A book gift guide 🎁 for readers 10 and under

3rd annual Can we read? book gift guide

Nov 20, 2025

Hello, hello!

Since you are subscribed to this newsletter about books and reading, we can probably agree that books make wonderful, lasting gifts for children of all ages.

I’ve got you covered here from newborns all the way to 10 years old, and I hope you find a gift (or two or twelve) here for the kiddos in your life.

At the bottom of every section, I’ve included:

Another recommendation
A poetry pick (poetry is for all ages!)
A link to find more titles for the age group — this takes you to my Bookshop.org storefront, where I’ve compiled heaps of books. If you’ve looked at these lists before: I’ve updated them all recently to keep things fresh.

If you’re looking for more personalized recommendations, hit reply on this email and I’ll help you out. This is a service I provide only to paid subscribers (but it’s easy to become one!)

3-12 months old

Sweet, Sweet Baby! by Javaka Steptoe

The littlest readers will enjoy this rhythmic, joy-filled celebration of love between parent and child, which sings with the warmth of a lullaby and offers a tender reminder that every baby is a miracle worth dancing over. (Link to purchase)

The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s First Signs: ASL That Babies and Toddlers Can Use by Eric Carle

This bright and accessible board book not only allows babies to look at other babies — something they never tire of — it introduces them to ten key ASL signs using Carle’s colorful signature collage images next to photos of real kiddos demonstrating the signs. (Link to purchase)

Also recommended: I See You Smile by Deborah Farmer Kris

Poetry pick: Eric Carle’s Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and Other Nursery Rhymes by Eric Carle

➡️ Find more recommendations:

Books for 3-12 months old

12-18 months old

B is for Baby by Atinuke

I recommend absolutely anything by Atinuke, but this sweet book is especially excellent for toddlers, who will delight in following Baby in a fun “b”-themed romp through a West African village where she stows away in a basket of bananas and turns a simple journey into a vibrant and entertaining adventure. (Link to purchase)

Tails by Matthew Van Fleet

This tactile book is filled with pull tabs, textured pages, and scratch-and-sniff surprises, creating a joyful exploration of animal tails through shapes, actions, colors, and feel, perfect for little hands and curious minds. (I have never met a toddler who does not become obsessed with this book, which is a warning and an endorsement!) (Link to purchase)

Also recommended: Babies by Gyo Fujikawa

Poetry pick: The Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear, illustrated by Jan Brett

➡️ Find more recommendations:

Books for 12-18 months old

2-3 years old

Mr. Gumpy’s Outing by John Burningham

Mr. Gumpy invites children and animals aboard his boat with one rule: behave. Of course they don’t — one thing builds upon another — the boat tips, and chaos ensues. Toddlers can’t resist this story’s gentle romp, but it’s quite funny, so you (probably) won’t mind reading it again and again. (Link to purchase)

Happy in Our Skin by Fran Manushkin

With rollicking rhymes and warm, inclusive illustrations showing families of all colors, abilities, and orientations enjoying everyday life together, this gorgeous and heartfelt peek at all kinds of varied skin is one of my all-time favorite reads for this age group. A tender book that shows little readers what it looks like to be happy in our skin. (Link to purchase)

Also recommended: Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb by Al Perkins

Poetry pick: It’s Time to Hush and Say Goodnight by Chitra Soundar

➡️ Find more recommendations:

4-5 years old

A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin

This beautifully crafted and captivating tale blends celestial wonder with lots of love and warmth, as Little Star bakes a Mooncake with her mama, only to wake night after night to take nibble after nibble of the moon. This one is full of lunar — and bedtime! — magic. (Link to purchase)

Me First by Helen Lester

Pinkerton is a pink, plump, and pushy pig who always has to be first, until one fateful beach trip lands him in the service of a clever Sand Witch who teaches him a hilarious and humbling lesson. Yes, this one has a moral, but it’s delivered with such irresistible wit and warmth, your young reader will barely notice. (Link to purchase)

Also recommended: There’s Something Odd About the Babysitter by Elayne Crain

Poetry pick: Photo Ark ABC: An Animal Alphabet in Poetry and Pictures by Debbie Levy

➡️ Find more recommendations:

6-7 years old

The Bear Out There by Jess Hannigan

This bright, suspenseful fairy-tale romp is best shared with kiddos who already know the story of The Three Bears — if they do, get your hands on this hilarious and inventive twist on Goldilocks (and unreliable narrators!) as soon as you can. It’s creative, funny, and delightful. (Link to purchase)

Boxitects by Kim Smith

The rivalry between two girls builds to a chaotic showdown at the annual Maker Match, where everything literally comes crashing down, leading to an unexpected partnership and a new friendship. This is a perfect pick for budding makers (or any kiddo who could use help turning competition into collaboration). (Link to purchase)

Also recommended: Jenny and the Cat Club by Esther Averill

Poetry pick: Construction People selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins

➡️ Find more recommendations:

8-9 years old

Something Like Home by Andrea Beatriz Arango

As Laura navigates life with her strict, Spanish-speaking aunt while her parents struggle with addiction, everything feels unfamiliar until a stray puppy, new goals, and a flicker of hope help her realize that home is what you make of it. Arango handles serious themes with warmth and accessibility in this honest but uplifting novel in verse. (Link to purchase)

Escape From Baxter’s Barn by Rebecca Bond

When Burdock the cat overhears the farmer’s terrible plan, he rallies his fellow ragtag crew of barnyard animals to pull off a daring escape. Warm and funny, this story of courage, teamwork, and persevering even when the odds seem stacked against you is next to impossible to put down. (Link to purchase)

Also recommended: Ariki and the Giant Shark by Nicola Davies

Poetry pick: Meet Danitra Brown by Nikki Grimes

➡️ Find more recommendations:

9-10 years old

The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez by Jasminne Paulino

Seventh grader Alex Ramirez is stuck in a self-contained classroom but dreams of joining the mainstream science class and reaching for the stars in more ways than one. Honest, determined, and full of wonder, he’s a character to root for in this tender novel in verse that blends humor and vulnerability with hope and triumph. (Link to purchase)

On a Wing and a Tear by Cynthia Leitich Smith

This warm and witty magical realism adventure blends road trip hijinks, talking animals, and tender Indigenous found family dynamics into an eminently readable tale. With heart, humor, and a touch of the mythic, it’s a story about friendship, community, and the many circles that connect us. (Link to purchase)

Also recommended: Parachute Kids by Betty C. Tang

Poetry pick: Random Body Parts: Gross Anatomy Riddles in Verse by Leslie Bulion

➡️ Find more recommendations:

Didn’t find any gifts here?

Don’t worry: I have a HUGE variety of booklists available on Bookshop.org.

Please note that all Bookshop.org links are affiliate ones — when you shop using any of these links, I get a small commission, meaning you support independent bookstores and this newsletter, all at no additional cost to you.

If you found this post helpful, please pass it on — this is an easy way to share gift ideas with folks who want to buy presents for your children but don’t know where to begin.

Happy gifting!
Sarah

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