It’s the holiday season, but that doesn’t mean waiting in long lines for big sales to get the trendiest toy or newest gaming system. Whether you are a parent, relative, teacher, librarian, or just a friend of a young person, think of a book that you can enjoy together.
— “I like your sass and other Yiddish words you like”
Beautiful, fun, and endlessly readable, this board book contains 12 Yiddish words and their meanings, each accompanied by simple, colorful illustrations that inspire reading. Written and illustrated by Susie Ultman. Recommended age: 1-3 years. RISE x Penguin Workshop. $9.99 USD.
— “13 Days of Speed: A Christmas Celebration”
A classic Christmas carol for the littlest Swifties – now instead of 12 days, they’re 13. Each page has bright illustrations and lots of Easter eggs for lovers. It includes a “to” page with space to add a personal note or your favorite Taylor Swift lyrics. Written by Tiffany Garland, illustrated by Brooke O’Neill. Recommended age: 3 and up. Little brown books for little readers. $10.99 USD.
— “Into the uncut grass”
Trevor Noah tells the story of a boy and his teddy bear who venture into uncut grass, picking up nuggets of wisdom along the way. Long and quotable, with humor and delicate watercolor illustrations. According to the introduction, “this is a picture book, but not a children’s book. Rather, it is a book that children can share with their parents, and parents can share with their children.” Written by Trevor Noah, illustrated by Sabina Hahn. All ages. One world. 26 dollars.
— “There will never be a right badger”
Badger was determined to be a perfectly decent guest at his first party, but his instincts may have gotten the better of him. Tear up the gift wrapping paper? never. Dig into the pie before serving? Of course not. A colorful picture book full of texture that leans towards joyous chaos. Written by Lauren Glatley, Illustrated by Rob Sayegh. Recommended age: 4-8 years. Flamingo books. $18.99 USD.
— “The Man Who Didn’t Love Animals”
It’s the origin story of Old MacDonald, animal noises and all. This man loves his tidy house and hates animals – until one by one they fall in love with him, turning his apartment into a cramped barn. Author: Deborah Underwood, illustrations: Leyen Pham. Recommended age: 4-8 years. HarperCollins. $19.99 USD.
— “Bun attack”
In the sixth installment of the series, Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast fight off an alien invasion with the help of their refrigerator friends. Told in rhyming couplets with whimsical, vivid full-page illustrations. written by Josh Funk, illustrated by Brendan Kearney. Recommended age: 5-8 years. Union Square Kids. Hardcover: $18.99. Paperback: $8.99.
— “Swamp myrtle”
One sister loves the forest and its beauty; another is more interested in money. Sharp uses literary devices from irony to alliteration and puns to address topics such as workers’ rights and environmental sustainability. “This graphic novel is perfect for the quirky, goofy kid in your life who loves the tongue-in-cheek humor and The Skull by John Klassen,” says Sarah Bradley, lead salesperson at Powell’s Books. Written and illustrated by Sid Sharp. Recommended age: 6–11 years. Annick Press. $22.99.
— “My UnderSlumberBumbleBeast”
Award-winning adult author Zoje Stage is writing a book, out December 3rd, that reimagines the monster under the bed as something cuter and weirder. While cleaning her room one day, Prue finds a shy little creature named UnderSlumberBumbleBeast. Includes crossword pictures and a glossary of more complex vocabulary. Written by Zoje Stage and illustrated by JE Larson. Recommended age: 7-10 years. Books of a bad hand. $15.99 USD.
— “Otto Normal’s Monsterton: The Disappearance of White Pine Beach”
Otto and his mom move from their ordinary California town to Monsterton, where they are the only people among zombies, ghosts and sirens. Soon, Otto gets into a fast-paced adventure. With chunks of text broken up by beautiful digital color illustrations that blur the line between book chapter and graphic novel, this glossy volume feels special to hold. Written by Danielle McKechnie, illustrated by Simon Estrada. Recommended age: 8-12. Simon and Schuster. $22.99.
— “Wild Robot”
Robot Roz is the only survivor after a cargo goes overboard and must adapt to the wild. She becomes the de facto mother of Brightbeak’s goose, and the forest animals who shunned her otherness begin to form a community around her. Short chapters are separated by black and white illustrations. The trilogy was adapted into a film this year, and a special edition of the first volume features full-color inserts from the film. Written and illustrated by Peter Brown. Recommended age: 8-12. Hachette Book Group. One paperback: US$8.99. Boxed set: $54.
— “The Young Green Witch’s Guide to Plant Magic”
This herbal book, with watercolor illustrations, tells you how to use different plants, as well as lessons on gratitude and self-acceptance, as well as breathing meditation. There are also recipes for convenient concoctions that kids can make with minimal adult supervision, such as oatmeal scrub, lavender honey, and dandelion pesto. Written by Robin Rose Bennett, illustrated by Rachel Grant. Recommended age: 8-12. Running press for children. $16.99 USD.
— “Millicent Quibb’s School of Etiquette for Mad Science Misses”
Kate McKinnon of Saturday Night Live and Barbie tells the story of three foster sisters who, with zero interest in perfecting the 85 ways to sit properly on the velvet sofa, find themselves expelled from etiquette school. Their new, extremely rough school puts them at the heart of the mystery that has set the town in motion. With fun fonts and random illustrations, the novel is a wildly imaginative celebration of the unusual with Lemony Snicket-esque humor. Written by Kate McKinnon, illustrated by Alfredo Caceres. Recommended age: 8-12. Little brown books for little readers. $17.99 USD.
— “Plain Jane and the Mermaid”
Newly orphaned, Jane has a week to get married and collect her dowry before she’s kicked out. Handsome Peter might have accepted Jane’s proposal if he hadn’t been kidnapped by a mermaid. This full-color graphic novel challenges gender roles and beauty standards through an underwater adventure full of fun and hilarious characters, rivaling Jeff Smith’s Bone. Written and illustrated by Vera Brosgol. Recommended age: 10-14. First Second. $14.99 USD.
— “Strange Mythology: Epic Legends from Around the World”
“The mythology trend is still strong and young readers will devour this bright and beautifully illustrated new collection,” says Bradley, bookseller at Powell’s. Sanchez shares 20 myths and stories from around the world with characters that reflect the LGBTQ community. Author Guido A. Sanchez, illustrations by James Fenner. Recommended age: from 11 years. Running press. $19.99 USD.
— “The Good Girl’s Guide to Murder”
Pip investigates a murder in which she believes another student has been unfairly blamed. It’s an ambitious project for a high school graduate, but Pip is an ambitious student. A TV adaptation of this true crime story was made by the BBC and released on Netflix this summer. Holly Jackson Trilogy. Recommended age: from 14 years. Amber. One paperback: US$14.99. Box Set: $47.97.
– “Calculation of you and me”
Marlo has great grades and a loving family, two best friends who understand her and all her autistic quirks, and a romantic boyfriend – until he breaks up with her, sending her perfectly classified world into a tailspin. This cute, fun, page-turner celebrates romance as an act and a genre. Written by Serena Keillor. Recommended age: from 13 years. Books on Wednesdays. Paperback: $14. Hardcover: $24.
— “New Year’s love story according to the lunar calendar”
Valentina has one year to prove that she does not share the fate of her family, all romances end in misery. If she doesn’t find lasting love by then, she’ll give her heart to Saint Valentine and be protected from heartbreak forever. The graphic novel celebrates Asian culture along with the ups and downs of love. Author: Jin Luen Yang, Illustrations: Leyen Pham. Recommended age: from 14 years. First Second. Paperback: $17.99. Hardcover: $25.99.
For more gift and holiday guides, visit /hub/gift-guide and /hub/holidays.
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