Books as Gifts
Holiday Buying Guide 2011
What better gift to give than one that can be shared again and again?
Books are just that kind of gift. They create memories, too, when read by and with children. This year's list was carefully crafted with just one idea in mind — to find books so engaging that the TV is happily turned off and the iPod and electronic games are put away.
Season's Readings from Reading Rockets!
Click below to browse through the 2011 holiday buying guides online or download and print the PDFs before you head out to the library or store.
- Download 2011 Books as Gifts Buying Guide (441K PDF)
- See books for 0-4 year olds or download the list (399K PDF)
- See books for 4-5 year olds or download the list (402K PDF)
- See books for 6-7 year olds or download the list (401K PDF)
- See books for 8-9 year olds or download the list (402K PDF)
- See audio books for the whole family
For 4-5 year olds
A Ball for Daisy
How a small white dog with black ears loses his orange ball to another hound but finds friendship instead comes to life through the author/illustrator's signature illustrations. (2012 Caldecott Medal Winner)
A Little Bitty Man and Other Poems for the Very Young
A collection of poems translated from the Danish are humorous, animated, and recognizable (with a touch of potty humor, quite literally) and liberally illustrated.
Cars Galore
Cars of every shape and color zoom through and across the pages of this lively, rhythmic, and colorful look at these vehicles and their drivers.
Chirchir Is Singing
Young Chirchir is anxious to help her family at the various jobs but learns to share her special talent. Folk art and lyrical language enhance this tale set in rural Kenya.
Colores de la Vida
Animal sculptures on carefully composed pages with the color words provide a fine introduction to colors, color words in Spanish and English, and Mexican folk art.
Cows to the Rescue
Who can help the Greenstalk family on County Fair Day? Unlikely though it seems, it is capable cows to the rescue! The slapstick humor and repeated refrain is sure to delight.
Dinosaur Dig!
Dinosaurs from one to 10 use various trucks to build a swimming pool together. This is a unique take on working together, construction, and dinosaurs (which are all identified).
Happy Pig Day!
Gerald the elephant feels left out when his buddy, Piggie, celebrates Pig Day. All ends well as Piggie reaffirms his friendship with in this addition to an ever popular series.
How Did That Get in My Lunchbox? The Story of Food
Ever wonder how the food we eat came to be in a lunchbox? Brief text and lively illustrations describe food starts as well as healthy eating habits.
Jack and the Beanstalk
The traditional tale of a boy who planted magic beans is reimagined as a city story of a spell broken. Illustrations are photographs that have been manipulated for good effect.
Kimonos
Traditional wooden Kokeshi dolls inspired this introduction to Japanese words and culture while presenting a participatory book with flaps to lift, fold-outs and more.
Monkey: A Trickster from India
Monkey is quick-witted and so ably outsmarts dull crocodile in this simply told, lushly illustrated tale drawn from traditional tales told long ago in India.
Motion, Magnets and More
Easy experiments make basic physical science ideas come to life. Crisp illustrations, direct directions, and everyday materials make these easy to do almost anywhere.
One Foot Two Feet: An Exceptional Counting Book
One foot becomes two feet; one mouse then three mice — until one person becomes 10 people in this clever and engaging concept book.
Over and Under the Snow
As the narrator and her father ski through the woods, they compare what goes on over and under the snow cover. Wood block illustrations add rich texture to the words.
Press Here
Simple instructions begin: "press [the yellow dot on a white page] here." Dots whirl and swirl on each page for a creative and playful interaction between book and reader.
Sea of Dreams
As a girl leaves her sandcastle on the beach, a wordless nautical fantasy begins in this handsomely illustrated, surprisingly complex tale.
Seasons
A dark-haired little girl explores the seasons using her senses in this handsomely illustrated book.
The Busy Beaver
Beaver is oblivious to the chaos he creates and its impact on others and himself. He finally decides to do better — much to everyone’s relief, revealed with understated humor.
The Little Red Hen
Ever-popular tellings of familiar folktales have become modern classics and are again available, just right to share with younger children.
The Three Bears
Ever-popular tellings of familiar folktales have become modern classics and are again available, just right to share with younger children.
The Three Little Pigs
Ever-popular tellings of familiar folktales have become modern classics and are again available, just right to share with younger children
Time for a Bath
Textured collages realistically present a variety of animals and their bathing habits. Text in different typefaces allows this informative book to engage on different levels.
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
A chipmunk looks skyward and wonders about the twinkling stars before his imaginative adventure and travel to the moon. Stunning watercolors extend the familiar rhyme.
Where's Walrus?
A sly walrus evades the zookeeper, all the while hiding in plain sight: at a lunch counter, in a window display, and many equally obvious (and silly) places. After taking a swimming prize, the walrus returns to the zoo. Flat forms augment the understated comedy of this wordless tale.
Who Has These Feet?
A clearly illustrated pair of feet is shown with the title question. On the next page, the entire animal is seen with a basic characteristic of the foot, sure to intrigue and inform.
For 8-9 year olds: To read with you
A Nation's Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis
Joe Louis' boxing match against Max Schmeling in 1938 reverberated in the U.S. and through the world. Its drama is presented in rhythmic text and stunning illustrations.
E-mergency!
When the letter E falls down the stairs and becomes incapacitated for duty, O tries to take over E's duties. The results are sophisticated and funny in this pun-filled picture book.
Little Kitchen: 40 Delicious and Simple Things that Children Can Really Make
Tasty meals begin with healthy, balanced recipes. Clear instructions for broadly appealing meals are presented in easy-to-follow and appealing photographs.
Mathemagic! Number Tricks
Magic tricks and math come together, sure to engage sophisticated children. Clear explanations present how to perform the trick and explain why they work.
Talk, Talk, Squawk! A Human's Guide to Animal Communication
Have you ever wondered how an animal (or insect) says "I am gorgeous" or "where are you?" These and other questions are answered in this amusing but informative book.
The Pied Piper of Hamelin
In Hamelin town, the rich care only about themselves and so refuse to pay the piper who rids the town of the rats. The stirring (and happily resolved) tale is made fresh again.
Treasury of Greek Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes & Monsters
Vivid retellings and luminous illustrations reinvigorate Greek myths.
Weird & Wacky Inventions
Images of unusual inventions are presented with possible uses, explained when the page is turned. They really are wacky but very creative in this fascinating look at creativity.
What's the Big Idea? Amazing Science Questions for Curious Kids
This oversized book asks and ways to test “big ideas” — the ones that have “no simple or easy answer.” Motion, energy, and matter are made accessible and downright fun here. Just right for curious kids to share with curious adults.
Wild Women of the Wild West
The western U.S. was indeed wild in the 19th century. Brief sketches of strong, brave but little known women who were part of it are glimpsed in fascinating book
For 6-7 year olds: To read with you
A Zeal of Zebras: An Alphabet of Collective Nouns
The alphabet, from an "Aurora" of polar bears to a "Zeal" of zebras, organizes animal information while introducing unusual plural nouns and arresting graphic depictions.
Coral Reefs
A girl is transported from the library to an underwater world where she observes coral reefs and sea life in this fantastic but illuminating adventure.
Doggy Whys
Feline and canine rivalry provides tongue-in-cheek humor in this light but enlightening look at dog behavior and breeds.
Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite
Duke Ellington's collaboration with a classically trained colleague resulting in unique rendition of the 'Nutcracker Suite' comes to life in jazzy text and illustrations; a CD is included.
First Garden and How It Grew
White House gardens started with John Adams in 1800 and continue with Michelle Obama. History and recipes for healthy food are presented in this attractive volume.
Good-bye, Havana! Hola, New York!
The narrator describes her family's immigration from Cuba to New York City based on her own family's story and illustrated by her husband for a striking memoir.
I Am Tama, Lucky Cat: A Japanese Legend
A cat befriends a monk and brings good fortune to his rundown temple in this handsomely illustrated retelling narrated by Tama, the feline hero.
Mouse and Lion
Dramatic, realistic illustrations set the fresh retelling of the familiar fable in Africa's Kalahari.
Polka Dot Penguin Pottery
Aspen Colorado Kim Chee Lee finds a cure for her writer's block in a unique pottery class. Child-like illustrations and text are presented in calendar-like orientation.
The Book with a Hole
Putting yourself into the center of a book can be done literally. Black/white illustrations, minimal text, and a large hole encourage active participation in this unique book.
For 6-7 year olds: To read on their own
About Hummingbirds: A Guide for Children
Easy to read text and lush, realistic illustrations provide an accessible but authoritative look at hummingbirds' lives and habits.
Amphibians: True or False
Readers are asked a true or false question about ubiquitous amphibians. With the turn of a page, the answer and an explanation (along with a revealing color photo) appear!
Dodsworth in Rome
Dodsworth and his companion, a duck, visit Rome, Italy, where Duck takes money from the Trevi Fountain. Dodsworth must figure out how to replace what isn't his.
Everything Goes in the Air
Follow a boy and his parents to the airport, on the plane, and through a bit of aviation history for an informative look at flying. Cartoon illustrations and information in bubbles and sidebars in an oversized format make this book just right for multiple examinations.
Fly Guy vs. the Flyswatter!
Buzz, a boy, and his pet fly, Fly Guy, visit a flyswatter factory with Buzz's class in the latest installment of this comic series.
Friendship: True Stories of Extraordinary Animal Friendships
Friends come in all shapes and sizes (even species!) seen in tender photographs of animal friendships. Gentle rhymes and informative text allow finish the portrait of friends.
Hocus Pocus
A magician's rabbit gets the resident dog into hot water in this wordless romp that comes to life in comic book style.
Squish: Super Amoeba
Even though Squish and his pals are one-cell amoebas, children will recognize themselves in the frenetic adventures of bullies and saving the world from evil.
Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature
Strong lines and evocative language call on readers to observe the natural world around them in this handsome look at the spiral shape in nature.
The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man
After an awesome adventure, Awesome Man returns to the Fortress of Awesome where he is once again a child in his mom's awesome embrace in this over-the-top fantasy.
The Guardian Team: On the Job with Rena & Roo
An orphaned burro named Roo and Rena, a runt pup, grew to be friends and allies who guard sheep on a Nevada ranch. Their story is told in photograph and clear text.
For 0-4 year olds
Animal Baths
Animals like to get clean, just like people! This lively look at bath time is told in rhyme with cheery, colorful illustrations.
Color-by-Penguins
Two penguin-painters have very different styles when painting white walls, but both are happy as they paint a rainbow while comically introducing basic colors.
Counting in the Garden
The narrator surveys the garden, counting from one to twelve what grows and lives there. Interesting words combine with stylized illustrations to present an abundant garden.
Farmyard Beat
The peeping chicks can't sleep and so share their beat with a barnyard of animals and Farmer Sue in this bouncy, rhythmic tale complemented by textured collage illustrations.
Feeding Friendsies
Children play and make pretend food in the garden where they play until they wash up for a real meal and a nap — all but one playful toddler. Sprightly, soft illustrations illuminate the text.
Gossie / Gansi
Gossie, a small yellow gosling thinks she has lost her favorite red books until she sees them on her friend's feet. This small board book is presented in Spanish and English.
Grandma Calls Me Gigglepie
As they share everyday activities, Grandma calls the narrator lots of loving names using rhythmic, rhyming language – just like familiar animals and their young.
Have You Seen Duck?
The boy and his stuffed toy duck are the best of friends; they do everything together. Soft line and wash illustrations show their joyful play and the boy's sadness when Duck goes missing. The satisfying resolution is plausible and pleasurable.
I Am a Tyrannosaurus
A blond child imagines himself as a various dinosaurs, dramatizing their actions until he returns to his mother's embrace. A pronunciation guide for dinosaur names is included.
Let's Look at Dinosaurs
Brief information about a variety of dinosaurs is provided in a predictable form, accompanied by simple, attractive illustrations that call on readers to join in.
Love Waves
Children and their parents are always connected by love — even when they are apart — shown in this gentle book by sparkly "love waves" sent from parent to child to parent.
Moomin's Little Book of Words
Share everyday words or count familiar objects with the genial hippopotamus-like Moomintrolls, drawn from the work of Finnish illustrator, Tove Jansson.
Reaching
A baby shares everyday activities and lots of love with parents and extended family in this reassuring, rhyming story just right for bedtime.
The Construction Crew
A family watches as an old building is torn down to build their new house. Children will likely join the repeated refrain in this colorful, lively, and straightforward story.
What Puppies Do Best
Puppies do lots of things including making a mess sometimes but what they do best is love the children in their lives. Motley children and their pets are lovingly depicted.
Who Do I See?
A guessing game is presented with die-cuts on sturdy board pages; the question is answered with a turn of the page. Bright but familiar colors and animals are used.
For 8-9 year olds: To read on their own
Around the World: Three Remarkable Journeys
Follow three long ago adventurers who traveled around the world by bike, by herself, and on a sloop. The graphic novel format brings their adventures to life.
Butterflies
Stunning full-color photographs and tantalizing text introduce these fascinating creatures and how and where they live.
Clementine and the Family Meeting
Clementine is afraid that she's in trouble but instead finds out that a new baby is on the way when the family meeting is called.
Dear Hot Dog
Engaging poems combine with lighthearted illustrations to celebrate the stuff of which a child's day is made from toothbrush to scissors, from crayons to hot dogs, and more.
Ellray Jakes is NOT a Chicken!
Ellray, a small third grader, has trouble not responding to Jared, the class bully. If Ellray can stay out of trouble though, his dad has promised a trip to Disneyland!
Emma Dilemma: Big Sister Poems
How can Jessica be a good big sister when Emma is so often not a well-behaved younger one? Sisters of all ages and sizes will see themselves in both poems and illustrations.
Ivy & Bean: No News Is Good News
All the kids have it — the cheese covered with red wax — except Ivy & Bean. How they earn the money to buy it causes funny mayhem and minor disasters.
Melonhead & the Undercover Operation
Melonhead and his friend Sam go undercover thinking that they have identified a notorious fugitive sought by the FBI in this contemporary and funny adventure.
Mystery Math: A First Book of Algebra
Mysterious, humorously spooky illustrations and easy, engaging text demystifies the mystery of basic algebra, further clarified by a suggested activity.
The Bippolo Seed and Other Lost Stories
Seven stories published only before in magazines have been put together in a fresh volume introduced by a Seuss scholar and sure to delight the doctor's fans.
Audio Books
Diary of a Spider
Sound effects and dramatic reading make the humorous saga of an eight-legged hero come to life. Based on the picture book of the same name.
Greek Myths
Sophisticated listeners will appreciate the dramatic readings of Greek myths.
Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse
Everyone knows that there are two sides to every story. Read a cleverly illustrated poem one way for one side; read the same poem in reverse and learn the other. Well known fairy tales are presented through reversible poems sure to intrigue sophisticated readers of all ages. Each book comes with a CD, so pop it in and follow along!
Shiloh
Eleven year old Marty must decide whether or not to return an abused beagle to its rightful owner, an unkind man. His dilemma includes hiding the dog, Shiloh, telling his parents the truth, and more in this riveting, award-winning novel which is ideal to read aloud with slightly sophisticated listeners. It was adapted into a live action film in 2000.
The Bippolo Seed and Other Lost Stories
Seven stories published only before in magazines have been put together in a fresh volume introduced by a Seuss scholar and sure to delight the doctor's fans.
The Shoe Bird: A Musical Fable
An absurd but satisfying fantasy based on Eudora Welty's only children’s work, is presented in lively music and narration.
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