By Vicki Willden-Lebrecht

As we look ahead at 2025, the ongoing realities of global instability; climate change, and economic uncertainty are not going away anytime soon. Adaptation will be essential as we navigate these persistent issues, demanding resilience and innovative solutions from individuals and communities alike.

In the creative realm, we are witnessing a significant shift toward authenticity. There is an increasing desire among audiences to trust the true identities of those who created the work – writers, artists, illustrators and actors. In a time where digital imagery and AI often raise questions such as is that real, did it actually happen or is it fake? The importance of knowing the voices behind the work becomes paramount. As a result, we can anticipate a celebration of transparency and trust in creative expression. What that means is a strive towards building an artist’s name, audience, and credibility to own the copyright so they can be recognised as the original creator of their work across all platforms.

In today’s screen-filled world, we’re not just selling books, we’re promoting the act of reading itself. We advocate for its transformative power in shaping young minds, fostering empathy and enhancing mental health.

This is a responsibility we can’t take lightly. It’s one that requires all the creativity and collaboration between agents and publishers to create new formats with retailers who are confident in how to sell these non-traditional formats. We need to get bold. We need to push the boundaries of what a book can be.

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New Reading Formats

With children reading less, creative new formats are gaining traction:

Graphic Novels: Increasing popularity of titles like Dog Man that combine illustrations and storytelling. Why does it work? It’s funny, written in a language children relate to, and they are collectable.

Pic-tion: A hybrid format merging traditional fiction with picture-book elements, appealing to visual learners.

Longer Picture Books: Wordier picture books that tell more complex stories while maintaining engaging illustrations.

Illustration by Meggie Johnson

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Focus on Mental Health

As humans, we need to respect our brains and nervous systems, requiring rest from overstimulation. Engaging with books helps us reset, think and dream, serving as a balance in our digital lives. As book creators we have a responsibility to make them engaging and to withstand the digital enticement.

As agents, authors, illustrators and publishers we have the power to inspire a new generation of readers, demonstrating that books are experiences, not just objects.

Growing concerns about mental health in children are leading to increased discussions on:

Legislation: The potential for new laws aimed at protecting children’s mental health, particularly concerning social media and phone usage. Publishers have the opportunity to be the counter balance to this. For example, go to bed with a book, not a phone, and lock up phones after 7pm.

Rebranding Reading: Advocating for reading to be recognised as a crucial part of children’s mental wellness, promoting a balance between digital and non-digital engagement.

Illustration by Anna Shepta

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Digital vs. Analog Balance

The pendulum has swung high into digital entertainment, and the mental health crisis highlights the need for a balance.

The world is waking up and recognising the impact of heavy digital entertainment usage in children. We now know that this is bad, and both the media and parents are growing to be onside, but they need a push. We need to be a loud, leading voice in this.

Screen Time Awareness: Recognition of the excessive screen time children are experiencing and the need to prioritise offline activities.

The Promotion of Non-Digital Engagement: The wider media encouraging activities such as reading, drawing and writing, which support natural cognitive and emotional development will be embraced by publishers.

Illustration by Ronan Lynam

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Children’s Books:

Funny: Chapter books and young graphic novels that are funny, in formats that appeal to reluctant readers, written in language that children find entertaining. Authors and illustrators who truly understand children.

Diverse Representation: There will be a continued emphasis on diverse characters and stories that reflect a wide range of cultures, backgrounds and experiences, promoting inclusivity and understanding.

STEM Themes: Books that explore Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM) concepts will likely gain popularity, encouraging children to develop an interest in these critical areas at an early age.

Emotional Intelligence: Stories focusing on emotional understanding and mental health will continue to be important, helping children navigate their feelings and build resilience.

Environmental Themes: Books that educate children about sustainability, nature and climate change will continue to be at the forefront, fostering a sense of environmental stewardship.

As we prepare for this new chapter, understanding these trends will be crucial for navigating the complexities of 2025 and beyond.

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