Best Children's Action & Adventure Books of 2026

Where the Wild Things Are is a children's book written by Maurice Sendak, which has won the Caldecott Medal. The story follows Max, a young boy who dresses in his wolf suit and sets off to an island inhabited by the Wild Things, who make him their king and have a wild rumpus with him. However, Max soon realizes he misses home and returns to find that his supper is "still hot." The book has been a classic for generations, inspiring a movie, an opera, and capturing the hearts of children and adults alike. The clear and vibrant reproductions of the original artwork make this book a must-have for every child's bookshelf.

The fifth book in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, has been beautifully illustrated in a stunning new edition. Jim Kay and Neil Packer's illustrations bring to life the beloved characters and iconic scenes of the book, including Tonks and Luna Lovegood. The oversized format, high-quality paper, and color on nearly every page make this edition a perfect gift for Harry Potter fans and book lovers of all ages. The book explores Harry's fifth year at Hogwarts, as he faces a new teacher, an unreliability of the magical government, and the growing threat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. This book is a must-have for any Harry Potter fan.

The Magic Tree House Boxed Set, Books 1-4 is a time-traveling adventure that takes young readers on a journey to the Age of Dinosaurs, a medieval castle, ancient pyramids, and treasure-seeking pirates. The set includes the first four books of the #1 bestselling Magic Tree House series, perfect for children just beginning chapter books. The author, Mary Pope Osborne, has captivated young readers for over 25 years with her imaginative stories and engaging characters. This set is a must-have for any child who loves magic, mystery, and adventure.

The Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: The Illustrated Edition is a perfect gift for children who are being introduced to the series or for dedicated fans. The book is lavishly illustrated by award-winning artist Jim Kay, who has created over 100 stunning illustrations. The story of Harry's humble beginnings with the wretched Dursleys, the arrival of his letter from Hogwarts, and his first adventures as "the boy who lived" come to brilliant life in this beautifully designed edition. Though the size and heft might make library circulation somewhat challenging, this is a fantastic gift that any Harry Potter fan would cherish.

How to Catch a Dinosaur is a fun and exciting addition to the How to Catch series by Adam Wallace and Andy Elkerton. The book follows the Catch Club Kids as they try to capture a dinosaur in time for the school science fair and prove that they still exist. The story blends STEAM concepts with humor and chaos, making it perfect for young readers, parents, and educators. The book is a great gift for any occasion and is sure to delight any dinosaur fan. Overall, How to Catch a Dinosaur is a dinomite adventure that will have kids roaring with laughter.

Holes by Louis Sachar is a modern classic that follows the misadventures of Stanley Yelnats, who is sent to a boys' detention center for a crime he didn't commit. The boys at Camp Green Lake spend all day digging holes, but Stanley soon realizes that there's more to their punishment than meets the eye. This inventive and darkly humorous tale of crime and punishment, social commentary, tall tale, and magic realism is well-crafted and thought-provoking. Holes is a must-read for kids and adults alike, and it's easy to see why it won the Newbery Medal and National Book Award.

The How to Catch a Unicorn book is a New York Times bestseller and a perfect Christmas gift for children aged 4-10. The story follows the Catch Club Kids as they set traps to catch the elusive unicorn in the zoo. The book features STEAM concepts, silly rhymes, and lots of rainbow unicorn fun that will delight parents, educators, and young readers alike. This is part of the How to Catch Series that includes How to Catch a Mermaid, How to Catch a Dinosaur, and How to Catch the Tooth Fairy. The book is authored by Adam Wallace, and Andy Elkerton is the illustrator. Overall, this book is an enchanting and colorful adventure that children will love to read and enjoy.

The Wings of Fire Boxset, Books 1-5, is a must-have collection for young fantasy fans. The series follows five dragonets who are destined to end the war between the dragon tribes of Pyrrhia. However, not all of them want a predetermined destiny, and they must choose between their freedom and their fate. The boxset includes the first five thrilling installments in the bestselling Wings of Fire series that features dramatic battle scenes, double-crosses, and a deranged queen. Overall, this collection delivers a humanistic storyline with page-turning excitement, making it a thrilling new series for dragon-lovers.

The Magic Tree House Boxed Set, Books 1-28 is perfect for young readers who are just beginning chapter books. This #1 best-selling chapter book series takes readers on exciting adventures around the world and throughout history. The set includes updated covers and an easy-to-use numbering system, making it the ultimate gift for Magic Tree House fans. With a total of twenty-eight adventures, readers will never get tired of traveling the world and completing missions with their new friends Jack and Annie. Overall, this boxed set is an excellent addition to any child's library, providing endless hours of adventure and imagination.

The third book in the Harry Potter series, illustrated in brilliant full color by MinaLima and featuring eight exclusive interactive elements, including the Marauder’s Map and more!Return to Hogwarts in this stunning edition of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. J.K. Rowling’s complete and unabridged text is accompanied by full-color illustrations on nearly every page and eight paper-engineered interactive elements: Readers will explore the Knight Bus, reveal the Grim in a teacup, spin the Time-Turner, and more.Designed and illustrated by MinaLima ― the award-winning studio behind the graphic style of the Harry Potter films ― this keepsake edition is the perfect gift for Harry Potter fans of all ages, a beautiful addition to any collector’s bookshelf, and an enchanting way to share this beloved series with a new generation of readers.