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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Shark Party
Available from:If you have a Narwhal and Jelly fan, check out this new graphic novel series for early readers (ages 5-7). Kitana, the first and only whale shark princess, doesn’t feel like attending a party to which her best friend Mack and the other sharks have been invited. When she finds out that another shark wasn’t invited, she and Mack head deep into the ocean to find out why.
Pair with a shark plushie, or the first book in the series, Shark Princess.
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Pokémon Visual Companion
Available from:Young Pokémon fans will love this fact-packed guide to the animated series. Follow Ash's journey form Kanto to Galar, joining epic duels and meeting rate and mythical Pokémon along the way.
Pair with an ultra-soft Pokémon Squishmallow.
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The Artivist
Available from:Author and illustrator Nikkolas Smith’s brush stroke style in The 1619 Project: Born on the Water is mesmerizing. In his newest book, a young boy combines his skills as an artist and his activist heart to change the world around him, one painting at a time. This book is a call to action for our little readers ages 4-8.
Pair with art lessons, a personalized smock, art sets, or canvases.
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How to Catch Santa
Available from:The How To series is wildly popular, and kids adore this Christmas tale! After waiting all year, it’s finally Christmas Eve, and time to catch Santa. Take a peek at the special holiday tips, tricks, and traps the kids set up for Santa. Sweet, hilarious, and filled with holiday cheer, your family will love this one!
Pair with a special Christmas ornament.
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An Anthology of Aquatic Life
Available from:From the deepest parts of the ocean to the smallest puddle, so many aquatic lifeforms can be found below the water’s surface. In An Anthology of Aquatic Life, readers will uncover more than 100 different living things, learn fascinating facts about the plants and animals living in the ocean, and get immersed in detailed photographs and striking illustrations. And don’t let the learning stop here; be sure to check out the entire DK Children’s Anthologies series to explore topics from dinosaurs to the mysteries of the universe!
Pair with an aquarium membership.
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Scaredy Squirrel in a Nutshell
Available from:My girls love these books about a squirrel who’s afraid of everything and how things are never as scary as he imagines. In this story, Scaredy Squirrel is content to stay in his tree forever and never face any obstacles. Unfortunately, his plan to remain a tree hermit ends when a bunny forces him out of his tree and into the unknown — the ground!
Pair with Scaredy Squirrel Gets a Surprise and Scaredy Squirrel Gets Festive.
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Knock-Knock Jokes and Silly Stories for Kids
Available from:If I were a betting woman, I would dare say that everyone loves to tell a good joke — kids included. This book brims with hilarious, kid-friendly jokes and silly stories to get everyone laughing. The jokes progress in length and reading difficulty throughout the book, helping kids increase their reading skills and confidence!
Pair with a whoopee cushion, rubber chicken, or other silly gag gift.
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Gift Guides, Holiday Stories, & More!
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Pizza and Taco: Who’s the Best?
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.
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Just Because
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.
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I Don't Want to Read This Book Aloud
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.
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Bake Up! Kids Cookbook
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
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.
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The Haunting of Loch Ness Castle #2
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
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.
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Busy Betty & the Circus Surprise
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.
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Astronomy Activity Book for Kids
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.
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Real to Me
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.
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Peter and the Wolf
Available from: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.
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My First Piano Lessons
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.
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The Highlights Book of Things to Draw
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.
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The Story of Barbie and the Woman Who Created Her (Barbie)
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).
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Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Lost Christmas!
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.
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Miles Lewis: Track Star #4
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.
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She Persisted: Simone Biles
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)
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.
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Little Daymond Learns to Earn
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
Available from: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).
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Save the... Koalas
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.
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Jayylen’s Christmas Wish
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.
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Remember
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.
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B Is for Broadway
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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More Great Gift Ideas for Growing Readers:
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Little Black Girl
Also available from: Miles Lewis: King of the Ice #1
Also available from: Cookie and Broccoli: Book of Secrets
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Iggy the Legend
Also available from: Charlotte and the Nutcracker
Also available from: My First Gratitude Journal
Also available from: Fun with 50 States
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The Real Santa
Also available from: She Persisted: Wilma Mankiller
Also available from: The Case of the Curious Scouts
Also available from: Jack & Santa
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