When I was young, I loved getting books as Christmas presents and still do. What could be better than spending the holidays curled up under a blanket with a new book? This form of delight must be in the genes, because when my Kiddo was young, she felt the same way. Here, then, are some book suggestions that might make your young readers very happy.
I begin with pop-up books and there are three favorites this year:
My First Pop-Up Mythological Monsters: 15 Incredible Pop-ups
written, illustrated, and paper engineered by Owen Davey
Candlewick Studio, 2021, 32 pages, age 5+
A while back, I shared Davey's first pop-up book about dinosaurs with my young readers, who are at that age with kids begin to really like dinos, and they loved it. So I decided to see what they thought of this new book about mythological monsters. What a hit it was! First, we looked at the two monsters, dragons and unicorns, with which they were already familiar. Some of them did think the Firebird from Russia was the Phoenix from Harry Potter. So we talked about the different between those two birds. Then we looked at the other 12 pop-up monsters that they didn't know at all. This pop-up book is about the size of a board book, so the pop-ups are simple and small, just right for the age. Each two-page spread gives the area of origin and an explanation of the monsters characteristics, with the pop-up in the center. They are boldly colored and basically a nice introduction to some of the mythological monsters that young readers will no doubt run into again and again as they get older and begin reading.
The Weather Pop-up Book
written, illustrated, and paper engineered by Maike Biederstaedt
Prestel Junior, 2021, 14 pages, age 7+
Here is a wonderful STEM book for any young reader who is interested in the weather and weather related events. On the front end papers, the author begins with the question Why is the weather the way it is? and goes on to give a detailed, illustrated explanation. Turn the page and experience a storm at sea complete with a supply ship being tossed in the waves as if it were a toy. Not only is there an explanation for this kind of storm, but also suggestions for how storm's winds can be a source of renewable energy. From the sea to the Midwest and a look a tornadoes and how they are formed. This is followed by an explanation of how rain is formed. From rain to the hot, dry Sonoran Desert and why it exists the way it does. The last pop-up looks at how snowflakes are formed and why it seems to snow more in the mountains. Finally, on the back end papers, Biederstaedt looks at The Weather and Climate Change, with suggestions for finding more information.
Dinosaurs (Encyclopedia Prehistorica #1)
written, illustrated, and paper engineered by
Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart
Candlewick Press, 2005, 12 pages, age 7+
This book came out a while ago but is still available, because it is simply fabulous, especially if you're a dino lover. Readers will discover a large, intricately detailed dinosaur pop-up on each of the two page spreads, beginning with an introduction to dinosaurs called Ruling Reptiles with a lovely pop-up of that all-time favorite, the T-Rex or Tyrannosaurus Rex. This is followed by the Shield Bearers or Stegosaurs, small-headed herbivores whose armored bodies were covered with vertical plates or spikes; the Frill-Heads or Triceratops, hoofed herbivores with large heads with horns on their head and snout, and a bony frill around their neck; then the Long-Necked Giants or Sauropods, recognizable by their long necks, large bodies and even larger appetite; next are the Meat Eaters or Theropods, gigantic bipedal carnivores (perhaps you've heard of the newly discovered Giganotosaurus from Argentina); and finally the Raptors or Dromeosaurs, feathered, flying carnivores in the theropod family, known for their retractable claws. Each page has pockets with additional information and smaller pop-up about each type of dinosaur. I gave this book to my nephew for Christmas one year when he was a 7-year-old budding Paleontologist. When he saw I had this copy of it for review thanks to Candlewick, he told me that he still has his copy, still looks at it once in a while and hopes to share it with his own children whenever that happens. There is a wonderful Teacher's Guide that can be downloaded for this book as well as an activity sheet for making a simple pop-up T-Rex. They can be found Here and Here.
For your STEM/STEAM loving young readers, may I suggest the following:
Einstein: The Fantastic Journey of a Mouse Though Time and Space
written and illustrated by Torben Kuhlmann,
translated from the German by David Henry Wilson
NorthSouth, 2021, 128 pages, age 8+
This is definitely one of my favorite STEM books of 2021. It's the story of a mouse who wants to attend the big cheese festival, a/k/a Käsefest. But when he arrives, the mouse discovers the festival is over, he's told "that [it] was yesterday, Einstein" and he will just have to turn back time if he wants to be there. And that's just what the mouse sets out to do. Only problem is he goes all the back to 1905 instead of the day of the festival. Now the mouse must figure out how to go forward in time to the day of the festival. And for that he enlists the unwitting help of Albert Einstein by leaving a series of riddles in his workspace that are too enticing to ignore. Eventually, it all results in Einstein's theory of relativity. But does it work? There's just so much to love about this book. There are the stunning pencil and watercolor illustrations, some full page and some two page spreads, some filled with equations and all printed on heavy paper with makes them even lovelier. What I really loved is that the mouse's journeys in time and space really do reflect the theory of relativity. If you know even a little bit about Einstein's theories, you'll recognize what is going on, but even if you don't, it doesn't take anything away from the enjoyment of this brilliant book. There is lots of back matter about Einstein, his life and his theories, and their importance. There is an excellent 22-page Teacher's Guide that can be downloaded HERE, thanks to the publisher NorthSouth
Or perhaps the new STEM book in Kate Messner's Over and Under series, or even the whole series:
Over and Under the Canyon by Kate Messner,
illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
Chronicle Books, 2021, 56 pages, age 6+
"Down in the canyon is a whole world of its own, where animals find shelter from the desert sun." Using the same format she has used in her previous books in the Over and Under series, Messner invites readers to travel along with a mother and son as they hike and explore a desert canyon ecosystem. Carefully climbing down the canyon, the pair notice the different animals, like the bighorn sheep moving from rock to rock, kestrels flying over the canyon, geckos, tarantulas and snakes hiding among the rocks and boulders, an eagle eying a jackrabbit for lunch. They also notice the footprint of other animals in the sandy part of their walk. Eventually, they make it down to the sandy canyon floor, a vision of beauty - wildflowers, desert lilies, poppies and monkey flowers, as well as a fox kit, cottontails, and harvester ants. Back at their camp, their tent is up and Dad's making supper. As night falls, coyotes howl, bobcats prowl, and owls hoot as this biracial family goes to sleep, in the "hidden world nestled away in the canyon." This is an informative, beautifully illustrated book that really brings out the magical beauty of a desert canyon. The comprehensive mixed media illustrations are done in desert browns, greens, and oranges, while the night is done in shades of blue. Back matter includes information about the plants and animals the mother and son encounter, as well as suggestions for further reading. In her Author's Note, Messner writes that the book is based on a family trip to the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in Southern California.
For young readers who like trivia:
Weird but true! New York City:
300 Bizarre Facts About The Big Apple
National Geographic Kids, 2021, 208 pages, age 8+
National Geographic Kids Weird but true! series always makes a great stocking stuffer. And because I'm a New Yorker, I couldn't resist this one that has 300 bizarre facts about the Big Apple. And there is some really weird stuff in this book, but also interesting facts. For example, did you know that NYC's nickname Big Apple comes from a reporter using the term to describe the city's horse racing circuit as "the best of its kind?" and that the NY Knicks are named for the style of pants called knickerbockers worn by the early Dutch settlers? Two of my favorite pieces of trivia are about the NYPL. The Rose Main Reading Room at the 42nd Street research library is as long as two city blocks and that a book borrowed by President George Washington was returned to the library 221 years overdue. Did I know all the trivia in the book? No, indeed. I knew a lot, but enjoyed reading all of the entries just the same. This would make a great present for kids who may be visiting the city at some point, either for real or virtually. Whatever your reasons for gifting this, it will no doubt be a hit and you can certainly expect some occasional NYC trivia at the dinner table.
Bake, Make & Learn to Cook: Fun & Healthy Recipes for Young Cooks
written by David Atherton, illustrated by Rachel Stubbs
Candlewick Press, 2021, 88 pages, age 5+
I love cookbooks aimed at young home cooks. This one is particularly pleasing. It is written by the 2019 winner of The Great British Baking Show, so he really knows his way around the kitchen. The book is aimed at kids just developing an interest in cooking and baking, so Atherton begins with A Quick Equipment List, a list of Cooking Terms, and a list of helpful measurements, plus some handy tips to read before kids begin to make any of the recipes, mostly about adult supervision and being safe in the kitchen. The book is divided into four sections - Starting the Day, Lunches and Simple Suppers, Delicious Treats, and finally Cakes and Bakes. My Kiddo and I tried a few recipes from this book and they were really easy and delicious. Some of our favorites were Oatmeal Toppers, Edible Chia Bowls, Craveable Corn Bites (are really good), and Magic Tomato Sauce, which we've used a number of times now. All the recipes include easy to follow instructions and are very kid-friendly tastewise. Each page has humorous ink and graphite spot illustrations that were finished digitally. Most of the recipes can be made anytime, but there are some for holidays, like the Valentine Upside-Down Cake, the Christmas Cookie Baubles, and the Sweetie Birthday Cake. Cookbooks are always a great gift idea for kids because working in the kitchen with a parent or other adult can be such a wonderful bonding experience.
For both animal and poetry lovers:
Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright! An Animal Poem for Each Day of the Year
selected by Fiona Waters, illustrated by Britta Teckentrup
Candlewick Press, 2021, 328 pages, age 4+
I love a poetry book as a gift for kids as much as I love a cookbook for the same reason. This is a book that is chockablock with poems about animals for each month of the year, 366 poems altogether. It's a big hefty book (4.5 pounds), some of the poems are only a few lines long, others are much longer, but there is a wide range of poetry by a wide variety of poets. Some are easily recognizable, some not so much, others will be new to most readers. It actually might make a nice family book, where poems can be shared and talked about at dinner, or read at bedtime. I gifted this to a teacher friend for use in her classroom, who has been using it as a poem-a-day paet of her teaching ever since, but it would also be a nice gift for someone who home schools. The illustrations were created digitally and as you turn the pages, you will understand why Britta Teckentrup has become one of my favorite artists. Her illustrations are lush and simply breathtaking. Poetry and animal lovers will enjoy exploring the offerings in this book for a long time to come.
For the adventurer:
Frozen Mountain: Decide Your Destiny With a Pop-Out Fortune Spinner
by Emily Hawkins, illustrated by R. Fresson
Wide Eyed Editions, 2021, 64 pages, age 8+
This was a fun book to read for this post. It's an oversized book, almost 14 inches high and almost 12 inches wide, but it is filled with interactive adventures on every page. Begin by popping out the Survival Spinner that will determine your adventure at each step. And that adventure begins when you must parachute out of a disabled helicopter over some snowy mountains. What happens next is determined by placing the Survival Spinner on the circles on each page you have landed on and spinning. If you survive the spin, you go on, but if you die or perish, well, time to begin a new adventure and hope for better spin results. As you go along on your adventure, you will learn all kinds of survival skills, from surviving an avalanche to how to build a snow shelter, how to build a fire, how to judge distances, and how to treat a bleeding wound, among other survival techniques. I thought this looked like an interesting book, so I gave it to my neighbor who has a 10-year-old son to test drive. He loved playing with it and I had a hard time getting it back to write this review (yeah, I promised him he could have to keep when I'm done with it).
So these are my last minute gift suggestions and I hope you find them useful. And yes, I do have a soft spot for pop-up books, mostly because I love to study the way each page is paper engineered.
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