This year brought us some great reads that would also make for wonderful gifts. Check out this list.
BOARD/TODDLER
‘I Am a Baby’ by Katherine Madeline Allen
Babies will be engaged in this rollicking read-aloud, as they view pictures of diverse infants and everyday objects.
‘Flip Flap Find! Counting 1, 2, 3’ by Violet Peto
Bright illustrations and simple text teach toddlers to count from one to 10 while they guess what will hatch from the egg.
PICTURE BOOKS
‘Saturday’ by Oge Mora
Ava loves spending Saturday with her mother; it is their special day. However, this Saturday does not go as planned. In the end, it is Ava who reminds her mother that spending the day together is the most important thing.
‘Another’ by Christian Robinson
In her bedroom at night, a young girl follows her cat into another dimension. This topsy-turvy world has other children playing with their “twin.” Is this just a dream or another world?
YOUNG READERS
‘Who Is the Mystery Reader?’ by Mo Willems
Gift givers can’t go wrong with Mo Willems, and his newest is another slam-dunk winner. The second in the Unlimited Squirrels series finds a masked Mystery Reader helping his fellow squirrels sound out words and gain confidence in their decoding skills. In addition to the rollicking adventure, readers will devour the extras, including jokes, quizzes and squirrely facts.
‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’
“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” opens in theaters in December, and young fans will cherish this guidebook. Filled with facts about characters, new planets and scary monsters and villains, kids will get lost in this eye-catching book packed with pictures from the movie. Get ready to learn everything you ever needed to know about Rey, Poe and Finn and their thrilling adventures in a galaxy far, far away!
MIDDLE READERS
‘The Complete Baking Book for Young Chefs’ from America’s Test Kitchen
America’s Test Kitchen brings its rigorous testing and methodical approach to kids baking. Recipes were thoroughly tested by more than 5,000 kids to get them just right for cooks of all skill levels. Recipes are included for breakfast, breads, pizzas, cookies, cupcakes and more and include easy-to-follow, step-by-step photos and instructions as well as information on technique and the science behind baking. Perfect for young foodies and aspiring chefs.
‘Tech Lab: Brilliant Builds for Smart Makers’ by Jack Challoner
Engage budding scientists and engineers, as they experiment, invent and test technology, electronics and mechanics at home. Simple steps with clear photographs take readers through building each project with low-cost and readily available materials. Fact-filled panels explain the science behind each project and also provide a real-world example of its usage.
YOUNG ADULT
‘Obviously: Stories from My Timeline’ by Akilah Hughes
The comedian and YouTube sensation arrives with her debut book, a memoir of sorts, filled with hilarious, punchy anecdotes. Hughes describes her childhood and teenage years in small-town Kentucky, complete with stories of family, friends and how she coped with food issues and anxiety. Her arrival in New York City and the transition to big-city life brought additional pressures, particularly as a woman of color in the entertainment industry. Perfect for teens looking for inspiration from someone who beat the odds.
‘Mooncakes’ by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu
This beautifully illustrated graphic novel features two Chinese-American protagonists: Nova, a small-town witch, and Tam, a werewolf. Nova’s hearing impairment doesn’t stop her adventurous spirit, and when she goes on a quest to find Tam in the forest, they encounter a dangerous horse that has been demon-possessed. Nova and her hilarious grandmothers rescue Tam and welcome him into the New England bookstore they own and operate, where romantic sparks quickly fly. Sweet and quickly bounding between fantasy and reality, this is a sure bet for fans of both shojo manga and “The Prince and the Dressmaker.”
