

PW’s Spring 2026 sneak preview highlighted upcoming titles, including debut authors, anticipated sequels, and notable author-illustrator collaborations.

3. Fall 2025 Children’s Book Preview

The Fall 2025 roundup showcased the season’s most anticipated children’s and YA releases, drawing strong reader interest.

2. Stephen King and Maurice Sendak’s Fairy Tale Collaboration

HarperCollins announced a new edition of Hansel and Gretel, written by Stephen King and illustrated with previously created artwork by Maurice Sendak. The unexpected pairing generated significant buzz across publishing and media.

1. Unpublished Ellen Raskin Manuscripts Discovered

The most-read story of the year revealed that International Literary Properties had acquired Ellen Raskin’s estate, uncovering two unpublished manuscripts—including a sequel to The Westing Game, one of the most beloved children’s mysteries of all time.

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