Holiday Gift Guide – Books for Kids

This post contains affiliate links. Some books we received copies of for our review.

Each of my children receives a new book for Christmas. My girls are my avid readers but even my son knows, reading is key to education. Each season I try to purchase them a book from their reading list and one that I find as an additional surprise.

With the new show on Disney Junior – Vampirina coming out this fall your little ones are sure to love these stories of Vee’s adventures.  The two picture books are perfect for your bedtime stories or the beginner readers to follow along and learn new words.

When a series of animals come knocking at the door seeking a warm place to sleep, there’s always room for one more! WILLIAM’S WINTER NAP is the perfect read-aloud for a cold winter night. Ashman’s playful rhymes, paired with Groenink’s irresistible animal illustrations, will have young readers cuddling up to this book with their favorite stuffed animals at bedtime.

Papillon, the kitty so fluffy he floats, is back! PAPILLON GOES TO THE VET, is the second book in this whimsically charming picturebook series. With lively mixed-media illustrations, Kang takes readers on the journey that every fluffy kitty must make when his ability to float drops and the hiccups won’t stop! The encouraging ending will inspire many giggles, and perhaps a kitty hug or two!

• Papillon Goes to the Vet
• William’s Winter Nap
• Disney Vampirina – Vee’s First Day of School
• Vampirina Ballerina Hosts A Sleepover
• Vampirina At the Beach
• Vee’s Slumber Party
• Scare B and B
• Vampirina Ballerina

My middle child started reading at a very young age. I couldn’t forget to mention a family favorite – Harry Potter! Another book I’m excited to wrap under the tree for my daughter is A Wrinkle In Time that was republished with the Disney movie cover. The new film comes out in Spring 2018 so I wanted my daughter to have the chance to read the book first.

BEATRICE ZINKER, UPSIDE DOWN THINKER by debut author Shelley Johannes is the first book in this heartfelt, unique, four-color illustrated Beatrice Zinker series. With adorable four-color illustrations and a corky sense of humor throughout, readers will enjoy this endearing story. Spunky third-grade Beatrice realizes that some friendships are worth risking recess for, and sometimes all it takes is the simplest act of kindness to “turn that frown upside down!”

WAYLON! EVEN MORE AWESOME by #1 New York Times bestselling author Sara Pennypacker and illustrated by Marla Frazee is the second book in this charming chapter book spin-off series of Clementine. Waylon and his friend Baxter continue their mission to free Dumpster Eddy from doggy-prison. The only trouble is, they need to build Eddy a home so he won’t keep running away. Readers will appreciate this realistic story of true loyalty, friendship and teamwork as Waylon and Baxter must tackle some challenging obstacles that they must, of course, try to solve with science!

• Beatrice Zinker Upside Down Thinker
• Waylon! Even More Awesome
• Harry Potter – The Complete Series
• A Wrinkle in Time

My son is going to love the Thor: Ragnarok Junior Novel. Finding books that are fun for him to read help encourage him to continue. The Hunger Games series is another favorite of my teen daughter. The two new books for this season are:

THE GIRL WHO KNEW EVEN MORE – Spring has come to Munchem Academy. The snow is melting, the roof is leaking, and Mr. Larimore is now in charge. Mattie is worried, though. Mr. Larimore is taking the whole ‘let’s help Headmaster Rooney get back on his feet’ thing seriously, and he’s whispering all sorts of suggestions to the highly suggestible Rooney.
 
Then there’s the matter of the school’s weather. It’s getting . . . strange. Mini-tornados sweep up out of nowhere. Rain pours inside. And there was that snowstorm-that yellow snowstorm-that lasted for two days. 
 
There’s only one thing to do: save Mr. Larimore, and the world, from Mr. Larimore. It’s a tall order for a short kid, but Mattie has a plan. After all, what’s a little breaking and entering among friends?

Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author L.M. Elliott breathes new life into a troubling chapter of our history with SUSPECT RED. Elliott’s new middle grade historical spy thriller featrues a visually appealing mixture of media for readers, such as striking photos and political cartoons. This chillingly relatable novel set in the McCarthy era, follows the fictional story of a young boy who must make a crucial choice between trusting authority and his own conscience.

• Percy Jackson – Book Set
• The Hunger Games – Trilogy 
• Suspect Red
• The Girl Who Knew Even More
• Thor Ragnarok – The Junior Novel

Since my daughter asked for the Percy Jackson book set for Christmas I felt like the coloring book was a perfect companion. Our entire family loves to color together, including my husband! Below are a few newly released coloring books on our gift list this year.

• Disney – Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas – 100 Images to Inspire Creativity
• The Percy Jackson Coloring Book
• Art of Coloring – Mickey and Minnie

Looking for more gift ideas? Check out our Thor: Ragnarok Gift Guide for the Marvel lover in your life.