December 14, 2010

Too many toys? Buy a book instead.

Yes, it's that time of year. Time to look down every aisle for the latest Barbie or Action Figure for Christmas presents. Why not skip the toy section, well for now, and head to the books?

I buy books for presents all the time, especially picture books for kids parties, the arrival of a new baby, and Christmas. Each Christmas, we buy a book for our two kids that represents their growth or interests during that year. We write inside the cover, the year, and Merry Christmas, love Mum and Dad. It's become a tradition and we hope it's something that they'll look back on with fond memories.

Here are some of my Christmas Book Suggestions:

0-2 years:
*Itsy Bitsy Babies Margaret Wild and Jan Ormerod
*Time For Bed Mem Fox
*The way I love you David Bedford
*You're All My Favourites Sam McBratney
*Spot series (lift the flap)
*Clifford series Norman Bridwell

Hard Cover Nursery Rhyme Books
Small hard cover books for little hands
Books about Colours, Numbers, Alphabet, Seasons,
Books about daily routines, eating, bathing, sleeping.
Comforting bedtime books
Books about families

3-5 years
*The Very Hungry Caterpillar Eric Carle
*Were going on a Bear Hunt Michael Rosen
*Gruffalo Julia Donaldson
*Grug Ted Prior
*The Very Blue Thingamajig Narelle Oliver
* Hairy Maclary series Lynley Dodd
* Where is the Green Sheep? Mem Fox
*Green Eggs And Ham Dr. Seuss
*Who Sank the Boat? Pamela Allen
*The Way Back Home Oliver Jeffers
*There's a Sea in my Bedroom Margaret Wild
*Rhino Neil Mini Goss
*Dougal The Garbage Dump Bear Matt Dray
*Elmer the Patchwork Elephant series David McKee
*Mr Chicken goes to Paris Leigh Hobbs
*Princess Penelope Todd Mack
*Jessica's Box Peter Carnavas

6-8 years
Where The Forest Meets The Sea Jeannie Baker
Eloise series Kay Thompson's
Louisa May Pickett's Best Show and Tell Ever Rod Clement
*Zac Power H.I.Larry
*Billie B Brown Sally Rippin
*Audrey's In the Outback Christine Harris
*Just Shocking Andy Griffiths
*Blabber Mouth Morris Gleitzman
*Skoz the Dog Andrew Daddo
*Diary of a Wimpy Kid Jeff Kinney
* Aussie Bites series Penguin Books
*The BFG, The Witches, Matilda Roald Dahl
*The Magic Faraway Tree Enid Blyton

10-12 years
*Aussie Chomps series Penguin Books
*Alex Rider series Anthony Horowitz
*Lemony Snickety series
*Choose Your Own Adventure Books R.A Montgomery
*Harry Potter series J.K Rowling
*Percy Jackson Rick Riordan
*Rangers Apprentice John Flanagan

8 comments:

Sally Rippin said...

Great post Renee - and thanks for suggesting the Billie series!
Sally

Unknown said...

Billie B Brown is Sienna's favourite books. We've noticed they come in packs now which is great for Christmas presents.

D.J.Kirkby said...

As usual I have bought way too many new books to give as gifts. N3S (8 years old) read the Far Away Tree collection for the first times a few years ago and several times since. Right now he is enjoying all of the books in the Mr Gum series and is on his last volume from the Captain Underpants series. Boys!

Unknown said...

I haven't heard of Mr Gum. I'll have to look it up. Book series will always be popular. My son read the Captain Underpants stories and Diary of a Whimpy Kid. I still have The Far Away Magic Tree from when I was a kid and I can't wait to read it with my daughter.

Karen Tyrrell said...

Hi Renee, Great post. Wish more parents would buy books. That's what I'll be buying my nephews for their birthdays.
Great book recommendations too :))

Unknown said...

Hi Karen,
Thanks for visiting. I have quite a collection of picture books that I love sharing with our kids. It's amazing how they love to hear the same book over and over. Where is the Green Sheep? Is the most read in our house.

Karen Collum said...

Great post, Renee. One to add to the 0-2 year old list is "Itsy Bitsy Babies" by Margaret Wild & Jan Ormerod. My boys love it and 'read' it to each other. Definitely a favourite in our house.

Unknown said...

Thanks Karen, I will add Itsy Bitsy Babies. Great title!