Best Books to Gift 2024 - for Kids

Books to entertain and inspire each young reader on your list.

Updated December 5, 2024
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Impossible creatures
Rundell, Katherine
Paper Book
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * Two kids race to save the world's last magical place in the first book of a landmark new fantasy series, from "a writer with an utterly distinctive voice and a wild imagination." (Philip Pullman, author of The Golden Compass) *This...
1, 2, 3, do the dinosaur
Robinson, Michelle
Paper Book
A rollicking, romping read-aloud text following Tom (dressed as a dinosaur) and his dinosaur friends as they "do the dinosaur" with all their might till it's finally time to "yawn, yawn, yawn... one, two, three and everybody snore!"
Hey! Look at you! : a captivating mirror book
Boynton, Sandra
Paper Book
Hey! Look At You! is a play book with mirrors galore from the one and only Sandra Boynton! With mirrors and mooing and more, Hey! Look at You! invites readers to gaze into gigantic, animal-shaped mirrors to see themselves as Boynton's fan-favorite animals! It's a...
Teeny tiny unicorn
Matson, Rachel
Paper Book
An colorful "Be Yourself" twist on "The Teeny Tiny Woman" that's perfect for Pride month and all-year-round! In a field full of flowers, Beneath a rainbow bend, A teeny tiny unicorn Played with all her friends. This teeny tiny unicorn...
The cozy home : three-and-a-half stories
Dyckman, Ame
Paper Book
Join Bat, Cat, and Rat on their three-and-a-half sweet and silly roommate adventures in this hilarious "gift to reading" (School Library Journal, starred review), the first of a series, from New York Times bestsellers Ame Dyckman and Mark Teague. What happens when...
The good little mermaid's guide to bedtime
Sumner, Eija
Paper Book
Once upon an evening, a good little mermaid begins to get ready for bed. Once upon? No. Not once upon. I know what that means. And I'm NOT a good little mermaid. I am a PREDATOR! Thus begins our story of a little mermaid who is anything but good. Sleep? Sleep is for guppies! This little mermaid is a...
The Sherlock society
Ponti, James
Paper Book
In the tradition of Nancy Drew, four kids and one grandfather in Miami tackle a decades-old mystery in this first book in the action-packed and funny Sherlock Society middle grade series from New York Times bestselling, Edgar Award-winning author James Ponti! Siblings Alex...
Towed by Toad
Awan, Jashar
Paper Book
Hop on a tow-truck ride with Toad as he learns that everyone needs help sometimes, even the helpers! The first in a new series for fans of Frog and Toad and Little Blue Truck! "No time, Pop! Can't stop!" Toad and his tow truck are always on the move to lend a...
Sarah Ponakey Storycatcher and Âhâsiw's Forest Powwow
MacMillan, Sita
Paper Book
A vibrant debut early chapter book series celebrating Cree culture and being true to yourself. Look for Book 2, Muskwa's Tipi Talks, coming in Spring 2025! Sarah Ponakey has moved to the city from her home community with her mom and it's the pits! She misses her Kôhkom, her best...
Orris and Timble : the beginning
DiCamillo, Kate
Paper Book
From beloved storyteller Kate DiCamillo comes the first book in a warm and funny early-reader trilogy about a misanthropic rat and a naive owl--and the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Orris the rat lives alone in an old barn surrounded by his treasures, until the day his...
Stella & Marigold
Barrows, Annie
Paper Book
A USA Today and National Indie Bestseller! From the creatorsof the New York Times-bestselling Ivy + Bean comes a fun and funny new series about two small sisters with very big imaginations. ...
The day I fell into a fairy tale
Miller, Ben
Paper Book
From actor, author, and comedian Ben Miller comes an illustrated middle grade fantasy adventure that's "entertaining fairy-tale fun" (Kirkus Reviews) following a brother and sister who stumble into a magical new world--perfect for fans of Half Upon a Time and Land of Stories!
A galaxy of whales
Fawcett, Heather
Paper Book
A perfect summer read about whale watching and friendship both lost and found, from the author of Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries and The Islands of Elsewhere When Fern hears about a photo contest with a big cash award, she decides she'll enter and win! After...
Roswell Johnson saves the world!
Colfer, Chris
Paper Book
★ A New York Times bestseller!  ★  A USA Today bestseller! ★ An IndieBound bestseller! ★ From #1 New York Times bestselling author Chris Colfer comes a funny, heartfelt,...
Gamerville
Christmas, Johnnie
Paper Book
A video gamer's championship aspirations are dashed when his parents send him to Camp Reset, where electronics are forbidden and you're forced to socialize, eat healthy, and spend time outside. Gamerville is a timely and vulnerable exploration of the importance of human connection...
Jupiter Nettle and the Seven Schools of Magic
Mandanna, Sangu
Paper Book
When you've dreamed of getting into the Seven Schools of Magic your whole life, what do you do when it turns out to be the worst thing ever? This heartwarming graphic novel adventure is perfect for fans of Harry Potter, The Okay Witch, and City of Dragons! ...
The new girl
Calin, Cassandra
Paper Book
Instagram sensation and Tapas webcomic superstar Cassandra Calin makes her long-form debut with this funny, feel-good middle-grade graphic novel about change. Goodbye, old life... Lia and her family are waiting to board a flight across the Atlantic, leaving behind family,...
Plain Jane and the mermaid
Brosgol, Vera
Paper Book
A New York Times Best Children's Books of the Year An NPR Best Book of the Year A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year From Anya's Ghost and Be Prepared author Vera Brosgol comes an instant classic graphic novel that flips every...
Lifesize dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures
Henn, Sophy
Paper Book
Readers journey into the past and compare themselves to life-size illustrations of dinosaurs and other amazing prehistoric creatures in this interactive book. Come claw to claw with a Utahraptor, go head to head with a Diplodocus and compare your smile with a Tyrannosaurus rex's!
Make art with nature
Pixley, Pippa
Paper Book
Artist Pippa Pixley shows children how to make amazing art with materials found in nature in this hands-on book. Get creative and make incredible pieces of art using rocks, wood, berries, flowers, and leaves in this nature craft book for children ages 7-9.  Find...
Mushrooms know : wisdom from our friends the fungi
George, K.
Paper Book
An adorable, STEM-themed picture book for kids 4 to 8 that reveals the wisdom mushrooms have to teach us. Mushrooms always wear their thinking caps. They know so many things. This vibrant and informative book shares the fascinating lessons that fungi can teach us: that...
The beginner's guide to manga and anime : learn the history, explore the art, meet the creators
Takeda, Shuichiro
Paper Book
Become an anime and manga expert with this must-have beginner's guide! It's packed with compelling history and fascinating facts that both new and longtime fans won't want to miss! Manga and anime are a whole lot more than just comics and animation from Japan. They are massive pop-culture...
Owls : who gives a hoot?
Backhouse, Frances
Paper Book
Owls are incredible creatures. They can see in the dimmest light, hear the faintest of sounds, fly silently and rotate their heads to look straight backward. Most owls are nocturnal, more often heard than seen. Even those that are active during the day stay largely out of sight. ...
Plant pets : 27 cool houseplants to grow and love
Allen, Beatrice Boggs
Paper Book
Eight-year-old Beatrice Boggs Allen (along with her mom, Belle Boggs) introduces the 28 easiest and most fascinating houseplants that any kid can grow indoors. Maybe every kid can't have an animal pet--but everyone can have a plant pet! That's the message of eight-year-old...
Priya's kitchen adventures : a cookbook for kids : with recipes that you (yes, you!) can make
Krishna, Priya
Paper Book
From the beloved New York Times bestselling author of Indian-ish and Cooking at Home, an illustrated cookbook for kids and their parents that draws on Priya's childhood experiences traveling the globe with her family. With delicious recipes and laugh-out-loud stories, Priya's...

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