Well… it’s been a while since I last blogged about books. But I had a good excuse and that is – I was writing my new book! But I’m happy to say, I just finished the first round of editing and now waiting typeset and then that’s a wrap! Powerful Writing Structures will be available February 7th! Yippee!
So now I have a little more time to relax, enjoy the holidays, and get back to writing about and sharing great books! I don’t know about you, but my book pile gets very big this time of year! And if you are like me – you love gifting books as much as you like receiving them! So if you are trying to do some last minute book buying for that special little or not so little someone in your life – you have come to the right place!
As there are too many books for one post, here’s the line up for the week:
Monday (today) – Beginning and Early Chapter Books and Series, Nonfiction and Activity book Gifting
Tuesday – Middle Grade and Graphic Novel Gifting
Wednesday – Picture Book Gifting (Christmas, Winter and Others)
Thursday – Book Gifting for teacher and book club friends
Beginning and Early Chapter Book Series
Hello, Hedgehog! 1: Do You Like My Bike? – Norm Feuti
Hedgehog adores his new bike. He wants to share it with his friend, Harry. Oddly, Harry does not want to ride it. What’s going on? Adorable early reader series, with simple text and repetition that builds fluency, and conversations. This is the kind of book I can see children wanting to read this book over and over and over.
Chick and Brain: Smell My Foot– Cece Bell
From the Newberry Honor author of El Defo comes a hilarious new graphic reader that will have your young reader in fits of giggles. Chick and Brain. And their friend Spot. Chick likes to follow the rules, Brain might not be as smart as he looks, and Spot just wants to eat lunch. Simple and oh, so silly! LOVE!
Unicorn Diaries #1 – Bo’s Magical New Friend – Rebecca Elliott
For the unicorn lover in your family, here is a new early chapter book series by the author of Owl Diaries that is sure to be a hit when it is released on Dec. 26th. (might have to include a book cover image in the stocking!) Every unicorn going to unicorn school has a magical power. Lots of unicorn love for this one!
Bea Garcia – My Life in Pictures – Deborah Zemke
A delightful early chapter book series with a lovely, likable narrator who happens to be an artist. Would highly recommend to 1st-3rd graders who are transitioning to chapter books for the first time and doodlers everywhere!
Diary of a Pug #1 – Pug Blasts Off – Kyla May
Another great new early chapter book series – this one for those furry friend lovers in your family! Bub (Baron von Bubbles) is the self-proclaimed cutest pug on the planet who loves fashion, peanut butter, and his human, Bella. He does not love Nutz the squirrel, baths, and the rain. Funny, charming diary-format chapter book with colorful illustrations.
The Bad Guys in the Baddest Day Ever (The Bad Guys #10) – Aaron Blabey
This is such a popular series in school libraries and I know there will be many children thrilled to know that book #10 is about to hit the book stores! These bad boys are BAAAAAD! Released Dec. 26th.
Dog Man – Fetch 22 – Dav Pilkey
Fans of this extremely popular series by the creator of Captain Underpants will be thrilled to know that book #8 was just released on Dec. 10th! This widely popular series while silly and fun, explores universally positive themes, including empathy, kindness, persistence, and the importance of being true to one’s self.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Wrecking Ball – Jeff Kinney
Book #14 in the Wimpy Kid series came out in November. In this book, the Heffley family encounter all sorts of unexpected issues when they start a home renovation project. This series continues to have a huge following of fans who have an appreciation for clever, amusing stories and enjoy seeing adult situations through the eyes of a kid.
Big Nate – Hug it Out! – Lincoln Peirce
Book #21 in this series came out in September with everyone’s favorite sixth-grade prankster is back for more hilarious misadventures — and even a little romance!
Nonfiction and Activity Books
Truth or Lie: Sharks!– Erica S. Perl
Easy reader and a great introduction for anyone interested in sharks. What makes this unique is the engaging “find the lie” format of this book. Would be a great one to read together! Also available in Truth or Lie: Dinosaurs!
Two Truths and a Lie: It’s Alive! – Ammi-Joan Paquette
For slightly older readers (grade 4 and up) Two Truths and a Lie: It’s Alive! by Ammi-Joan Paquette is a highly engaging informational book that presents three unusual stories about plants and animals around the world, but only two of them are true! Great family read-aloud and I I like how it urges readers to do their own research and fact-checking. Seriously? Mind-control fungus? I mean, come on! Also comes in Forces of Nature and Histories and Mysteries.
Try Not to Laugh Challenge – Would You Rather? – OMG Edition: Hilarious, Shocking and Interactive Questions and Scenarios for Kids
Great family fun with this thought-provoking conversation game where you and other players have to choose between two equally ridiculous and outrageous situations that you would never be faced with, in real life(hopefully). Lots of laughs with this one. Available in many different editions including: Would You Rather? Christmas and Would You Rather? – Ewww!
A Million Dots – Andrew Clements
For the Math trivia person in your family, Andrew Clements “A Million Dots” gives the reader a fascinating look into what “a million” actually looks like. Each page has 23,808 dots and includes a fun fact or two about one of the numbers represented on the page. For example, at dot #186,000 we learn that light travels through space at about 186,000 miles per second. Some of the facts are completely bizarre but I was completely engaged! (Andrew Clements sadly passed away a short time ago, so happy to include one of his books here)
Blank Comic Book for Kids – Create Your Own Story
Kids love making their own comics and cartoons and this blank book is filled with comic frames just waiting to be filled! Perfect gift for your budding cartoonist!
My Book With No Pictures – B.J. Novak
The Book With No Pictures meets Mad Libs! Great way to inspire young readers and writers with this follow up to the hilarious and oh-so popular read-aloud. Interactive and you get to write right in the book! Bonus sheet of nonsense stickers included! A great gift to pair them together!
150 Christmas Jokes for Kids: Stocking Stuffer Edition – Lilly Winchester
Who delivers Christmas presents to dogs? Santa Paws!!! What is Christmas without someone telling really corny jokes?
Where Could the Animals Be?: A Fun Search and Find for 2-4 Year Olds
“There are fourteen animals, wild and free… I wonder where they’re hiding, let’s go and see!” A fun, interactive book where readers spot animals as they travel through farms, jungles, deserts, beaches and a winter wonderland. Perfect for pre-schoolers!
And there you have my Holiday Gifting List! Come back tomorrow when I will feature some great new Graphic and Middle Grade novels!
Adrienne Gear - Reading Power Ltd. 