By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: November 11, 2009
Giving the gift of reading is an excellent idea no matter which holiday you celebrate, but now that you have the idea … which book do you give? The following suggestions are some of our favorite collections and box sets for all ages. We’ve even gone as far as pairing them with an extra something-special to make giving books even more fun!
The Little Books Boxed Set: Little Pea, Little hoot, Little Oink
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
(Author), Jen Corace (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 0-6
Board book: 80 pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books; Brdbk edition (October 7, 2009)
TCBR analysis: Love, love, love these books. Amy Krouse Rosenthal is one of my favorite authors; her humor and heart always shine through.
Publisher’s synopsis: Three adorable characters in three adorable board books! These clever twists on dinnertime, bedtime, and clean-up time will delight all the little mess-makers, picky eaters, and night owls in your life.
Pair it with: Snuggle Pod Pea by Manhattan Toys
Add this box set to your gift list: The Little Books Boxed Set
Add this toy to your gift list: Snuggle Pod Pea
Brown Bear & Friends Board Book Gift Set
by Eric Carle
Reading level: Ages 0-6
Board book: 26 pages
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (October 30, 2007)
TCBR analysis: A must have collection with classic Carle illustrations and repetitive sounds, great for baby and beginning readers.
Publisher’s synopsis: With more than 6.5 million copies sold in board book alone, Bill Martin Jr and Eric Carle’s classic Bear books have been a hit with young children for many generations. Now, for the first time, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?; Polar Bear, Polar Bear,What Do You Hear?; and Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? are available together in a boxed board book gift set—perfect for every baby’s first library.
Pair it with: Brown Bear Touch ‘N Read Block
Add this set to your gift list: Brown Bear & Friends Board Book Gift Set
Add this puzzle to your gift list: Brown Bear Touch ‘N Read Block
Mouse Cookies & More: A Treasury
by Laura Numeroff (Author), Felicia Bond (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 3-8
Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (October 24, 2006)
TCBR analysis: A hearty favorite! Simple, repetitive, and fun for story time.
Publisher’s synopsis: All three characters from the #l national bestselling If You Give . . . series have brought their books, recipes, songs, and activities to this family treasury, chock-a-block full of fun things to do. Parents, grab your kids! Kids, grab your parents and join Mouse, Moose, and Pig as they read, bake, sing, and play.
Pair it with: If You Give a Mouse A Cookie 6″ Plush Doll
Add this book to your gift list: Mouse Cookies & More: A Treasury
Add this toy to your gift list: If You Give a Mouse A Cookie 6″ Plush Doll
An Amelia Bedelia Celebration: Four Stories Tall
by Peggy & Herman Parish, Lyn Sweat, Fritz Siebel
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: Greenwillow Books; Har/Dis edition (September 22, 2009)
TCBR analysis: A great way to introduce this fab series to beginner readers, or perfect for a true Amelia Bedelia fan!
Publisher’s synopsis: For nearly half a century, Amelia Bedelia has been turning ordinary tasks into extraordinary fun.
Amelia Bedelia draws the drapes with a pencil and sketchpad. She makes sponge cake with a real sponge.
She recruits a train conductor to lead an orchestra. And when she’s driving toward a fork in the road, she’s also on the lookout for a spoon.
You can count on the well-meaning Amelia Bedelia to take things to hilariously literal extremes. But you can also count on her putting her heart and friendship into everything she does—and always having a scrumptious cake or pie ready to share at the end of a long day.
This book includes four of Amelia Bedelia’s most beloved adventures; a CD to listen to while you read; and recipes, games, and more.
Pair it with: Cookware and Dining Set from Green Toys
Add this book to your gift list: An Amelia Bedelia Celebration: Four Stories Tall
Add this toy to your gift list: Cookware and Dining Set
Julie Andrews’ Collection of Poems, Songs, and Lullabies
by Julie Andrews & Emma Walton Hamilton, James McMullan (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 4-12
Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Rei/Com edition (October 6, 2009)
TCBR analysis: A broad selection of engaging pieces that everyone will love.
Publisher’s synopsis: Julie Andrews and her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton, have hand-selected a wonderful mix of their most cherished poems, songs, and lullabies in this rich and diverse poetry collection. Brought to life with James McMullan’s stunning watercolor paintings, this volume features nearly 150 treasured works, including beloved classics and modern favorites from Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson, Jack Prelutsky, Shel Silverstein, Rodgers & Hammerstein, and more – twenty-one of which are theatrically and playfully read aloud by Andrews and Hamilton on the accompanying CD
Andrews introduces each of the nine themed sections with intimate stories and family memories, offering readers a glimpse into her world and her personal connection to many of the selections. There are even a number of special poems written by the authors themselves as well as contributions from close family members.
This deluxe anthology is bound to inspire an early love of poetry and song and become a classic for families to grow with and treasure throughout the years.
Pair it with: Digital Lego CD Boombox
Add this book to your gift list: Julie Andrews’ Collection of Poems, Songs, and Lullabies
Add this CD player to your gift list: Digital Lego CD Boombox
Ivy & Bean’s Secret Treasure Box (Books 1-3)
by Annie Barrows
Reading level: Ages 6-10
Paperback: 376 pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books (October 1, 2008)
TCBR analysis: Ivy & Bean are humorous, charismatic characters that bring so much pleasure to readers. Thumbs-up!
Publisher’s synopsis: Meet Ivy and Bean two friends who never meant to like each other. This boxed set is a delightful introduction to these spunky characters. It includes the first three books in the Ivy and Bean series and a secret treasure-hiding boxówith a cool surprise inside!
Pair it with: The Family Dinner Box of Questions
Add this book to your collection: Ivy & Bean’s Secret Treasure Box (Books 1-3)
Add this toy to your collection: The Family Dinner Box of Questions
by Judy Blume
Reading level: Ages 8-11
Paperback: 5 pages
Publisher: Puffin (October 4, 2007)
TCBR analysis: No child should be deprived of this family-favorite series!
Publisher’s synopsis: Fans young and old will laugh out loud at the irrepressible wit of Peter Hatcher, the hilarious antics of mischievous Fudge, and the unbreakable confidence of know-it-all Sheila Tubman in Judy Blume’s five Fudge books, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, Superfudge, Fudge-a-Mania, and Double Fudge. Now all packaged together for the very first time, this collection of Fudge books will please lifelong fans and entice a whole new generation of Blume readers.
Pair it with: Disgusting Science
Add this set to your collection: Judy Blume’s Fudge Box Set
Add this toy to your gift list: Disgusting Science
A Light in the Attic: Special Edition
by Shel Silverstein
Reading level: Ages 8-12
Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins; Special edition (September 22, 2009)
TCBR analysis: Adults will enjoy and appreciate this book as much as the kids will!
Publisher’s synopsis:
Last night, while I lay thinking here,
Some Whatifs crawled inside my ear
And pranced and partied all night long
And sang their same old Whatif song:
Whatif I flunk that test?
Whatif green hair grows on my chest?
Whatif nobody likes me?
Whatif a bolt of lightning strikes me? . . .
Here in the attic of Shel Silverstein you will find Backward Bill, Sour Face Ann, the Meehoo With an Exactlywatt, and the Polar Bear in the Frigidaire. You will talk with the Broiled Face, and find out what happens when someone steals your knees, you get caught by the Quick-Digesting Gink, a mountain snores, and they’ve put a brassiere on the camel.
With 12 never-before-published poems, here is a special edition of this beloved poetry collection, from the creator of Where the Sidewalk ends and Falling Up.
Pair it with: Rainbow in my Room from Uncle Milton
Add this book to your gift list: A Light in the Attic: Special Edition
Add this toy to your gift list: Rainbow in my Room
Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Complete Series
by Rick Riordan
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 1744 pages
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH (October 6, 2009)
TCBR analysis: An explosive and compelling set for sci-fi & fantasy lovers.
Publisher’s synopsis: The complete Percy Jackson & the Olympians series in hardcover, packaged in a gorgeous, reclosable “steamer trunk” fit for demigods. This perfect gift for Percy fans boasts a hidden compartment containing an exclusive Camp Half-Blood map and stickers.
Pair it with: Ripstik Caster Board
Add this set to your gift list: Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Complete Series
Add this toy to your gift list: Ripstik Caster Board
Peter & the Starcatchers Box Set
by Dave Barry
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 1488 pages
Publisher: Disney Editions (October 7, 2008)
TCBR analysis: A truly enjoyable series for children and adults who have grown up with Disney stories but are ready for even more action and adventure. The whole family will enjoy reading this together.
Publisher’s synopsis: Follow the adventures of Peter, Molly, Tinker Bell, and the Lost Boys in all three Peter Pan prequels: Peter and the Starcatchers, Peter and the Shadow Thieves, and Peter and the Secret of Rundoon. Don’t even think of starting this trilogy unless you’re sitting in a comfortable chair and have lots of time. These fast-paced, impossible-to-put-down adventures are action-packed, touching, and tons of fun!
Pair it with: Blokus from Mattel
Add this book to your collection: Peter & the Starcatchers Box Set
Add this game to your collection: Blokus
Today I will: A Year of Quotes, Notes and Promises to Myself
by Eileen & Jerry Spinelli
Reading level: Ages 10+
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (October 13, 2009)
TCBR analysis: As someone who collects quotes, I think this is a fantastic collection. A heart-felt gift for the sentimental.
Publisher’s synopsis: Reassuring advice for every day of the year
From an esteemed husband-and-wife team comes a book of daily advice and insight. In dated entries meant to be read one per day, the Spinellis open with a brief quote from children’s literature, write a paragraph of lively advice inspired by that quote, and end with a “Today I will . . .” promise. The entries range from the broad (self-esteem, the environment, gratitude, and open-mindedness) to the simple and specific (Today I will call a grandparent . . . smile at a new kid . . . take a walk . . . and send a snail-mail letter.).
With wide appeal to fans of both children’s literature and advice books, this cozy page-a-day volume (with black-and-white spot art) offers inspiring quotes, gentle guidance, and 366 “Today I will . . .” promises to thoughtful readers everywhere.
Pair it with: My Life According to Me: An interactive journal by Klutz
Add this book to your collection: Today I will: A Year of Quotes, Notes and Promises to Myself
Add this journal to your collection: My Life According to Me
by Stephenie Meyer
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 2560 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers (October 15, 2008)
TCBR analysis: Haven’t read the Twilight series yet? You’ll want the whole set … because once you pick up the first book, you’ll be addicted.
Publisher’s synopsis: This stunning set, complete with all four hardcover books as well as four collectible prints, makes the perfect gift for fans of the bestselling vampire love story.
Pair it with: The Twilight Journals and the Twilight Board Game
Add these books to your gift list: The Twilight Saga Collection and The Twilight Journals
Add this game to your gift list: Twilight Board Game
You may also like to check out:
- Holiday Gift Guide: Best Children’s Books and Toys
- 20 of the Best Kids Christmas Books
- 8 Books to Celebrate Baby’s First Christmas
Source of books: Publishers, Authors, Library, Book Store.
We may receive a small commission from purchases made via the links on this page. If you discover a book or product of interest on this page and use the links provided to make a purchase, you will help support our mission to 'Grow Readers.' Your support means we can keep delivering quality content that's available to all. Thank you!
6 Comments
I loved this post! Thanks so much for all the wonderful suggestions and great books. I can’t wait to pick a few up for holiday gifts!
Great! I hope you’ll let us know which books you choose.
Children should be taught from a small age the necessity of reading. Having their own bookshelf, with their favorite books on, might be the perfect start.
Absolutely!
With the festive season of Christmas closing in many of us take the calm organized approach in knowing exactly what your loved ones and friends wish for. The gifts are probably already wrapped, tagged and stored away, waiting for the 25th to hopefully bring a little joy and big smile to the recipient’s face. Others find this yearly ritual stressful and are probably too busy with their hectic life styles that for them the best way to cope is to do the mad dash for gifts on Christmas Eve. Whichever method of choice works best for you, there is still that decision in making your selection a fitting one for the lucky person in question. Once those gifts are purchased it’s just fingers crossed that duplicate items from other folk are not making their way under the tree. We all want to give and receive something special and different, not the run of the mill pair of socks that you mischievously rewrapped for your dad as an extra little prezzy.
So true! Hopefully you found some gifts you like in our list.