Last week, I posted PART 1 of my Holiday Book Gifting ideas, focusing on books for your younger readers. You can read the post HERE. This week, I am excited to share my picks for gifting those tweens in your life! I’ve tried to include books for all interests and hoping one will be a perfect match for that reader in your family!
Kids ages ten and up will get sucked into this unputdownable science-fiction novel about a strange rain that causes alien plants to sprout. The plants climb up buildings, destroy crops, and devour animals and people. Only three teens are immune to the mysterious plants, and nobody knows why. This action-packed book is the first in an exciting new series that will keep kids up all night.
Kids that like animal stories will likely get lost in this magical book. Lexington can speak telepathically to elephants, and they can speak to her. When the elephant Nyah sends her a mysterious message, Lex gets caught up in a spooky and magical adventure that may provide answers about her past.
Skunk and Badger join a list of literary “odd couples” in children’s literature, much like Frog and Toad or Elephant and Piggie. If you’re looking for an early middle-grade book to read with the kids, this is a great one. Reminiscent of the 100 Acre Wood and Wind in the Willows, and filled with quirky, memorable animal characters, this friendship story has both humour and thoughtful themes. Jon Klassen’s illustrations add to the fun.
A coming-of-age story set in the dense rainforest of Tasmania. This book explores so many different themes – family, legacy, friendship, animal extinction, autism, and environmental conservation. Louisa is sent to spend some time at her Uncle Ruff’s bush camp in Tasmania when she would much rather practicing her violin for her big audition. While at the camp she meets her great-grandmother, through her journals, a new friend in Colin, and a once thought extinct Tasmanian tiger named Ellie. Ah-Mazing! Love this book and love that it incorporates Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons.
This is a moving story about two girls whose friendship develops during the Chernobyl nuclear accident. Told in alternating perspectives and different periods in history, this story shows that hatred, intolerance, and oppression are no match to the power of friendship. Fascinating and innovative.
Know someone that likes family legends, folklore, and fairy tales? If so, you’ll definitely want to add this middle grade novel to your shopping list. Filled with magical realism, a magical tiger, Korean folklore, challenges and deals and family ties, this novel is about finding the courage to speak up.
Ross Maloy just wants to be a normal seventh grader but with his recent diagnosis of a rare eye cancer, blending in is not an option. Based on author Rob Harrell’s real life experience, this book is packed with comic panels and incredibly personal and poignant moments. It is an unforgettable, heartbreaking, hilarious, and uplifting story of survival and finding the music, magic, and laughter in life’s weirdness.
Rebecca Stead is known for her realistic middle grade stories and her latest book is amazing. Bea is thrilled that her Dad is going to marry his boyfriend and that she’ll finally get a sister. As the wedding draws closer, Bea learns that nothing is simple when you’re forming a new family.
It’s not hard to see why The Last Kids on Earth series is such a popular series. These action-packed books are full of monsters and adventure with black and white illustrations splashed across every page. The series has even been adapted into a Netflix show. This book, featuring June, is set between the events of The Midnight Blade and the upcoming sixth book in the series.
A thirteen-year-old girl on a family vacation becomes stranded alone in the wilderness when the family’s GPS leads them astray. A compelling survival story for ages 10 to 14, for fans of Hatchet and The Skeleton Tree. Exquisite sensory detail!
Calling all artists! This magical graphic novel is for readers with a big imagination and a love of art from the creator of Cardboard Kingdom. It’s a funny, imaginative world called Doodleville created inside main character Drew’s sketchbook. The only problem is that her doodles don’t stay in the sketchbook, including a not-so-friendly monster named Levi. Full of friendship, humor, and fun, this graphic novel will be a big hit!
Delightful graphic novel about navigating friendships in middle grades – making friends and losing them. This is a great graphic novel for middle grade readers. It not only teaches kids what real friendship looks like, but it also teaches them to focus on who they are instead of who they aren’t. This is the first book in the Nat Enough series, but the second book in this series has just been released – Forget Me Nat
Based on the real-life experiences of Omar Mohamed, this heartbreaking yet hopeful graphic novel gives readers insight into the life of a refugee. When Omar gets the opportunity to go to school, he is excited. He knows an education could enable him and his younger brother to get out of the refugee camp where they’ve spent most of their lives. But going to school also means leaving his brother behind to fend for himself every day. This book is a perfect example of how graphic novels can introduce important and timely issues that will resonate with readers. EXCELLENT!
Lots to love about this series! It’s not only about a group of six friends who love to play hockey, but also an evil genius, some mutant squids who form an opposing team, and a magical blue light that gives everyone some unexpected skills on the ice. It’s funny, entertaining, and also focuses on the importance of teamwork.
Thanks for stopping by! I do hope you found 1 or 2 titles that you can gift to the tween in your life.
Wishing you and your family a very happy holiday and well deserved break. Enjoy this time to recharge, reflect, and read-read-read!!!
Stuck trying to think of something to buy that baby, toddler, or young reader in your life? Why not gift them with some BOOK JOY???? Welcome to the 2020 edition of my Holiday Book Gifting post! I hope you find one or two books to gift to a special reader in your life this holiday season! (Book Gifting for Tweens coming out soon!)
Anyone who is looking for a board book to give to a new baby – this is it! ADORABLE photographs and rhyming text celebrates all the ways babies and kittens are alike. Off the chart on the cuteness scale. This is the follow up to The Babies and Doggies Book (which I had never heard of but it’s beyond cute as well!)
Look at this cover!!! Can you stand it? How can you not make connections to that face? With just a few words and simple drawings, this story captures the emotional highs and lows of a toddler, as well as the poor folks having to deal with them. LOVE this one!
Terrance the turtle is born without a shell so his parents strap on a box. All is well until the other turtles tease him and Terrance begins a search for a new shell. Another off the chart on the cuteness scale but also a lovely message about being yourself and loving who you are. Not preachy – just sweet.
One of my favorite picture books of 2020, The Barnabus Project is a stunning story both visually and emotionally. Barnabus is half elephant and half mouse (think Island of Misfit Toys in Rudolph) so is banned to the basement of the Perfect Pet Shop with the other “Failed Projects”. Love this story. Hug this story. Share this story.
So, so clever! A perfect combination of words and illustration pulls the reader in and makes them pause at each spread. Simplicity, beauty, and wonder – this is picture book perfection! LOVE!
A charming story about cherishing old friends and making new ones that takes readers quietly through the four seasons. Gentle and calm and with beautiful illustrations. This is a cozy-curl-up-and-read-together kind of book!
Another sequel to the wildly popular, viral sensation “Wonky Donkey” series. This one is about Grandma Donkey and, like the others, is filled with cute, tongue tied rhythms. Lots of fun!
This is a fun, rhyming tale of a young boy who loves the Knights of the Round Table and dreams of one day joining their ranks as an assistant Knight. Perfect for anyone who loves Knights, dragons and underwear!
“Who’s responsible for this mess?”…”Not me!” Hilarious book all parents will relate to! The “Not Me” monster comes to life in Canadian author Elise Gravel’s new book. Available in French.
Dav Pilkey is back with a new graphic novel series about a cat who starts a comic writing club. Such a great book for inspiring creativity! Why not gift your budding cartoonist with this book and a blank comic book (see below) so they, too, can draw comics like Cat!
A perfect gift for your budding cartoonist. An entire book filled with blank comic book frames and empty speech bubbles! LOVE this for home but a great one for having on hand at school!
This book would likely not appear on any of my GEARPICKS recommended lists – but for the obsessed Minecraft player in your house, this one might be a big hit!
Perfect family fun for the holidays. This book is jam-packed with stories that are too crazy to be true and asks readers to separate the facts from the fakes! Also available in a Histories and Mysteries edition.
Great stocking stuffer and perfect for engaging the whole family with hilarious festive “would you rather” scenarios. Perfect for sitting around the table between courses!
Mac Barnett is such a clever writer and his Jack series is just hilarious for beginning readers. Here is the latest that has Jack worried when he finds himself on the Naughty List. Great twist at the end!
I adore Narwhal and Jelly stories – simple graphic novel format for your beginning reader. This one is filled with more delightful and funny adventures wrapped in Christmas cheer.
Beloved author Eric Carle brings everyone’s favorite little caterpillar along to introduce the littlest readers to Hanukkah in this colorful counting book. This simple board book takes readers through the 8 nights of Hanukkah and the wonderful traditions and symbols of the Festival of Lights.
Todd Parr never disappoints and his delightful new book looks at all the simple things that brings us joy. Signature illustrations – his books always make me feel good when I read them!
Such a sweet story about a mouse who loves to play in the snow and an elephant who prefers to stay inside. A gentle, funny (the last page is HILARIOUS!) story about friendship and gift giving, just right for the Christmas season.
Thanks for stopping by! Hope you were able to find a special book for that special someone!
Stay tuned for Book Gifting Part 2 for your Middle Grade Readers – coming out soon!
Hello, everyone! Thanks to all for your positive responses to my OLLIs! It’s great to know that these are being used and are helpful for both your online and in-class lessons. Hoping this lesson will help you and your students fill your classroom with happy memories!
Here is a list of the previous OLLI lessons and anchor books:
It’s Christmas – my very favorite time of year. And while this year will look different in many ways, one tradition that remains in our house is our Christmas book collection. When the decorations come out, so does the tub of holiday books. When my boys were younger, I bought them each a new Christmas story every year. Each story brings back memories and feelings from when they were young and the magic of Christmas filled our home. There were a few favorites that always ended up at the top of the bedtime reading pile. One of those favorites was Harvey Slumfenburger’s Christmas Present by John Burningham. (Just the name “Slumfenberger” alone was a hit!!!) I’ve read this book out loud I would guess over 60 times and it never ceases to delight. There is something comforting about the journey Santa takes, the repetitive language, the compassion, the kindness of those who help Santa on his journey, the importance of the individual, and the extraordinary message of the Christmas spirit. I have read this story aloud every year to to every grade from kindergarten to grade 7. I never tire of it, and nor do my students.
Early one Christmas morning after returning from his annual delivery, Santa discovers one present still in his sack — a gift for Harvey Slumfenburger who lives at the top of the Roly Poly Mountain, far, far away. Santa’s reindeer are asleep and one of them is sick. Santa is tired, but he knows Harvey only receives one gift a year and it’s the gift he brings him on Christmas Eve. So, he sets back out a very long journey on foot . . . by plane . . . on skis . . . until he reaches Harvey’s hut on the top of Roly Poly mountain. There, he delivers the last Christmas present. “I wonder what it is?” The last line of the book is one of the best endings because it invites the reader to think, to predict, and wonder just what Santa gave this little boy for Christmas.
The Lessons
Predicting
One of my favorite things about this book is that the reader never knows what gift Santa leaves for Harvey. While we can use the clues of the size of the package to narrow down the choices, the possibilities are endless. I love having children really think about what they think Harvey might want given that he only receives one gift all year.
Begin by inviting the children to brainstorm a list of things they would like for Christmas this year. Share with a partner.
Tell the students – what if you could only have ONE gift – which one would you choose? Share with a partner.
Explain that this is a story of a little boy who only ever got one present each year from Santa Claus. I wonder what it is?
After the story ends, invite the students to think about what gift Santa might have left for Harvey. Discuss clues that will help with the prediction (ie – size of package; possible age of Harvey; ) and also what Santa may have thought would be a good choice for Harvey.
Invite children to share their ideas.
Pass out the Harvey’s Christmas Present temple and invite the students to draw and label what gift they think Santa brought. Click HERE for the template.
Story Mapping and Sequencing
Because this book follows Santa’s journey to Harvey’s hut at the top of Roly Poly Mountain, it works very well for re-telling, sequencing, and “de-constructing”. (If you have a copy of my book Powerful Writing Structures, you can follow the “Event Story” lesson on page ).
Visualizing – This book paints many pictures in the readers’ mind and is one that lends itself well to practicing visualizing. Read the story aloud to the class WITHOUT showing telling them the title or showing them the or any of the illustrations. (cover the cover with butcher paper or play the YouTube with audio only) Invite them to practice visualizing the story. Pause and invite students to share “what they see” in their mind. Students could also draw sketches images while you read, or draw the one scene that “sticks”. What does the “Roly Poly” mountain look like? What does Harvey’s hut look like? What’s inside Harvey’s package? Make sure to show them the real illustrations afterwards!
Questioning and Inferring – This book invites many questions and works well for practicing questioning and inferring. Among some of the questions I have had from students: Why are their only two reindeer? How did the Reindeer get sick? What did Santa bring Harvey? How did Santa get home? Why does Harvey only get one present? How would Harvey feel if he woke up on Christmas day with no presents?
Reader’s Theater – This book would make would be a wonderful one to use for Reader’s Theater becuase of the repetition and the various “characters” that help Santa on his journey. Students could act out the parts, while a few take turns being the “narrator”. Older classes could perform for their buddies.
Additional Christmas Classics for reading and sharing:
Below are some of the other favorite holiday classics from my collection. Hoping there are one or two you can add to yours! All make amazing read-aloud to share with your class or your loved ones at home.
In her classic detailed Nordic style, Jan Brett tells a delightful tale of a young boy from Finland and his ice bear who help to scare away a group of trolls who are coming to gobble up a Christmas feast. This book is a wonderful read-aloud, great for predicting and questioning. My son would laugh every time I got to the line “Have a bit of sausage, kitty!” These trolls certainly won’t be knocking again next Christmas!
This book was first published in 1969 and was one of my favorites when I was younger. I sadly did not keep a copy of the book but was thrilled to see it re-issued. This book is such a fun read-aloud. Great rhyming patterns which sound rather “Grinch” like at times. While the villagers are sleeping, the Cookie Sprinkler Snitcher comes and steals all the cookie sprinkles so the mothers cannot decorate their Christmas cookies in the morning! Lots of great connections for those of us who love to decorate those Christmas cookies!
This book was first published under the title “Little Robin Red Vest”. It is a sweet story of a generous robin who has a vest for every day of the week. But leading up to Christmas, he gives away each one of his vests to different chilly friends who need something to keep warm. By the time Christmas arrives, poor Robin has no vest and begins to freeze on the rooftop… when a surprise visitor delivers a special gift. I love this book – it is a tender story with a message of sharing and kindness.
“Little tree little silent Christmas tree you are so little you are more like a flower who found you in the green forest and were you very sorry to come away” This book is an illustrated version of e.e. cumming’s beautiful Christmas poem about a brother and a sister who find a tree in the streets and bring it home. While they are walking home with it, they speak to the tree, asking it questions and comforting it. This is a favorite of mine – the illustrations are soft and calming and the tenderness in which the children care for the tree is heartfelt.
Long before “graphic novels” had made their debut, Raymond Briggs brought us this classic wordless picture book which is written in the style of a graphic novel. This charming story depicts a young boy’s adventure with a snowman who comes to life one night in his dreams. The book has been turned into a Christmas “wordless” cartoon set to music that is apparently as classic in the UK is as the Grinch is in North America. This story is magical, whimsical, delightful. I have a “The Snowman” stuffy that plays the music from the movie – that’s how much I love this book. Also comes in a board book.
No list of Christmas classics would be complete without the Grinch. Every Who down in Whoville has memorized this amazing story of the true meaning of Christmas. And in an age of outrageous consumerism – it’s a good one to revisit and remind ourselves that what is most important at Christmas is not an upgraded bamboozle or cardinker – but being “heart to heart and hand in hand” with those we love. I read this story every year. I watch the TV show every year. I never will I tire of it.
This book is a holiday tradition in our house, as I’m sure it is in many homes. Every year, before my boys go to bed on Christmas eve, I read it aloud. They are young men now, but still sit enjoy this book on Christmas Eve. After reading the last page, I take out a small bell from my pocket and ring it – making sure that we can all still hear the sweet sound. I am all grown up but I can still hear the sound of the bell. Can you?
David Shannon wrote a book when he was five using the only two words he knew how to spell: “no” and “David”. When his mother passed along his keepsake box when he was an adult, he discovered the book… and the rest, as they say, is history! In this holiday version of the popular “David” series, we follow David as he snitches Christmas cookies and peeks in closets, and as usual, has trouble staying out of trouble! A delightful, funny read-aloud with lots of possibilities for “making connections”.
In these “Cookie” books, Amy Krouse Rosenthal cleverly uses the analogy of making and eating cookies to define and illustrate important concepts such as respect, trustworthiness, patience, politeness, loyalty, etc. The book reads a little like a dictionary – each page sharing a new word and example. In this Christmas Cookies version, she includes holiday-related words like joy, patience, believe, celebrate, peace and tradition. One of the things I love about Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s books is how simple they are – and this one is a perfect example – she incorporates larger words that indirectly teaches children the meaning through the text. This book is a perfect Christmas read-aloud in a classroom and would also make a wonderful holiday gift! Adorable illustrations!
How many different kinds of quiet leading up to Christmas are there? How about – “Searching for presents quiet,”“Getting caught quiet”, “Hoping for a snow day quiet” and the “shattered ornament quiet“. I made connections to every page! I loved the original The Loud Bookand The Quiet Book so again, was excited to see the Christmas version. The illustrations in this book are adorable – soft, gentle and quiet. LOVE this book!
In this delightful follow-up to the popular Snowmen at Night, we follow snowman on a Christmas adventure while the rest of the world is sleeping. The illustrations are magical – every time I read the book I see something new! A wonderful, fun read that would lead to great art and writing activities.
Christmas would not be complete without Scaredy Squirrel! My students have grown to love his insecurities, his worries, his cheesy grin and all his fears. This holiday safety guide is filled with practical tips and step by step instructions to help readers prepare for a perfect Christmas, Scaredy style! From making Christmas crafts to dressing “holiday style” to choosing the perfect tree – this witty, laugh out loud book will delight Scaredy fans everywhere! I love using these books to teach students about text features – labels, maps, fact boxes! Have your students create a “Scaredy Squirrel” version of “How To” instructions for their favorite holiday activity!
The “Carl” books were, for me, my first real experience with the wordless picture book genre. The original Good Dog, Carlbook was published in 1996. The premise of the books is a Rottweiler named Carl who is left in charge of the baby while the parents go out. Sounds ridiculous, I know, but somehow, it works. Day’s illustrations require no words – they tell the story seamlessly. In this book, Carl and baby prepare for Christmas, go shopping, do some Christmas baking and have a reindeer encounter! My boys LOVED Carl books when they were younger. If you have never read a Carl book – you are missing something special!
The Jolly Postman is back again, this time on Christmas Eve. He is off on his rounds where we meet some familiar characters and some new ones. When reading this to my class, they loved to identify who the characters were and who they thought he would visit next. A delightful interactive book – filled with traditional rhymes with new witty twists..and beautiful illustrations. Most of the letters contain activities for the children to do such as a game or jigsaw etc. Such fun!
How did Santa end up with all those reindeer and why are there eight of them? Do they like living at the North Pole? This origin story by the author of Red and Lulu will answer all of those questions and more. Absolutely stunning illustrations. This book has been mentioned in several best-of-the-year lists. A great book for “Knew-New’s”!!!
This recent addition to my Christmas collection is absolutely stunning. A male and female cardinal get separated when the giant tree they call home is cut down and hauled away. Red (the male cardinal) follows the truck to find Lulu (the female), but he can’t fly that fast and loses sight of it. The countryside turns to a city scape, and that’s where a reunion, traditions, and new beginnings are found. Beautiful, touching story about perseverance and love.
Thanks for stopping by! I hope this lesson brings you some Christmas joy!
Stay tuned for upcoming posts with some holiday book gifting ideas!
Wishing you and your loved ones near and far a VERY happy and WELL DESERVED holiday. Look after yourself and enjoy the magic of the season. Happy Holidays, everyone!
![Cat Kid Comic Club: From the Creator of Dog Man by [Dav Pilkey]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51mk6iyNicL.jpg)
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