Skip to main content

Picture Books from 2021 That Would Make Great Gifts

Image
By

I am one of those librarians that always gives books for gifts. And there have been some pretty good books this past year—okay so there are always good new books—and I have a few that I think are especially good if you are looking for a book to give away this holiday season. Just don’t tell my family what is on this list—or they might not be surprised as to what is coming their way… 

Written by Hannah Carmona 
Illustrated by Anna Cunha
Oxford, United Kingdom: Lantana Publishing Ltd., 2021.

This is a good book to give kids who aspire to being brave. In the story, Anita must face her fear of moving away and flying in an airplane (dragon). 

Written by Jonathan Stutzman
Illustrated by Dan Santat 
New York, NY : Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2021.

This is a book that I just gave to my newest nephew. It is a sentimental story about how specific treasured toys can impact a child—and be impactful for multiple generations. 

By Bob Shea
New York : Little, Brown and Company, 2021.
 
If you have someone who needs a good book that is funny but also sweet at the same time, then this is the book for you. Bob wants to make a bird restaurant so he doesn’t have to go find dinner—until he realizes dinner might be friends. 

Written by Joanna Ho 
Illustrated by Dung Ho
New York, New York : Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2021.

This is one of those powerhouse books that tells readers that they are of value and how value and strength can come from themselves and their relatives. So powerful! 

By Jessica Young 
Illustrated by Rafael López 
New York : Little, Brown and Company, 2021.

This is a sweet book that talks about how even though people may be far apart—they can still be together in spirit or in their dreams. A great book to give to those loved ones who live far away. 


By The Fan Brothers
New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2021.

If you know someone who loves beautiful illustrations, then this is the book to give. The Fan Brothers are known for some breathtaking illustrations, and this book is no exception. 

Written by Shelly Anand 
Illustrated by Nabi H. Ali 
New York : Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Random House, 2021.

This is another book about self-worth—particularly about body image. If you know a young reader who would benefit from a sweet story about being excited about their body, then this is the book to give. 

Written by Kim Norman
Illustrated by Pierre Collet-Derby 
Somerville, Massachusetts : Candlewick Press, 2021.

I have a dinosaur fan at my house. This is a clever and silly book that is full of counting and dinosaur fun. 

By Andrea Wang
Illustrated by Jason Chin 
New York : Holiday House, 2021.

Every now and then there comes along a book that makes me think about my ancestors and how I am better off because of the sacrifices that they made for me. This is one of those books. 

By Leo Timmers 
Wellington, New Zealand : Gecko Press, 2021.

If you know someone who loves to laugh and likes dragons and clever stories and illustrations, then you may want to gift this book. I already gave this one as a gift multiple times this year, and it has been a hit every time with my dragon-loving nephews!
Labels:

Comments

Ramona said…
How delightful to find your post and head to my library site to put the books on hold! I have grandsons who love dinosaurs and dragons. And this grandma loves any book that celebrates family.
December 24, 2021 at 5:13 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Fowl Play

By
  Fowl Play By Kristin O'Donnell Tubb New York: Katherine Tegen Books, 2024. Fiction 277 pages. Still reeling from her beloved uncle's death, Chloe Alvarez is comforted and confused when at his last will and testament reading, Uncle Will gifts her his African Grey parrot, Charlie. Charlie has a robust vocabulary and loves to make Alexa requests for her favorite songs, but when she starts saying things like, "homicide," and "cyanide," Chloe becomes convinced that Uncle Will may have met his demise by murder instead of a genetic disease, as was previously thought. Ultimately, bringing in her brother, Grammy, and Uncle Frank (and of course Charlie,) Chloe's ragtag and adoring family support her search for answers ---going on stakeouts, engaging in fast pursuits, and searching for clues. But as the suspects stack up and the mystery grows, Chole will learn that the process of death and grieving is complicated, and in the end her Uncle Will's words that, ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Review: Alice with a Why

By
Alice with a Why By Anna James New York: Penguin, 2026. Fiction. 240 pgs. In 1919, in the aftermath of the first World War, Alyce is living with her grandmother in the English countryside. Her grandmother, also named Alice, tells Alyce (with a y) stories from her childhood adventures in a wonderful land filled with white rabbits and mad hatters. Alyce doesn't really believe the silly stories, she just misses her father who was killed in the war. One day, Alyce receives a mysterious invitation to tea, and subsequently falls into a pond where she is transported to Wonderland. Her grandmother, of course, is that Alice. Alyce is prompted by the Mad Hatter, Dormouse, and March Hare to seek out the Time Being and put an end to the war between the Sun King and the Queen of the Moon. Thus begins Alyce's adventure through Wonderland. I have a certain soft spot for the original story of Alice in Wonderland. It is one of my particular favorites and I often have a hard time reading new int...
Post a Comment
Read more

Review: Blood in the Water

By
Blood in the Water By Tiffany D. Jackson New York: Scholastic, 2025. Fiction. 255 pages. 12-year-old Kaylani McKinnon can't help but feel like a fish out of water. She's a Brooklyn girl spending her summer on Martha's Vineyard surrounded by wealthy family friends in their mansion. All she really wants is to stay home all summer where she her incarcerated father can easily reach her, and she can keep working to find ways to prove him innocent of fraud and embezzlement. Despite her protests, she finds herself on the island with the snooty granddaughters of her host. Soon after Kaylani's arrival, a popular teen boy is found murdered and she decides to conduct her own investigation. As she tries to discover what happened to Chadwick Cooper, Kaylani finds that not everything on Martha's Vineyard is as perfect as it appears. Thrillers for middle grade readers can be hard to find, but Tiffany D. Jackson succeeds in her first middle grade novel. A quick moving plot, tight d...
Post a Comment
Read more