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2020 Holiday Gift Guide

Looking for the perfect book for the wonderful kids in your life, but not sure what to get? We can help with that!

Picture Books:

These whimsical stories share important life lessons on diversity, inclusivity, and kindness. They are also the perfect reason to snuggle up with your little one for story time.

The Mouse Before Christmas

‘Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house not a creature was stirring…except for one mouse. With Santa as a mouse, a sleigh pulled by beetles, and gifts of toys, crackers, and cheese, this adorable picture book puts a silly–and savory–twist on Clement Clark Moore’s Christmas poem, and is sure to become a family favorite. Features illustrations by award-winning illustrator Jenny Løvlie.

Buy it here: https://pikidsmedia.com/product/the-mouse-before-christmas/

 

Big Bird’s Road Trip

Can you tell Big Bird how to get…to California? Big Bird, Radar, and Nina are driving all the way across the country to visit Cousin Bird. Along the way they explore new cities, meet a diverse group of new friends, and learn that kindness is the same wherever you go!

Buy it here: https://pikidsmedia.com/product/sesame-street-big-birds-road-trip/

 

Beasties Love Booties

Poodles in pumps! Huskies in high-tops! Spaniels in sandals! All over the city, best-dressed beasties and their besties are putting their best paws forward and stepping out in style. From shopping to sailing to splashing to skating, there’s a perfect shoe for everything they do! But what do our four-footed friends really like wearing? Find out in this tail-wagging tale filled with friendship, fashion…and fur.

Buy it here: https://pikidsmedia.com/product/beasties-love-booties/

 

This Book is Upside Down

Are there two sides to every story? Penelope Giraffe and Gus Penguin are at home on two different sides of the same world. when something looks upside down to Penelope, it looks right-side up to Gus! As they explore their opposite points of view, will the twosome ever see eye-to-eye? This innovative picture book plays on perspective. Eye-catching (and often upside-down) illustrations encourage reader interaction.

But it here: https://pikidsmedia.com/product/this-book-is-upside-down/

 

The Sheep Who Wouldn’t Sleep

Beneath the starry sky, everyone goes to sleep…except the sheep. Is she too excited? Too afraid? Or just plain not tired? The little sheep won’t sleep for all kinds of reasons, which will resonate with anyone who has—or ever was—a child! As the sheep tries to stay awake, she learns to calm her body and thoughts in this sweetly silly tale that subtly teaches self-soothing and mindfulness.

Buy it here: https://pikidsmedia.com/product/the-sheep-who-wouldnt-sleep/

 

The Owl Who Couldn’t Growl

Deep within the forest, the fiercest animals can growl…but not the owl. And if that’s not bad enough, he can’t howl or honk or roar or bark, either! As the owl tries to join the woodland chorus, he discovers his own special song in this charming and funny story of individuality and self-acceptance. Parents and children will enjoy sharing this comical, lyrical tale that encourages being “WHOOO” you are.

Buy it here: https://pikidsmedia.com/product/the-owl-who-couldnt-growl/

 

Merriam Webster’s Wild Goose Chase

What do you think of when you hear wild goose chase or raining cats and dogs? Do you imagine geese running in circles, or kittens and pups falling from the sky? Dive into this imaginative picture book from Merriam-Webster, a trusted and leading authority on language for more than 180 years, and explore some funny animal phrases and the dictionary definitions that help explain them.

Buy it here: https://pikidsmedia.com/product/wild-goose-chase/

 

Merriam Webster’s Loveliness of Ladybugs

Pair a dictionary definition with a humorous illustration, and what do you get? A delightful way to unpack the meaning of unusual figures of speech. This imaginative picture book from Merriam-Webster, a trusted and leading authority on language for more than 180 years and winner of 2020 Mom’s Choice Award, takes a closer look at the fanciful, and sometimes curious, words we use to describe groups of animals. From a skulk of foxes hiding behind trees to a kaleidoscope of butterflies forming a colorful pattern, young readers can explore the playfulness of the English language and enrich their vocabulary at the same time.

Buy it here: https://pikidsmedia.com/product/a-loveliness-of-ladybugs/

 

Fun AND Educational:

Reading along while favorite characters read the story aloud is a great way to engage in the story and leads the way to independent reading.

Sesame Street: Stories to Grow On: Me Reader Jr. Module and 8 Book Library

Growing up is extra special with stories that come to life as they are read aloud by Nina from Sesame Street! Little ones will love reading about milestones like sleeping in a big bed, the first day of school, and more. 8 illustrated board books featuring Elmo and his Sesame friends come with a Me Reader Jr module that reads each book aloud, with charming narration, fun sounds, and songs.

Buy it here: https://pikidsmedia.com/product/sesame-street-stories-to-grow-on-me-reader-jr/

 

Disney: Olaf and Friends: I’m Ready to Read 

Spend story time with Olaf and his friends! Encourage your brand-new reader to sound out the words in this story of friendship, then press 10 buttons to hear the pages read out loud. Listen and read along to match the spoken and printed words.

Buy it here: https://pikidsmedia.com/product/disney-frozen-2-im-ready-to-read-with-olaf/

 

Disney: I’m Ready to Read Princess Friends

It’s time to gain some royal reading experience! Created for beginner readers, this elegant sound book uses simple sentences, large type, and expressive narration to enhance reading comprehension. Press 10 buttons to hear Disney Princesses read the pages out loud. Listen and read along to match the spoken and printed words.

Buy it here: https://pikidsmedia.com/product/disney-princess-im-ready-to-read-princess-friends/

 

PAW Patrol: Electronic Me Reader and 8 Book Library

Take a tour of amazing Adventure Bay with the PAW Patrol! Eight illustrated books featuring everyone’s favorite pups come packaged with a sleek Me Reader Module that reads each book aloud. Choose a book, press the matching book and page buttons on the module, and hear the whole story, along with fun and surprising sounds! Follow along in the book for a fun, independent reading experience that builds confidence in beginning readers. Story sounds and expressive narration enhance reading comprehension.

Buy it here: https://pikidsmedia.com/product/paw-patrol-electronic-reader-and-8-book-library/

 

Peppa Pig: Electronic Me Reader and 8 Book Library

Snort! Snort! Come along on Peppa’s adventures full of family fun, friendly moments, and lots of muddy puddles! Set includes 8 illustrated books featuring favorite Peppa characters and a Me Reader Module that reads each book aloud. It all comes packed inside a cute carry-along box pefect for little readers. Choose a book, press the matching book and page buttons on the module, and hear the whole story, along with fun and surprising sounds! Follow along in the book for an independent reading experience that builds confidence in beginning readers. Story sounds, expressive narration, and character voice enhance reading comprehension.

Buy it here: https://pikidsmedia.com/product/peppa-pig-electronic-me-reader-and-8-book-library/

 

Nick Jr.: Story Reader Go

Story Reader Go puts young readers right in the action of exciting Nick Jr. adventures! The eight books in the set individually connect to the module with a satisfying click and high-tech sound; once connected, children press color-coded buttons to hear the story read aloud. Throughout the action, the narrator invites the reader to interact with Nella the Princess Knight, Rusty, Shimmer and Shine, the PAW Patrol pups, and other Nick Jr. favorites by pressing four action buttons. Interacting with the story rewards the reader with fun sounds, encouraging phrases, and a light show. This read-along adventure empowers little ones and engages beginning readers fully with the story–a great way to fall in love with reading!

Buy it here: https://pikidsmedia.com/product/story-reader-go-nick-jr/

 

Encyclopaedia Britannica: Animal Sound Treasury

Learn all about animals from alligator to zebra with the Encyclopaedia Britannica Sound Storybook Treasury! Each page features a different animal, sharing fascinating facts about characteristics and habitats. As you read, press the 39 sound buttons to bring a real sounds from each featured animal to life. Read this book with any animal lovers (and budding zoologists!) in your life—you’ll have a “whale” of a time!

Buy it here: https://pikidsmedia.com/product/encyclopaedia-britannica-kids-animal-sound-treasury/

 

Look and Find:

Look and Find play encourages focus and exploration while bite sized paragraphs are perfect for engaging reluctant readers.

Disney: Frozen II: Look and Find

Your little one can look for “find’ems” in eight busy scenes. Then they can turn to the back of the book for even moreFrozen 2 Look and Find challenges. Look and Find play helps children develop searching, matching, and reading skills, while keeping them engaged as they explore the land Arendale and the rest of the wonderful world of Frozen 2!

Buy it here: https://pikidsmedia.com/product/disney-frozen-2-look-and-find/

 

Disney and Pixar: Onward: Look and Find

Your little one can join Ian and Barley to look for “find’ems” in eight busy scenes. Then they can turn to the back of the book for even more magical Look and Find challenges. Look and Find play helps children develop searching, matching, and reading skills, while keeping them engaged as they explore the wonderful world of Onward!

Buy it here: https://pikidsmedia.com/product/disney-pixar-onward-look-and-find-activity-book/

 

Disney: Lion King: Look and Find

Welcome to the Jungle! Explore the different regions of the Kingdom in 8 scenes and search for some of your favorite film characters from The Lion King, including Simba, Nala, Timon, and Pumbaa. When you’ve finished hunting, make your way to the back of the book for even more Look and Find® challenges. Look and find patterns help little ones develop critical search and matching skills while keeping them intrigued. Have fun scouring the pride lands!

Buy it here: https://pikidsmedia.com/product/disney-the-lion-king-look-and-find/

 

Disney and Pixar: Toy Story 4: Look and Find

Your little one can look for “find’ems” in eight busy scenes. Then they can turn to the back of the book for even more Look and Find challenges. Look and Find play helps children develop searching, matching, and reading skills, while keeping them engaged as they explore the wonderful world of Toy Story!

Buy it here: https://pikidsmedia.com/product/disney%e2%80%a2pixar-toy-story-4-look-find/

 

If you’re still unsure about what to get, be sure to check out our Find-a-Gift tool!