The holidays are arriving, and that means picking out the perfect gifts for everyone on your list, from eager little ones to teachers and first-time parents. As your premier children’s book publisher, Blue Balloon Books is here to make holiday shopping a breeze. Grab a slice of pumpkin pie and skip the shops–we’ve got you covered with this guide to help you give gifts worthy of the most precious people in your life.

Little Learners

These books are our primary recommendations for the youngest readers, with simple vocabulary and engaging stories that parents are willing to help them through over and over again.

• Ask Away, Andrew by Candice Gordon: This interactive story is for the most inquisitive of readers. They’ll work on their numbers and colors and learn the value of staying curious about the world.
• The Good Morning Book by Robyn Polansky Morrison: With rhyming lines all about what to do when you wake up in the morning, this book will help children read in a way that relates to something familiar in their own lives.

Teachers

Help your teacher friends fill out their classroom libraries with these essential reads. No matter the interests of their students, they can pick up these two books and immediately get absorbed. For more options suited to specific grade levels, check out Blue Balloon Books’s virtual bookstore.

• Marisol’s Dress by EMYO: This intricately illustrated book tells the story of a smart, creative, and powerful girl who comes to America from Cuba. Especially for ESL classrooms or children who come from immigrant families, Marisol’s Dress is one to remember.
• Say Hello by Kelly Gregory: This book is the ultimate guide to making friends for children who have all sorts of different abilities and backgrounds. It reminds young readers how easy it is to strike up a conversation with one of your classmates – just a simple hello will do.

New Parents

Keep it simple with these reads for parents just starting out their child’s book collection. Whether they’re first-time parents or recently welcomed a newborn to their family, these books will be a staple in their household for years to come.

• The First Day by Cody Patterson: Growth and change are constant, but parents and children alike can tackle anything with this guide to the first day of a new adventure.
• Thankful for Sweet Little You by Tiffany Latino Gerlock: Written by a mother who struggled to finally have a child of her own, this book is Goodnight Moon for parents who want to give thanks for the very best things in their lives.

Educational Gifts

For eager learners, older readers, or any child who’s curious about a specific subject that you know nothing about yourself, books are a reliable place to turn to. Teach kids the value of reading, learning, and being absorbed into a new adventure with these educational reads that make perfect presents.

• Yucky! By Dr. Kevin D. Smith: With this book, Dr. Smith reminds us all that math isn’t so bad. Math can even be fun, as long as you have a good teacher showing you the way.
• Professor Clark the Science Shark by Scott & Karen Lamberson: Fans of sea creatures will be delighted by this book that takes you through the ocean on the journey of a turtle as she lays her eggs. Even better – the narrator is a friendly shark who teaches readers all about the ecosystem he lives in.

We hope you find one of these reads perfect for the child, parent, or teacher in your life. Every child deserves the pure joy of unwrapping a book that they can’t wait to run off and read while the adults indulge in their holiday evening. Invest in that excitement today with engaging books that embrace the wonder and innocence of childhood.