Give the Gift of Reading With These Page-Turners

Books for everyone on your list, from preschoolers to grown-ups

By Lindsay Zielinski

A few years ago, my husband and I decided to end the traditional gift giving that dominated our holiday season. It felt like overkill to choose, wrap and give bushels of gifts to each other when we didn’t really need anything. So, after a bit of research (and learning about the Icelandic tradition of giving books as presents, Jólabókaflóðið, which roughly translates into English as “the Christmas book flood”; jolabokaflod.org), a new tradition was born: the three gifts of Christmas. Following the formula of gifting loved ones something to wear, something to do and something to read saves us time and money every holiday season.

But even better? It allows us to spend more time with each other, which, to me, is what matters most. We open our books on Christmas Eve and spend time reading, the lights of our tree creating the ultimate cozy vibe as our daughter sits between us. This quiet tradition has become my favorite way to celebrate the holidays. Choosing the perfect books for my husband and daughter has brought me so much joy that this year I’ve decided to expand my book giving to everyone on my list. To me, books are the perfect gift: They’re entertaining, can be enjoyed again and again, and, most importantly, they’re easy to wrap!

If you’re feeling bookish this year, I’ve gathered a few top choices for everyone on your list.

Picks for preschoolers

“This Book Is Not a Present” by Max Greenfield, illustrated by Mike Lowery This hilarious picture book for reluctant readers begs to be read aloud with the whole family.

“All Around Bustletown: Nighttime” by Rotraut Susanne Berner What do you see? Your little one will love poring over the images in Bustletown, searching for all of the hidden happenings within the town at night.

“Adurable: Little Pups in Big Trucks” by Bob Shea, illustrated by Brian Won This silly story about three adorable puppies who help save their teacher from a rocky experience will delight grown-ups just as much as kids. “Tree: A Peek-Through Picture Book” by Britta Teckentrup This die-cut book follows a tree through the seasons, keeping little ones engaged with beautiful images and unique shapes.

Picks for elementary-age kids

“The Real Dada Mother Goose: A Treasury of Complete Nonsense” by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Julia Rothman Completely irrational and totally wacky, this twist on classic nursery rhymes will be a favorite for years to come.

“The Three Billy Goats Gruff” by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen The duo of Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen hits it out of the park again with this fractured fairy tale featuring a rather trusting troll and three clever goats.

“Cornbread and Poppy” by Matthew Cordell This sweet early-reader chapter-book series introduces kids to Cornbread and Poppy, odd-couple best friends who always figure out even the toughest of problems, as long as they’re together.

“Odder” by Katherine Applegate, illustrated by Charles Santoso This novel in verse follows a young otter through a journey of bravery and healing, from the Pacific Ocean to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

continued from page 31 Middle school reads

“A Rover’s Story” by Jasmine Warga Perfect for tweens who love anything space-, STEM- and adventure-related, this middle-grade novel tells the story of Resilience (“Res”), a rover that might have accidentally acquired human emotions and must navigate a mission on Mars.

“You Only Live Once, David Bravo” by Mark Oshiro After his friend is hurt in an accident, David Bravo wishes he could go back in time to change the outcome. When a shape-shifting dog takes him hopping from one point in time to another, will they be able to fix the past to change the future?

“The Tryout: A Graphic Novel” by Christina Soontornvat, illustrated by Joanna Cacao From two-time Newbery honoree Christina Soontornvat comes this middle-grade autobiographical graphic novel that follows the author’s own middle school cheerleading tryout journey.

“Wingbearer” by Marjorie Liu, illustrated by Teny Issakhanian Fans of Kazu Kibuishi’s “Amulet” and Tui T. Sutherland’s “Wings of Fire” series will love this new graphic novel series starring Zuli, who goes on an epic adventure to protect her magical home.

Picks for high schoolers

The Puffin in Bloom Collection, which includes “Anne of Green Gables” by L.M. Montgomery, “Heidi” by Johanna Spyri, “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott and “A Little Princess” by Frances Hodgson Burnett For a teen who loves the classics, wrap up this beautiful keepsake collection festooned with Rifle Paper Co. founder Anna Bond’s beautiful floral artwork.

BookTok Bestsellers Boxed Set, which includes “We Were Liars” by E. Lockhart, “The Gilded Ones” by Namina Forna, “House of Salt and Sorrows” by Erin A. Craig and “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” by Holly Jackson TikTok teen in your life? Look no further than this boxed set with four #booktok-approved titles your teen will love. “Tasting Light: Ten Science Fiction Stories to Rewire Your Perceptions,” edited by A.R. Capetta and Wade Roush Teens interested in science fiction and technology will love this collection of short stories, each one imagining a world that could happen in the future using technology that is emerging today.

“Strike the Zither” by Joan He In this richly reimagined version of the classic Chinese story “Three Kingdoms,” we meet ultimate strategist Zephyr in a fantasy world where one must betray or be betrayed.

For the grown-ups

“Inciting Joy: Essays” by Ross Gay In the darkest months of the year, reach for this tome as your go-to gift for any grown-up on your list. Uplifting essays highlight the ways we share connection to bring joy into our lives, rather than focusing on what keeps us apart.

“The Wok: Recipes and Techniques” by J. Kenji López-Alt From the author of the bestselling cookbook “The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science” comes an ode to one of his favorite pans: the wok. With more than 200 recipes, 1,000 photographs and extras such as pantry-stocking advice, this cookbook is the perfect gift for beginning home cooks, expert chefs and all those cooks in between.

“Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” by Gabrielle Zevin Readers gain access into the lives of friends and creative partners Sam and Sadie as they design video games and follow their destiny to fame and immortality across three decades.

“All Good People Here: A Novel” by Ashley Flowers True crime fans will love this intense and twisting thriller written by “Crime Junkie” podcast host Ashley Flowers. ■ Lindsay Zielinski is a mom, wife and writer living in Tacoma. She spends most of her time in libraries, where she is always looking for her next favorite picture book.