Books Make Great Gifts

A few weeks ago, I shared John Levy’s, of Mastermind Toys, suggestions for the perfect gift this holiday season. Last week, the moms group that I belong to had the good fortune of hosting Eleanor LeFavre of Mable’s Fables bookstore.

Mable’s Fables is the quintessential children’s bookstore. It reminds me of the shop that Meg Ryan’s character owns in the movie You’ve Got Mail. Eleanor’s bookstore is a warm and inviting place that easily lends itself to lulling away hours on a rainy afternoon. The selection of books is well edited to include only the best and the young adult section housed on the second floor is unparalleled to any bookstore that I have visited.

Eleanor shared with our group some of her favourite books to give as gifts this holiday and if you can’t get down to Mable’s Fables to support this incredible independent treasure, visit them on-line.

A must add to the holiday book line-up:

A Porcupine in a Pine Tree by Helaine Becker and Werner Zimmermann

For Babies:

Mother Goose Remembers by Clare Beaton

That’s Not My . . . (series) by Fiona Watt

Bright Baby (series) by Roger Priddy

Board books with black and white illustrations

for example: Daddies and Their Babies (series) by Guidio van Genechten

Classic Alphabet books (and their selection is so inspiring!)

A to Z by Sandra Boynton

For Younger Children:

No Two Alike by Keith Baker

(a great choice for celebrating differences)

Ten Little Fingers, Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox and Helen Oxenbury

Do You Know Which Ones Will Grow by Susan Shea

(I bought this one and the illustrations are beautiful!)

Tilly (series) by Polly Dunbar

Knuffle Bunny (three in the series) by Mo Willems

(a favourite in our house too!)

Baby Come Away by Victoria Adler

The Adventures of Taxi Dog (series) by Debra and Sal Barracca

One Smart Cookie: Bite-size Lessons for the School Years and Beyond

by Amy Krouse Rosenthal (this is a fantastic book!!)

Little Beaver and The Echo by Amy MacDonald

My Friend is Sad by Mo Willems

The Big Snuggle Up by Brian Patten and Nicola Bayley

Burton and Isabelle Pipistrelle: Out of the Bat Cave by Denise Dias

Bear In Underwear (series) by Todd H. Doodler

Stories From Around The World For Little Children by Usborne

(the illustrations are stunning!)

For Early Readers:

Key Words with Jane and Peter by Ladybird

Runaway Duckling by Francesca Simon

Mish Mash Hash by Francesca Simon

Sleeping Beauty by Sally Gardner

The Amazing Adventures of Bumble Bee Boy

by David Soman and Jacky Davis

Jack and the Flum Flum Tree by Julia Donaldson

Dr. Xargles Book of Earthlets by Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross

Big Bad Bruce by Bill Peet

Ella Bella Ballerina and The Sleeping Beauty by James Mayhew

The Jewel Fish of Karnak by Graeme Base

Suki’s Kimono by Chieri Uegaki

There’s A Princess In The Palace by Zoe B. Alley

For Independent Readers:

Book of Why by Kath Grimshaw and Jo Connor

First Nature Encylopedia by Dorling Kindersley

A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond

The Clumsies (series) by Sorrel Anderson

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate Dicamillo

Honey and Bear (series) by Ursula Duborarsky

Whether you plan on giving a book this holiday season or just adding to your home library, I hope that these suggestions serve you well.

What are some of your favourite children’s books?

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