We all know a book is the best gift you can give a child, and I encourage everyone to give a child at least one book this holiday season. If you want to go even further, you can give gifts that encourage lifelong reading habits. I've chosen a variety of items—some traditional and some snazzy—that will support literacy skills in your kids. These are also gifts that will encourage reluctant readers, and help them to view reading in a positive, fun light and not something that must be accompanied by a reading log!
So give the gift of reading this year! You'll be glad you did. (Note: product links are affiliate links.)
Snazzy Book Accessories
These bookmarks from Bookjig are my absolute favorite. I love them so much and use them every time I read a book. No joke. You clip it on to the front of the book and then use the ribbon to mark your spot. That way you never lose it! They come in some seriously cute designs, and are the perfect stocking stuffer or way to make a book gift even more awesome.
Magnetic bookmark clips are more economical that the Bookjigs, so they are the next best thing. Plus, so many cute choices to match your child's interest.
Snazzy book light. Convey to your kids it is okay to stay up late—as long as they are reading!
Library Book Bag - These bags from Out of Print will inspire your kids to fill them up with books at the library. ! I really need someone to get me this Oz bag. But oh, um, the Alice in Wonderland bag is awesome too. Other books available, too!
Reading Subscriptions and Book Sets
Epic Books is a book app for your tablet or phone. While I encourage the reading of print books whenever possible, we use Epic for traveling and many parents find ebooks very convenient and a great way to encourage their kids to read. You can try out the app free for 30 days and explore all the books, audiobooks, and bilingual books yourself. You can read my full review of Epic books here.
Bookaroo is a way to get new books in your child's hands throughout the year and is a particularly fantastic choice for grandparents or other relatives to give the kids in their life because it takes the guess work out of your hands. Bookaroo is a monthly subscription box full of books. Each box contains either 3 board books or 2 picture books and the combined retail value of the books always exceeds the subscription price. Subscriptions are available for 1, 3, 6 or 12 months.
Magazine subscription: My absolute favorite is the Cricket family of magazine subscriptions. We have been getting their magazines for more than 5 years now, and they never disappoint. Cricket Media has magazines for toddlers to teens.
Kindle Fire for Kids. Amazon offers a 2 year warranty against it breaking, no matter what your kids do to it. If your kids like to read ebooks, you can't beat that.
Book Box Sets!!! Nothing inspires reading more than a compelling narrative that takes kids on a multi-volume adventure. My favorite choices include:
- Ramona Quimby - complete set
- Clubhouse Mysteries - 6 book box set
- Alvin Ho - (not sold as a set, but a great series)
- Encyclopedia Brown - 4 book set
- Roald Dahl - magical set
- Penderwicks - 4 book set
Literacy Calendars
Joke Calendar. Who doesn't like jokes? This is a fantastic gift for reluctant readers who will love running to the calendar each morning to read a joke to tell their parents or friends at school! A great way to encourage reading and family fun!
Word A Day Calendar. Encourage your kids to learn new vocabulary! Just remember that kids learn best when they hear new words in context so be sure to use the new word each day in a sentence as many times as possible!
Literacy Games
Zingo Sight Words. This version of the popular game is a fun way for the whole family to support beginning readers during family game night.
Silly Sentences helps kids learn to read through laughter.
Don't forget to give a big stack of books to your favorite reader. Here are some more resources:
- Books for everyone: the giant index of all my book lists
- Charities that give books and support literacy
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