The Best Kiddo Books To Gift This Christmas

If you have kids, you’ve likely noticed how quickly and easily they grow out of toys. Between the constant evolution of their interests and popular new ideas constantly springing up, it can amount to a lot of excess. This time of year, when gift giving is a part of the celebrations, this is all the more true. However, one gift I never feel guilty buying for Mabel are books. I love contributing to her library because no matter what her age or her interests, she has always enjoyed reading books and I think she always will. It has been fun to slowly add more and more titles to her collection with each opportunity for gifting (like birthdays, holidays, and Christmas). Her books get used and enjoyed time and time again, especially as we build more reading into our regular routine.

I always include a book as a gift for her at Christmas and so I thought I would share some of our current favourite titles in case you have a toddler or young child in your life to shop for this Christmas too. These books are all great for 3-7 year olds, but I think you could easily introduce them a little bit younger too. They cover a broad range of topics using beautiful words and thoughtful illustrations.

01 // Home by Carson Ellis - I loved this book before I even had children because it centres around something so dear to my heart - the idea of what makes a home. I love how it introduces children to the feeling of home being less about form and more about feeling in such a whimsical way. It also looks adorable styled on a shelf (you know, if you care about those kinds of things).

02 // Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett - An enduring little tale about looking for adventure when the adventure is right in front of you all along.

03 // Who You Were Made To Be by Joanna Gaines - This book has such a sweet message about embracing who we are and what we bring to the table by celebrating individuality and self-worth. I don’t think you can ever be too young to start hearing this truth.

04 // Walk This World by Jenny Broom - This book highlights the similarities and differences between various cultures around the world in a really fun and interactive way. It’s perfect for little hands since there are lots of peek-through windows and flaps to explore.

05 // Tiny, Perfect Things by M H Clark - This story about appreciating the small things all around us shows the reader that wonder exists everywhere and anywhere. The illustrations are beautiful and full of so many wonderful hidden details that will surprise you every time you read it.

06 // Gaston by Kelly DiPuccio - Mabel loves this adorable story about Gaston the puppy who never quite fits in, only to realize that he is exactly where he belongs. Bonus points that this story is illustrated by Christian Robinson - his work is amazing (he also illustrated #10 on this list).

07 // The Day The Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt - This is the first of a series of books based around Duncan’s crayons. The story is simple, but the illustrations completely make it, with wit and humour, not to mention the various extra pieces to interact with throughout the story. This series also has a Christmas story, The Crayons’ Christmas, which is a fun festive option too.

08 // Dino Pajama Party by Laurie Wallmark - This is a really cute bedtime book that will encourage little ones to embrace their bedtime routines with a sprinkle of fun mixed in!

09 // You Belong Here by M H Clark - This book needs little explanation other than it is a beautiful expression of what it means to belong and the illustrations are so stinking beautiful.

10 // Little Penguins by Cynthia Rylant - This is a cute winter-tale that isn’t Christmas-specific and a great option for younger kids (aged 2-4).

11 // When I Am Big by Maria Dek - This book is such a fun and cute play on a counting book, encouraging children to be curious and imaginative as they explore the things they will do as they get older. It’s a great book to introduce at a young age (perfect for learning numbers) that will still hold their interest as they get older and understand more of the concepts (imagination, curiosity, exploration).

12 // This Is How We Do It by Matt Lemothe - Similarly to #4, this book explores the daily life of 7 different children from different areas of the world, exploring the similarities and differences between cultures and geographies. I like how it humanizes the individual children and goes into more detail, making it perfect for older children to read.

13 // Today by Julie Morstad - This book is simple and sweet, but helps the reader explore how simple moments in their day can be powerful and extraordinary.

These are some of our favourite books that would make wonderful gifts for the kiddos in your life - children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends. Do you have any favourite kid book recommendations? We are always looking for inspiring titles to add to our library.

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