Holiday Book Gifts: Ages 6 – 8

by Naima Jasmine Russell

Gift-giving season is right around the corner, and the one item that’s always on our list is a book! Books are excellent gifts for friends, family members, and kids because books are indeed the gift that keeps on giving. Books encourage bonding and family time, can be reread, and are SO easy to wrap. When I’m stuck on gift ideas for kids, I often turn to books as inspiration. I love pairing books with a specific item or experience, so here are a few of the best books for kids to get your gift-giving juices flowing this holiday season.

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  • Pizza and Taco: Who’s the Best?

    by Stephen Shaskan

    Available from:

    Does your reader love pizza or tacos? Do you need a silly graphic novel series to keep them reading until dinnertime? Then check out this first book in the Pizza and Taco series about two best friends with many things in common, such as toppings and a solid fan base. But their friendship gets tested when they ask their friends to vote on who is the best. I vote pizza… no, tacos!

    Pair with the boxed set of books, pizza-making lessons, pizza-making items, and a personalized apron.

    Also available from:
  • Just Because

    by Matthew McConaughey, illustrated by Renée Kurilla

    Available from:

    Just because I’m in the race,
    doesn’t mean I’m fully ready.
    Just because I’m shaking,
    doesn’t mean that I’m not steady.

    I would argue that one of the hardest things to teach your child is not their ABCs but a healthy growth mindset. Academy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey’s debut picture book imparts his particular combination of humor and wisdom into everyday life lessons. He lets young readers know that their social and emotional journey can be complex, and that’s alright.

    Pair with a gratitude journal or an affirmation book.

    Also available from:
  • I Don't Want to Read This Book Aloud

    by Max Greenfield, illustrated by Mike Lowery

    Available from:

    These book recommendations are great for kids who love to read, but what if your child doesn’t enjoy reading? This book muses on the horrible things that can happen when you read aloud, like being unable to pronounce a word, getting interrupted by a volcano eruption, and losing your place. This fun, playful book breaks the fourth wall and will have everyone begging for another read-through.

    Pair with This Book Is Not a Present and I Don’t Want to Read This Book.

    Also available from:
  • Bake Up! Kids Cookbook

    by Nicole Hendizadeh

    Available from:

    Written by a professionally trained chef and a food media professional, Bake Up! features 60 super-accessible recipes for kids, each accompanied with stunning visuals, that help little chefs build their baking skills. With easy-to-follow recipes and step-by-step instructions, kids progress from beginner to pro, mastering essential baking techniques and creating delicious treats for any occasion.

    Pair with a personalized apron, fun cookie cutters, or a colorful bakeware set.

    RELATED: Tasty Baking Cookbooks for Kids

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  • A Magical Day

    by April Showers, illustrated by Anthony Conley

    Available from:

    Last year, when the grandparents asked us what our girls wanted for the holidays, I said Afro Unicorn everything. We ended up with bows, water bottles, plushies, nail polish, and earrings, to name a few. Now, there are Afro Unicorn books, and we couldn’t be happier. In A Magical Day, we travel to the land of Afronia, where unicorn besties, Unique, Divine, and Magical, use their powers of kindness to solve problems and make friends.

    Pair with Afro Unicorn plushies, bedding sets, or clothes, and wrap it in Afro Unicorn gift wrap.

    Also available from:
  • The Haunting of Loch Ness Castle #2

    by Chelsea M. Campbell, illustrated by Laura Knetzger

    Available from:

    Graphic novels are popular with young readers — they are fun, bright, and easy to read. This new series about Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster follows the unlikely pair as they find friendship and learn to balance attention from the public. In the second book, we visit Nessie’s castle, deal with her “overbearing momager,” and discover why a ghost haunts Nessie’s home.

    Pair with the first book in the series. When the next installment comes out, you can make it a birthday gift.

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  • Kid Smoothies: A Healthy Kids’ Cookbook

    by Erin Fletter

    Available from:

    Let your kid get crafty in the kitchen with this beginner-friendly cookbook for smoothie lovers! With over 40 recipes, simple instructions, and colorful photos, kids will be well on their way to whipping up delicious and healthy concoctions in no time.

    Pair with a Stanley cup or mini blender.

    Also available from:
  • Busy Betty & the Circus Surprise

    by Reese Witherspoon, illustrated by Xindi Yan

    Available from:

    Award-winning actress Reese Witherspoon gifts us the next book in the Busy Betty series just in time for the holidays. This time, Busy Betty is throwing a circus-themed surprise party for her mom’s birthday tomorrow. Wait — is it tomorrow? Oh, no! Her birthday is actually next month. What will Busy Betty do with her circus surprise until then?

    Pair with a pop-up circus tent for a cozy play and reading area, or treat your little reader to circus tickets. We love attending Cirque du Soleil during the holidays.

    Also available from:
  • Astronomy Activity Book for Kids

    by Aurora Lipper, illustrated by Victoria Stebleva

    Available from:

    Get out of this world with this amazing astronomy activity book for kids. Former NASA scientist, Aurora Lipper, guides kids through space with exciting facts, coloring pages, drawing activities, seek-and-find, word puzzles, and more!

    Pair with a telescope for kids.

    Also available from:
  • Real to Me

    by Minh Lê, illustrated by Raissa Figueroa

    Available from:

    This heartwarming tale of friendship — albeit imaginary — is sure to bring comfort to any child. Follow a young Black girl and a furry, green creature as they set off on countless adventures. One day the friend disappears, but that doesn't make their bond any less real. A narrative twist and gorgeously illustrations make this a story worth reading over and over.

    Pair with a furry, green plushie friend.

    Also available from:
  • Peter and the Wolf

    by Gavin Friday, illustrated by Bono

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    This treasured keepsake book offers a captivating retelling of a beloved classic through vivid punk-style illustration by U2's lead singer, Bono. Friday's twist on the old tale offers a heartwarming reminder of hope after loss and the enduring presence of loved ones.

    Pair with a copy of Prokofiev's original musical composition.

    Also available from:
  • My First Piano Lessons

    by Emily Norris, illustrated by Malgorzata Detner

    Available from:

    Give the gift of music with My First Piano Lessons! This beginner-friendly book offers simple and engaging piano lessons for young learners, covering the basics of reading music and proper hand position. With step-by-step instructions, beautiful illustrations, and an adorable giraffe teacher, kids will love learning the beloved songs included in the book, from "Hot Cross Buns" to "The Wheels on the Bus."

    Pair with My First Piano Sheet Music for more songs that kids know and love.

    Also available from:
  • The Highlights Book of Things to Draw

    by Highlights

    Available from:

    You can never go wrong with Highlights when looking for great activity books. This one is perfect for kids who love drawing. It's packed with over 175 activities, how-tos, games, and more sure to get any kids' creative juices flowing.

    Pair with a big pack of colored pencils.

    Also available from:
  • The Story of Barbie and the Woman Who Created Her (Barbie)

    by Cindy Eagan, illustrated by Amy Bates

    Available from:

    While 2023’s Barbie movie was not geared towards kids, this book about Ruth Handler, the woman who created Barbie, absolutely is. Readers will learn why Ruth created the world’s most famous doll, the opposition she encountered, and her hope that children would use their imaginations to dream of a better future for themselves.

    Pair with a Barbie doll (you already knew I would say that).

    Also available from:
  • Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Lost Christmas!

    by Alastair Heim, illustrated by Aristides Ruiz

    Available from:

    A year has passed since the Grinch stole Christmas, and he wants to prove that he has changed for good by winning the Who-ville Christmas Crown. When his desire to win eclipses everything else, the Grinch is again in danger of losing his heart. Can he remember what’s most important at Christmastime? This sequel to How the Grinch Stole Christmas is written and illustrated in the style of the original.

    Pair with Grinch-themed pajamas.

    Also available from:
  • Miles Lewis: Track Star #4

    by Kelly Starling Lyons, illustrated by Wayne Spencer

    Available from:

    From the author who brought you the Jada Jones series comes Miles Lewis, a STEM-loving scientist with a heart of gold. In this fourth book in the illustrated chapter book series, Miles combats his distance running fatigue by creating a nutrition and exercise regimen to give himself a competitive edge in the Brookside Elementary Fun Run. On the day of the competition, Miles notices a friend who falls behind. What should Miles do?

    Pair with new track shoes, fun sweatbands, or a personalized sports bag.

    Also available from:
  • She Persisted: Simone Biles

    by Kekla Magoon and Chelsea Clinton, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger and Gillian Flint

    Available from:

    This chapter book series about famous women who spoke up and spoke out welcomes Simone Biles to its roster. Your reader will learn about Simone Biles’s childhood and how she persisted against the odds to become the GOAT of gymnastics. This book and its pairings are at the top of our budding gymnast’s wishlist.

    Pair with gymnastic leotards or a gymnastics mat.

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  • Mystery at Mermaid Lagoon (Disney The Never Girls: Graphic Novel #1)

    by RH Disney

    Available from:

    The Never Girls series fans will love continuing the story with these new graphic novels. Follow Kate, Mia, Lainey, and Gabby as they travel to Neverland for magical adventures with their friend Tinkerbell and the fairies of Pixie Hollow.

    Pair with Finding Tinkerbell: Books #1-6 (Disney: The Never Girls) and Tinkerbell pajamas.

    Also available from:
  • Little Daymond Learns to Earn

    by Daymond John, illustrated by Nicole Miles

    Available from:

    Teach financial literacy, teamwork, and entrepreneurship with this bestselling book from FUBU founder Daymond John. Little Daymond wants to buy a music poster, so he launches a small business with his friends to earn money for it. It takes everyone’s unique strengths and abilities to make the business successful.

    Pair with a kid-friendly debit card. Several apps let caregivers add funds for birthdays or special events, chores completed, homework done, or books read.

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  • Pencilmate vs. Pencil

    by Steve Behling, illustrated by JJ Harrison

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    This hilarious book is based on the YouTube sensation Pencilmation. Join Pencilmate and his friends Pencilmiss, Granny, and Mini Big Guy as they take on the big pencil in the sky. This is the fifth book in the silly and sometimes gross graphic novel series geared toward 7-10-year-olds.

    Pair with Sticky Sticker Situation, engraved pencils, pencil cases, funny erasers, and sticker albums (the sky is the limit).

    Also available from:
  • Save the... Koalas

    by Anita Sanchez and Chelsea Clinton

    Available from:

    The Save the… series includes 13 chapter books (and counting). Each title highlights an endangered animal and equips readers with animal facts, black-and-white illustrations, and action items to turn readers into activists.

    Pair with a membership to your local zoo, a personal donation to an endangered animal foundation, a Koala plushie, or a Koala experience to get up close and personal.

    Also available from:
  • Jayylen’s Christmas Wish

    by Lavaille Lavette, illustrated by David Wilkerson

    Available from:

    You can’t go wrong with Little Golden Books at Christmastime. There are hundreds to choose from, and the gold spine looks festive, peeking out from the top of a Christmas stocking. In this new release, little Jayylen is excited to have his brother home from the Army for the first time in three years. However, when Manuel gets called away, Jayylen finds a creative way for the family to spend the holiday together.

    Pair with a personalized Christmas ornament with your family or individual family members on it. I made these one year, and the family loved them.

    Also available from:
  • Remember

    by Joy Harjo, illustrated by Michaela Goade

    Available from:

    US Poet Laureate Joy Harjo’s iconic poem and Michael Goade’s illustrations are a gift by themselves. In this book, Harjo, a member of the Mvskoke Nation, encourages readers to focus on who they are, where they come from, the people around them, and how we are all connected to the earth. This is one of the most stunning books I’ve seen this year.

    Pair with a snow globe of something nature-related or a nature journal to work on together. Your child will love spending time outside with you, collecting things to put in it.

    Also available from:
  • B Is for Broadway

    by John Robert Allman, illustrated by Peter Emmerich

    Available from:

    A is for auditions, B is for backstage, and C is for choreographers. If you are raising a Broadway lover, this book is for you. Together, you will pour over each letter of the alphabet, featuring your favorite shows, performers, songs, and parts of theatre production. The footnotes on each page list who’s who and what show each illustration is from. Also, check out A Is for Audra: Broadway’s Leading Ladies from A to Z.

    Pair with tickets to see a Broadway show (or a touring one). Better yet, support your local theatres by gifting a membership package.

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