It’s that time of year, y’all! The store is a-buzzin’ with folks looking for the perfect gifts for their loved ones. We’re thrilled to share with you the books and fun accompaniments we personally recommend to our customers for the young readers in their lives — a few of these might even be on our own holiday wish lists… (ahem).
STACI, Kids Inventory Manager: The Lil’ Libros bilingual board books, enamel pins & prints
“The Lil’ Libros collection is so wonderful! These are bilingual board books that use fantastic pictures, themes, and historic figures like Lucha Libre and Frida Kahlo to teach English and Spanish words to little readers! There are also super cool enamel pins and gorgeous corresponding print s– you really must have ’em all!”
TOMOKO, Art Director: Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls & Rainbow Doodlers
“I’ve been obsessed with Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls ever since I heard about the book (and now there’s a second one!) — not only do the books each have 100 stories about women who have done incredible things, but (and importantly, for someone who loves pictures like I do) the books are illustrated by over 60 women artists from all over the world! Not only do I love the idea that young readers have the opportunity to see women’s history through the eyes of contemporary female artists, I especially love the way that, with so many different artists, the portraits change stylistically from page to page. It really showcases how artists see and interpret something solid and factual like a photograph so differently, and how it can be transformed. For a gift, I’d pair Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls with some art supplies, so, inspired by the art in the pages, readers can start drawing their own portraits of strong women in their lives! These Rainbow Doodlers are really versatile since they draw like colored pencil, but react like watercolor paint if you add water!”
TOMOKO, Art Director (because she couldn’t pick just one!): Miles Morales by Jason Reynolds
“Okay, so I couldn’t pick just one — Miles Morales is one of my favorite books of the year! As a half-Black, half-Puerto Rican kid going to a private school in Brooklyn, Miles has to deal with living up to expectation, as well as the influence of forces outside his control, including systemic and overt racism. Powerful and so appropriate for now — I love seeing this side of Spiderman, but one of my favorite things is how not all the heroes in this story wear masks! ”
MERRILEE, Kids Bookseller: Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein
“Every child has their own bedtime ritual, but nobody has one as funny as the Little Red Chicken, who pops up every time Papa tries to read a bedtime story. This book is so much fun to read out loud, you should go find a 3-year-old and force them to let you read it to them.”
EUGENIA, Kids Event/Marketing Coordinator: Books by Mail ages 8+
“I love subscription services because they’re a gift that keeps on giving long after the holidays. And there’s just nothing better than getting a surprise in the mail every month! Kids will love these signed book packages, which come with an assortment of goofy gifts related to the book. The Whiz Mob box, for example, includes a set of adhesive mustaches and an awesome guide of pop culture gems to explore while you read the book — movies, books, and music that will transport you to 1960’s France. Kids these days are just TOO COOL. Our other middle grade picks this semester include Jason Reynold’s Patina and Wishtree by Katherine Applegate, so there’s great range for different readers.” Subscribe to Books by Mail or purchase the individual Whiz Mob box here.
NATASHA, Kids Bookseller: The Land of Stories
“When Alex and Connor Bailey’s grandma gives them a treasured fairy tale book, they have no idea they’re about to enter a land beyond all imagining: The Land of Stories, where fairytales are real and not everyone gets a ‘happily ever after’. This is a must-read!”
KATHLEEN, Kids Bookseller: The Magnificent Books (nonfiction)
“I absolutely love these oversized nonfiction books for young readers, perfect for ages 4 and up. Three of the titles I especially recommend are The Magnificent Book of Animals, The Magnificent Book of Ocean Creatures and The Magnificent Book of Dinosaurs (not pictured). The pictures are AMAZING and kids will love ’em!”
THOMAS, Master Bookseller: Escargot by Dashka Slater
“All I can say about Escargot is it’s an absolutely ADORABLE book and it’s by far the most fun read-aloud I’ve seen all year. I love reading it at BookPeople storytime in a fake French accent. It’s super silly, it will make kids laugh, and maybe even get them to eat their vegetables!”
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