Buddhist Books for Kids in 2025

For the babies and buddies in our lives, there is no better time to start learning the teachings of Buddhism than now. Over the past two years we saw a flurry of new Buddhist children’s books arrive for a range of different reading levels and in multiple languages. Those who are looking to add spiritual education to their child’s literacy have more options than ever of stories to read and lessons to learn. With the fall semester well underway, and gift-giving season right around the corner, consider these books as potential dharmic additions to your little one’s bookshelf.

A Pond, a Poet, and Three Pests
Written by Caroline Adderson, with illustrations by Lauren Tamaki. Groundwood Books, October 2025, 32 pp., $16.00, hardcover. For ages 3-6.

Simple yet thought-provoking, haiku is often one of the first types of poetry that young children learn—and this charming story introduces them to the beauty behind the form. As the 17th-century Japanese poet Basho meditates beside a pond, a carp, a lily, and a mosquito each try vying for his attention, hoping to become the subject of his next haiku. But, eventually, it is a wayward frog that ends up inspiring one of his most famous poems, “The Old Pond.”

I Dream of Ganesha
Written and illustrated by Sonali Zohra. Bala Kids, an imprint of Shambhala Publications, September 2024, 32 pp., $18.95, hardcover. For ages 4-6.

After a bad day, little Maya goes to sleep and finds herself dreaming of being lost in a jungle! Fortunately, she meets the Hindu god Ganesha, who guides her back to her bed, and along the way teaches her to follow her heart and stay present in the moment. I Dream of Ganesha introduces children to this important Asian deity and forges the connection between Hindu and Buddhist religious cosmology. It also emphasizes the power of holding on to faith while navigating life’s troubles.

Kind Karl: A Little Crocodile with Big Feelings
Written by Sharon Salzberg and Jason Gruhl, with illustrations by Sébastien Mourrain. Bala Kids, an imprint of Shambhala Publications, December 2025, 32 pp., $19.95, hardcover. For ages 4-8.

Meditation teacher and frequent Tricycle contributor Sharon Salzberg released her first children’s book this year in collaboration with psychotherapist Jason Gruhl. A children’s adaptation of Salzberg’s landmark book Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness, Kind Karl proves that it is never too early to teach kids the power of generosity and mindfulness. The story follows Karl the crocodile as he uses self-reflection to control his bad temper, and includes a meditation as well as activities to help little readers cultivate loving-kindness in their own lives.

Loving Kindness and Peaceful Mind
Written by His Holiness The Dalai Lama. DK Children, March 2025, 20 pp., $9.99, board book. For ages 2-5.

For kids and grown-ups who enjoy reading together, His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama has two new board books out this year. Perfect for toddlers who are just starting to read, Loving Kindness and Peaceful Mind offer age-appropriate meditations that introduce the art of mindfulness and empathy. Both books are recommended to be used as a calming bedtime read or a guide to diffuse difficult situations.

Milarepa, Milarepa, Who Are You?
By Sandra Fernandez, with illustrations by Maura OConnor. Wisdom Publications, November 2025, 32 pp., $19.95, hardcover. For ages 4-8.

This bilingual English-Tibetan picture book introduces Milarepa, one of the most famous Buddhist teachers in Tibet’s history. His story of redemption and devotion is told in this book through a call-and-response poem, honoring Milarepa’s traditional songs, known as dohas. For more information, activities, and exercises related to Milarepa’s life and teachings, a free parent and teacher’s guide is available online.

My First Book of Zen: Simple Wisdom for Children
Written and illustrated by Tracy Gallup. Tuttle Publishing, August 2025, 32 pp., $16.99, hardcover. For ages 5-9.

Following two siblings throughout the changing seasons, and their mother who leaves them Zen notes, this book invites kids to connect with the natural world and Zen philosophy through charming vignettes and inspirational quotes by thinkers such as Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, Thich Nhat Hanh, Alan Watts, the Dalai Lama, and more.

My Friend Tara and Her Rainbow of Compassion
Written by Lasha Mutual and Ivan Bercholz. Bala Kids, an imprint of Shambhala Publications, September 2025, 32 pp., $19.95, hardcover. For ages 4-8.

Featuring gorgeously vibrant illustrations, My Friend Tara will appeal to kids who are ready to learn more about this highly revered deity of both Buddhist and Hindu traditions. Druk the Dragon narrates the story of the bodhisattva, teaching children of how Tara can not only help them in their own suffering but also how they can embody her example by helping others. Each purchase comes with downloadable coloring pages to inspire young readers’ own creativity and compassion.

The Angry Monk and the Fly: A Tale of Mindfulness for Children
Written and illustrated by Tina Schneider. Tuttle Publishing, May 2025, 64 pp., $6.99, hardcover. For ages 4-9.

Kids who are at the beginning of their Buddhist paths can rest assured that monastics are human too! This adorable story follows an angry monk as he learns how to deal with his negative emotions and finally sees the buddha-nature within a pesky fly. With funny illustrations and simple meditation instructions, this book will introduce your child to the concepts of nonself and living in harmony with all beings.

The Dreams I’ll Dream Tonight
Written by Sarah Ruhl, with illustrations by Sally Deng. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, July 2025, 40 pp., $19.99, hardcover. For ages 4-8.

This year, award-winning playwright and Tricycle favorite Sarah Ruhl gave us a new picture book full of sweet rhymes and whimsical illustrations by Sally Deng. While not explicitly Buddhist, this timeless bedtime story teaches kids to be brave and contains universal messages of unconditional love.

The Monkey King: A Classic Chinese Tale for Children
Written by David Seow, with illustrations by Lak-Khee Tay-Audouard. Tuttle Publishing, May 2024, 32 pp., $9.99, hardcover. For ages 3-9.

A kid-friendly retelling of Wu Cheng’en’s much adapted 16th-century novel Journey to the West, The Monkey King chronicles the beginning of the monk Tripitaka’s story as The Great Scripture Seeker. Chosen by Guan Yin to bring the Buddha’s teachings to China, Tripitaka teams up with the Monkey King, Pigsy, and Sandy the monster, to journey to India and retrieve the scriptures.

The Vibes Book
Written by Hannah Clarke, with illustrations by Aki. Bala Kids, an imprint of Shambhala Publications, March 2024, 32 pp., $19.95, hardcover. For ages 3-7.

The Vibes Book teaches children about the power of the intangible, explaining the concept of good vibes, bad vibes, and how vibes overall can affect our emotions. With an underlying message of compassion, this book shows how by cultivating a positive mindset, we can all send good vibes to others, and likewise receive them in return.

Vietnamese Folktales for Children: Stories of Adventure and Wonder in Vietnamese and English
Written by Phouc Thi Minh Tran, with illustrations by Nguyen Thi Hop and Nguyen Dong. Tuttle Publishing, October 2024, 48 pp., $17.99, hardcover. For ages 5-13.

Another picture book for the bilingual child, Vietnamese Folktales for Children features ten different traditional fables in both English and Vietnamese. Culturally rich and full of valuable lessons on faith and integrity, this book can also be listened to in either language with free audiobook recordings of each story.

Wisdom Stories of Tibet: Tales of Magic, Adventure, and Bravery
Written by Laura Burges and Lama Chonam, with illustrations by Wen Hsu. Bala Kids, an imprint of Shambhala Publications, February 2025, 144 pp., $19.95, hardcover. For ages 6-9.

This collection of fourteen Tibetan short stories is perfect for kids who are at the age of outgrowing picture books but aren’t quite yet ready for chapter books. It features stories on renowned figures such as Padmasambhava, the semilegendary tantric Vajra master who is thought to have brought Buddhism to Tibet; Songsten Gampo, the country’s first Dharma King; and Yeshe Tsogyal, the mother of Tibetan Buddhism.

BONUS: Tibetan Women Authors Series

The Tibetan Arts and Literature Initiative has several free, downloadable resources for kids including picture books, children’s magazines, animated videos, and Tibetan language classes. One of their most exciting recent projects has been the Tibetan Women Authors Series: nine children’s books that showcase and celebrate Tibetan stories, culture, and artists.