Holiday Gift Books for Kids: 46 Fun Picks for Young Readers

Dasher: How a Brave Little Doe Changed Christmas Forever

Dasher is an adventurous young reindeer with a powerful Christmas wish. The man in the red suit may make her dream come true. Beautiful illustrations with a sweet story.

The Shortest Day

An ode to this fleetingly beautiful time of year — an instant seasonal classic.

The Great Santa Stakeout

Freddy is obsessed with Santa. This year he sets up a stakeout to get the ultimate selfie. A fun holiday story with fabulous illustrations.

Pluto Gets the Call

This laugh-out-loud book is perfect for children of parents who remember the mnemonic “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas.”

A is for Audra: Broadway’s Leading Ladies from A to Z

An alphabet book complete with dazzling theatre lights and leading ladies! I love a picture book that teaches me, so I loved getting to know even more fabulous Broadway stars next to the faces already familiar to me.

Little Mole’s Wish

A sweet story of friendship that’s just the thing to warm hearts during the cold months.

Pokko and the Drum

Pokko’s parents make a big, big mistake when they give her a drum. The chaos that follows is both hilarious and delightful.

• A Stone Sat Still by Brendan Wenzel
• Truman by Jean Reidy & Lucy Ruth Cummins
• Sir Simon Super Scarer by Cale Atkinson
• You Are Home: An Ode to the National Parks by Evan Turk
• The Farmer by Ximo Abadia
• Just Because by Mac Barnett
• Ernestine’s Milky Way by Kerry Madden-Lunsford
• The Important Thing About Margaret Wise Brown by Mac Barnett
• The Girls by Lauren Ace & Jenny Løvlie

Big Ideas for Curious Minds: An Introduction to Philosophy

This book is a gem. It works as a gift for the dreamy little one in your life who’s always asking questions, but it also functions as a fun coffee table book for the whole family.

A Velocity of Being: Letters to a Young Reader

A wonderful gift for the young person who just can’t get enough of reading, very affirming in their love of books. Short takes from different people on why it’s OK to be a reader. Beautiful illustrations, too.

Shine!

“Shine on!” is the catchphrase of Piper’s favorite astronomer, but Piper feels like she will never shine, especially when her dad’s new job moves her to a fancy private school. Piper’s story is full of heart, science, and doesn’t shy away from figuring out who you are. This book was made for middle schoolers.

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Riddle of Ages

After a decade or so of waiting, Stewart has returned with a fourth adventure for his remarkable team of children who go on secret missions, solve problems, and stop the bad guys from taking over the world. The original trilogy was heart-warming and suspenseful, and readers will love the chance to jump back into the mysterious world with the now young adult heroes.

• Dear Sweet Pea by Julie Murphy
• Words on Fire by Jennifer Nielsen
• The Twelve by Cindy Lin
• To Night Owl From Dogfish by Holly Goldberg Sloan & Meg Wolitzer
• This Was Our Pact by Ryan Andrews
• Island Book by Evan Dahm
• Lalani of the Distant Sea by Erin Entrada Kelly

Games of Deception: The True Story of the First U.S. Olympic Basketball Team at the 1936 Olympics in Hitler’s Germany*

The perfect gift to induce a reluctant teenager into reading a little history: young heroes, basketball, Nazis, great photographs and a lot of inspiration! It will make your kid (and you) want to cheer!

• The Fountains of Silence* by Ruta Sepetys
• Wilder Girls* by Rory Power
• Lovely War* by Julie Berry
• The Downstairs Girl* by Stacey Lee
• We Hunt The Flame by Hafsah Faizal
• The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
• Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All* by Laura Ruby
• The Rest of the Story* by Sarah Dessen
• Frankly in Love by David Yoon
• Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me by Mariko Tamaki & Rosemary Valero-O’Connell

*Denotes ParnassusNext selection. Learn more about our YA first editions club, and get your next favorite shipped right to you when it’s released! You can also read an excerpt from our December pick, The Guinevere Deception, right here!

The Illustrated Treasury of Classic Children’s Stories

The Raymie Nightingale Three-Book Collection

The Kids’ Book of Paper Love: Write. Craft. Play. Share. (Flow)

The Puffin in Bloom Collection

Share Your Smile: Raina’s Guide to Telling Your Own Story

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: The Illustrated Edition

Wings of Fire Boxset, Books 1-5

Penguin Minis: John Green Box Set

Penguin Minis: Between Shades of Gray