I try to find unique and interesting books, especially if giving a gift to another family, because they are less likely to own it already. Here is a list of my favorite books that make great gifts for babies, toddlers, preschoolers and beyond!
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Preschoolers and Up:
I received a copy of this book for review and was very impressed with it! My 3 year old daughter was immediately drawn to the fun illustration on the cover and begged me to read it to her as soon as I opened the package.
I enjoyed the rich language, which is something I look for in books to introduce my daughter to new vocabulary. I had to do a bit of explaining in my own words to her, which is okay because this is one of those books that she will enjoy for many years to come.
Aimed at 3 to 8 year olds, this book is fun and educational at the same time. Its cute illustrations and unique protagonist kept my daughter engaged, while its rich language makes it a great teaching tool. We both loved the clever plot and surprise ending. This was a great addition to our library!
This House Needs a Mouse is available now on the book's website, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Big Tent Books.
A very funny and entertaining book that appeals to a wide range of ages. This witty story is about a boy's crayons brought to life, going on strike and each one writing him a letter about their complaints. The boy then figures out a clever way to make all the crayons happy.
The latest Mo Willems masterpiece, this is another witty book about a pigeon who refuses to take a bath and comes up with a million excuses not to. A story we can all relate to, with a fun twist at the end. Delightful read!
An interactive book where you are prompted to follow a series of instructions on each page. Press the yellow dot, shake the book, tilt the book and see what happens on the next page. A very clever and entertaining concept that will have kids begging to read it again and again.
Inspired by Harold and the Purple Crayon, this is a fabulous wordless picture book with gorgeous watercolor illustrations. The story takes you on a magical adventure that will captivate children of all ages.
Another superb wordless picture book with beautiful illustrations, a flashlight reveals the magic and mysteries of nature in the dark. This would be a great gift paired with a flashlight!
This is a story of a boy who lost his dragon in NYC and goes all over the city in search for it. Very clever book that combines counting numbers 1-20 with look-and-find where you search for hidden items on each page. The illustrations are amazing and super-detailed, full of recognizable city icons.
This is a perfect gift for Sesame Street fans. Each page features a letter of the alphabet or a number (1-100) and shows a scene full of Sesame street characters along with many words and objects that go with each letter. Great for building vocabulary and learning letters and numbers.
This is an excellent Bible storybook for young children. It seamlessly ties together all the stories of the Bible in a simple, easy to understand way and focuses on the "big picture". Short chapters make it perfect for daily Bible story time.
Babies & Toddlers:
We all know and love Margaret Wise Brown's classic Goodnight Moon. Well, Goodnight Songs is a collection of her previously unpublished poems, illustrated by 12 award-winning artists, and turned into beautiful, enchanting lullabies. The CD is included with the book. This is a true masterpiece and a must-have in any child's library!
Kids love to look at pictures of other kids, and that's exactly what this 40-page photo book consists of. Created by a famous NYC street photographer, this collection embraces children's diversity and uniqueness. Adorable and captivating photographs that every child will love!
100 First Words (Lift the Flap Book)
This is currently my toddler's favorite book. She learned a lot of new vocabulary from it, and now she just loves to open each flap and say what each picture is. The flaps are sturdy and also great for fine motor skills.
Why read nursery rhymes any other way? This incredible pop-up book will allow kids to engage with classic nursery rhymes in a whole new way. Includes 6 classic rhymes with pop-ups.
This is a great book for learning animal names, building vocabulary, and encouraging language development. Bright, colorful photographs will keep your toddler happy and engaged.
The Wheels on the Bus
A delightful twist on the classic song, this book features a bus-load of jungle animals who all make their own sounds as the wheels go round and round. This one is sure to be a hit!
This book takes on a different approach to learning the alphabet. The book has thick pages that are cut to form each letter of the alphabet, and kids can interact physically with the letters, and even play peek-a-boo games, revealing an item that begins with that letter sound. One of the most fun alphabet books I've seen.
Looking for more gifts? Check out our Educational Gift Guide for Preschoolers!
