I’ve written before with book recommendations for the gift-buying holiday season. Funny thing, though, they keep publishing new books. Also there are still existing books out there that I’ve never read. (Amazing, I know.) Which means, this year I can write a whole new list!
If you’re not sure what kind of book is best, check out this comprehensive blog post about picking the right book for the kid in your life.
Without further ado, the 2016 BIG LIST OF BOOKS TO GIVE TO KIDS
Board book for expectant parents and little babies
Babies love books. What’s better than cuddling up with a favorite grownup to read a book? These books have stiff, durable pages and short texts for baby bookworms.
Goodnight Jesus (You just knew this was going to be in there, didn’t you?)
Baby Loves Aerospace Engineering
Books for active babies and toddlers
These books are for babies and toddlers who want to move and do. Built-in actions help squirmy kids focus and sturdy pages help books last.
Goodnight Jesus (Yes, again. Toddlers love kissing the icons on every page. Parents love that the sturdy pages last a long time.)
Picture books for preschoolers
Preschoolers love pictures books. These favorites have short text (for short attention spans) but big humor and adventure.
Pipsie the Nature Detective series
Picture books for kindergarten and elementary
I tried keeping this list short. (Really!) It’s not my fault so many awesome books were published this year. For kids with longer attention spans, these books are just plain brilliant
Snappsy the Alligator (Did Not Ask to Be In This Book)
A Beginners Guide to Bear Spotting
Ada Twist, Scientist A new book in the same series as Rosie Revere!
Read aloud chapter books for preschool and kindergarten
When your child is ready for something a little meatier, try these classic books. They’re also free of scary or mature content that wouldn’t be appropriate for young listeners.
A Bear Called Paddington and all the other Paddington books.
Books for brand new readers
These shorter books are light on content but heavy on entertainment. That makes them the perfect place for a new reader to flex those reading muscles.
What This Story Needs is a Pig in a Wig
I Will Take a Nap by far our favorite of the Elephant and Piggie books
Hi! Fly Guy and the rest of the Fly Guy series. This series is more advanced than simple easy readers. Great for kids that aren’t quite ready to jump into reading chapter books.
Short chapter books for less new readers
Kids that are ready to read longer books but aren’t ready for novels will love these shorter chapter books.
Geronimo Stilton series (see also: Thea Stilton series, Cavemice series, Spacemice series, ………)
Books for kids that don’t like to read
Most teachers (and authors!) believe that kids that don’t like to read just haven’t met the right book yet. Some kids also get stuck because the books at their reading level just don’t appeal to them. Do you know what almost all kids love? Comics. Know what’s easy to read? Comics. Know what builds reading skills? Reading comics.
Zita the Space Girl series
Baby Mouse series
Big books for big kids
If you’ve got a bigger kid that’s comfortably reading bigger novels, these are the books for you. These books have more adventure and scarier villains suitable to bigger kids.
Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer
Nick and Tesla’s High Voltage Danger Lab (Nick and Tesla series)
Maze of Bones (39 Clues series)
George’s Secret Key to the Universe
True stories for truly awesome kids
So far I’ve listed all fiction books. There’s a reason for that. Most kids like a good story the best. Some kids love true stories best of all.
Finding Winnie: The True Story of The World’s Most Famous Bear
Marvelous Cornelius: Hurricane Katrina and the Spirit of New Orleans
The Camping Trip that Changed America
Welcome to Mars, Making a Home on the Red Planet
Still looking for inspiration? Check out these 500+ Great Kid’s Books.
Note: I get no compensation for making these recommendations. I just really, really like books.