My Holiday Wishlist

Something you want: a bookshelf in the kitchen for my cookbooks

Something you need: reading glasses (A sign that I’m over 40!)

Something to wear: a pair of book earrings

Something to read:  Just one….oh geez….

Now that we have my wishlist out of the way, let’s knock out that “something to read” section for every person you are planning on buying gifts for this year.  I’ve included affiliate links if you want to go the easy route and buy straight from Amazon and have them delivered to your door.  Or, you can print and take the handy dandy shopping list I created for you to the store.  Keep reading to get that FREE shopping list template.

Something To Read List for the Whole Family

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Suggested Books for Babies and Toddlers

New

Lullaby and Kisses Sweet: Poems to Love With Your Baby compiled by Lee Bennett Hopkins is a wonderful introduction to poetry for little ones.  There over 30 poems in this board book covering topics such as food, family and bedtime.  Each is beautifully illustrated by Alyssa Nassner.

Classic

You can’t go wrong with anything by Sandra Boynton.  This box set has two of my favorites- Snuggle Puppy and Belly Button Book. Her books are playful and always fun to read.

For more board book recommendations check out these book lists:  Board Books That Aren’t Babyish and Multicultural Board Books

Books Preschoolers Will Love

New

Please, Mr. Panda by Steve Antony has been read countless times in our family.  My 3 year-old adores it.  Mr. Panda has a box of doughnuts that he would like to share.  However, he can’t seem to find an animal polite enough to give them too. That is until he meets one animal who has great manners.

Want to see more new favorites for preschoolers?  Check out this list of ten of our favorite new books for preschoolers.

Classic

Oh, how I love Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey.  It’s a classic that belongs on every child’s shelf.  It even won the Caldecott Award in 1941.  The Mallards would like to settle their family of eight ducklings in the Boston Public Gardens.  With a little help from the police, they are able to achieve this dream.

Just Right Books for New Readers

New

New readers who are ready for chapter books with picture support will love this book by Mo Willems.  Mr. Willems traveled to France seeking inspiration for this story.  It also makes a great chapter book read-aloud for younger children. My 5 year-old loved it so much that we finished it in one day.

The Story of Diva and Flea takes place in Paris.  It’s the tale of a dog and cat who become friends and help each other in different ways.  Flea broadens Diva’s horizons by helping her explore the world beyond the courtyard.  And, Diva introduces Flea to the security of a home.  The illustrations are gorgeous and add wonderful visual support to the book.

Classic

The Frog and Toad Box Collection by Arnold Lobel has brought pleasure to generations of new readers.  Picture support balances the longer text new readers are navigating.  Great tales of friendship in each story.

Independent Readers Will Be Delighted With These Books

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Firefly Hollow by Allison McGhee will be wrapped and waiting under the tree for my oldest son this year.  I read the book over the summer and knew it not only would be a great book for independent readers but also as a read-aloud.  In fact, it will be one of the books we will do for Family Dinner Book Club next year.

Firefly and Cricket both have big dreams beyond their nations.  They venture out and not only meet each other but also Vole and a little giant named Peter.  These four creatures’ paths cross to help each other grow and spread their wings.  A heart-warming adventure story the independent readers or the whole family will enjoy.

Classic

You can’t go wrong with Beverly Cleary.  Try the Henry and Ribsy box set.  It includes Henry Huggins, Henry & Ribsy and Ribsy.  In the first book, we are introduced to Henry who feels that nothing very exciting ever happens to him.  Well, that changes when he convinces his mom to let him keep a dog that he finds.  Adventure await them both.

Books the Whole Family Will Enjoy

Poetry immediately comes to mind when I think of books for the whole family.  Poems are great for reading aloud and appeal to many ages.

New

I like The Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations by Sylvia Vardell for a few reasons.  First, it is a book that will get used throughout the year because it is full of seasonal poems.  There are poems for birthdays, Christmas, Black History Month, and even National Cookie Day.  Secondly, it is a bilingual book.  All 156 poems are written in English and Spanish.

Classic

The New Kid on the Block by Jack Prelutsky and illustrated James Stevenson will have the whole family giggling.  Over 100 poems about very different people and creatures.

Titles for Adults Who Love Reading to Kids

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Raising Kids Who Read by Daniel T. Willingham shares how we can help kids grow to be readers.  Though I didn’t agree with all the suggestions in the book, there are lots of practical tips for encouraging reading.  He looks at three key factors: decoding, comprehension, and motivation.  I do think that all three pieces are necessary for kids to be life-long readers.  The other neat thing about this book is that it looks at needs of each age of reader from birth to teenagers.

Classic

The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease was first published in 1982.  Seven editions later it is still going strong.  I love the message that reading aloud is one of the most powerful tools we have for helping kids grow.  Plus, the book is full of great read-aloud book lists.

Time to print that shopping list and fill in who will get which book.  Order through Amazon by clicking on the pictures above or take your list to the store.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE SHOPPING LIST

Back to something I want to read…I’ve really been wanting to snuggle in a chair with a gingerbread latte and read Pioneer Girl: The annotated Autobiography by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  Do you know an adult who loved Little House books?  This might be the perfect gift for that person too.

P.S. For more great book recommendations and  literacy ideas, we send out a weekly newsletter. You can see a sample here.  If you like what you see, sign up to receive it for FREE each week.

Now it is time to check out more ideas in the KBN Holiday Gift Guide 2015.