Book Gift List for Kids, Moms, and Dads
Shopping for books as gifts is my very favorite holiday errand. In years past, I just gifted small piles of books to everyone on my list. My favorite is to match up a picture book for an adult — it works great as a teacher and/or principal gift!
How about you? Do you give a lot of books as holiday gifts?
Picture Books
Books for Toddlers and Preschool
I Say, You Say Animal Sounds! and I Say, You Say Opposites! by Tad Carpenter
I have such fond memories of reading, over and over, Lift-the-Flap books with my kids as toddlers and preschoolers. This pair of books is wonderfully interactive. Not only do you each have a part to say, but the illustrations are colorful, and lifting the flap makes the book reading fun! [picture book, ages 1 and up]
Toast to Counting by Sandra Gross and Leah Busch
Bread, eggs, pats of butter, peanut butter, and jelly all get added to make a new friend (a face made on the slice of toast). The board book images are brightly colored but from a surprising source: they are made from kiln-formed glass!! With just words on the final spread, this book nonetheless can be used for teaching colors, counting, shapes, and sequencing but toddlers will only notice how fun this is! [board book, ages 0 and up]
Great Books with Girl Characters
Drama by Raina Telgemeier
A graphic novel for girls and about girl stuff like shifting friendships and boy/girl relationships is a rare thing! Raina has two graphic novels that hit this sweet spot. Though they are not related, they feel like a pair. Perhaps it’s because these books read like Raina’s own personal story. My girls and every friend of theirs have loved her graphic novels. I’m excited to find a graphic novel for middle-grade girls that I can honestly jump up and down with excitement about! [graphic novel for girls, ages 9 and up]
Starry River of the Sky by Grace Lin
You don’t have to read Lin’s Newbery Honor chapter book, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, to enjoy this standalone companion book. Lin says Starry River is more like her husband, while Mountain Meets Moon is more like her. I liked both enormously. [chapter book, ages 8 and up]
Books with Boy Characters
Wonder by R. J. Palacio
Wonder is THE book of the year as far as I am concerned and I expect it to win Newbery accolades as do other KidLit pundits. If you gift one book and only one book this entire year, this is the one. It’s not just for boys either; every girl I know who has read it has raved about it. It’s hard to believe this is R. J. Palacio’s first book! She writes like a seasoned professional with a book that is effortless to read but enormously impacting. It truly makes you a better person to read this book. [chapter book, ages 8 and up]
Worst Case Scenario Ultimate Adventure series
My son and I have been racing through this series with the same speed and enthusiasm as he had when he read the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. It has the same boy appeal. These chapter books let the reader decide the plot by making choices at critical points in the adventure. Sometimes, you need to know information gleaned from the case file in the back to make the right decision. We also love the decision points that have the reader trying to make moral decisions: Do I follow along even if I disagree? Do I help a colleague out and miss free playtime?
What makes these books work especially well is that you, the reader, are actually written into the story and the adventure is realistic and exciting. We are almost done with the last book … I hope there are more out soon! [middle grade books where you decide the ending, ages 8 and up]
Books as Teacher Gifts
My picture book as a gift for the teacher or principal is heavily Patricia Polacco-oriented. I can’t help it. It’s clear that teachers changed her life in the way that all teachers do.
Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
In real life, Mr. Falker helped Patricia overcome her dyslexia to learn to read when she was his student. All teachers of any grade deserve to have this book in their collection. My kids loved hearing it read aloud to them in 5th grade.
The Art of Miss Chew by Patricia Polacco
If you need a present for an art teacher, this would be the perfect picture book!
A Present for a Principal
Mr. Lincoln’s Way by Patricia Polacco
Mr. Lincoln has a special gift with kids and, in this case, finds a way to reach and transform a bully.
Mr. Tanen’s Ties by Maryanne Cocca-Leffler
A principal’s job is not an easy one! Give this book to your principal. It was inspired by a real principal who must have a pretty awesome tie collection!
Books for Men Who are Difficult to Shop For
Defending Jacob: A Novel by William Landay
William Landay’s NY Times bestseller has been widely lauded in my town. It’s also set in my town. Landay seems to be two degrees of separation from Mom and Dad friends at my elementary school but honestly, everyone who has read this book has said it was riveting! We have the added advantage of knowing the spots mentioned in the book.
Who I Am: A Memoir by Pete Townshend
This also looks good for a classic rock kind of guy. And apparently, he can write too!
Books for Women Who Have Everything
Slow Love: How I Lost My Job, Put on My Pajamas, and Found Happiness by Dominque Browning
The one good thing to come out of our recent Great Recession is Dominique Browning’s memoir. After losing her Conde Nast Editor-in-Chief position at House and Garden Magazine, Browning lost the reason to get out of bed every day. She writes beautifully about her struggles to recreate a more sane and happy life. What I can’t understand though, is how someone so beautiful, smart, and interesting could end up in a toxic relationship with “Stroller.” Hopefully, she’s moved on for good. Hopefully, she will write an update soon!
Blood, Bones & Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef by Gabrielle Hamilton
Chefs who can write is a new thing. First, there was Anthony Bourdain. Loved his first snarky book. But now there’s someone even better. Gabrielle Hamilton actually has an MFA in writing as well as cooking chops as the chef/owner of the ever-popular Prune restaurant in NYC. Her memoir is bittersweet, chronicling the demise of her family post-divorce that blew her family apart forever and that explosion sent her on this path as a writer chef. My Mom’s book club recommends this book as well.
Please check out these great kid bloggers who are co-hosts for a holiday gift round-up and feel free to add your link to holiday gift posts below. Thank you!
What Do We Do All Day?: Book+Gift Combinations
Train Up a Child: Educational Toys
The Pleasantest Thing: Gifts to inspire imagination
Blog Me Mom: Gifts for your backyard explorer/ gifts for your animal lover
Creative Playhouse: Basic/Traditional Toys
B Inspired Mama: Top Toys for Babies
Kcedventures: Top Toys for Curious Kids
Smiling Like Sunshine: Montessori inspired toys
Kitchen Counter Chronicles: Gift Ideas for Older Kids (9-12 year old)
Teach Preschool: Toys for the Classroom
Mom 2 Posh Lil Divas: Gift Ideas for Budding Readers
Kindergarten & Preschool for Parents & Teachers: Stocking Stuffers: A Teacher’s Top 10
Mamas Like Me: Toys that Stand the Test of Time
How to Run a Home Day Care: Homemade Gifts Kids Can Make
Please click on image of book to view more closely at Amazon.
p.s. Related posts:
DIY Gratitude Advent Calendar: Day 1 of 12 Days of Shopping
Books to Gift Teachers and Principals
CHANGING THE GAME at Multicultural Bookstore & Gifts
Gender Bending Gifts for Kids: Day 3 of 12 Days of Shopping
Difficult To Shop For Gifts: Day 4 of 12 Days of Shopping
Writing Charming Thank You Notes (FREE Printable): Day 12 of 12 Days of Shopping
Gifts For New Year’s Resolutions: Day 10 of 12 Days of Shopping
Left Brain/Right Brain Gifts: Day 8 of 12 Days of Shopping
Gifts To Steal from Loved Ones: Day 7 of 12 Days of Shopping
Gifts for Kids Who Hate Art and Reading: Day 5 of 12 Days of Shopping
Weelicious Cookbook is a Gift That Keeps Giving
6 Practical Gift Ideas For New Parents
Follow PragmaticMom’s board Multicultural Books for Kids on Pinterest.
Follow PragmaticMom’s board Children’s Book Activities on Pinterest.
My books:
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Massachusetts Book Award Long List
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award Long List
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
I love the range of books you cover in this list – there’s something for everyone!
Hi MaryAnne,
Thanks for saying that. I was thinking the book lists were pretty short and was wondering to myself if I should add more kids’ books … but then the post would be so long. I hope you find some helpful book gift ideas to help you with your shopping! What books are you thinking of gifting?
What a wonderful list! I had never heard of some of these books so am glad to know of them. It’s a good thing I LOVE to read! Children will enjoy your choices too. I think books make such wonderful Christmas gifts.
What a wonderful resource you’ve put together here. love.
Aloha Sweet Friend,
It was so wonderful to have your company this Wordless Wednesday. Thank you. I wanted to personally invite you to join me for An Aloha Affair . It’s our sweet sort of gathering and growing together. Join us, if you please…
xo,
Nicole
localsugarhawaii.com
Hi Nicole,
Thank you so much for the invitation! Yes, I’d love to join!
So glad you includes books for all ages and for teachers. Sometimes we read toddlers books and a chapter book in the same sitting.
I have lots of reward points to spend at Amazon, yay!!!
Hi Ann,
I’m the same. I will read picture books to all my kids (12, 10 and 8) and they actually all enjoy it.