The promotion of reading had an impact in 2025, the Children's Book Institute notes in its review of the publications.
But BookTok – posts about books on TikTok – also had an effect.
The book as an object has become trendy and has acquired a different value, says Helena Ahlin.
Seven percent
After remaining at the same level – or decreasing – for a decade, the number of publications increased by 153 titles in 2025, which corresponds to 7 percent.
The government's 480 million kronor for book purchases in schools is highlighted as an important explanation. Children's and young adult books had a turnover of one billion kronor last year, and in the Swedish Publishers' Association's report, industry players spoke of a "state-supported children's book boom".
We are also seeing an increase in easy-to-read literature. There is demand to make reading easier for children and young people who are not used to it.
The publishers have also picked up young adult novels that were trending on BookTok, translated them into Swedish but kept the English titles and covers.
Young people want to recognize the books they have seen on their mobile phones.
Scratch and sniff
The content then? In 2025, a kind of retro wave was seen with new versions of classic stories, such as Mårten Sandén's "The Children from Frostmoplan" about a group of siblings who move from the suburbs to the city.
The authors have also included various references to the 1980s and 1990s. In “My Super Chaotic Spring” by Moa de Bruin, the main character watches the film “Fight Club” and starts his own fight club in the schoolyard.
Some references may be more for adults who read aloud, says Helena Ahlin.
In 2025, two books with olfactory effects were also published.
It's very retro, this scratch-and-sniff thing. Just think of the smell stickers from the 80s.
Facts: The book tasting
The decline of democracy and freedom of expression in the world is also reflected in children's and young adult literature. However, Alexander Bygdén's "Democracy Detectives and the Stolen Class Council Election" is about power in schools.
The forest is depicted as a living and sometimes harsh presence due to human overstepping, as in Mia Öström's "Black Forest".
Vampires returned in 2025. 27 titles had the subject word "vampire", which is twice as many as in the previous three years.
