Buying books for presents is just one of the perks of being an unrepentant bookworm: In addition to my own to-be-read excel worksheets, I keep track of things I’ve read/want to read that I know the people on my gift lists would love, and it all comes in might handy this time of year. If you’re wondering about somethings to buy, here’s a couple of my most recent books as gift purchases. This review is specifically for kids books, mostly picture books, but I’ve got a few others in the works too.
The book I bought that made my little sister cry at her baby shower: I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld. With easy to follow text scheme of “I wish you more ____ than ____”, an author who excels at hitting that sweet spot between humor and hopefulness, and an illustrator who manages to capture all of that in simple, adorably colored illustrations, this is an almost perfect book. It’s the grammar nerd in me who insists that some of the lines/rhymes are a bit of a stretch, but, trust me if you’ve got a new parent-to-be (who isn’t a horrible perfectionist), than they’ll like “more hugs than ughs” just as much as “more stories than stars.”
A book for slightly older, poem-enthusiastic kids (who sometimes forget their manners): Gumballs: Little Treats to Chew On by Brian Addison, Illustrated by Zy Rybacki. I was lucky enough to help fund the (Kickstarter? Indigogo? IDK) campaign for this book last year, and purchased some signed copies to spread around when they were offered as a perk. Each little poem is a (teaching) treat, and the illustrations are humorous, bright & unique.
A few books for know-it-alls in the making: Chuckling Ducklings, I Love Ewe & Hug A Bull by Aaron Zenz. Chuckling Ducklings was the first book my niece learned to read on her own, and between the super-cuddly adorable illustrations, a solid rhyme-scheme and the very interesting animal baby name facts, she couldn’t have been prouder to share her newfound knowledge with E V E R Y B O D Y in her immediate vicinity. Which is what you want from books: To hook them young, right? Plus, you get to learn about crias and puggles, so … win/win. I Love Ewe & Hug a Bull are about the Mom & Dad animal names, and are just as adorable, full of puns & easily-memorized text. (Also, now available in board book form, so even the youngest littles can enjoy.)