2025 Kidlit Books by Filipino Creators

Happy New Year! A new year means new books, so I wanted to highlight 2025 kidlit books by Filipino creators. When I first started working on this list, I was afraid there were only going to be a few this year. But much to my pleasant surprise, there are so many! Now, more than ever, in the midst of book bans and industry changes, I think it’s so important to uplift the authors and illustrators that are making great books for our kids. 

So, check out this list with picture books, middle grade and chapter books, organized in release order. And be sure to order from your local indie book store or request these books from the library (I’ve put together this list on Bookshop.org as well)! 

✦ SEASHELL KEY: THE MONSTER STORM | Written by Lourdes Heuer, Illustrated by Lynnor Bontigao | Amulet Books, January 14th, 2025

“The Monster Storm is the second book in author Lourdes Heuer and award-winning illustrator Lynnor Bontigao’s young chapter book series Seashell Key—perfect for fans of Princess in Black and Mercy Watson—about a diverse community of kids living in a beautiful seaside town!”

✦ GIRLS TO THE FRONT: 40 ASIAN AMERICAN WOMEN WHO BLAZED A TRAIL | Written and Illustrated by Niña Mata | HarperCollins, January 28th, 2025

“Stand back, the girls are coming through: Learn about forty amazing Asian American women who have changed the course of history!”

✦ THE JUNIOR PLANT LOVER’S HANDBOOK: A GREEN-THUMB GUIDE FOR KIDS | Written by Molly Williams, Illustrated by Michelle Carlos | Running Press Kids, January 28th, 2025

“An interactive, illustrated guide perfect for any burgeoning plant lover!”

✦ THE SUPER-SECRET MISSION TO THE CENTER OF THE MOON (PIE): AN OCTAGON VALLEY ADVENTURE | Written by Melissa de la Cruz | Disney Hyperion, February 4, 2025

“In the second book in Melissa de la Cruz’s wacky new middle grade adventure series, the Octos find themselves on a mission to the moon. Which might not be made out of cheese after all.”

✦ MADE FOR MORE | Written by Chloe Ito Ward, Illustrated by Gael Abary | Allida/HarperCollins, February 25, 2025

“This joyful exploration of immigration and nontraditional beauty pays tribute to the unique identity formed by a girl’s Japanese roots and Hawaiian upbringing. Eyes That Kiss in the Corners meets Your Name Is a Song. ”

✦ RIDING THROUGH RICE FIELDS | Written by Michelle Sterling, Illustrated by Bianca Austria | Viking Books for Young Readers, March 4, 2025

“A gorgeously written picture book about how healing it can be to return home, the natural beauty of the Philippines, and the concept of bayanihan. A trip home reminds us of who we are.”

✦ WATCH ME GROW: BUTTERFLIES | Written by Sara Forster, Illustrated by Bianca Austria | Flying Eye Books, April 1, 2025

“Learn all about the life cycle of a butterfly in this perfect introduction to the natural world.”

✦ DREAMING OF A QUINCEAÑERA | Written by Yamile Saied Méndez, Illustrated by Christine Almeda | Orchard Books/Scholastic, April 15 2025

“Perfect for fans of The Proudest Blue and Alma and How She Got Her Name - a warm tale about celebrating sisterly love, family, and quinceaneras by Pura Belpre winner, Yamile Saied Mendez!”

✦ NEW | Written and illustrated by Niña Mata | HarperCollins, May 6th, 2025

“Poetic and heartwarming, Geisel Honor–winning and #1 New York Times bestselling creator Niña Mata’s first authored picture book stars a young Filipina on her first day of school as she discovers the true and layered meaning of “new.””

✦ THEIR JUST DESSERTS | Written by Tracy Badua & Alechia Dow | Quill Tree Books, May 13th, 2025

“Perfect for fans of The Great British Baking Show and Clue, this enchanting and rollicking follow-up to The Cookie Crumbles follows two best friends caught up in a twisty mystery when jewels go missing at a high-stakes baking competition.”

✦ GOLF BABY | Written by Diane Adams, Illustrated by Christine Almeda | Viking Books for Young Readers, May 27th, 2025

“The youngest of readers and the sports-loving grown-ups in their lives can now enjoy one of the world’s most popular sports–golf–before going to bed a winner in the newest offering in this original board book series.”

✦ NEVER TAKE YOUR RHINO ON A PLANE | Written by K.E. Lewis, Illustrated by Isabel Roxas | Clarion Books, June 3rd, 2025

“A zany picture book packed with rhythm, rhyme, and rambunctiousness about the nonsense you might expect if you take your pet rhino on a plane. For fans of Mo Willems’s Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and Aaron Blabey’s Piranhas Don’t Eat Bananas.”

✦ BEA’S BALIKBAYAN BOX OF TREASURES | Written by Christine Alemshah, Illustrated by Mengquian Dream Chen | Free Spirit Publishing, June 17, 2025

“The story of a Filipina-American girl who packs a box full of treasures for her relatives in the Philippines”

✦ SEASHELL KEY: THE LUCKY DAY | Written by Lourdes Heuer, Illustrated by Lynnor Bontigao | Amulet Books, June 24th, 2025

“The Lucky Day is the third book from author Lourdes Heuer and award-winning illustrator Lynnor Bontigao’s young chapter-book series—perfect for fans of Princess in Black and Mercy Watson—about the adventures of a diverse community of kids living in a beautiful seaside town”

✦ ABLAZE | Written by Jessica Lawson, Illustrated by Sarah Gonzalez | Viking Books for Young Readers, July 1st, 2025

“A lyrical and empowering biography on Deanne Shulman, America’s first female smokejumper.”

✦ THE BOY, THE MOUNTAIN, AND THE SERPENT WHO ATE THE MOON | Written by Caris Avendaño Cruz | HarperCollins, July 1, 2025

“From the author of Marikit and the Ocean of Stars, a magical middle grade adventure about three Filipino children who must find their way through a mystical land filled with monsters and gods from Filipino lore.”

✦ GHOUL SUMMER | Written by Tracy Badua | Storytide, September 2, 2025

✦ YOU CAN’T TAME A TIGER | Written by Stephanie Sy, Illustrated by Julien Chung | Owlkids, September 16, 2025

“A confident tiger proves that you don’t have to conform to the expectations of others”

✦ THE BEASTS BENEATH THE WINDS | Contributors include Brandon Hoang, Dow Phumiruk, Erin Entrada Kelly, Gail D. Villanueva, Greg Van Eekhout, Hanna Alkaf, Jesse Q. Sutanto, June CL Tan, Mae Respicio, Moniza Hossain, Nadia Mikail, Shing Yin Khor, Van Hoang, Veeda Bybee, and V.T. Bidania, Illustrated by Jes and Cin Wibowo | Abrams, October 21, 2025

“A middle grade anthology and compendium of mythical creatures from Southeast Asian lore.”

✦ I DANCE | Written by Diana Rañola, Illustrated by Christine Almeda | Holiday House, October 28, 2025

“An easy-to-read book for girls and boys who love to dance. Perfect for kindergarten and first grade readers… Fun pictures show dancers in authentic poses and beautiful costumes. Each illustration shows a traditional Philippine folk dance.”

✦ JR’S JEEPNEY JOURNEY | Written by Roanne Gadia, Illustrated by Charisse Consul 

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I will update this list throughout the year, as new books get announced or released, so please check back! And always feel free to get in touch with me to let me know about your book.

Thanks for reading, 

Christine

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CURRENTLY READING

GUILT AND GINATAAN by Mia P. Manansala

RECENTLY FINISHED READING

MURDER AND MAMON by Mia P. Manansala

THE SECRET GARDEN by Frances Hodgson Burnett

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