The old adage about holiday gift giving suggests children should receive four things: something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read.
We’re no experts on winter fashion or the latest toy trends, but we do have great ideas for books to give to young family members and friends. These titles, printed on Domtar publishing paper, are perfect for holiday reading and include new characters and adventures, as well as a classic tale for the Christmas season. Choose one or more to encourage the kids on your list to do a little holiday reading.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
by Dr. Seuss
As the central character in this holiday reading favorite, Dr. Seuss’s small-hearted Grinch ranks right up there with Ebenezer Scrooge when it comes to the crankiest holiday grumps of all time.
For 53 years, the Grinch has lived in a cave on the side of a mountain, looming above the Whos in Whoville. The noisy holiday preparations and infernal singing of the happy citizens below annoy him to no end. The Grinch decides this frivolous merriment must stop. Children simultaneously adore and fear this twisted and triumphant testimonial to the undauntable cheerfulness of the Whos, the transcendent nature of joy and, of course, the growth potential of a heart that’s two sizes too small.
What Pet Should I Get?
by Dr. Seuss
A newly discovered manuscript by Dr. Suess published in 2015, this picture book about making up one’s mind is the literary equivalent of buried treasure.
What happens when a brother and sister visit a pet store to pick a pet? Naturally, they can’t choose just one. The tale captures a classic childhood moment — choosing a pet — and uses it to illuminate a life lesson: It can be hard to make up your mind, but sometimes you just have to do it.
Told in Dr. Seuss’s signature rhyming style, this book is a must-have for Seuss fans and book collectors, and a perfect choice for any holiday reading list. An editor’s note at the end discusses Dr. Seuss’s pets, his creative process and the discovery of the manuscript and illustrations for “What Pet Should I Get?”
The Poky Little Puppy
by Janette Sebring Lowrey
Perhaps the best-known of the Little Golden Books, “The Poky Little Puppy” was one of the original 12 stories in the series. Published in 1942, it went on to become the best-selling picture book of all time. That makes it a perfect title to add to a new reader’s holiday reading list.
The story of a curious puppy who digs holes under fences and goes to bed without any strawberry shortcake has delighted families for generations. Delightful to read aloud, “The Poky Little Puppy” is a cherished story that every child should know.
Moana
by Laura Hitchcock
A more recent addition to the Little Golden Book collection, “Moana” is the sweeping adventure story of a spirited teenager on an impossible mission to fulfill her ancestors’ quest. The book retells the movie that was released in November 2016.
The Disney tale is set in the ancient South Pacific world of Oceania, where Moana, a born navigator, sets sail in search of a fabled island. During her incredible journey, she teams up with her hero, the legendary demigod Maui, and traverses the open ocean on an action-packed voyage. They encounter enormous sea creatures, breathtaking underworlds and ancient folklore.
The Misadventures of Max Crumbly: Locker Hero
by Rachel Renée Russell
“The Misadventures of Max Crumbly: Locker Hero” is a good addition to the holiday reading lists of older children who are still adjusting to the new school year and their new peers.
Max Crumbly is about to face the scariest place he’s ever been: South Ridge Middle School. There’s a lot that’s great about his new school, but there’s also one big problem: school bully Doug whose hobby is stuffing Max in his locker. Max wishes he could be like the hero in his favorite comics: unfortunately, Max’s uncanny, almost superhuman ability to smell pizza from a block away won’t exactly save any lives or foil any bad guys. But that doesn’t mean Max won’t do his best to be the hero his school needs.
Dork Diaries 11: Tales From a Not-So-Friendly Frenemy
by Rachel Renée Russell
Nikki and her friends Brandon, Chloe and Zoey are up for another adventure in the 11th book in The New York Times best-selling “Dork Diaries” series, which chronicles the daily drama of Nikki Maxwell’s life in and out of school through doodles, drawings and comics presented in diary form.
Don’t forget to add a few books to Mom and Dad’s holiday reading list:
Born to Run
by Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen brings to these pages the same honesty, humor and originality found in his songs. “Born to Run” will be a revelation to anyone who has ever enjoyed Springsteen’s music, but it’s more than a memoir. It’s a book for workers and dreamers, parents and children, lovers and loners, artists and freaks — anyone who’s ever wanted to be baptized in the holy river of rock ’n’ roll.
The Gene: An Intimate History
by Siddhartha Mukherjee
What will become of human beings when we learn to read and write our own genetic information? Weaving science, social history and a personal narrative to tell us the story of one of the most important conceptual breakthroughs of modern times, Mukherjee explains human heredity and its surprising influence on our lives, personalities, identities, fates and choices.
The Girl With the Lower Back Tattoo
by Amy Schumer
The Emmy-winning comedian, actress, writer and star of “Inside Amy Schumer” and the acclaimed film “Trainwreck” has taken the entertainment world by storm with her winning brand of smart, satirical humor. In the refreshingly candid collection of essays, “The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo,” Schumer shares the experiences that have shaped who she is: a woman with the courage to bare her soul and stand up for what she believes in while making us laugh.
All book descriptions were adapted from amazon.com.
