It’s almost that time – the mad dash around town to find the perfect gift, or the “in” gift, for your child.
When my children were little, I made sure to get the bulk of my holiday shopping done before Thanksgiving. My husband and I will not step inside a retail store or the mall until at least February (January lines can have a lot of people returning gifts).
Thankfully my kids never wanted the “in” and “popular” toys of the season.
I get it, toys are wonderful. Heck, I even have toys all over my desk (no kidding – I’m a big kid at heart). I know that probably the last thing a kid wants to open up Christmas morning is clothing (my daughter loved to receive clothing). But there is another gift idea that is often overlooked – books.
My daughter is an avid reader, so she loved to received books (thankfully). Even as an adult, she appreciates books as a gift, or Amazon gift cards so she can purchase books. I wish my son was like that (he hates to read).
If you are looking for some great holiday or season books for your child or grandchild, check out these titles from Simon and Schuster. Many of these books can be purchased now to get a child excited for Christmas too!
The Fall Leaf Project by Margaret McNamara and illustrated by Mike Gordon (ISBN: 9781665919982)
I need easy readers where I work because I have several children who are either learning to read, or struggling to read. This book has been ideal for all of those kids. It’s easy to read, the illustrations help to bring the story to life, and the kids enjoy how it’s all about the leaves (my “work kids” LOVE playing in the leaves on the playground). This has been a fun book for them to read and enjoy and it’s perfect for autumn.
I love the message of this book (how the first graders want to share colorful leaves with students who live in places where leaves don’t change colors). A couple of my “work kids” suggested doing the same thing, but I think the project is just too much right now (there is a lot going on at home and work right now to even try and coordinate something like this). I do love the idea though, and wouldn’t mind doing something like that in the future.
Good Dog: Sweater Weather by Cam Higgins and illustrated by Ariel Landry (ISBN: 9781665905954)
I am not familiar with the Good Dog book series. Apparently there are a lot of Good Dog books. I’ll have to check out some of the others.
This is a great easy reader for children. I also have this book at work for my “work kids” to read. What I like about using this book is because there are a lot of pages (128 pages), so I can have my “work kids” read a few pages each day (I just have to keep track of the pages they have read). They get excited to read some more the following day because the story about life on the farm when the fall season swings around is engaging and endearing.
There are sweet black and white illustrations throughout the book.
Just look at those adorable faces (pictured above). Too cute.
I’m an adult (most of the time) and I think this is a fun story too. I like it when I have the kids read some pages out loud to me.
This would be a great book for a child to read a little each night at bedtime.
Even Robots can be Thankful by Jan Thomas (ISBN: 9781665911672)
This might not be a holiday or seasonal book, but it does have to do about being “thankful,” and after all, isn’t that what the holidays are all about – to be thankful for all the blessings you have in your life – family, friends, health, a home… Even robots can be thankful about things too!
This is a book, but it also has a comic book feel to it with multi-paned pictures throughout the book.
Even though this book features robots, it’s still a unisex story/book. I think girls enjoy this book just as much as boys do (based on my “work kids” since I have this book at work).
The robot characters are very likable too.
Pookie’s Thanksgiving by Sandra Boyton (ISBN: 9781665922630)
I absolutely LOVE Sandra Boyton books. Her illustrations are so charming and sweet. They always make me smile.
This is a wonderful book to get a child excited for Thanksgiving.
Follow Pookie and his family as their bake, cook and prepare for their family’s holiday feast.
This is a rhyming book too, which children love.
Moo, Baa, Fa La La La La! by Sandra Boyton (ISBN: 9781665914352).
This is another super cute Sandra Boynton books. I love her adorable illustrations.
This hard cover book features dancing and singing farm creatures. Children (and parents) can read along while singing “Tis’ the Season to Be Jolly.”
ADORABLE! I even found myself reading along to the tune of the song.
This is a board book, so it’s ideal for little ones. I would consider this an easy reader too, so I child could read it themselves. It would also make a fun bedtime story.
I’m a Little Snowman by Hanah Eliot, and illustrated by Anna Daviscourt (ISBN: 9781665919166)
If you have ever song the song “I’m a Little Teapot” to your child, then you will love this book. It’s all about snowmen. Just like the Moo, Baa, Fa La La La La! book above, this book is a lot of fun when you read it to the tune of “I’m a Little Teapot.”
This book features adorable, colorful illustrations of happy, joyful snowmen.
This is a wonderful holiday book to read before Christmas, but it can also be enjoyed all winter long.
Santa Mouse Bakes Christmas Cookies by Michael Brown and illustrated by Robert McPhillips (ISBN:9781534438040)
If you have read any Santa Mouse books, you are missing out on a enchanting series of children’s book featuring an precious Santa Mouse. My family library consists of three other Santa Mouse books. We’re just missing a board book in the series.
This is a padded board book filled with colorful illustrations.
Join Santa Mouse and Santa’s elves as they prepare cookies for Santa and his reindeer.
The Five Little Dreidels by Jeffrey Burton and illustrated by Juliana Motzko (ISBN: 9781665922388)
Read and sing along to the popular children’s song “Five Little Monkeys” as you join five joyful, colorful little dredels celebrating the season.
This is a fun book for children who might not celebrate Hanukah either, as it’s a great way to introduce young children to new holidays and family traditions other friends might have.
The Magic of a Small Town Christmas by Megan Alexander and illustrated by Hiroe Nakata (ISBN 9781665929806)
I LOVE THIS BOOK! It is so enchanting and delightful. It’s all about what goes on all around a small town during Christmas time, from families picking out their Christmas trees at the local tree lot, to ice skating, decorating Christmas trees, baking cookies and even candle lit service at church.
I grew up in a small town in upstate New York. I love and appreciate (as well as miss) a small town Christmas.
The illustrations are so pretty and truly bring this amazing story to life.
This is one of the books that you’ll keep in your family’s library for man years to come.
Tommy dePaola’s Book of Christmas Carols by Tommy dePaola (ISBN:9781534494855)
This is another book that I fully plan on keeping in my family’s library.
Within the pages of this pure joy of a book are traditional Christmas Carols. All the words to the carols are included, as well as the music (in case you can play the piano or other instrument).
There are A LOT of carols featured in this book (I was pleasantly surprised at how many there are). Each one is accompanied by beautiful and very classy looking illustrations.
I would not consider this a children’s book. Children can certainly enjoy this, but this book is ideal for any age, even those of us who are just “big kids at heart.”
This book could inspire a new family tradition of singing together, or better yet, go caroling around the neighborhood. I’ve never caroled before (it’s on my “Bucket List”). This would be a great book for that.
These are just some of the wonderful holiday and seasonal books by publisher Simon and Schuster.
If you would like to learn more about these and other books, visit SimonandSchuster.com. You can also check them out on social media.
You can purchase these and other Simon and Schuster books are most retail locations, including online retailers such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Kimberly
*I received free samples in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.