Holiday gifts for kids: boxed sets, picture books, and more
Books are the gifts that keep on giving when it comes to kids and the holidays. All that time off from school, all that potential boredom. But a kid who unwraps a book is a kid who has something to do (and, even better, it doesn’t involve a screen). Even if you don’t think a child is a reader, you might both be surprised if they get the right book in their hands. In our handpicked selection of gift books for kids you’ll find stories that appeal to nearly any interest and every age. Here’s a look at some of my favorite books to give kids, from babies to tweens.
Sandra Boynton is one of the most beloved authors of books for babies and toddlers. These are the ones that will be read so often, and enthusiastically, that they will likely end up too tattered and worn to pass on once your little ones age out of them. The three board books in this sweet box set cover all the hits: bedtime, peekaboo play, and learning opposites—all with loveable dinosaurs. —Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
Ages baby-5
Ages baby-5
The Wonderful Things You Will Be is still one of my favorite gift books for new babies or parents-to-be. The illustrations are both beautiful and incredibly charming, and the sentiment is as heartfelt and genuine as it can be. Rhyming text makes this a wonderful book to read aloud and the love of a parent for their child shines like a beacon on every page. Emily Winfield Martin has written a picture book that will stand the test of time, striking just the right tone of sentimentality without going saccharine. This is a gift book parents will cherish for themselves and their little one. —Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
Ages baby-3
Ages baby-3
This book reminds me of one of our Best Children’s Books of 2021, Room for Everyone—it shares that book’s exuberant, colorful style and warmth, only instead of a bus in Zanzibar, I Am La Chiva! is a bus taking people to and from the market, through the beautiful hills of the Andes. Passengers all help each other, they play music and sing—the warmth and spirit of community come across on every gorgeous page. Give this to young fans of Little Blue Truck, I think they’ll love this one too—it’s one of our Editors’ Picks for the Best Children’s Books of 2024. —Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
Ages 3-7
Ages 3-7
This Best Children’s Book of 2024 is an absolute delight of a read. Aliens who crash land in a family’s backyard are treated to the very best of human kindness. The aliens are quirky, their attempts to pass as human are very funny, and the expressive illustrations are worth a second, third, and sixth look—I’m certain you’ll be reading this book many times. A refreshing take on being kind to strangers and coming together as a community, this picture book is something special. —Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
Ages 4-8
Ages 4-8
One of the great games played around the world, a book that teaches kids to play chess at a young age is a gateway to a lifetime of entertainment and critical thinking. Maurice Ashley is the first Black Grandmaster of the chess world, and in The Life-Changing Magic of Chess he shares his story, then introduces kids (or anyone wanting a simple introduction to the game) to the basics of play. Pair this book with a simple chess set and you’ve got a terrific gift that will give kids hours upon hours of joyful play and competition, as well as skills they will use for the rest of their lives. —Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
Ages 6-10
Ages 6-10
With the Wild Robot movie out now, this is the perfect time to give kids this hardcover boxed set of the three Wild Robot books. After the first book, introducing Robot Roz and the island wilderness that becomes her home, readers will follow her into two more adventures of friendship, found family, and the beauty and importance of our planet’s wild places and creatures. Each of these stories is a treasure on its own and together they are magic. —Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
Ages 8-10
Ages 8-10
For kids who love fantasy—think Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and unicorns like you’ve never seen them before—this is the new series to start for page-turning adventure and finding your tribe. The Skandar Collection includes the first three books in the series, where we join Skandar and his friends on the mysterious island where the chosen train as elite unicorn riders. There is darkness and villainy but also friendship, loyalty, and surprising revelations—this is my favorite new action-packed fantasy series to recommend. And young readers hooked on this series won’t have to wait for book four—Skandar and the Skeleton Curse is out now. —Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
Ages 8-12
Ages 8-12
Our #1 Editors’ Pick for the Best Children’s Books of 2024. A high-stakes WWII story of secrets, code-breaking, and family, The Bletchley Riddle channels extraordinary historical detail into a page-turner that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Two mysteries confound Jakob and Lizzie Novis—the key to cracking Hitler’s diabolical Enigma machine, and the whereabouts of their mother—and this race against the clock buzzes with energy, hilarity, and teamwork. This author dream-team has crafted an exciting historical novel that kids (and adults) will devour. —Seira Wilson, Amazon Editor
Ages 10 and up
Ages 10 and up
Looking for more book recommendations? Check out:
