Holiday Buying Guide 2025

A jaunty rhyme describes the pleasure of bananas starting with the smile-like shape to the and ways to eat them. Bright illustrations with an occasional die-cut enhance the feel of this bright yellow fruit.

A lost duckling is helped by a dog who in turn needs help. Each familiar animal is assisted by another until the duckling helps the horse find fresh water and begins the story again! Cozy illustrations and repeated text make this just right for young listeners.

Readers will help baby critters find home as a disc is moved around on the pages of this sturdy board book. Along each short journey, they can identify other familiar items. For young travelers, the same format is used in Make Tracks In the Sky by Johnny Dyrander to introduce five vehicles that fly, one all the way to space!

It looks like rain so Little Chick asks different animals for a dry place to wait until it stops. Young fingers can feel the wool of the goat, the chick’s soft feathers, and so on until it finds a place in the cozy barn with a horse. 

Here are little squirrel, raccoon, hedgehog, and mouse … but where are you? Lift the flap to reveal a small mirror until the final spread. The animals ask where the Little Baby is. Unfold the sturdy page to discover a larger mirror and a greeting from all of the animals.

Meet various vehicles (e.g., a fire truck, a train, and even a helicopter) each with their own personality as they each do their specific jobs. The simple illustrations each include something to touch, such as the rough rubbery wheel of a tractor.

Peggy — an energetic toddler — and her patient grandfather go for a walk in the woods together. Peggy watches a small snail, jumps in a mud puddle, and slides down a hill, with Granddad patiently watching. When it’s time to return home, Granddad’s strong legs carry the tired child. 

This handsome collection with boldly colored illustrations complements familiar (plus some not-so-familiar) rhymes and poems, sure to delight listeners and readers alike. A QR code takes readers to an audio of the book.

A child and her parents enjoy bundling up and playing in freshly fallen snow. Childlike illustrations in bold form accompany the simple text.

Who ate the little bug? Boldly shaped animals are eliminated with each page turn as die-cut circles decrease in size until the final spread with the ladybug perched on a young nose. This colorful book is presented in a sturdy format with its question and answers.

Potatoes have the power to feed the world according to Peruvian agronomist Alberto Salas.  Portrayed as a chubby cheeked, balding man in warm-toned illustrations, Alberto Salas travels the Andes to play paka paka (hide and seek) with wild potatoes, working with indigenous people, and trying to get ahead of climate change. Informal text is often humorous but always informative. Also available in Spanish: Alberto Salas juega a la paka paka con la papa.

Patterns are all around! Patterns can be discovered in sounds, objects, and words that repeat and repeat. To find them, you must look carefully. Boldly colored illustrations outlined in strong black line help readers notice what is sure to become obvious. A thought-provoking and visually rich exploration of the math, art, and emotion of patterns.

Bear likes his bench, book, cookies, and balloon and is soon asked by friends to share. Bear thinks one way but responds in the name of being polite — until he just can’t anymore! Humor in deadpan expression and the text size of the limited narration together create a witty look at social convention.

Croco, a crocodile, falls into a deep hole. Other animals offer ideas for how he can can get out, and they even work together to rescue Croco … but to no avail. The croc’s tears, however, do the trick! Lush illustrations are highlighted by the book’s vertical format, for a good-humored tale of friendship.

Emmie is a small mouse with big ideas who lives in an attic, using things no one else wanted to make something new. One day, an interloper arrives: a cat. Rather than scheme to get rid of the cat, Emmie makes a new friend. This fresh take on a traditional rivalry is presented in clever Rube Goldberg-esque illustrations and fresh language.  

A child accompanies her grandmother — her nohhum — from the city to Nohhum’s reservation. Nohhum tells the child about the moon calendar, how to listen to the moon with her heart, and the interconnectedness of all things in this moving story from the Indigenous people of Turtle Island. Backmatter includes an author’s note and more, to learn about the different names of the full moons throughout the lunar year.

Tension builds as a small kitten tries to cross the street on a rainy day during a vehicle-dense commute. But it’s a good day to stop to rescue the tiny feline. Evocative illustrations capture the feel of the wet weather and relief as traffic subsides. 

As a girl goes to the market to buy ingredients for wonton soup, she meets others in her village who give her treats. After her errand, she and her mother invite the villagers to join them for soup. The childlike, soft illustrations and simple text underscore the power of community and caring.

Travel the world through traditional stories, just right to read aloud and share with children of different ages. Featuring stories of mermaids, ocean gods, magical fish and majestic dragons, there is something for everyone in this collection of tales inspired by watery worlds.

Spot, a Dalmatian dog, and a white cat with tan markings named Dot (from Please Look After This Cat), promote best care practices and understanding basic behaviors. Humor, information, and illustration combine in this engaging presentation. From the Pet Care series — child-friendly and accessible books about common pets that introduce young readers to their care and feeding. 
 

Amos McGee, the old zookeeper from A Sick Day for Amos McGee and Amos McGee Misses the Bus, looks forward to the first snowfall of the season with his animal friends from the city zoo. Together they enjoy playing in snow, ending with hot chocolate for all. The gentle story is enriched by expressive, tender illustrations — another winner from this husband-wife team.

A trio of wandering, word-loving wombats travel through a rather dull forest, enlivening it with wonderful words and inspiring a young duckling. By the end of their travels, the duckling has motivated others and even created a “duck-tionary” which, of course, is included. The animated language and jaunty illustrations are sure to enthuse young wordsmiths.  

Is it an adverb? Noun? Verb? Meaning? This new word ashimpa — discovered in an old dictionary — takes off and people start using it, but no one can quite figure out its exact meaning as it’s used everywhere for all things! Quirky illustrations will delight readers of all ages … and they just might add ashimpa or even perlimpent to their own vocabulary.

Discover the mysteries of history in this factoid-filled guessing game. Lift the flap to learn the purpose of each specific contraption. A perfect book for sharing together with curious children of different ages.

The unlikely friendship between a bird and worm with very different personalities share everyday adventures (and messes!) in Book #2 — as well as winter fun in Book #3, Earl & Worm: Snow Problem and Other Stories. First introduced in Earl & Worm: The Bad Idea and Other Stories, these collections with short chapters stand alone and are equally appealing. 

Growing up in the segregated South had a lasting impact on young Marian. Her words punctuate high points in her life and activism, and ultimately her impactful work with the Children’s Defense Fund. Resources and additional material are included in this warmly illustrated biography.

“Once, each speck was something else: dirt, pollen, or a bit of a living thing traveling someplace new.” Dust plumes are fascinatingly presented through lyrical language and textured illustrations. Dust plumes feed sea creatures, can weigh as much as billions of basketballs, and can be seen from space. Additional resources are included in this gorgeous book sure to engage and inspire readers.

Take a fascinating tour of some of the most amazing museums around the world. From Bilbao to Beijing, from New York to the Netherlands, explore the wonders of 13 extraordinary museums through this richly illustrated book, perfect for sharing with children of varied ages. You’ll visit the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., the State Hermitage in St. Petersburg, the Quai Branly in Paris, and more! 

Born enslaved in Maryland, Harriet Tubman became a force of nature with her determination and tenacity. Collage illustrations in a naïve style combine with poems chronologically organized by year to present a unique portrait of an icon of Black history. Resources are appended.

Mousse, the green-and-white-striped character first introduced in A Day with Mousse, decides to travel south with Barnacle, his walrus friend. Soon they are joined by another friend … is three a crowd? Original characters in lighthearted illustrations combine with an accessible tale of jealousy and friendship in this humorous and recognizable story.

Structured like a graphic novel, sequential panels of painterly illustrations portray a family living in a home by the sea. Ultimately, the sea rises and so the family must move the house. [An author’s note in Pencil by Hye-eun Kim — an evocative tale of a pencil’s journey from tree to tool — describes how to successfully share a “silent book.”]

On an island in Norway, “away from wars and weapons, safe from earthquakes, fire, and even an asteroid” a collection of seeds is preserved underground. How the seed vault was constructed is presented in attractive illustration and an accessible text accompanied by sidebars with additional information. Resources and further information are included.

Alma is the curator of the Museum of Shapes. It starts with a point that it is almost hard to see on the page. The point is soon joined by more and more complicated shapes that begin to combine. Geometric words and shapes are cleverly illustrated on open pages, for a fascinating introduction to the subject.

The story of a solitary raccoon, the Night Chef, who finds a baby crow, locates its family, and finds community along the way. The story comes to life in lively illustrations and snappy dialog in this easier-to-read graphic novel. 

The friends Moose and Bear (dogs) and Tiger (a cat), adopted by their human Cathy, are back for another everyday adventure. Short chapters by father and son authors are engaging, accessible, and filled with illustrations.

Stunning illustrations chronicle the growth and life of a Coho salmon from its birth on Day 1 on the Duwamish River in Washington to Days 1380–1450 when she lays eggs of her own. Additional information, including a QR code that provides more information on Coho salmon, concludes this gorgeous book.

The life of a sea turtle born at the Ría Lagartos nature reserve in Mexico is dramatically presented in realistic yet expressive illustrations and carefully crafted narration. A note from the author describes her interest in wildlife and suggests tangible ways to help sea life. Additional information is also presented.
 

Oscar is not like most 12-year-olds. He lives in a retirement community, plays bridge, and likes Frank Sinatra. To save his grandfather’s home, Oscar leaves his comfort zone and links up with a questionable new 102-year-old resident for an unforgettable adventure. Funny, quirky, and fast-paced, this novel will stay with readers long after its final page.

Theater aficionados and non-theater buffs alike will enjoy this original take on a musical production presented in graphic format. The poetic forms used and theater terms presented are included in a glossary that concludes this animated presentation.

Filled with facts, this fresh approach is sure to delight as well as inform. After all, these are animals presenting oral reports about other animals because “humans only look at things through their own human eyes. Every single time.”  Cleaner fish report on sharks; barn owl reports on Tasmanian devil, and mole knows everything there is to know about daddy long-legs. Charming line illustrations punctuate the lively language in this singular book.

Pocket Bear was created to fit in the pocket of a soldier on the front during World War I. He is now the mascot of a used toy store where stuffed animals are refurbished to be loved again. How Pocket and his friend — a cat who is a burglar — save the store and its owners while building community makes a heartwarming, surprisingly sophisticated, tense tale.

It starts with a question: what do Indigenous people from around the world share? The answer: the planet we all live on and a deep respect for it. Stunning portraits of individuals are overlayed with images reflecting their land and customs. This beautiful, oversized look at our world is not to be missed.

Why does each wish put through a mysterious mail slot come true? What happens when all wishes come true? Oscar and mom have settled in a new home, but will it all be gone soon? Difficult themes are countered with magic and humor in this imaginative and highly readable story.
 

Have you ever wondered about the world of sound? Why and how do we hear sounds, how does sound travel, and how do birds, dolphins, and humans use sounds to communicate? Discover the answers and much more in this handsome, brief, but surprisingly thorough examination of sound enhanced by expressive illustrations.
 

Max accompanies his mother on a research trip to the Texas Gulf Coast. There he finds a beached octopus and works with others to rescue her. Named Ursula, the octopus helps Max come into his own in this moving, realistic story. 

Visit the Andes Amazon with a group of scientists from Chicago’s Field Museum who work with local people to collect information about the plants and animals at specific sites. A conversational narrative and full-color photographs document the work which is realistic but optimist about environmental threats. Additional information is included.

Lyrical language and artful illustrations present the life of a lotus and the resilience it represents. A lotus seed falls into the soil and drifts into a deep sleep. It awakens, unfurling tender buds and wide green leaves. Then, the flower blooms, its brilliant petals opening to the sun. And soon enough, another lotus seed falls, starting the cycle all over again… This is a book to share with children of different ages.

A foreword by the founder of the Humanimal Trust sets the stage for a fascinating look at what humans and animals have in common and a call for recognition of our interdependency. The large format is organized in bite-sized chunks of information and clearly illustrated, with additional resources included.

A dream inspires Okan the raccoon to save a white wolf in the mountains of Minnesota, along with a small crew unlikely companions (a skunk and a moose). So begins this action-packed survival story infused with Indigenous creation stories, history, and some Indigenous language.

Dramatic descriptions of the eruption of Indonesia’s Mount Tambora in the early 19th century open this compelling story of Earth’s warning signs, often left unheeded by humankind. This is the true story of how a massive catastrophic eruption plunged the world into darkness, altering the global climate and inspiring the likes of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Black and white sketches enhance the compelling presentation which is fully sourced and documented.