Holiday gifts: Great books for grand kids

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What kid doesn’t love receiving books? And what grandma doesn’t love giving books?

Not many, I dare say, on either count.

Here for gift-giving consideration are great books for grandkids of various ages and interests, books Benjamin and I recently received free for review and wholeheartedly recommend.

Love
Casey Rislov, illustrator Rachael Balsaitis
(ages birth-4)

It’s never too soon to impart the meaning of love to little ones, and this board book provides the perfect introduction. Words from the beloved Bible verse on love—1 Corinthians 13:4-8—paired with precious illustrations of love in action between animal parents and their babes make the message one youngsters will relish reading again and again. Bonus: A QR code on the back cover provides a download of three corresponding songs.

Love by Casey Rislov is available from Amazon (affiliate link) and other booksellers.

This Is a Book of Shapes
Kenneth Kraegel
(ages 2-5)

I have read hundreds, possibly thousands of children’s books. To my daughters when they were young, during my stint working at the Children’s Literacy Center, for reviews as a blogger, and as an ever important part of my grandma gig. Never, though, have I read a book about shapes that made me laugh out loud while reading it … to myself … without a kid in sight. Until now. This imaginative board book about everyone’s favorite shapes is so not what you expect and so deserves a spot on every kid’s (and grandma’s) bookshelf.

This Is a Book of Shapes by Kenneth Kraegel is available from Amazon (affiliate link) and other booksellers.

Gigantosaurus: The Holiday Party
Cyber Group Studios
(ages 3-7)

Tiny, Bill, Rocky, and Mazu of Disney Jr.’s Gigantosaurus series star in this story of a festive winter affair gone wildly wrong. Bonus stickers based on the prehistoric characters created by Jonny Duddle plus blank pages for sticking double the fun of the colorful paperback book.

Gigantosaurus from Cyber Group Studios is available from Amazon (affiliate link) and other booksellers.


The Adventures of Grandmasaurus
Caroline Fernandez, illustrator Shannon O'Toole
(ages 4-8)

Everyone knows that kids love dinosaurs. And everyone knows kids love their grandmas. But no one knows better than author Caroline Fernandez and illustrator Shannon O’Toole how to combine the two great loves of grandkids into a clever, colorful caper that keeps kids in stitches. It’s field trip day but Grandma’s got the sneezes, and with every ah-choo, she transforms into a different dino thus disappearing from view. Benjamin got a kick out of searching for each dino with glasses (a sure sign it was Grandma) throughout the book.

The Adventures of Grandmasaurus by Caroline Fernandez and Shannon O'Toole is available from Amazon (affiliate link) and other booksellers.

My Favorite Color
Aaron Becker
(ages 4-8)

 

Colors have never been quite as captivating nor as varied as they are in Beckler’s gorgeous die-cut board book. Readers of all ages will be—as Benjamin was—hard put to pick their definitive favorite from the ever-changing collection of hues, from greens and blues to yellows, reds, purple, and orange.

My Favorite Color by Aaron Becker is available from Amazon (affiliate link) and other booksellers.

The Clockwork Crow
Catherine Fisher
(ages 9-12)

 

Middle grade readers will gladly lose themselves in the pages of this magical, wintry tale. The fast-paced, fantastical mystery featuring an orphan girl, a missing boy, a dark manor with secret passages and requisite gothic touches makes an ideal holiday read to remember.

For a feel of what I mean, sample the first few pages of The Clockwork Crow:

The Clockwork Crow by Catherine Fisher is available from Amazon (affiliate link) and other booksellers.

Maps: Deluxe Edition
Aleksandra Mizielinska & Daniel Mizielinski
(ages 10 and up)

 

The “Deluxe Edition” subhead of this oversized treasure is an understatement. Never have I ever been as intrigued by a map book as I was—and continue to be—with this book of maps. I spent far longer than I should have on a busy day perusing the pages filled with lavish illustrations on things large and small on 66 countries. “Large” being the basics you expect of a map, including capitals, landmarks, flags, stats and such. Detailed in every way in full-page spreads.

“Small” being small matters that are big deals to each country. Matters including popular sports, flora and fauna, wildlife, foods, famous faces, trivia, and curiosities galore. I was especially delighted by the inclusion of popular names for boys and girls of each country.

 
 

The hardcover tome is a treat for older grands—meaning not only grandkids but grandfathers and grandmothers too.

Maps: Deluxe Edition by Aleksandra Mizielinska and Daniel Mizielinski is available from Amazon (affiliate link) and other booksellers.

Happy reading! Happy holidays!

Disclosure: All the books featured were sent to me free for review; opinions are my own. Amazon links provided are affiliate links and if you purchase through them, I earn a small portion of the cost (thank you!).