Whether you’re looking for a gift for a young one in your life or just looking for a good read for yourself this holiday and winter season, this list will get you started!
Board Books
“We Share This Neighborhood”
by Dan Saks
Board books are a great opportunity to introduce concepts to your youngest reader — and this book is a perfect example. Take a walk with your child through suburban, urban, rural and manufactured home communities, all while learning about concepts like sharing, caring and what it means to be part of a neighborhood community. The illustrations are bright and simple, depicting familiar settings with diverse representation.
Picture Books
“Bundle Up, Penelope Rex!”
by Ryan T. Higgins
Penelope Rex is always up to something silly, but she’s ready to learn a valuable lesson at the same time. In her latest story, Penelope can’t wait to get out into the snow to play with her pet saber tooth cat, Mittens — if Mittens will stop stealing Penelope’s boot, and if she can find her hat, that is! If you like the funny and lesson-filled tone of the other Penelope Rex books, you’ll love her latest winter-set story!
Early Elementary
“Detective Stanley and the Mystery at the Museum”
by Hannah Tunnicliffe and Erica Harrison
Detective Stanley is ready to hang up his detective hat and retire from fighting crime for a life of pancake breakfasts and peace. But just when he thought he was out, he’s pulled back in for one of his most puzzling cases yet: The local art museum was broken into, but nothing was stolen. This early graphic novel is perfect for reluctant and growing readers and is a wonderful mystery to cozy up and solve on a blustery, chilly winter evening!
Middle Grade
“A Compendium of Curious Contraptions”
by Anna Goldfield
When the weather is cold, school is out and you’re stuck inside, there is nothing better than to dive into a rabbit hole of fascinating and unusual facts. Part encyclopedia, part guessing game and part lift-the-flap book, “A Compendium of Curious Contraptions” is a brilliant way to pass the time with your late-elementary schooler. You’ll both have fun and probably learn a few new and unusual facts!
Teens
“For the Rest of Us”
edited by Dahlia Adler
December is a month of holidays for many — Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, winter solstice. You may be familiar with your own holiday, but how do others in your community celebrate during this time of year? A book of 13 short stories, each highlighting a different holiday throughout the year, “For the Rest of Us” is a celebration of the many ways we celebrate with family, friends and community. Pick it up this season to read the stories highlighted for winter and check out the rest of the stories as the year progresses.
