By Dana Brumm, Curriculum Specialist
Books are among the very best gifts for any preschooler! They get little ones exposed to and interested in literacy early on, and they offer amazing opportunities for child-caregiver bonding. Many books available today offer interactive elements that make reading feel like playing!
Whether shopping for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or “just because,” here are the best books to gift your child from birth to preschool this holiday season or any season.
I’m Growing Great by Mechal Renee Roe
This book will draw little readers in with its lovely illustrations of Black and Brown hairstyles donning bright-colored blooms. It radiates positivity and joy and makes a delightful read-aloud in springtime or anytime.
Noisy Babies by Lauren Crisp, compiled by Tiger Tales
This is the ultimate interactive board book for the littlest readers! It includes three features that babies and toddlers absolutely adore:
1) full-color photographs of other real babies
2) a variety of sounds
3) touch-and-feel elements throughout.
Little ones will engage their senses while connecting with familiar sights and sounds.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Peekaboo Christmas by Eric Carle
Help your toddler look for The Very Hungry Caterpillar as he wanders around the Christmas tree. Try to spot him between the ornaments or peeking out from behind the presents. This book makes an excellent addition to your child’s holiday book collection!
My Hands Can by Ammi-Joan Paquette, illustrated by Sabrena Khadija
This title teaches young readers about their hands and all the wonderful things they can do. It can be used to discuss themes like kindness, bodily autonomy, and self-regulation. My Hands Can is part of a larger series that celebrates the amazing abilities of our bodies. The series is incredible and has so much teaching potential!
Tree: A Peek-Through Board Book by Britta Teckentrup
What I love most about this title is its appeal across seasons. Readers watch a tree change through spring, summer, fall, and winter. Toddlers will enjoy exploring the peekaboo holes throughout the book, showing different critters living in the tree each season.
Teeny Tiendas: The Fruit Shop/La frutería by Lourdes Heuer, illustrated by Zara González Hoang
Especially great for bilingual families, this darling title introduces kids to fruits sold in the fruit shop (la frutería) in English and Spanish. It includes common fruits like watermelon and lesser-known fruits like loquat and dragon fruit. Kids will enjoy the illustrations of diverse families, including children and babies, as they stroll through Mr. Manzano’s fruit shop. This bilingual board book is a sweet way to explore new words while celebrating the vibrant community around them.
Hair Love ABCs by Matthew A. Cherry, illustrated by Vashti Harrison
Inspired by the bestselling title Hair Love, Hair Love ABCs is an inclusive and empowering alphabet book! The story features Zuri and her dad from the original title, and each letter represents an element or description of Black hair.
Who Will You Be? by Andrea Pippins
The holidays are a great time to gift keepsake books children can grow alongside. This is one of them! Who Will You Be? is full of inspiration for young readers and boasts the most charming, colorful illustrations.
Latke’s First Hanukkah by Alan Silberberg
Latke and his friends enjoy an eight-night Hanukkah celebration in this playful board book! The party grows as the days go on, culminating with all eight candles lit on the menorah and the shamas. This is an excellent choice to make your holiday celebrations more inclusive.
Elmore the Christmas Moose by Dev Petty and Mike Boldt
When Santa needs a temporary replacement reindeer, Elmore the Moose excitedly applies for the job. In comically clever letters, Elmore tries to persuade Santa to give him a chance. This new holiday tale is the perfect blend of humor and heart.
Where’s Bearry? by Joe Gatto, illustrated by Luke Flowers
It’s bedtime, but Remo can’t sleep without his beloved Bearry. Lively rhymes paired with vibrant illustrations skillfully capture Remo’s adventure to find his special stuffed animal. This sweet bedtime story also teaches how to calm one’s body and mind in times of stress.
Alice in a Winter Wonderland by Jan Brett
You can’t go wrong with a Jan Brett book, and this reimagined tale of Alice in Wonderland set in the Alaskan tundra is nothing short of enchanting.
Bookie & Cookie by Blanca Gómez
This fantastic story stars two friends who must work through compromise and bravely try new things to keep their friendship. This book is perfect for sharing over a plate of delicious cookies, just as the characters do in the story.
Busy Betty & the Perfect Christmas Present by Reese Witherspoon, illustrated by Xindi Yan
The exuberant Betty is back in an entertaining holiday-themed story. It’s almost time for Christmas, and Betty has the brilliant idea to create a cookie stand to raise money for gifts for her family. It’s hard not to love the thoughtful, determined, energetic Betty!
I Would Love You Still by Adrea Theodore, illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max
This tender, heartwarming story follows a mother and her child on a trip to the zoo. Through playful rhyming text, the child is humorously compared to different animals while being reassured of the parent’s unconditional love. It’s the perfect book to cuddle up with and share with a loved one.
Piper Chen Sings by Phillipa Soo and Maris Pasquale Doran, illustrated by Qin Leng
This heartfelt intergenerational story inspires readers to pursue their passions and confidently share them with the world. Though she loves to sing, Piper Chen becomes anxious about an upcoming solo at school. Luckily, her beloved Nai Nai helps her embrace the butterflies in her stomach and confidently face her fears.
The Crayons’ Christmas by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
The loveable crayons from the New York Times-bestselling series are back in a holiday edition! Packed with humor and tons of interactive elements such as removable letters, a board game, ornaments, and a pop-up Christmas tree, this is one fun hands-on book!
Attack of the Underwear Dragon by Scott Rothman, illustrated by Pete Oswald
When Cole’s wish of becoming an assistant to his favorite knight comes true, he must use all of his training to face the dreaded Underwear Dragon! Saying the word “underwear” always makes children laugh, so you know a book with a giant dragon sporting briefs is going to be a huge hit. Expect requests for multiple readings of this humorous tale!
I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James
The dynamic team that created the award-winning story Crown, has crafted another empowering, beautifully illustrated book that teaches children to love themselves. The reassuring text begs to be read aloud and is skillfully highlighted by the expressive pictures. This exceptional story will stay with readers long after closing the cover of the book.
Where Do Diggers Celebrate Christmas? by Brianna Caplan Sayres, illustrated by Christian Slade
Little truck lovers will revel in the holiday edition of the popular Where Do… series, featuring a variety of construction trucks. Readers will recognize many of their own traditions as the playful rhymes and lively pictures capture diggers, mixers, and cranes choosing a Christmas tree, sipping eggnog, and singing carols.
Who Will You Be? by Andrea Pippins
This lyrical #OwnVoices story uses poignant language with bold illustrations to create a beautiful love letter to children. The upbeat tone combined with affirmative words results in a powerful story that will build children’s confidence and reassure them that they are loved.
Bedtime Bonnet by Nancy Redd, illustrated by Nneka Myers
A young girl lovingly shares her family’s nighttime hair routine in this inviting bedtime story. Her brother twists his locs, her grandma places a kerchief over her rollers, and her dad covers his waves with a cap. Her nightly ritual includes putting on a bonnet to prevent tangles, but the essential hat is missing. In a comical twist, the bonnet is found with amusing results. Many children will relate to this sweet ode to family, while others will relish in learning about a new bedtime custom.
Antiracist Baby Picture Book by Ibram X. Kendi, illustrated by Ashley Lukashevsky
This New York Times bestseller presents nine steps readers can follow to help create a more unbiased society. Colorful illustrations fill the pages while the thoughtful text empowers readers to pause and think through the important points presented. A note to caregivers includes several discussion prompts to create a meaningful conversation with children about race and what we can do to create a better world.
The Paper Kingdom by Helena Ku Rhee, illustrated by Pascal Campion
When two night-janitors bring their son to work with them, they transform a potentially dull evening into an enchanting adventure full of imagination. With its breathtaking artwork and magical storyline that includes admirable characters, this mesmerizing book is truly special.
The Yawns Are Coming! by Christopher Eliopoulos
This entertaining bedtime story may not lull children into sleepiness, but it will cause them to giggle and ask for repeated readings! When two best friends plan to stay up all night during a sleepover, they must avoid the dreaded yawns. Personified as small blue creatures, the Yawns pursue the boys through a comical chase ending with two snoring friends who find escape from sleep futile. With eye-catching artwork and an attention-grabbing storyline, children are not going to want to miss this amusing tale.
Wild Symphony by Dan Brown, illustrated by Susan Batori
Join Maestro Mouse as he tours the world with his musical friends. Children will delight in 20 short poems presented by each animal. Life lessons are entwined in the rhyming words, and a free interactive app allows readers to listen to the accompanying music. New York Times-bestselling author Dan Brown weaves in his love of puzzles, challenging children to solve a secret code while also searching for a hidden bee on each page. With its engaging artwork, poetry, and activities, this standout book appeals to a variety of age groups.
The Seed of Compassion by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, illustrated by Bao Luu
Before he became one of the world’s most admired leaders, the Dalai Lama was a boy named Lhamo Thondup. In his first-ever picture book, the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate shares anecdotes from his childhood, demonstrating how we can show kindness in our everyday lives. His universal message of love and compassion shines through the pages, inspiring readers to be their best selves.
Elbow Grease: Fast Friends by John Cena, illustrated by Howard McWilliam
When a hot-shot motorcycle outshines Elbow Grease and his fellow monster trucks, they must overcome their jealousy to work together as a team. Perfect for little truck enthusiasts, this vehicle-themed friendship story is a roaring good time!
Boys Dance! (American Ballet Theatre) by John Robert Allman, illustrated by Luciano Lozano
This lovely celebration of dance, showcases a diverse group of boys who study the art of ballet. From jetés to pliés, the talented boys leap their way across the stage, demonstrating the skill and strength it takes to be a dancer. Quotes from professional male dancers are included in the afterword to further encourage readers.
My Little Box of Emotions by DK
This colorful collection of board books gives children the tools to name their feelings and helps them work through their big emotions. The five-book set includes an introduction to feelings and stories focusing on happiness, sadness, anger, and pride.
Llama Llama Loose Tooth Drama by Anna Dewdney, illustrated by JT Morrow
This sweet new installment in the bestselling Llama Llama series captures the anticipation of a child’s first loose tooth. When little Llama’s tooth begins to wiggle, he learns about the tooth fairy from his mother. He can’t wait to place his tooth under his pillow, but when his loose tooth becomes lost, he fears the tooth fairy won’t come. The gentle rhymes of this charming book will both comfort and excite little readers for this important milestone.
