Children and Young Adult Books Market Report 2026

The children and young adult books market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $12.16 billion in 2025 to $12.44 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rising literacy rates among children and adolescents, expansion of school education systems, growth of traditional print publishing, increasing parental spending on education, popularity of classic children book franchises.

The children and young adult books market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $13.81 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growth of digital reading platforms, increasing adoption of audiobooks among young readers, demand for personalized and adaptive learning content, expansion of online book distribution channels, rising young adult population globally. Major trends in the forecast period include growth of diverse and inclusive storytelling, rising demand for age-specific educational content, popularity of serialized and franchise-based books, increasing author-led and indie publishing, expansion of multilingual and localized content.

The rise in consumers’ disposable income is anticipated to drive the growth of the children and young adult books market in the coming years. Disposable income refers to the portion of an individual’s or household’s earnings available for spending or saving after deducting all direct taxes, such as income tax, from total income. The increase in disposable income is largely attributed to higher wages and increased employment, which enhance household earnings and leave more money available for spending and saving after taxes. With greater disposable income, families can allocate more funds toward children’s and young adult books, promoting educational development, literacy improvement, and access to a wider variety of reading materials. For example, in October 2025, the Office for National Statistics (ONS), a UK government agency, reported that in 2023, gross disposable household income (GDHI) in the UK rose by 9.5% compared with 2022. Consequently, the growth in consumers’ disposable income contributed to the expansion of the children and young adult books market.

Major companies operating in the children's and young adult books market are concentrating on creating innovative solutions such as interactive formats to boost reader engagement, support early learning, and nurture a lifelong passion for reading. Interactive formats are book designs that actively involve readers through features like flaps, textures, puzzles, stickers, or digital enhancements, promoting hands-on participation and improved learning. For example, in March 2025, HarperCollins Publishers LLC, a US-based publishing company, introduced Booktopus, a dedicated imprint for preschoolers and early readers designed to spark curiosity and build foundational skills. The imprint offers a wide variety of products, including novelty titles, activity and lift-the-flap books, concept-based publications, and imaginative storytelling formats centered around a playful octopus mascot. Aimed at making reading more interactive and enjoyable, Booktopus enriches traditional picture books with tactile and visual elements, meeting the growing demand for high-quality early literacy materials and children's content. By focusing on exploration, creativity, and hands-on learning, Booktopus helps parents and educators foster a lifelong love of reading in young learners.

In August 2024, Dorling Kindersley Limited, a UK-based multinational publishing company, acquired A Kids Co. for an undisclosed sum. With this acquisition, DK plans to establish its first children’s editorial and creative team in the United States, bolstering its presence in the children’s book market and improving its ability to create engaging content specifically for young readers. A Kids Co. is a US-based company that focuses on producing children’s book series.

Major companies operating in the children and young adult books market are Penguin Random House, Holtzbrinck Publishing Group, HarperCollins Publishers, Phoenix Publishing and Media Inc, Simon and Schuster, Oxford University Press, Bonnier Group, Tulika Books, Amar Chitra Katha, Katha, Duckbill, Pratham Books, Puffin Books, Speaking Tiger, Walker Books, EK Books, Allen and Unwin, Ford Street Publishing, MidnightSun Publishing, Wombat Books, Pan Macmillan Australia, Big Sky Publishing, Hinkler Books, New Holland Publishers, Shogakukan Inc, Fukuinkan Shoten, Iwasaki Publishing, Kaisei Sha Publishing Company Ltd, China Publishing Group, Zhejiang University Press, Dolphin Books, Commercial Press and Childrens Fun Publishing House, Bloomsbury Publishing, Hachette UK Holdings Limited, Gallimard Jeunesse, Editorial Planeta, Albatros Publishing House, Scholastic Inc, Little Bee Books, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Kalimat Publishing, Zamzam Publishing, Katara Publishing House, Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press, Macmillan South Africa Pty Ltd, New Africa Books, Saray Publishing, Al Arabi Publishing and Distribution, Literamed Publications Limited, Grace Springs Africa Publishers.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the children and young adult books market in 2025. North America was the second largest region in the global children and young adult books market share. The regions covered in the children and young adult books market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the children and young adult books market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The children and young adult books market consists of revenues earned by entities by offering design, editing, and marketing activities necessary for producing and distributing children and young adult books. These establishments may publish books in print, electronic, or audio form. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Values in this market are factory gate values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.