Looking for a great book to gift a child? This gift guide is full of the best books for kids that make exceptionally wonderful presents. Included in this list are additional gift ideas to pair with each book.
- What are the best books for kids (to get as gifts)?
- Why the books on this list are absolutely necessary
- These books allow for “stumble upon” learning
- What kind of books are on this “best books for kids” list?
- Remember that books and topics do not have genders
- The Reveal The Best Books for Kids (to get as gifts) List
- Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best books for kids (to get as gifts)?
Let’s give a round of applause to giving a little literature to kids as gifts. There are truly cool books at there that transcend from “just a book” to a “full on gift” that any child will love to receive. Finding these super awesome and unique books will transform your gift giving.
RELATED: Looking for more gift ideas? Check out my list of 100+ best toys for kids (by age!).
Every holiday or birthday, I find a really cool book to add to my kids’ collection – books for deep dives, books to introduce concepts, and books to give kids exposure and experiences with topics they may not be able to encounter in “real life.”
Why the books on this list are absolutely necessary
Our kids don’t have encyclopedias…
Our generation (parents and grandparents) had encyclopedias to rummage through all day. We stumbled across information as we flipped through the pages, discovering facts about the topics we never even considered.
How do our children find and access random information?
How do our children “stumble” onto knowledge without asking for our help getting online? Or asking us to search for them? Or asking us for the answer?
It’s wonderful to help a child answer a problem or find information by hopping on the Internet, but in that instance, the child is looking for a specific fact and once found, the search is over.
This isn’t how “stumble upon” learning works.
With encyclopedias and other large reference books, we (as children) could turn to a random page and learn random facts. Our children cannot turn to a random page of the Internet and find random facts (at least they shouldn’t…).
These books allow for “stumble upon” learning
By filling the home library with these (mostly) non-fiction books filled with (mostly) real photographs, children have the ability to “stumble upon” new learning.
They can learn about a naked mole rat from an animal book.
They can understand zeppelins were an early part of air travel in a transportation book.
They can see how other families live across the world in atlas and family-life books.
The point is: Unless children have access to books they can easily flip through and take interesting peeks into, they can’t “stumble upon” the world.
What kind of books are on this “best books for kids” list?
Most of these books are non-fiction.
Most of filled with actual photographs of actual topics.
Some have fiction elements or drawn pictures, but I tried to limit those just to the best of the best (and books that still allow for “stumble upon” learning).
There aren’t narratives through these books: they rely on labels and captions, but information can be gleaned years before a child can ever read a sentence. Many of these books have been in my home since my children were toddlers. The spines of these books tell the tale of love and learning well before anyone here could read.
These best books for kids are great “flip through” books. You’ll find yourself drawn to them as well, and using them as reference texts when questions like “what’s a weasel?” get asked at dinner. No need to grab your phone – the answer is in a book.
RELATED: Need some children’s picture book recommendations – I’ve got that here too!
Looking for a gift for a parent?
My parenting book is HERE! Check out “Busy Toddler’s Guide to Actual Parenting”
Remember that books and topics do not have genders
As you choose books for children, remember that books do not have gender. All kids can learn about all topics. All kids need access to information.
Topics don’t have genders.
Children need equal access to knowledge. Instead of using gender to determine a book’s value to a child, consider the child’s interests or what the home space needs. No books about animals? Get one. Nothing about transportation to flip through? Get one of those too.
We can’t know the interests of the child until they’ve had time to find what interests them. They can’t find that without exposure. Books can provide the first stepping stone to a lifelong passion… it’d be a shame to miss that passion by wrongly assuming a book is only for one gender of child.
The Reveal: The Best Books for Kids (to get as gifts) List
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Children’s Illustrated Atlas
I miss the days of homes having Encyclopedias and maps strewn about. This gives kids that chance to just wander through the world.
Gift ideas to pair with this book:
Dinosaur! by the Smithsosian
Do you have a dinosaur kid on your gift list? This book is incredible and brings dinosaurs to life. You’ll also learn a lot from it as the adult… it’s that good.
Gifts to pair with this book:
- Dinosaur toys (these 9-inch ones are amazing)
- 48 piece dinosaur puzzle or this chunky dinosaur puzzle
- For ages 5+: Dinosaur Island logic game
National Parks of the U.S.A.
If you’re an American reader, this book is stunning. Such a beautiful walk through National Parks.
Gift ideas to pair with this book:
- National Parks Get Wild! game (my family’s favorite)
- Jumbo Forest Animals (my daughter’s favorites)
5000 Awesome Facts
A great encyclopedia like book full of interesting facts and topics for kids to learn about.
My First Cookbook
If you have a budding chef (5-8 years old) on your list, this cookbook is perfection (and the recipes are actually really good. For older chef’s (8-12 years old), this version also by America’s Test Kitchen is a knock out.
Note: My oldest children “stumbled upon” a passion for cooking by flipping through cookbooks I had around the house. This passion of his never could have happened without books like these.
Gifts ideas to pair with this book:
- Kitchen knives for kids
- Kitchen timers (so helpful since my son can’t reach the oven clock)
Usborne Big Book of Big Trains
This flap book unfolds twice as big and kids learn about trains on a GIANT scale. It’s really cool how large this book gets.
Other titles from the “Big Books” series to consider:
This is How We Do It
Such a cool book about families around the world – this is so beautifully done. This book was a catalyst for my children to start researching and considering how other families around the world live.
The Animal Book
This Animal Book is the most referenced book in our house. My 7 year old got it for her 3rd birthday. It’s so well-loved that the binding is finally failing. Ah, the sign of a loved book.
Gifts to pair with the Animal Book
- Small animal toys (a favorite)
- Set of animal puzzles
The Kid’s Book of the Elements
Talk about bringing chemistry to life. This is an EPIC flip through book where kids can stumble on the periodic table of elements. The photographs in this book are incredible.
Gifts to pair with this book:
- Chemistry kit (ages 8+)
- Pocket microscope or full size microscope (to go with the science theme)
The Ultimate Book of Cities
I’ve never seen a book with more moveable parts or flaps. This book is so cool and we’ve flipped through (or bought as gifts) so many others.
Other books in the “Ultimate Book of…” Series
Guinness World Records 2023
Talk about a lot of random facts to learn: this was a favorite from my kids all year (we checked out the 2022 version from the library every other month).
Zoology
Yes, it’s another animal book. Can you have too many? This book has the most spectacular animal images. This is different than other animal books. Trust me.
A Child’s Introduction to Art
How do children “stumble upon” important works of art? They can start with a book like this. This a great introduction to art (like the title suggests) to start getting kids familiar with some of the most well known pieces of art.
Gifts to pair with this book:
- Deluxe art set (bought this for my daughter and a friend’s son last year)
- Spiral-bound sketch pad
Don’t miss my entire gift guide dedicated just to the best art supplies to give as gifts.
Picturepedia
This book lives up to its name: an encyclopedia on every page. You need something kids can stumble through to find random learning? This is it.
Last year, my then-5 year old stumbled upon “semaphore” (the visual signalling code with flags that ships use to talk to each other) in this book. He made his own flags and practiced spelling words all week. He never would have known semaphore exists if it wasn’t for books like this.
My First Encyclopedia
Exactly as it sounds: this book is a GREAT first encyclopedia for kids and a great place for them to find random information.
Little Kids First Big Book of Bugs
I love these “…first big books” from National Geographic – they give kids so much great information. The big book was the first we owned (and then we bought most of the series over the years).
Other books in the “First Big Book of…” series:
Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls
A best selling book about important women in history – this is the most text heavy book on the list but it’s still a beautiful one for kids to look through. It also (wink) makes for great bedtime stories.
1000 Things That Go
A fantastic Usborne book filled with pages and pages of pictures a labels. Gives kids a great chance to see all the many “kinds” of one type of vehicle.
First Big Book of WHY
Ok it’s another “First Big Book” but this one is more general information for kids, and leads to the discovery of a lot of fun facts. I had to give it it’s own “billing” on the list.
The “Honorable Mentions” list are for the best books for kids that don’t necessarily allow them to stumble upon learning BUT do make great gifts and hold kid attention spans.
My kids adore these books and would have a revolt if I didn’t include them here. Each has given my family hours upon hours of entertainment.
I Spy
We love our I Spy books! Even when kids can’t read the riddles, they can scan the pages and play with a friend or sibling. There’s even an I-Spy Game if you’re looking for extra fun to pair with this.
Where’s Waldo?
How much did you love these books?! Where’s Waldo is a classic book to look through and so much fun once kids get the hang of it.
Super Deluxe Essential Handbook
Yes, I put a Pokemon book on this list but hear me out. If you have a child who is into Pokemon: this is THE BOOK they need for understanding and even stumbling upon characters.
This little book took my kids from “we like Pokemon on Netflix” to understanding the deep math, problem solving, and critical thinking created in this game.
Cars and Trucks and Things That Go
This will forever be one of our family favorite books (and was also my brother and my favorite book 30 years ago…). There is a story line for this book – but so many fun pictures to look at.
Bonus: The BusyTown Eye Found It game is perfection (another great book and game pairing).
Frequently Asked Questions
Many of the books on this list have been in my home since my kids were infants and toddlers. I wanted books for them to discover. They won’t know to ask a question about marmots unless they stumble upon a picture. Don’t dismiss non-fiction books for even the youngest learners.
That’s personal to the family and the home environment. Remember that many of these books are available at the library and you can check them out first before deciding if you need to own them.
I do a seasonal book rotation based on holiday and time of year, but these books in the above list are year round favorites. One thing I do each month is move these books around the house. Seeing a book in a new spot suddenly sparks new interest.
Susie Allison, M. Ed
Owner, Creator
Susie Allison is the creator of Busy Toddler and has more than 1.9 million followers on Instagram. A former teacher and early childhood education advocate, Susie’s parenting book “Busy Toddler’s Guide to Actual Parenting” is available on Amazon.
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Sarah Smith says
Love love love this list, it’s reminding me of how much I loved these style books as a kid.
And so true that you can’t get these too early, my 12 month old loves Cars and Trucks and Things that Go, we ‘read’ it daily at his request, can’t wait to add more of these to our library.