Great Books for Kids: Last Minute Gift Ideas

Whether you’re shopping for the biggest holiday of the year or for a just because gift, books are an always an awesome, affordable present for kids of all ages. Here are some of our top picks of the books we’re loving right now.

Cooking with Henry and Elliebelly

Anyone with a younger sibling will empathize with Henry as he tries to record the imaginary cooking show Cooking with Henry and Elliebelly – because he has to do it with his younger sister. Like most little sisters, Eleanor just doesn’t *get* it: she throws a fit and insists on wearing pirate hats rather than chef hats, makes her doll Anne join the show, puts the wrong ingredients in the bowl (including Anne) and generally frustrates her big brother. The story is written as the conversation between the brother and sister (and occasionally mom who just wants the kids to get along), and is pretty much hysterical. It’s so a glimpse into the life of a family with two young kids. My son loves this book, and not surprisingly his little sister just doesn’t get it.

Miss Lina’s Ballerinas

You don’t have to be a dancer to appreciate the sweet prose of Miss Lina’s Ballerinas by Grace Maccarone and illustrated by Christine Davenler. The eight ballet dancers, all with names that rhyme with ballerina (who knew there were so many?!), of Miss Lina’s class are accustomed to dancing together in two rows of four. When Regina joins the studio, they don’t know what to do as a class of nine and find themselves flustered. Miss Lina suggests, “You will soon see how delightful it is to be three rows of three” and order is restored. The girls learn to adapt and welcome the change and addition of a new classmate.

Madlenka Soccer Star

We’re a little late to the Madlenka party, as she’s a bright little girl who has already starred in books by author and illustrator Peter Sis. City-dwelling Madlenka has a new soccer ball and she dribbles the streets looking for someone to play soccer with her. She imagines going toe to toe with a mailbox, neighborhood cats, garbage can, and parking meter before joining a friend for a match. This is a great book to get any little athlete motivated, and particularly fun for girl soccer players with the Women’s World Cup approaching in 2011.

A Sick Day for Amos McGee

Amos McGee is a kind, elderly man who works at the City Zoo. Every day in addition to his paid duties, he takes time to visit five animal friends: elephant, tortoise, penguin, rhinoceros and owl. When Amos McGee wakes one day too sick to report to work, his friends from the Zoo take the bus to visit him at his home. One of my favorite illustrations from the book, written by Phillip Christian Stead with illustrations by Erin Snead, is the image of all five animals waiting at the bus stop to ride to Amos’ house. Each animal takes a turn returning the kind deeds Amos did for them. It’s a very sweet book about friendship and I love that after years of caring for the animals they each returned some love by caring for Amos when he is sick.

Jake Goes Peanuts

Author Michael Wright tells the story of Jake, a picky eater who won’t try new foods and insists the only food he likes is peanut butter. Frustrated, his parents hatch a plan to encourage Jake to expand his diet. For one week, every meal they cook for Jake includes peanut butter – from pancakes to pot roast. Near the end of the week, when his mom presents Peanut Butter Cake, Jake reaches his limit. Much to his parents relief, the plan worked and Jake starts trying – and enjoying – new foods. Whether or not you have an ultra-picky eater like my son and Jake, Jake Goes Peanuts is an entertaining read – and if your kid just happens to pick up the idea that trying new food is okay, well that’s a bonus.

Shop! Click the book titles above to purchase online – there’s still time for Christmas delivery! The books are available in The Shopping Mama’s Amazon store, and your local book stores.

We received book samples.