Hot Books for Holiday Gifts

By Jerry Jones, Youth Service Coordinator

December 14, 2011

‘Tis the season to find the perfect gift for each special one on your list. Figuring out which gizmos and gadgets they already have, what is age appropriate and how many batteries they take to operate… well, it can all be a bit daunting.  That said, this might be the perfect year to get back to the basics: give your loved ones a book!

Like toys, there are plenty of books to choose from. Whether you plan to shop at your local bookstore or at an online retailer, your library is a great place to spend some time browsing, talking to librarians, and test-driving a few possibilities.

From the latest holiday books hot-off-the-press to tried and true titles that fly off our shelves, we can help make your shopping a bit easier.

Holiday books are always good choices. There is something special about bringing those special books out each year as the season approaches.

One of this year’s most popular picks is Jan Brett’s “Home for Christmas.” The story is about Rollo, a naughty troll who runs away from home to get out of doing the chores. Illustrated with scenes from Scandinavia, Brett’s attention to fine detail and the borders that envelope each page make this a keepsake children (and parents) will treasure for years.

How about a Christmas classic that captures the true meaning of the season? Have you tried “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” by Barbara Robinson. This book about the Herdman family’s not-so-typical take on the annual Christmas pageant is sure to bring chuckles to chapter book readers.  It also makes a great read-aloud the entire family can enjoy.

You can also give books children will enjoy any time of the year! Dr. Seuss’s wacky wit and rhyming repertoire can be found in “The Bippolo Seed and Other Lost Stories,” a collection of his stories just recently discovered.

For the tweens on your list, you might consider “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever.” The 6th in this series by Jeff Kinney finds Greg Heffley the prime suspect of damaging school property. Being caught at home in a blizzard leaves him a lot of time to contemplate the fate that awaits him if he is found guilty, but could  that punishment be any worse than being snowed in at home with only your family?

Books also make great gifts for babies and preschoolers. The combination of simple words and quirky characters, make Leslie Patricelli’s, “Quiet, Loud,” “Blankie,” and “Higher, Higher” essentials for the littlest ones on your list.

Bill Martin, Jr., author of the children’s classic, “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See?” also has a couple of new titles that are great for gift-giving, “Ten Little Caterpillars,” and “Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat, Are You Going to Sleep?”

The list of recommendations could go on and on. If you need help with your shopping list and think a book just might do, talk to a librarian.  We’re more than happy to help you find the right book for the right age group. No matter which book you choose to give, you are sharing the gift of literacy, as well as holiday cheer.

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