My mom got me a book for Christmas every year growing up, and I always felt like she did a great job picking a book that I’d love to read. I imagine this gets difficult to pick a new age-appropriate book as each year passes! My own kids aren’t old enough to know how to read yet, but I enjoy reading to them. Here are some of my favorites, for little littles and older!
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Little Little to Little Kids (0-5 ish):
- Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen
- I bought this for my little little kids after reading it at a doctors office a few years ago. It’s a really sweet story about taking a seemingly negative attribute about yourself and turning it into something positive. I am not ashamed to say the first time I read it, it made me tear up a bit (I may have been pregnant at the time…)
- Best Mother Goose Ever by Richard Scarry
- Every child everywhere must know Mother Goose rhymes, and it must be illustrated by Richard Scarry – no ifs ands or buts! In my mind, Mother Goose rhymes go hand-in-hand with Richard Scarry illustrations – no one else does it better!
Little Kids (4-7 ish):
- The Best Little Monkeys in the World by Natalie Standiford
- This was my FAVORITE story when I was around 4-5 and before I learned to read. I asked my mom to read it to me so much that I had it memorized, and I could “read” it to my neighbor friends and wow them with my magical ability to read. The trick to this book is that you HAVE to emphasize the phrase “BEEEEEST little monkeeeeeys in the woooorld” just the right way.
- The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
- Really, just about any book by Dr. Seuss could make it on my list of best books for kids. I own probably half of his oeuvre and picking the best was difficult, but as a kid I was always wowed by the colorful trees and bushes and creatures in this book.
- Thomas’ Snowsuit by Robert Munsch
- Robert Munsch books are hit or miss for me, but he has a lot of really good ones! But no doubt, my favorite is Thomas’ Snowsuit! It’s the hilarious story of a boy who refuses to wear his ugly brown snowsuit and chaos ensues at home and at school.
Little to Little Bigger Kids (6-9 ish):
- Heckedy Peg by Audrey Wood
- This book is equal parts spooky (thus I’m rating for kids a bit older) and sweet. I was always enchanted by the illustrations in this book, and the story of the mother who is able to save her beloved children from Heckedy Peg has always been a favorite of mine.
- Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary
- I love Beverly Cleary books. You could pick and love pretty much any of them, and she has a good span of books for different aged readers. I always loved Ramona – my mom said I reminded her of Ramona, which made her endearing to me. She’s fun and smart and mischievous!
- Matilda by Roald Dahl
- Like other authors on this list, it’s hard to pick a favorite Roald Dahl book. All of them are magical. And make sure when you get a book by Roald Dahl, it is illustrated by Quentin Blake! Matilda is the story of an extraordinary girl who is able to attain extraordinary powers!
Tweens (10-12 ish):
- Holes by Louis Sachar
- Louis Sachar has written several books, but Holes is definitely the best that I’ve read. I just found out there’s a sequel! I’ll have to read it. I read Holes before the movie came out (before it was cool haha) and I loved it. The movie version is pretty good too, but nothing beats the magic of reading a story yourself. This book makes you feel all the feels!
- Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
- Another magical story, this time of a princess who is usurped by her handmaid on her travels to her betrothed. She hides in plain sight working at the royal palace as a goose girl while also learning to communicate with the geese. It’s a magical and very rewarding read! It has 3 sequels.
Any Age
- You Are Special by Max Lucado
- This is a story good for ages 0-99+. Everyone everywhere sometimes needs a reminder that we are all uniquely special, and we all deserve love.
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