A summer 🌞 book gift guide for readers 10 and under
May 15, 2025
Hello, hello!
Welcome to my first-ever summer book gift guide.
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 — and books as gifts aren’t just for birthdays, winter holidays, or other gift-giving occasions.
Providing the kiddos in your life with a new book or two is always great. (I said providing, not necessarily buying — you can provide new books from the library for zero dollars, again and again.) It’s an excellent way to kick off a new season — particularly summer, when many children have more time on their hands, but their parents and caregivers have less than ever. (Listen to me: if it’s hard to keep up with your normal reading routine during these months, you’re not a spectacular failure and it’s okay.)
The following guide covers newborns all the way to 10 years old — even though I think books for specific ages are irrelevant and people get way too hung up on the “right” books for the “right” age, I know that’s how many, maybe even you, like to categorize things. These are loose guidelines, so take a look at the titles for kids a bit older and a bit younger than the ones you currently have. You know your child best, so you know what will resonate — but remember that reading a title that is “too easy” not only builds skills and confidence but also offers comfort and rest for the brain, so keep an open mind.
At the bottom of every section, I’ve included:
Another recommendation
A poetry pick
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
Happy summer reading!
3-12 months old
My Heart Beats by Rina Singh
This gentle, joyous read focuses on the universal rhythm of heartbeats, connecting people across cultures and places, as caregivers everywhere look at and enjoy their babies. The varied sensory language — “tu tump, tu tump,” “bum bum bum” — is appealing to the littlest littles, but most captivating are the photos of real babies and their families, sharing love. (Link to purchase)
Baby’s Day (boxed set) by Sunny Scribens, Skye Silver, and Stefanie Paige Wieder
This tiny set includes four sweet, inclusive books — Baby Talk, Baby Food, Baby Play, Baby Dream — that show babies, in eye-catching, high-contrast black-and-white photos talking, eating, playing, and dreaming. All babies love looking at other babies, and this is an easy way to give them exactly that. (Link to purchase)
Also recommended: Peek-A-Who? by Nina Laden
Poetry pick: The Night is Deep and Wide by Gillian Sze
➡️ Find more recommendations:
12-18 months old
Hands On! by Anne Wynter
Hands are wonderful and can do so many things — this bright, cheerful little story focuses on all the ways this curious baby uses their hands to play and explore their day. The short, concise text has a pleasant rhythm that you won’t mind repeating (and repeating 😉). (Link to purchase)
Mommies Say Shhh! by Patricia Polacco
Sweet and simple but richly illustrated (as all Polacco’s books are), this is a playful romp around the barnyard, where each animal has its noisy say, until finally, with a new baby on her lap, Mommy says “shhh.” Fair warning: this one can lead to total obsession, but I promise it’s worth indulging. (Link to purchase)
Also recommended: All Kinds of People by Shelley Rotner
Poetry pick: My Very First Mother Goose by Iona Opie
➡️ Find more recommendations:
2-3 years old
Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle
This inspiring tale is based on the true story of Millo Castro Zaldarriaga, a Chinese-African-Cuban girl in 1930s Cuba who challenged gender norms to follow her passion for drumming. These details will be lost on toddlers, but it doesn’t matter: Engle’s beautiful story enchants them with its vibrant illustrations and simple — but by no means simplistic — narrative. (Link to purchase)
All By Myself by Aliki
Does any parent or caregiver ever forget the effort of trying to get a toddler dressed? 🙈 With simple text and cheerful illustrations that capture the excitement and pride of mastering everyday tasks, this cute tale about a young child learning to do things independently may just inspire them to be more cooperative. (I mean, maybe. If the mood is perfect. If the stars are aligned.) (Link to purchase)
Also recommended: Mrs. Wishy-Washy’s Farm by Joy Cowley
Poetry pick: Things We Eat by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong
➡️ Find more recommendations:
4-5 years old
Grandmother Spider Brings the Sun by Geri Keams
Long ago, one side of the world was always dark, and Wolf, tired of everyone bumping into him, wants to ask for a piece of the sun. Trickster Coyote convinces the group to steal it instead, and though Possum and Buzzard fail, Grandmother Spider — despite doubts about her age — succeeds with wisdom and tenacity. With a focus on overlooked creatures and underappreciated roles, this is a lovely tale of determination and cleverness that delights preschoolers. (Link to purchase)
Bathe the Cat by Alice B. McGinty
This hilarious and chaotic read-aloud turns a simple to-do list into a zany wordplay adventure. The story follows a family’s attempts to clean up — which would work, except for their mischievous cat, who keeps messing up their plans (and their chores!) I have yet to meet a kid who doesn’t love the silly surprises to be found on every page of this delightful, super fun read. (Link to purchase)
Also recommended: At the End of the Day by Lisl H. Detlefsen
Poetry pick: The Sun Shines Everywhere by Mary Ann Hoberman
➡️ Find more recommendations:
6-7 years old
Izzy Gizmo by Pip Jones, illustrated by Sara Ogilvie
Izzy Gizmo is an inventive and determined young creator who never stops tinkering. In this hilarious and heartwarming story, Izzy finds a crow with a broken wing and refuses to give up on helping it, despite failures and frustrations along the way. With tight rhyming prose and vivid illustrations, this book — like its resourceful heroine — tries hard, keeps at it, and absolutely succeeds. (Link to purchase)
The Teeny-Weeny Unicorn by Shawn Harris
We can all use stories about resilience and believing in ourselves, no matter our age, but if you can receive that message via an utterly charming and whimsical story about a tiny unicorn with a not-at-all-tiny spirit, why wouldn’t you? This playful, funny tale captivates readers as they learn that some of us are small, some of us are big, but we’re all, somehow, just the right size. (Link to purchase)
Also recommended: Imogene’s Antlers by David Small
Poetry pick: I Am Someone Else: Poems About Pretending, collected by Lee Bennett Hopkins
➡️ Find more recommendations:
8-9 years old
How to Pee Your Pants: The Right Way by Rachel Michelle Wilson
A picture book for 8-9-year-olds? YES. PLEASE. Don’t stop reading picture books to your kiddos because you think they’re too old! (I have a whole post about it.) And if you want one they’re going to beg you to read again and again, get your hands on this playful, witty, and hilarious story that cleverly turns an embarrassing moment into reassurance, confidence, and self-acceptance. Not only does this book encourage kids to embrace, uh, the things they can’t always control, but it’s also a sure-fire laugh-out-loud winner. (Link to purchase)
Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate
In this heartfelt, imaginative tale, Jackson’s family is struggling with homelessness, and just when things feel impossibly bleak, his old imaginary friend — a giant cat named Crenshaw — returns unexpectedly to help him cope. Don’t be surprised if you discover tears in your eyes as Crenshaws reminds Jackson of the importance of facing difficult truths and holding out hope while navigating uncertainty and fear. (Link to purchase)
Also recommended: Watercress by Andrea Wang
Poetry pick: Boom! Bellow! Bleat! Animal Poems for Two or More Voices by Georgia Heard
➡️ Find more recommendations:
9-10 years old
No Matter the Distance by Cindy Baldwin
11-year-old Penny is juggling her 6th-grade poetry slam submission, life with cystic fibrosis, and the looming move of her best friend when she spots a real dolphin — far from home — in the creek behind her house. This beautifully crafted, moving, and unexpectedly gripping novel in verse is perfect for kiddos who love stories about animal rescue, friendship, and self-discovery. (Link to purchase)
Restart by Gordon Korman
This compelling and thought-provoking story filled with humor, heart, and redemption focuses on 13-year-old Chase, who is suffering from amnesia after a bad fall. He gets an unlikely and surprising chance to reinvent himself — though not before the hard, confusing work of piecing together his past, grappling with who he used to be, and facing the consequences of his former actions. (Link to purchase)
Also recommended: It’s All or Nothing, Vale by Andrea Beatriz Arango
Poetry pick: Eek, You Reek! Poems About Animals That Stink, Stank, Stunk by Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple
➡️ Find more recommendations:
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 all year.
Happy gifting!
Sarah
I love gifting books so this is very helpful!
Oh my gosh, I'm so honored! And especially to be included in a section for older kids because I am all for the idea of never growing out of picture books. I collected picture books until I left for college (and only had to stop because I didn't have room haha). But love this list and love everything you are doing for books. I'm so behind on substack reading...it's overwhelming, but I always love to see a post from you!!