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2022 Holiday Gifts for Children

  • Richland Library
  • Tuesday, December 06, 2022

The gift of books is one that children treasure.

El regalo de los libros es uno que los niños atesoran.

Cover of Santa Jaws | A great white shark is wearing a Santa hat while lurking underneath the water. The shark looks as if they are going to leap out the water to eat a wrapped Christmas present.
Santa Jaws
by Bridget Heos | illustrated by Galia Bernstein

While a trip to the library is often met with enthusiasm, the notion that a book can belong to a child is a thrill unlike any other.  Book ownership is magical—knowing that you have the power to step into another world at any point sweetens the joy of reading like a warm hot chocolate on a cold winter night. 

Here at Richland Library we have curated a list of books for each age group for your consideration as holiday gifts. We hope that your holiday is filled with the wonder of exploration and hope.

Si, un viaje a la biblioteca es emocionante, pero la idea de que un libro puede pertenecerle a un niño(a) es una alegría inigualable. El Tener un libro es algo mágico- el saber que tienes el poder de entrar a otro mundo en cualquier momento endulza la alegría de leer, como tomarse una taza de chocolate caliente en una noche de invierno.

Aquí en la biblioteca de Richland hemos seleccionado una lista de libros para cada grupo de edades para que considere como regalo de fiestas. Esperamos que sus fiestas estén llenas con la maravilla de la exploración y esperanza.

Cover of I Love You a Latke! | Two latkes are on the cover with eyes, arms and legs. They are each wearing a dollop of sour cream and chives.
I Love You a Latke!
by Joan Holub | illustrated by Allison Black

Babies and Toddlers (Birth to age 2)

Babies and toddlers are getting an introduction to the world of books.  Reading to them on a daily basis helps them develop a routine where they begin to associate love, interaction, and family with books.

Bebes y Pequeñitos(a) (desde que nacen a los 2 años)

Estos pequeños(a) están recibiendo una introducción al mundo de los libros. El leerles diariamente les ayuda a desarrollar una rutina la cual les permite asociar el amor, la interacción y la familia con los libros.

Find more great gift ideas for babies & toddlers here.  

Busy Baby Animals

Busy Baby Animals

Eszterhas, Suzi, author, photographer.
Published in 2022
"Babies snacking. Babies tackling. Babies cruising. Babies grooving. Babies climbing. Babies dining … Wildlife photographer Suzi Eszterhas has captured the intimate lives of baby animals and their families in this delightful collection of photographs from around the world. Adorable photos are paired with simple, rhyming text, giving the pre-school set a chance to learn about new animals while giggling along with the babies’ antics. An essential board book for animal-loving toddlers and pre-schoolers."-- Provided by publisher
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Little Pups in Big Trucks

Little Pups in Big Trucks

Shea, Bob, author, illustrator.
Published in 2022
"It's the first day of puppy school and Dig Doug, Puddles, and Cheddar can't wait to start digging, building, and loading in their trucks. But when their teacher, Miss Polly, gets stuck under some rocks, they'll have to come together and use teamwork to get her free"-- Provided by publisher.
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Book
 
Cover of Twelve Dinging Doorbells
Twelve Dinging Doorbells
by Tameka Fryer Brown | illustrated by Ebony Glenn

Preschoolers (3-5 year olds)

Preschoolers are primed for discovery and books are no exception. Treating books with loving care is something preschoolers are also beginning to learn.  They will take pride in their growing library when you give the gift of books.

Preescolares (3-5 años)

Estos están preparados para descubrir y los libros no son la excepción. También comienzan a aprender que los libros hay que tratarlos con cuidado y mucho cariño. Se sentirán orgullosos de agrandar su pequeña biblioteca cuando les das el regalo de libros.

Find more great gift ideas for preschoolers here.  

Wombat Said Come In

Wombat Said Come In

Deedy, Carmen Agra, author.
Published in 2022
"Safe in his burrow deep below the ground as Australian bushfires rage above, Wombat opens his home to five animals friends seeking shelter, in this heartwarming story about help in the time of trouble"-- Provided by publisher.
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Book
 
Santa Jaws

Santa Jaws

Heos, Bridget, author.
Published in 2022
"Celebrate Christmas like never before: under the sea! Join all the little shark pups who have been so good this year as they await the arrival of the jolly Santa Jaws! " -- Page 4 of cover.
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Book
 
Bathe the Cat

Bathe the Cat

McGinty, Alice B., 1963- author.
Published in 2021
Dad has posted a list of chores for the family to do before grandma comes, including bathing the cat; but the cat does not want a bath, so she mixes up the instructions, and soon the family is mowing the floor, vacuuming the lawn, mopping the baby--and the house is in chaos.
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Book
 
Still This Love Goes on

Still This Love Goes on

Sainte-Marie, Buffy, author.
Published in 2022
"A love letter to Indigenous communities everywhere, this picture book gorgeously illustrated by Julie Flett celebrates seasons, nature, and community. Based on Academy Award-winning Cree icon Buffy Sainte-Marie's song of the same name, Still This Love Goes On is a stunning celebration of Indigenous experience. Breathtaking illustrations from celebrated Cree-Métis artist Julie Flett combine with Sainte-Marie's vivid lyrics to craft a remarkable piece of art. Destined to be read and sung for generations, this gem of a picture book is accompanied by: Sheet music so that readers can play along A note from Sainte-Marie about her much-admired song Sat beside a beaver dam and watched the winter grow Ice was hard with little tracks appearing in the snow Fog is in the valley now and all the geese are gone Cross the moon I saw them go and Still this love goes on and on."-- Provided by publisher.
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Book
 
Cover of The People Remember |
The People Remember
by Ibi Zoboi | illustrated by Loveis Wise

Early Elementary (6-8 year olds)

Did you know that reading every day from an early age helps expand your child’s attention span? The early elementary ages are a great time to develop those skills by reading both novels and picture books aloud to your child. Whether reading independently or together, being surrounded by books will nurture their reading and will help them go from beginning to read to reading fluently. 

Elemental (6-8 años)

Sabias que el leerles diariamente a temprana edad ayuda a expandir el lapso de atención de tu niño(a). Este es un gran momento para desarrollar esas destrezas mediante el leer novelas y libros con fotos en voz alta. Así sea leer con el (ella) o independientemente, el estar rodeado de libros fomenta la lectura. Esto les ayudara a pasar de un lector(a) principiante a uno(a) con mas fluidez.

Find more great gift ideas for early elementary school kiddos here.  

A Very Mercy Christmas

A Very Mercy Christmas

DiCamillo, Kate, author.
Published in 2022
When Stella gets the sudden idea to go caroling, she has a little trouble getting someone to join her. Her brother, Frank, is not good at spontaneity. The Watsons are very involved in a precarious fruitcake attempt (but happy to send their pig, Mercy, out for the occasion). Eugenia Lincoln declines, a bit rudely, to accompany on her accordion, and Horace Broom is too busy studying planetary movement. Will Stella need to sing by herself--with enthusiastic contributions from the pig, the cat, and the horse she picks up on the way? Or does the evening hold a miracle Stella hadn't expected?
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Book
 
Gigi and Ojiji

Gigi and Ojiji

Iwai, Melissa, author, illustrator.
Published in 2022
"Gigi can't wait for her Ojiji--Japanese grandpa--to move in. Gigi plans lots of things to do with him, like playing tag, reading books, and teaching Roscoe, the family dog, new tricks. But her plans don't work out quite the way she'd hoped. And her grandpa doesn't seem to like Roscoe. Will Gigi find a way to connect with her Ojiji?"-- Provided by publisher
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Book
 
Puffin

Puffin

Jenkins, Martin, 1959- author.
Published in 2022
"Fascinating facts and engaging text introduce young ornithologists to the puffin by following one diligent pair as they nurture their new chick"-- Provided by publisher.
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Book
 
Cover of The Universe in You
The Universe in You:  A Microscopic Journey
by Jason Chin

Upper Elementary (9-12 year olds)

Children at this age are branching out into longer books. Novels can echo their real life experiences, but they can also tell new stories, boosting their imaginations and building their empathy.  Books for tweens can be their way of fitting in or standing out.  These books can also offer comfort during this time of transition and help them discover who they might grow up to be. 

Elemental Avanzado (9-12 años)

Los niños a esta edad buscan libros mas extensos. Novelas con las puedan identificarse, pero también nuevas historias que les aumente su imaginación y creen empatía. Libros en esta categoría les ayuda a sentirse que pertenecen o a sobresalir. Estos libros les dan aliento durante este momento de transición y les ayuda a descubrir quienes podrían ser cuando sean grandes.

Find more great gift ideas for upper elementary school children here.  

The Marvellers

The Marvellers

Clayton, Dhonielle, author.
Published in 2022
"Eleven-year-old Ella Durand is the first Conjuror to attend the Arcanum Training Institute, a magic school in the clouds where Marvellers from around the world practice their cultural arts. Despite her excitement, Ella discovers that being the first isn't easy--some Marvellers mistrust her magic. Eventually, she finds friends in elixirs teacher, Masterji Thakur, and fellow misfits Brigit and Jason. When a dangerous criminal escapes prison, supposedly with a Conjuror's aid, Ella becomes the target of suspicion. Worse, Masterji Thakur mysteriously disappears while away on a research trip. With the help of her friends and her own growing powers, Ella must find a way to clear her family's name and track down her mentor before it's too late"-- Provided by publisher
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Book
 
A Winter Treasury of Recipes, Crafts, and Wisdom

A Winter Treasury of Recipes, Crafts, and Wisdom

Ferraro-Fanning, Angela, author.
Published in 2022
"A Winter Treasury of Recipes, Crafts and Wisdom (Little Country Cottage) offers nature-based crafts, bakes and gardening projects in a celebration of self-sufficient, eco-friendly, country cottage-style life. The seasonal gardening and growing projects, such as planting bare root berry bushes in the ground or in containers, can be done in a big back yard or on a balcony, making this eco-friendly activity book a fun resource, whether readers are based in town or country. Woven alongside the cooking, crafting and planting projects are little snippets of seasonal information and self-sufficient wisdom from homesteading teacher Angela Fanning of Axe and Root Homestead, with a focus on enjoying and celebrating the best of what the winter season has to offer."-- Publisher description.
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The Fort

The Fort

Korman, Gordon, author.
Published in 2022
Five middle schoolers find a fully stocked bomb shelter constructed decades ago in the local woods by an eccentric tycoon and lost until a hurricane exposes the entrance. So, how to keep the hideout secret from interfering grown-ups--and, more particularly, from scary teen psychopath, Jaeger Devlin.
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Book
 
Cloud Town

Cloud Town

McCloskey, Daniel, author, illustrator.
Published in 2022
"In Dan McCloskey's debut graphic novel, best friends Pen and Olive live in Cloud Town, an impoverished community on Floating Island, a mysterious landmass that drifts above the earth and happens to sit dangerously close to the Rip--a tear in the fabric of the universe. No big deal or anything. While Pen is brash and brave, Olive is quiet, kind, and also fearful of bullies at school. That is, at least until the day they are nearly squashed by a Care Corp Storm Catcher, a giant android built to protect Cloud Town and the rest of Floating Island from Hurricanes, monsters that travel across the Rip. It isn't the event itself that changes the girls' relationship. It isn't the fear of death that drives them apart, or the questionable decision-making that leads Pen to drag Olive into the cab of the crashed robot. It's the fact that Olive can move the 90-foot-tall machine and Pen can't. Care Corp recruits Olive to train as a pilot, so that she can protect Floating Island when the next attack comes. It's a role reversal, for which neither of the girls are prepared."-- Amazon.com.
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Book
 
'Twas the Night Before Christmas

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Or Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas
Moore, Clement Clarke, 1779-1863, author.
Published in 2022
"Once upon a time, children imagined St. Nicholas as a stern, skinny bishop who was as likely to dole out discipline as Christmas presents. But thanks to the poem "Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas"--written by Clement C. Moore in 1822 and published the next year in the Troy Sentinel--a plumper, merrier St. Nick was born, transformed into the sleigh-riding, chimney-diving jolly old elf we now call Santa Claus. With gorgeous monochrome illustrations by Matt Tavares that are meticulously true to pre-Victorian times, this reissue of the holiday favorite 'Twas the Night Before Christmas Or Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas honors the poem's original language in a definitive keepsake volume." --amazon.com.
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Book
 
Operation Sisterhood

Operation Sisterhood

Rhuday-Perkovich, Olugbemisola, author.
Published in 2022
Eleven-year-old Bo is used to it being just her and her mom in their cozy New York apartment, but when her mom gets married, Bo must adjust to her new sisters and a music-minded blended family that is much larger, louder, and more complex than she ever imagined.
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Children are never too young (or old) to enjoy books. Share a good book with a child in your life this holiday season and see how their world glows, just as we all reach for the light in these dark December nights.

Los niños(a) nunca son muy chiquito para disfrutar de un libro. Comparte un buen libro con un niño(a) en tu vida en esta temporada de fiestas y mira como su mundo brilla, así como todos buscamos la luz en estas noches tan oscuras de Diciembre.

Give a copy by shopping local through BookShop.org or supporting the Richland Library Friends and Foundation through Amazon Smile with your purchase. 

Author

Richland Library

Richland Library
Tags
Book Recommendations
Holidays
Learning Activities for Children
Parenting
Audience
Parents
Families
Young children (0-5 years)
Babies (0-18 months)
Toddlers (19 months-2 years)
Preschoolers (3-5)
School age children (6-12 years)
6-8 years
9-12 years

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