This book list is my secret weapon.
And I'm handing it over to you. Free of charge. Because every child should be see their home filled with books. You're here because you agree not just with me, but with the experts who say that growing up surrounded by books has a powerful effect on the mind.
What you want is a list of the best picture books for kids that you can give as gifts. These books must fulfill several qualifications. The must inspire the imagination, they must encourage child-caregiver bonding, but most importantly, they must be books that you can be reasonably assured are not already on the child's bookshelf.
The titles on this list are the picture books that I keep buying as gifts. Without exception all of these books have received superb reviews from the experts and many are award winners, so you don't have to just take my word for it.
If you are looking for a book with a particular theme (like inventors or folktales, etc.), take a gander at the index of all my book lists.
Note: this list contains Amazon and Bookshop affiliate links. Purchases made through these links may earn a commission for this blog. Bookshop also supports independent bookstores.
Here are my top picture books to give to children:
Gift Books for Babies and Toddlers
Any child who is gifted one of these board books will cherish hearing it over and over again. These are wonderful books, both classic award winners, and diverse, contemporary choices.
TEN, NINE, EIGHT by Molly Bang
It's likely someone else will give baby a copy of Goodnight Moon, but every child should also own a copy of this gentle, counting bedtime story. It is my favorite counting book of all time. Also available in Spanish.
LITTLE YOU by Richard Van Camp, illustrated by Julie Flett
I absolutely love this adorable board book. Little You is a tender, rhyming love story from mom and dad to their baby. Illustrator Julie Flett (who has rapidly become one of my favorite illustrators) uses autumnal colors to depict the family as the baby grows. Simply marvelous.
THE GOING-TO-BED BOOK by Sandra Boynton
This is another book worth owning because you will read it again and again and again. It is nearly impossible to get bored of Sandra Boynton's swinging, rhythmic text. The part in which the animals exercise after they have already gotten ready for bed is a pretty accurate depiction of what happens most homes with a toddler! Also available in Spanish.
Gift Books for Toddlers and Preschoolers
PRESS HERE by Hervé Tullet
Words cannot express how marvelous this book is. It's the ultimate interactive book. Each page asks the child to perform an action which triggers an event revealed on the next page. Think of it as a non-electronic app. This is my #1 book recommendation for parents of preschoolers! I give it to every child aged 4 and under. This book has now become very popular; Tullet wrote several similar books if the child already has this book.
TUESDAY by David Wiesner
I have never met a single person who didn't say "I love this book!" Wordless books actually make the best book gifts. They grow along with the child. As kids get older they discover more and more in the illustrations on their own, but when they are younger, looking at wordless books encourages a positive engagement between parent and child. In fact, it's been shown that parents who read wordless books use more complex vocabulary than when chatting about books with text. Wiesner's Tuesday is a classic wordless book, full of humor and mystery.
THE RACECAR ALPHABET by Brian Floca
If you want a gift picture book that promotes pretend play as well as teaching the alphabet, try this one! Every time we read this high energy alphabet book (which was often), my son would want to get out his cars and play afterwards! It's a large book and will make quite an impression as a gift for a race car fan.
HUSH! A THAI LULLABY by Minfong Ho, illustrated by Holly Meade
I have recommended this picture book as a gift so many times over the years. After a mom puts her baby to sleep in a hammock she has to hush the sounds around her. Author Minfong Ho writes each animal's onomatopoetic sound and I like that they are unusual to English speakers. For example, the lizard says "tuk-ghaa", the pig says, "uut-uut." The gentle, rhythmic text creates such a lovely lullaby.
Gift Books for Kids ages 4 and Up
ALL THE WAY TO HAVANA by Margarita Engle, illustrated by Mike Curato
I loved the rhythm of this book! A boy and his family drive to Havana in their car, Cara-Cara. Along the way, the boy takes in all the sights and sounds of the drive, especially the sounds made by his beloved car. The illustrations are wonderfully vibrant. This is a great read aloud choice.
I AM EVERY GOOD THING by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James
Children hear messages from every corner as they grow up. Some may be full of praise, others are sadly critical, or even derogatory and meant to belittle. Caring adults must counteract these negative messages with hope. The reassurance that you are "every good thing" is a powerful and hopeful message for a child. Barnes' text sings loudly to children of their worth, the validity of their dreams and their right to define themselves as they wish.
KING ARTHUR'S VERY GREAT-GRANDSON by Kenneth Kraegel
This is a wonderful twist on the knight adventure story. Young Henry Alfred Grummorson sets out to slay a few beasts and meets some very formidable creatures. At least they seem formidable. It just so happens that none of the mythical beasts want to do battle. They'd rather play games, make friends, blow smoke rings, that sort of thing. All in all, though, young Henry still finds it quite exciting. A marvelous story.
ON ACCOUNT OF THE GUM by Adam Rex
Here's a hilarious, rhyming cumulative tale of an outrageous series of events that occurs after a piece of gum gets stuck in a child's hair. It is completely madcap and the illustrations add to the joyful ridiculosity. You may never want to chew gum again. Or maybe you will... just to see what happens.
Other gift guides you may find useful:
There you have it. I hope I've gone beyond the typical gift list with my suggestions. Some selections are well-known, others are lesser known gems you will be pleased to discover. Whatever your choice, remember picture books make the most delightful gifts!
Even in Australia says
I love to give: Umbrella by Taro Yashima (ages 3-5), Ruby's Wish by Shirn Yim Bridges (ages 4-8), Do You Know Which Ones Will Grow? by Susan Shea (for ages 2-4), My Side of the Car by Kate Feiffer (ages 4-8), The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson (ages 3-8?), The Seven Chinese Sisters by Grace Lin (ages 3-8?), A Visitor for Bear by Bonny Becker (4-6?), Samantha on a Roll by Linda Ashman (4-8), lots of books by Patricia Polacco (various), Sunshine and Moonlight by Jan Ormerod (wordless) (3-6), Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems (toddler), Dogger and many of the Alfie books by Shirley Hughes (3-6). And I second your recommendation of Press Here. I'm sure there are even more I love to give but these are what come to mind first!
Erica MomandKiddo says
Oh, those are all such good choices, too! It's so hard to narrow it down, isn't it?
Even in Australia says
Oh, and Journey looks amazing (I am tempted to buy it, too) and I just put Dangerously Ever After on hold at the library. I try to be very discriminating in what I buy and try to check it out from the library first but I agree, it's important to have a home library as well! And the public library is a great source in helping you make decisions in building one.
Erica MomandKiddo says
I'm the same way. I like to get a book at the library, but I saw Journey and I knew I had to have it!. You'll have to tell me how your girls like Dangerously Ever After.
Nicole says
Thank for you this great list - I love giving books for all occasions, and needed some inspiration for my almost 3 year old's Christmas and birthday books!
Erica MomandKiddo says
I'm glad you find it useful, Nicole. If your child hasn't read Press Here - that is a great choice for a 3 year old!
Sally says
I couldn't agree more - books make wonderful (and affordable!) gifts. I also like to give box sets as gifts. C.S. Lewis' Narnia Series is one of my favorites. Also a book that has a special meaning to me and the person I'm giving it to. I still treasure the first book my sister sent when my daughter was born. It's an obvious choice - On The Night You Were Born by Nancy Tilman. Yet sometimes the obvious books are popular for a good reason!
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks, Sally. The Narnia series is a great gift, I agree!
writersideup says
You named a few of my favorites here, Erica (PRESS HERE, JOURNEY, TUESDAY...) and some I hadn't heard of 🙂
Erica MomandKiddo says
They are such great books! I hope you get a chance to read the others.
PramgaticMom says
What a great list! I love Charlie Parker Played Be Bop! Zen Shorts is wonderful too! So many great books on your list, some that we don't own!
Erica MomandKiddo says
I'm so excited to share The Three Questions with my older son. I'm not sure I can wait until Hanukkah!
Natalie says
Wonderful list, Erica. It's a formidable task to select best picture books for different ages. I tend to go with Cars, Trucks, and Things That Go for toddlers, because it was so loved in our house.
Johanna says
Thank you for including Jon J. Muth's Zen Stories on this wonderful list of books! His adaptation (and illustration) of Stone Soup and other Zen books (Zen Ghost ~ great gift for Halloween and Zen Ties) are beautiful gifts, even if you are not a Buddhist.
Erica MomandKiddo says
I agree, all his books are just gorgeous.
Kelly says
A great birthday gift! The magical, dancing Birthday Triplets celebrate kindness, empathy, and being your best. The sisters bring surprise parties to those who are lonely and sad on their birthdays-The Birthday Triplets: Granny Rosie's Amazing, Magical Day.
thislittlebirdie says
Love these! My 3 boys love STUCK! I suppose the more absurd, the more loved right?
Erica MomandKiddo says
That is certainly true in our home! We love absurdity.
Danielle Davis (@writesinLA) says
A super selection! So happy to see Jon Muth up there!
Erica MomandKiddo says
I gave The Three Questions to my son this year for Hanukkah and it sparked a good conversation. What a wonderful book that is.
Norah L'Espérance says
I just ordered The Rabbit Problem! Thank you for the suggestion - I think my math loving six year old will love it. Also, we are going to be traveling and I'm looking for a few picture books that will be complex enough to pour over while we're away, as well as on the plane. It looks like it might be perfect for that. (Actually, that would be a great book list - picture books for travel, when you can only throw one or two into your bag!).
I received Journey as a gift and have since given it, more than once. We LOVED that trilogy. My son and I had great anticipation waiting for the third book to be published. We weren't disappointed.
Thanks for all your lists, Erica!
Norah in Toronto
Diane Hull says
Fantastic choice of books! Well done.
I am sure you will love my Children's Picture Book, "Be Happy to Be You." Could I send you an electronic copy please?