Happy Holidays! We hope this season is filled with joyful gatherings of family and friends, peaceful and quiet moments (maybe with a book), and grateful hearts for a hard year almost finished.
If you’re looking to find the perfect gift for your child, a niece or nephew, some new parents in your life, or a beloved teacher, we hope we can help! Find book recommendations below for readers of all ages and interests.
“A lovely book to introduce small children to the natural world.” ― Jean Little Library
Perfect for:
- Curious young readers aged 2-6 who love nature and animals.
- Children who are quick to explore, discover, and ask questions.
“This circular story has the ring of an Indian folk tale. Its art strikingly contrasts the warm bright colors of silks and spices with the lush turquoise of peacock feathers.” —The New York Times
Perfect for:
- Young readers who have big imaginations.
- Children who love to join in during readalouds and storytime.
- Children aged 4-8 who love exploring nature and finding treasure in ordinary objects.
“Frenetically posing chickens will inspire giggles…Good farm fun.” ―Kirkus Reviews
Perfect for:
- Young readers aged 4-8 who are big farmyard animals fans (especially chickens!).
- Teachers who love reading aloud to their students―this is a huge educator favorite!
“A wonderful introduction to bird-watching and the concept of observing nature… ” —Booklist Online
Perfect for:
- Children aged 4-8 who love nature and are quick to take part in projects and causes.
- A parent, teacher, or librarian who enjoys birding—this is a must-have for their library.
“A story to spread warmth and cheer on the coldest nights.” ―Smithsonian Magazine Online
Perfect for:
- Families with young children aged 4-8.
- Families who are community-focused and love reading together (bonus if any of them like knitting, crocheting, or quilting!).
“A warm, loving, necessary reminder of the power in families coming together.” —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
Perfect for:
- Families with children aged 4-8 who are close with their extended family.
- Families who always attend (or organize) family reunions.
- Families who love connecting to the land and stories of their ancestors.
“Brings deserved attention to the life of a man who dedicated himself to recording the lives of others.” ―Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
Perfect for:
- Families with children aged 6-10 who love discovering their family’s history and sharing family stories during the holidays.
- Children interested in Black history and little-known historical figures.
“This intergenerational story of love and acceptance is an important addition to library collections for young elementary-aged readers.” —School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW
Perfect for:
- Families with grandparents living at elder care facilities.
- Families with beloved pets.
- Children aged 4-8 who are eager to serve their communities and make a difference.
“This story of a girl engineer is sorely needed and has potential to develop and nourish readers’ interest in STEAM subjects.” ―Kirkus Reviews
Perfect for:
- Children aged 4-8 who love inventing, building, and creating.
- Young girls and boys whose favorite toy is Legos.
“A refreshing demonstration of different approaches and a friendship that transcends those contrasts.” —Booklist
Perfect for:
- Children aged 4-8 who have big dreams about the future.
- Young readers who love inventing, creating, and making ideas a reality.
“The notebook-style lists and vocabulary definitions add to the book without overwhelming the action.… A perfect fit for readers who enjoy realistic fiction about friendship and self-discovery.” —School Library Journal
Perfect for:
- Children aged 7-10 whose favorite subject at school is science or math.
- Young readers who keep lists, love spelling bees, and frequently reference the dictionary.
- Pre-teens who enjoy laugh-out-loud reads about realistic characters and settings.
“Attractively designed and engagingly written—sure to appeal to readers with a taste for the scientific and technical.” —Kirkus Reviews
Perfect for:
- Middle schoolers who still sometimes play with their Hot Wheels.
- Any child aged 8-12 who loves understanding how things work.
- Young readers who love tinkering and inventing.
“A smart, empowering retelling” ―Booklist
Perfect for:
- Girls aged 5-9 who love adventure.
- Any young reader who enjoys fairy tales, surprise endings, and wolves.
“Informative…guardians seeking a woman activist’s framework, with actionable steps that resonate today, will find this picture book attractive.” —Publishers Weekly
Perfect for:
- Girls aged 6-10 who say they want to be President when they grow up.
- Any young reader fascinated with American history.
“Dreams, being true to oneself, body-image issues, single parenting, family dynamics, self-confidence, and a realistic depiction of friendship make this a refreshing coming-of-age read full of optimism, dreams, and plenty of stereotype-smashing laughs. A natural pick for Dumplin’ (2015) fans.” —Booklist
Perfect for:
- Teen girls who love stand-up comedy, whether they aspire to be comedians or just love watching Mindy Kaling’s routines.
- Any reader who enjoys genuine characters and a narrator that will make them laugh out loud.
“Anglophiles, music and theater nerds, and those looking for some classic will-they-won’t-they romance will all find something to enjoy here.” —Kirkus Reviews
Perfect for:
- Teen girls who are involved in theater, band, orchestra, or any performing arts.
- Any reader who is an avid Broadway follower.
- Any reader who loves Glee or Fame.
“Entertaining reading for the newest generation of detectives.” —Kirkus Reviews
Perfect for:
- Children aged 7-9 transitioning into independent reading from picture books to chapter books.
- 1st and 2nd graders who love solving mysteries.
- Young readers who enjoy books that will make them laugh (bonus if they love dogs!).
“Whimsical… Lively writing, broad humor, and a fast-paced plot will capture and keep readers’ interest, particularly those who, like the author and her characters, love books.” ―Kirkus Reviews
Perfect for:
- Children aged 8-12 whose favorite genre to read is mystery.
- Young readers who love books and cats.
“Gloriously silly… the short chapters with cliffhanger endings make for a perfect read-aloud…. Ridiculously charming.” —Kirkus Reviews
Perfect for:
- Children aged 8-12 who love books that make them laugh out loud.
- Kids who are fast readers and like having a series of books lined up to read (this is the 3rd book in a marvelous series!).
- Middle grade teachers or librarians who love reading aloud to their older students.
“Nelle is a sturdy, intrepid, practical character surrounded by a colorful cast of candy-obsessed children and adults in this fast-paced mystery.…there’s plenty here to satisfy tween mystery lovers….mystery, humor, plenty of action, and a red herring or two with an explosive climax.” —School Library Journal
Perfect for:
- Tweens who love mysteries.
- Parents who love noir-style books and movies and want to pass on their passion to their kids.
- Any reader looking for a different take on the post-apocalyptic novel (in this case—a post-candy world).
“Vibrant… Pons brightens the snowy day with shades of purple, red, and blue in the children’s clothing and in lollipop like trees―which is particularly striking when set against the whiteness of snow.” ―Publishers Weekly
Perfect for:
- Children aged 0-4 who might take a bite out of their favorite book and need the sturdier board book format.
- Young children learning about seasons for the first time.
- New parents who are celebrating their first holiday season with their child.
“An ideal Christmas present for children who prefer Halloween.” ―Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
Perfect for:
- Children aged 6-10 who need to be regularly reminded about Santa’s naughty list.
- Inventive young readers who love a good prank.
“Laminack generates the increasingly hopeful energy to a fever pitch… Gustavson creates a festive mood with his oil illustrations, so luxurious and ample they feel like bundles of winter clothing, topped with bright scarves.” ―Kirkus Reviews
Perfect for:
- Children aged 4-8 who are also getting a sled, snow skis, or a snowboard this holiday season.
- Kids who love reading books aloud and looking for clues they missed the first time through.
- Elementary school teachers that love snow days almost as much as their students.
“The text is clear and lyrical. Sorensen’s beautiful double-page spreads in sepia shades show the young men from the two sides celebrating together-with individuals just like them.” ―Booklist
Perfect for:
- Children aged 6-10 interested in learning about World War I.
- Elementary school teachers and librarians who like sharing different perspectives and new angles in their history lessons.
“Spellbinding…alluringly tranquil… Gentle and gorgeous.” —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
Perfect for:
- Children aged 2-6 who always ask for multiple bedtime stories.
- Young readers who love lions!
- Parents of young children who might be short on sleep this holiday season.
“Children ages 2-5 who like a bit of noise with their books will enjoy these bright and buoyant pages.” —Wall Street Journal
Perfect for:
- Young children who prefer their storytime readalouds to be loud and energetic rather than soothing and quiet.
- Children who are starting to learn their ABCs.
- Parents of young children looking for a different approach to learning the ABCs.
“Little ones will eagerly count in subsequent readings as they also learn new descriptive vocabulary and cheer for the brave hens.” —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
Perfect for:
- Children aged 2-6 who enjoy a little thrill during their readalouds.
- Young children who are learning to count.
- Preschool and kindergarten teachers who might be in need of a fresh approach to the typical counting book.
“An adorable hamster, a fire engine, and fireworks: high preschooler appeal.” ―Kirkus Reviews
Perfect for:
- Children aged 3-7 who are obsessed with fire engines, garbage trucks, and all things that go.
- Young readers who love the Maisy books.
- Preschool teachers who exemplify and teach about helping their communities.