Recs if you like Splendors and Glooms...

Complete as of August 2026.

Here are many beloved and distinguished children’s novels that have won the Newbery Gold award and the silver Newbury Honor award, which were first started over a century ago in 1922. There are many choices, old and new, that have cemented their place in children’s literature for any reader to explore.

Books that were nominated for the John Newbery Medal for distinguished contributions to juvenile literature but did not win Currently lists nominees up to 2024

Lies of P is my favorite video game and I was on the hunt for reads that were similar! There's a few YA sprinkled in here, but I tried to avoid it for the most part. There is one comic here that's for pre-teens... but it fit so perfectly! There's a surprising lack of Pinocchio inspired horror books... 😔 Feel free to drop recommendations! 🧚‍♀️

Retellings, expansions, and character studies inspired by Carlo Collodi's beloved puppet tale! I'm including the original Pinocchio that is a new translation published by Penguin Classics (14 Sept. 2021 • ISBN 9780143136095). It's annotated by the translators and is super informative! A great addition to this list!