'Tis the season for gift giving, and bibliophiles know that books make the perfect present. Each December, the staff who work with children's books here at NoveList choose just one or two books they believe could make a treasured addition to someone's bookshelf. Here are our picks out of the ones we read (or rediscovered) this year. They range from books for toddlers to teens and appeal to all kinds of readers. Your child's new favorite may be on this list. It's our gift to you.
For a gentle reminder to never give up, all ages:
The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi; illustrated by Lorena Alvarez
Shining with optimism, this upbeat picture book features a child who faces setbacks while learning to ride their bike. A magical creature called a Yet motivates her by reminding her of past achievements. The fanciful illustrations – especially the delightful endpapers – are sure to charm readers in this inspiring encouragement for little ones.
Contributed by Brierley Ash
For kids who are collectors or far from a loved one, ages 4 – 7:
In a Jar by Deborah Marcero
Deborah Marcero's fanciful and feel-good In a Jar shows how powerful shared memories can be in forging and keeping a friendship. Llewelyn, a white rabbit, shares his hobby of collecting things through the seasons with his friend Evelyn and documents their favorite memories by storing mementos in a jar. When Evelyn moves away, Llewelyn figures out a fitting way to stay close despite their distance. Readers will love pouring over the detailed illustrations of various-sized jars and their eye-catching contents.
Contributed by Lindsey Dunn
For kids who are tinkerers and love to fix things, ages 4 – 8:
The Old Truck by Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey
For a gentle, meditative look at the passage of time and the power of imagination, try The Old Truck by brothers Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey. Illustrated in a charming homespun style with digitally manipulated rubber stamps, The Old Truck centers on an African American farm family (and their beloved vehicle). Spare text allows for sharing with very young readers.
Contributed by Autumn Winters
For kids who love parties and making new friends, ages 4 - 8:
Julián at the Wedding by Jessica Love
For those who adored Julián is a Mermaid, the same fabulous characters – Julián the free spirit and his delightful abuela – are back in Julián at the Wedding. This time, Julián makes a new friend at a wedding and comes up with a brilliant and touching way to help her out. The straightforward plot allows the lavishly colorful illustrations and the larger-than-life characters to be the stars of the show.
Contributed by Lisa Chandek-Stark
For readers who don't scare easily, ages 8 – 12:
Hide and Seeker by Daka Hermon
Truly scary books for middle grade readers are often hard to find. But Hide and Seeker fits the bill. Justin's friend Zee mysteriously disappears and then, just as mysteriously, reappears one year later. No one can understand what happened to him, but soon after his return, other neighborhood kids go missing. Featuring an almost entirely diverse cast, one of the most interesting things about this book is the terror that lies behind the (seemingly) innocent game of hide-and-seek.
Contributed by Suzanne Temple
For kids who find magic in the everyday, ages 8 – 14:
Snapdragon by Kat Leyh
Despite the sinister rumors about the one-eyed town witch who collects roadkill, trailer park misfit Snapdragon isn't scared – especially not after she learns that the witch is actually Jacks, a crabby, Crocs-wearing old-timer who might be just the friend Snap needs. Featuring an adorable three-legged dog, a most unusual motorcycle, an articulated rabbit skeleton, and several long-held secrets, this fantasy graphic novel has enough offbeat charm to grab a wide variety of tween readers.
Contributed by Rebecca Honeycutt
For readers who love sports, ages 9 – 12:
Get a Grip, Vivy Cohen! By Sarah Kapit
This epistolary novel features eleven-year-old Vivy Cohen -- an autistic kid whose dream is to play baseball. Vivy and her hero, baseball legend VJ Capello, write back and forth as Vivy pursues her dream and navigates day to day struggles like bullying, friendship, and identity. This heartwarming, thoughtful book will delight readers looking for a fun, engaging book about being yourself.
Contributed by Helen Sharma
For teens whose dreams reach the stars, ages 13 – 18:
I'll Be the One by Lyla Lee
Even though Skye Shin has spent her entire life being told that girls her weight shouldn’t call attention to themselves, she's never stopped dreaming. But when she finds herself in an international competition looking for the next K-Pop sensation, she comes face-to-face with the drama and scrutiny that comes with fame. This debut romantic comedy will delight fans of high stakes drama, meaningful perspectives on teenage identity, and diverse protagonists.
Contributed by Jamie Langer
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Lindsey Dunn is a Readers' Advisory Librarian at NoveList. She is currently reading The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult.