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Big Books of the Week

Europa by James Ponti (S. & S./Aladdin) leads holds this week.

Other titles in demand include:

Unicorn Secrets by Dana Simpson (Andrews McMeel)

Forever Rogue (The Forgotten Five, Book 7) by Lisa McMann (Putnam)

Enola Holmes and the Clanging Coffin: The New Adventures of Enola Holmes 4 by Nancy Springer (Wednesday Bks.)

Sonic the Hedgehog: On The Go, Vol. 2 by Ian Flynn, Illustrated by Tracy Yardley, Adam Bryce Thomas, & Jack Lawrence (IDW Pub.)

These books and others publishing the week of February 9, 2026 are listed in a downloadable spreadsheet.

Librarians and Booksellers Suggest

Barnes and Noble Reads recommends the best audiobooks of February 2026, including two children’s titles

Bestsellers

Links for the week: NYT Children’s Middle Grade Hardcover | NYT Children’s Picture Books | NYT Children’s & Young Adult Series | NYT Young Adult Hardcover | USA Today Bestselling Books

Wonder by R.J. Palacio (Knopf) tops the NYT Children’s Middle Grade Hardcover list for the third week in a row. Growing Home by Beth Ferry (Simon & Schuster; SLJ starred review) rises from the no. 5 spot to the no. 2 spot.

Little Blue Truck’s Valentine by Alice Schertle, Illustrated by Jill McElmurry (Harper/Clarion) tops the NYT Children’s Picture Books list for the third week in a row with How to Catch a Loveosaurus by Alice Walstead (Sourcebooks Wonderland) moving from no. 3 to the no. 2 position. New to the list this week is Our World Is a Family by Miry Whitehill and Jennifer Jackson, Illustrated by Nomar Perez (Sourcebooks Explore) in the no. 9 position.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney (Abrams/Amulet) stays on top and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic: SLJ starred review) remains at no. 2 in the NYT Children’s & Young Adult Series list.

Fake Skating by Lynn Painter (S. & S.) keeps the no. 1 spot on the NYT Young Adult Hardcover list and If Only I Had Told Her by Laura Nowlin (Sourcebooks Fire) keeps the no. 2 position.

Four children's titles feature on the USA Today Bestselling Books list top 20, last updated on February 4:

Dog Man: Big Jim Believes: A Graphic Novel (Dog Man #14) by Dav Pilkey (Scholastic/Graphix; SLJ starred review) moves up to no. 11.

Partypooper (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 20): Volume 20 by Jeff Kinney (Abrams/Amulet) moves to the no. 15 spot.

Little Blue Truck’s Valentine by Alice Schertle, Illustrated by Jill McElmurry (Harper/Clarion) moves to no. 17 from the no. 43 spot.

You're My Little Cuddle Bug by Nicola Edwards (S. & S./Silver Dolphin) goes up a spot to no. 18.

Reviews

“Good Comics for Kids” reviews Love, Misha by Askel Aden (First Second): “The unorthodox family journey progresses with each jagged, colorful panel. Though repetitive at times, the story makes readers feel for Misha and Audrey. Their real, human strengths and flaws bring the fantasy down to Earth. Nonbinary readers, as well as their friends and family, will enjoy the nuanced, and even fun, approach to identity.”

“Good Comics for Kids” reviews Calamity Before Jane by Noah Van Sciver (Astra/TOON): “Van Sciver’s art is, as ever, superior cartooning, employing well-observed details to create a real, tactile setting for his characters to move through, and contrasting the legends and reminiscences of Jane from the 1800s with the grubby, gritty reality of 1901.”

“Good Comics for Kids” reviews Tuck Everlasting: The Graphic Novel by Natalie Babbitt, Illustrated by K. Woodman-Maynard (Farrar; SLJ starred review): “The artfully illustrated novel uses a wide range of colors, but in small bursts, giving each page a limited palette. The soft tones match the thoughtful, plodding pace of the story. Winnie’s expressive nature comes through clearly in the illustrations, as does the melancholy demeanor of the Tuck couple. While many may debate whether books should be adapted for a visual medium, this title certainly adds to the story and will introduce a whole new generation of readers to this classic work.”

Briefly Noted

The 2026 Waterstones Children's Book Prize Shortlist is announced.

NYT Book Review suggests 13 books for fans of Raina Telgemeier.

Book Riot features books with neurodivergent characters.

Book Riot spotlights three new picture books by Black authors.

People announces Tomi Adeyemi’s new dark academia YA novel, The Siren (Holt).

People exclusively reveals the cover of Jasmine Guillroy’s debut YA novel, It’s Only Dancing (Scholastic).

Publishers Weekly spotlights romantic graphic novels coming out in 2026.

Publishers Weekly talks YA romances getting the graphic novel treatment.

Publishers Weekly reveals the cover for Mexikid Dreams by Pedro Martin (Dial).

School Library Journal interviews Shannon J. Spann, author of A Stage Set for Villains (Entangled; SLJ starred review).

Publishers Weekly gives a sneak peek at fall 2026 new releases.

Publishers Weekly announces Simon & Schuster to relaunch Simon Pulse YA Imprint.

2026 Sydney Taylor Book Award Winner Suzy Ultman had a chat with "100 Scope Notes" about her award winning book Shabbat Shalom: Let's Rest and Reset (Penguin/Rise).

Sports Illustrated talks with Shohei Ohtani about writing his first children’s book, Decoy Saves Opening Day (HarperCollins).

Joseph Coelho guest posts on “Teen Librarian Toolbox” about archeology and his new book, Relic Hamilton, Genie Hunter (Candlewick).

Alechia Dow guest posts on “Teen Librarian Toolbox” about fairytales for all.

“Teen Librarian Toolbox” features five middle grade books out in February.

“Teen Librarian Toolbox” interviews Jarrett Dapier about his new book, Wake Now in the Fire (Ten Speed; SLJ starred review).

“Teen Librarian Toolbox” interviews James Ponti about his new book, City Spies: Europa (S. & S./Aladdin).

"Teen Librarian Toolbox" talks Muslim stories in a guest post by Seema Yasmin.

The Guardian announces a new addition to The Gruffalo family of books, Gruffalo Granny (Macmillan).

“A Fuse #8 Production” talks with Stonewall Honor winner Steph Cherrywell about The Ink Witch (Little, Brown).

"A Fuse #8 Production" talks with 2026 Sydney Taylor Book Award Honor recepients Laura Gehl and Alexandra Colombo.

Sara Pennypacker is interviewed by Publishers Weekly.

Shannon J. Spann guest posts on Barnes and Noble Reads.

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