Kids Birthday Gifts: How to Choose the Perfect Book
Books- timeless, entertaining and unplugged- are a perfect choice for kids birthday gifts. Here are four guidelines for choosing the perfect book:
Share Memorable Childhood Favorites
Sometime the best kids birthday gifts are ones that hold the most meaning. Why not share a memorable title from your childhood (View our collections of retro classics) with the gift recipient? Did the encouraging message from Watty Piper's "The Little Engine that Could" resonate with you? Can you still remember the refrain from "Tikki Tikki Tembo" by Arlene Mosel? I read Roald Dahl's deliciously satisfying book "The BFG" over and over again throughout my childhood (I still have my original, battered copy) and often give it as a gift to older children .
Indulge a Favorite Interest
To select perfect kids birthday gifts, consider the children themselves. What is the gift recipient interested in? Aspiring ballerinas might enjoy Katharine Holabird's "Angelina Ballerina" or "Miss Lina's Ballerinas" by Christine Davenier, whereas truck enthusiast might lean towards Virginia Lee Burton's "Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel" or "I'm Dirty" (View our truck themed collections) by Kate and Jim McMullan. No matter a child's interest, any good book store or library should be able to point you in the direction of a great gift choice.
Consider Award Winners
When all else fails, consider a Newbery or Caldecott award winner (View our collections of award winners) for kids birthday gifts. These enduring awards highlight the year's most distinguished contribution to children's literature (the Newbery Medal) and most distinguished picture book for children (Caldecott Medal). Titles to consider include the 2011 Newbery Medal winner "Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool and the Caldecott Medal winner "A Sick Day for Amos McGee" illustrated by Erin Stead and written by Philip Stead.
Pay Attention to the Details
No matter the title you choose, consider a few thoughtful details to make the kids birthday gifts extra special. Whenever possible choose a hardcover version for both it's durability and beautiful dust jacket. Include a personal note to the child on the inside cover. This can be done in lieu of a gift card, and will remind the child of your thoughful gift every time they open the book. And finally, invest in beautiful gift wrapping.
Remember, when you choose books for kids birthday gifts, you are helping build the foundation for a lifelong love of reading.
Do you give books as birthday gifts? How do you choose the perfect book? We would love to hear from you!
For more information read:
Kids Birthday Gifts: Why You Sould Give Books