Book Gifts Kids Will Love (Even If They Aren’t Bookworms)
Books are a great gift idea for children of all ages. Spark a new love of reading or fan the flames of an existing one with my top tips for giving book gifts kids will love…even when “books” aren’t on their wish list.
This post contains affiliate links, but I never recommend anything I wouldn’t purchase myself. See my full disclosure here.
Jump ahead to the tips:
- Tip #1: Choose Unique Editions
- Tip #2: Follow the Recipient’s Interests
- Tip #3: Pair Books with Toys or Accessories
When I was a child, my Aunt Celine earned a reputation among my cousins as the “Book Aunt.” Just about every birthday and Christmas gift I received from her was a book, and many of those books became cherished favorites. Now, thirty years later, these books still sit on my shelves, where they are shared with my children. While not every book you gift to a child needs be heirloom quality, a book given with thoughtfulness and intention can definitely make an impact.
Here are three tips for thoughtful giving, plus examples and ideas for each:
1. Choose Unique Editions
One way to give book gifts kids and teens will love is to choose unique editions of enduring favorites. This might mean giving a special edition of a book you already know the recipient loves (which is great since most kids love re-reading their favorites anyway). It might also mean introducing the recipient to something they haven’t read. Either way, unique editions make book gifts feel extra special.
Here are some examples, divided by age:
For babies and toddlers
Look for classic favorites that have been reimagined with pop-ups, liftable flaps, or other touchable sensory features, illustrations, or even sound effects. (As a mom of littles who likes her sanity, I’d stay away from anything that plays a song, though. Those are just annoying. And as a teacher, I would steer you away from anything making bold educational claims. Most of those claims are unfounded and, if anything, they may hinder rather than helping.)
This Goodnight Moon Soft Book transforms the classic story into a toy that’s suitable for even the youngest infants.
This touch and feel board book edition of The Classic Tale of Peter Rabbit is extra durable for curious little hands.
This pop-up version of Guess How Much I Love You? is absolutely beautiful. It’s a little fragile, but is one of my 3-year-old’s favorites.
The thick flaps on these Chunky Lift A Flap books are great for infants who are still developing fine motor skills. The titles in this set include Babies in the Snow (would be SO cute in a Christmas stocking!), Babies on the Farm, Babies in the Forest, and Babies in the Ocean.
If you like the artwork of Eric Carle (of Brown Bear Brown Bear and The Very Hungry Caterpillar fame), this Hear Bear Roar 30-Button Animal Sound Book is a fun choice. The animal sounds are realistic and, of course, the illustrations are beautiful. My sons also love Around the Farm.
I actually prefer Dr. Seuss’s Green Eggs and Ham with 12 Silly Sounds! to the regular version. The sounds–like sizzles, rain, and mouse squeaks–are cute and enrich the story. Plus, it is abridged, which is an improvement. Trust me on that one if you haven’t read any Dr. Seuss books lately.
For older children
Illustrated editions are great for independent readers as well as for family read-alouds. The pictures add an extra visual cue to guide reading comprehension, plus they’re fun, even for those who’ve already read the book!
Harry Potter is often recommended for ages 8+. These illustrated editions of Books 1-5 feature beautiful artwork by artist Jim Kay.
(This hardcover box set packed in a trunk is also very cool.)
Christmas at Hogwarts takes an excerpt from the first Harry Potter book and turns it into a gorgeous picture book. This would be a great Christmas gift for a child who is already familiar with HP or for the child of an adult fan.
The Hobbit is a great book for introducing children (aged 8+) to J.R.R. Tolkien (Lord of the Rings). An illustrated edition would be a great gift whether or not the recipient is already a LOTR fan.
For pre-teens and teens
Illustrated editions are popular with pre-teens and teens as well. Fans of The Hunger Games (books or movies) would love the illustrations in this version, which features art by Nico Delort.
Beautiful covers and gilded pages make these Masterpiece Library Editions feel special. There are many titles available; try introducing the recipient to a classic that is one of your personal favorites!
For teens who love comic books (or who are reluctant readers), graphic novels are an excellent choice. I’m linking to Campfire Graphic Novels here because I like their selection of classics.
2. Follow the Recipient’s Interests
Giving thoughtful gifts should always start with considering the recipient’s likes and dislikes, but when giving books to children or teens, following their interests is absolutely paramount. If you’re a parent, it’s probably easy to think of the things your children are most excited about, but if you’re gifting to a grandchild, niece/nephew, or another child in your life, it’s okay to ask the child’s parents for some guidance here.
With the recipient’s interests in mind, look for books that complement or, better yet, advance those interests. This might be fiction or non-fiction depending on the situation. Here are some examples for each age group:
For babies and toddlers
For a car-loving (or a Disney Cars-loving) kid, this National Geographic Race Day book would be a great pick. There are many other books in this series, mostly about animals.
Curious toddlers love learning. My son has been fascinated by maps, so this large board book World Atlas is on his Christmas list this year. It will be a fun way to expose him to geography.
If you’re shopping for a very young child who is still learning to talk, Our Big Book of First Words is a beautiful option created by a certified speech-language pathologist.
For older children
Kids (ages 3-10) who love earning an allowance (or raking in birthday money) can start learning how to manage it with Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace Kids. The kit includes an activity book for kids, a guide for parents, and several extras.
The Story Of series of biographies for kids aged 6-9 has plenty of historical and cultural figures to choose from. A few that jump out are Jackie Robinson, Walt Disney, and Serena Williams.
Creative, artsy kids will enjoy craft kits from Klutz. They pair well-written and informative instruction books with high-quality supplies. Options are varied and include manga, horses, paper airplanes, and more.
For pre-teens and teens
Star Wars fans will love the detailed artwork depicting cross-sections of the series’ vehicles in this book. (Honestly, my husband might like this book as much as our pre-teen & teen nephews would.)
The Super Easy Teen Cookbook offers 75 simple recipes with very detailed, easy-to-follow instructions. It would be a terrific book for a pre-teen or teenager who is just learning how to cook.
Shopping for a Swiftie? How about a copy of the December 2023 TIME magazine in which Taylor was named Person of the Year? At the time of writing, all three cover art options are available.
3. Pair Books With Toys or Accessories
Book + Toy sets (especially Book + Plush Toy sets) are enduringly popular, and for good reason. Kids love toys and some of the literary plush on the market is adorable. If you genuinely think the kid in your life would LOVE it, go for it, but book + toy sets are not what I’m talking about here.
As a side note, I am very choosy about the toys I keep for my kids, not only because I don’t like a mess, but because research shows that children play better and feel more at ease with fewer toys. That’s part of why I love giving and receiving books! (If you’re interested, I highly recommend the book Simplicity Parenting for more on this topic. The author does also recommend limiting the number of books your child can access, but that’s a story for another post.)
That being said, there are times when pairing a book with a toy or other item can make for a gift kids will love. Here are some examples, again divided by age:
For babies and toddlers
Little Blue Truck is a modern classic. When my older son turned one, a sweet friend gifted him a spinoff (What Do You Say, Little Blue Truck?) and a blue truck from Green Toys. Over two years later, he still loves both. Depending on the occasion you’re shopping for, you might consider Little Blue Truck’s Springtime or Little Blue Truck’s Christmas; both are very cute. A farm animal puzzle would also be a great companion toy.
Harold Loves His Woolly Hat is a sweet story about a bear who loses his treasured hat. He thinks his hat makes him special, but the crow who took it won’t give it back–it’s keeping her babies warm. I love the message that our possessions aren’t what matter most. If you’re a knitter, I think this book plus a homemade woolly hat for the recipient would be a PERFECT gift. Of course, as Ina Garten would say, “Store-bought is fine.”
For older children
Goosebumps was never my cup of tea, but my husband remembers the series fondly. If the child in your life likes mysteries, arm them with this cool solar lantern for peeking into dark corners and telling creepy ghost stories with friends. (A flashlight or lantern would also be a natural match for Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, or The Boxcar Children.)
When I taught English, students who were interested in STEM fields were more likely to tell me they didn’t enjoy reading. If you’re looking to change that, The Wild Robot might be an enticing choice for a budding engineer. You’ll get bonus points for pairing it with a robotics kit. (By the way, Dreamworks released the movie The Wild Robot in 2024. I haven’t seen it, but the previews look good.)
For pre-teens and teens
For teenagers, consider tucking a crisp $20 bill into a book you think they’d like. They can put the cash towards something they want or need, but they still have something fun to unwrap. Gift cards work great for this as well.
Most pre-teens and teenagers have a collection of graphic tees and sweatshirts; there are scores of bookish options on the internet. To keep them fashionable, look for subtle, timeless designs.
Jump back:
- Tip #1: Choose Unique Editions
- Tip #2: Follow the Recipient’s Interests
- Tip #3: Pair Books with Toys or Accessories
Did I miss one of your favorite bookish gifts? Let me know in the comments!
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I love my First World Atlas book you recommended! Thanks for this fabulous list!