The 2025 Best Books list celebrates the many illustrations and design that make up the superb works published for children this year. Taking another look at this year’s selections, here are the SLJ book reviews editors' favorite book covers from the 2025 Best Books list.

Jasmine Amiri, Graphic Novel and Nonfiction Reviews Editor

Hunger’s Bite written and illustrated by Taylor Robin. Cover art by Taylor Robin. Design by Liam Donnelly. 

The Color of the End: Mission in the Apocalypse, Vol. 1 by Haruo Iwamune. Cover art by Haruo Iwamune. 

Shelley Diaz, Reviews Director

At Last She Stood: How Joey Guerrero Spied, Survived, and Fought for Freedom by Erin Entrada Kelly. Cover art by Anna and Elena Balbusso. Design by Silvie Le Floc’h.

Hopeful Heroes by Margarita Engle. Cover art by Juliet Menéndez. Design by Sharismar Rodriguez and Elynn Cohen.

Kimberly Olson Fakih, Executive Editor, Reviews

The Story of We by Nikkolas Smith. Cover art by Nikkolas Smith. Design by Nikkolas Smith and Jasmin Rubero. 

Menudo Sunday by Maria Dolores Águila. Cover art by Erika Meza. Design by Maya Tatsukawa. 

Florence Simmons, YA Reviews Editor

The Corruption of Hollis Brown by K Ancrum. Cover design by Nevan Doyle.

Candace, the Universe, and Everything by Sherri L. Smith. Cover art by Stephanie Singleton.

Ashleigh Williams, Associate Reviews Editor, Middle Grade and Transitional Books

Dreamslinger by Graci Kim. Cover art by Jessica Fong, border art by Zareen Johnson.

The Leaving Room by Amber McBride. Cover art by Rich Deas. Design by Beste M. Doğan.