The holiday season is moving quickly, and the time for gift giving is almost here! Books make great presents for young readers, and this year we’ll be sharing several round-ups highlighting ideas for every kind of reader on your gift list. To avoid the ever-dreaded holiday rush, stock up on books that the children in your life will enjoy exploring again and again.

To: The Winter/Holiday Enthusiast

 

The holiday season brings out a greatly anticipated enthusiasm for winter weather, family gatherings, the exchanging of gifts, holiday decorations, and even the most embarrassing, intricate outfits (ugly Christmas sweater for the win!). So, get in the mood this holiday season by not only enjoying old family traditions, but by also starting a new ones, like nestling close to the fire and sharing a good book. Snow days, songs, schemes, and skis are just a page-turn away!

 
 
Bradley Bartleby is bad. Very bad. Fed up with receiving socks for Christmas every year, the beastly Bradley decided enough was enough! If Santa won’t give him the gifts he wants, Bradley will just have to steal them. Bradley rigs his house as a trap for Santa Claus, sticking dynamite in the chimney, stealing tigers from the zoo, placing guillotines over the doors and windows, and even hiding trapdoors. Santa doesn’t stand a chance! Or does he?

Johnathan Emmett’s exceptionally witty and quirky humor is sure to delight those kids that have a hankering for an unexpected holiday treat! Coupled with fantastic bold illustrations by Poly Bernatene, readers will enjoy this twisted Christmas tale told from a new and devious perspective. Make this hilarious read aloud a new tradition for the family!

Read an excerpt here and check out the fun activity sheets!

“Did the weatherman just say what I thought he did? Did he say…SNOW? Oh, please, let it snow. Lots and lots of snow.”

Have you ever experienced the anticipation and excitement of a snow day (or—for those who do not get snow—wished for one)? This narrator has and he is jumping for joy at the idea of no morning alarm and no rush to school; staying in PJs all day and watching the snow fall in white heaps; playing outside, reading a book, and watching TV. But in the morning when there is no snow to be found and everyone rushes to get to school, this family experiences an unexpected twist!

Young readers won’t be the only ones who delight in Lester Laminack’s fun spin on a familiar childhood scenario. Get lost in Adam Gustavson’s beautiful illustrations and charm the young reader in your life with a wonderfully imagined day of snow!

Read an excerpt here.

Meet Claude. He’s no ordinary dog—he leads an extraordinary life! What will he do next? This holiday season join Claude as he and his best friend, Sir Bobblysock go to the Snowy Mountains to swish down the powdery slopes. They throw snowballs, learn to ski, and enter a snow-sculpture contest. But when an avalanche threatens their winter wonderland, Claude must come to the rescue!

Written and Illustrated by Alex Latimer, Claude on the Slopes is a perfect addition to any young reader’s early chapter book collection. With a hilarious plot and well-crafted illustrations, Latimer brings Claude’s extraordinary world to life! Share this future favorite with your adventure-hungry reader and join them as they laugh out loud at the exciting story of this winter-happy pup!

Read an excerpt here.

 
Based on true events from the Christmas Truce of World War I, Christmas in the Trenches commemorates the story of Francis Tolliver and his fellow British soldiers in the muddy trenches along the Western Front. Their German enemies lie in wait just across a field known as “No Man’s Land.” As both armies exchange carols back and forth, a figure emerges, carrying a small Christmas tree with lighted candles. Soon the British and the German armies leave the war behind and gather in the open field to ring in the holiday together.

Adapted by award-winning songwriter John McCutcheon from his song of the same name, and reinforced by Henri Sørensen’s traditional, full-color oil paintings, Christmas in the Trenches will be a new classic for the family to enjoy. With a CD featuring readings of the story and recordings of “Silent Night” and “Christmas in the Trenches,” this title is sure to satisfy the historian and the winter enthusiast in your family!

Find these titles and more at your local libraryindie bookstore, or Barnes & Noble. Still looking for more great ideas? Our 2017 Holiday Gift Guide has even more gift recommendations for your little readers this holiday season!