The Best Bookish Birthday Gifts for 7- and 8-Year-Olds

Need a good gift for a first or second grader? It’s a tricky time. They’re leaving baby books behind, and starting to read on their own, but they’re still little and sweet. So we’ve compiled a few of our favorite bookish birthday gifts for 7- and 8-year-olds — filled with magic and wonder, a little bit of brain power, and plenty of fun.

Roald Dahl Magical Gift Set

by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake

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Four of the most beloved stories in the Roald Dahl canon are finally in one place and there is no better way to celebrate a birthday than with these magical tales. Introduce your birthday kid to Charlie and his Golden Ticket, James and his motley crew of stowaways, and the ravenous, and upwardly mobile, Mr. Fox.

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Artcards: Fashion

by Jenny Broom, illustrated by Hennie Haworth

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Forget paper dolls, Artcards: Fashion exposes your pint-sized Anna Wintour to fashion through the ages. Filled with coloring pages and stickers, kids can create hundreds of runway-worthy outfits.

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Magic Tree House Incredible Fact Book

by Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce, illustrated by Sal Murdocca

The Magic Tree House series transports main characters Jack and Annie throughout time and around the world — and now readers can discover some of the amazing facts they’ve learned along the way. Get ready to learn about animals, insects, science, sports, landmarks, and more!

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Pokemon How-to-Draw Kit: Starting with All-Stars!

by Pikachu Press

It seems that every kid under the age of ten is obsessed with Pokémon these days, so help your battling birthday kid branch out. This cool kit teaches fans of the card game how to draw fifteen iconic characters. Pokémon Origami: Fold Your Own Pokémon! takes things to a whole new level, by combining the ancient art of origami with these very modern cartoonish characters.

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Junie B. Jones Complete First Grade Collection

by Barbara Park, illustrated by Denise Brunkus

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Is there anything better than eleven Junie B. Jones books in one place? Yes! Because this box set also includes paper dolls! Get ready to read, laugh, and play all at the same time.

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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: The Illustrated Edition

by J.K. Rowling, illustrated by Jim Kay

This illustrated version of The Sorcerer’s Stone is filled with lush and gorgeous pictures that will captivate younger readers who may not have yet read this classic story. Grab a cupcake and settle in to read all about the Boy Who Lived with your favorite birthday boy or girl.

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Got other ideas for great book gifts for 7- and 8-year-olds? Let us know in the comments below!