Holiday Gifts for Kids and Teens

2018 is just about wrapped up--but hopefully not all of your presents are! Below are 15 amusing, informative, moving and engrossing books for children and teenagers. But first, some fabulous gift-set biographies. (And look for our picks for Best Children's and Teen Books of the Year on November 27!)

Be Bold, Baby!, with these "inspired," "brilliant," "passionate" and "encouraging" board books by Alison Oliver. The first two board books in this new series from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt feature two of the United States' boldest, most brilliant women: Michelle Obama and Oprah. With brief biographies in back, these strikingly illustrated books depict moments from the women's lives with plucky statements: "be motivated" shows Oprah gardening, running, on the cover of Vogue, holding an Emmy; "be active" is paired with a hula-hooping Michelle Obama. Both titles end with a mirror and the most important advice of all: "Be you!"

Coco Chanel, Neil Armstrong, Marie Curie, Isaac Newton and more get the Pocket Bios treatment in these French imports from Roaring Brook Press. With brightly colored illustrations and simple text, these mini biographies include timelines, maps and "Did You Know?" sections. Designed for the little hands of children ages 4-7, the Pocket Bios are sure to enlighten eager youngsters.

For slightly older readers (ages 7-11), there is the "small but in-depth" biography series, Little Guides to Great Lives, from publisher Laurence King. Leonardo da Vinci, Marie Curie, Nelson Mandela and Amelia Earhart all get their own books in this series about the "lives of some of history's most inspiring and talented people." Featuring timelines, glossaries, approachable text and striking illustrations, the biographies bring these important individuals to brilliant life. --Siân Gaetano, children's and YA editor, Shelf Awareness

Powered by: Xtenit