It is the time of year that so many of us think about what kinds of gifts we can give the kids in our lives, and as an author, I cannot say enough that I recommend putting great books on your kid’s Christmas list!
To really help kids make a connection with books, a fun idea is to include a gift that goes WITH THE BOOK. Something that the book can inspire them to do, or a way that they can use play to connect with the characters in the story.
I’ve gotten together with a group of my author friends–we call ourselves the PB Vibes because we believe that books should inspire feeling–and we’ve come up with some gifts to give with the book! You’ll see a whole list of books and gifts for different kids and different situations.
Many of these links are to Amazon. As Amazon Associates, some of us earn from qualifying purchases. However all of these books are also available at bookshop.org, Barnes and Noble, and other booksellers.
SAWYER’S BIG IDEA by Kimberly Horch
Sawyer’s Big Idea – Celebrating creativity, ideas, and process over product
Gifts for creative kids with all the ideas:
KidzRobotix Tin Can Robot – To create your own robot that really works
Klever Kits DIY 3D Moon Night Light – To illuminate their “bright” ideas
Blue Glitter Notebook – to start an idea journal, as suggested in the helpful psychologist’s note in the back
Makedo Explore: Upcycled Cardboard Construction Toolkit – These tools are great for safe and creative cardboard construction
THE FIG TREE by Costantia Manoli
THE FIG TREE – A beautiful story about a fig tree representing peace and friendship.
Gifts for kids who love nature:
Greenhouse for kids – Great for planting now, even not great out for gardening
Flower planting kit with pots – A fun activity now, and then also as you watch things grow
Flower press kit – We love pressing flowers! They’re fun to use for crafts year-round
Fabric flower making kit – Even if you don’t have a good space for growing, you can make flowers of your own!
Hà Dinh’s THE JADE BRACELET
THE JADE BRACELET – A beautiful story about tradition and family. When girls at school start wearing new sparkly bracelets, Tien tries to hide the simple jade bangle her mother gave her in memory of her grandmother. Tien remembers her grandmother’s love and decides to wear her jade bracelet proudly.
Gifts that focus on family:
Jade Bangle – When we read this story my daughter loved that the bracelet was a reminder of family. She asked for her own jade bracelet, and chose a bangle like the one in the story.
Green Glass Bead Set– for making a special bracelet of your own– matchers maybe?
Picture Frames with photos of loved ones – I love this idea to gift pictures of loved ones–so special!
SOMETIMES STORMY by Amanda Davis
SOMETIMES STORMY – Ezra faces his dad’s drinking, imagining it’s a storm he can’t stop. With help from caring adults, he learns it’s not his fault and finds ways to cope.
Gifts for Weathering Life’s Storms:
Ninja Turtle Yoga Mat – to encourage mindful movement
Art Kit and Journal – to encourage expression of BIG feelings through writing and art
A Place to Feel Feelings Workbook – for recording and working through feelings
THE OCEAN PROTECTORS: COLORS OF THE CORAL REEF by Blair Williamson
THE OCEAN PROTECTORS: COLORS OF THE CORAL REEF – when two sisters discover their once-vibrant coral reef has transformed into a graveyard of bleached coral, they are determined to save it.
Gifts for kids who love the oceans:
ISLAND GIRLS: FREE THE SEA OF PLASTIC – saving the oceans is absolutely Blair’s passion, and she has another great book to help kids learn how they can help ocean animals by getting rid of plastic trash.
Coral Reef Resources – A free coloring page and resources that go with Blair’s books
Ocean Virtual Reality – immersive deep sea exploration activity set
Chrystal Reef Kit by National Geographic – grow crystals that look like a colorful coral reef, a great STEM activity
Alison McGauley’s KENZIE’S LITTLE TREE
KENZIE’S LITTLE TREE – Kenzie shows resilience and empathy as she navigates life with a chronically ill parent through the seasons with a chronically ill mom. (Kenzie on Amazon Canada)
Gifts that nurture empathy, communication, and resilience:
Sunny and Stormy Day! – This cooperative game promotes sharing and communication
Balance Board – We love our balance board! Build perseverance and resilience with this fun toy
Big Life Journal: A growth mindset journal to promote resilience, gratitude and confidence
Art set: Let your child express thoughts and feelings through art
Family Table Topics: A fun way to start family conversations
BEA’S BALIKBAYAN BOX OF TREASURES by Christine Alemshah
BEA’S BALIKBAYAN BOX OF TREASURES – a box can be a bear cave, a playhouse, or even a rocket ship, but Bea’s box has an important destiny: to be filled with goodies for their relatives in the Philippines.
Gifts that foster creativity and connection:
Teddy Bear Animal Sewing Kit – for making a special gift from the heart
Cardboard playhouse – to design your own box house
Cardboard tools with cutter & tool box – For creating whatever your imagination can think of
Letter writing stationary – to keep in touch
THE MOON LANTERN by Hà Dinh
THE MOON LANTERN – Huy wants to enter the lantern-making contest at Tết Trung Thu (the Moon Festival), but instead of crafting a lantern in the traditional star shape, Huy plans to honor the moon.
Gifts inspired by THE MOON LANTERN:
Lanterns that look like the moon! – I bet this is just the look Huy was going for!
Tasty traditional mooncakes – To try something new
Fun paper dragons (8pk) – enough to put on a whole parade
M IS FOR MASON JAR: A HOMESTEADING ALPHABET by Carolyn Bennett Fraiser
M IS FOR MASON JAR: A HOMESTEADING ALPHABET – A cute beginner guide to being more self reliant. Shows kids participating in the home and garden. Great for kids who love to dig in the dirt and “get their hands dirty!”
Gifts for kids who love to “get their hands dirty”:
Kids kitchen tools – for getting started helping in the kitchen
Tiny garden box kit – to get started in any season
Variety seed packets – let kids feel empowered (and encouraged to eat veggies) by getting them seeds to grow their own garden
MITHAI BOX IS NOT EMPTY by Namrata Agarwal
MITHAI BOX IS NOT EMPTY – is a sweet and very unique book that teaches both sharing AND taking care of yourself! A great conversation starter for kids ready for the complexities of sharing.
Gifts for kids learning to share:
Jabsons Assorted Chikkis – to try a tasty and sharable treat just like the one in the book!
Wooden Tea Set – to practice hosting just like Ria in her Chai Party.
Large Grosgrain Ribbon Bows – to go with the fun color and style of the beautiful illustrations.
Pets Alive Puppy – because we all wish we had a pet this stinking cute.
BIRTHDAY BASH by Blair Williamson
BIRTHDAY BASH – a party of a book with hilarious escapades and fun phrases to read aloud.
Gifts for kids who love to laugh:
Cupcake Kit – this one is for adorable bug cupcakes– Perfect!
Paracord Marlinspike toolkit – all the materials you need to make cool rope bracelets or keychains
Knot tying kit – we were gifted one just like this and it’s such a great activity, and a useful skill!
CHALK THE WALK by Chelsea Tornetto
CHALK THE WALK – Siblings use their bucket of chalk to make some sidewalk magic, making a gray day brighter.
Gifts to get kids outside:
Bright chalk colors – A big box of chalk to get the whole neighborhood involved like we did this summer.
Kids binoculars – For seeing things in a new way
Outdoor glider (2pk) – for playing with a friend
LY-LAN AND THE NEW CLASS MIX-UP by Hà Dinh
LY-LAN AND THE NEW CLASS MIX-UP – Sometimes things don’t turn out the way we plan! Ly-Lan navigates her life as a new third grader—complete with old and new friends, unexpected (and disappointing) changes at home and school, and finding a way to thrive. A new and adorable early chapter book series–Book 2: LY-LAN AND THE UNFAIR BOOK FAIR is available for pre-order arriving in January!
Gifts inspired by the Ly-Lan series:
Cute cowgirl boots – Like Ly-Lan’s best friend Cece
A cute and crafty journaling set – with fun stickers and stamps!
First Vietnamese Words – So your child can learn some Vietnamese, just like Ly-Lan does from her new friend!
Kimberly Horch 