The 5 Best Children’s Books That Our Children Love

I want to share some of the best children’s books to help give you ideas for Christmas gifts this year. By reading we can expand our knowledge, go on adventures, and experience things we otherwise may never experience, so why not gift it?

In our family, books are a big deal. My husband and I usually use the audible version of books, since we are in the cars driving around so much. But our girls are more into flipping the pages and see all the pretty pictures. When we moved back home 3 years ago, I started taking my oldest to the local library’s Storytime every week. This became a regular thing for us (until COVID). Since then we have found some of the best children’s books!

But, even with COVID, we have been able to safely find new and wonderful books for the girls. Honestly, one of the memories I cherish most with both my girls is when I’m walking by their room, and I peek in and see them sitting among a pile of books with one open on their lap. They very often read to themselves, even though they can’t actually read quite yet. But this idea that reading is fun, calming, and enjoyable is something that I want to continue to foster.

My oldest started asking for us to buy her books so she wouldn’t have to return them back to the library. I completely understand this idea. I mean, who knows when inspiration will strike, and you will want that one specific book. So, my husband and I came up with this idea. For Christmas, we will buy the girls one or two of the best children’s books that they loved that year.

I thought I’d share some of our favorites and give you a brief overview in case you want to buy a child in your life the gift of adventure, learning, and family time.

Best Children’s Books for 2020

Best Book to Encourage Love and Compassion

The Snatchabook
By: Helen Docherty

This is a sweet little book about a bunny who is determined to solve the mystery of the books in her town disappearing. It turns out it was “just a little snatchabook”. The girls really liked this book, but the reason I decided it was a book for our home was that it speaks to caring for others and especially others who do not have a mom and dad to read them books each night.

I’ve talked about this a little bit, but we are working toward an adoption and our little girls are a huge part of it. They will become sisters to another sibling, and I want to repeatedly remind them of the importance of loving others, no matter how different they may look, sound, behave, etc. It’s subtle, but it definitely speaks that message.

Best Children’s Book to Encourage Persistence and Determination

Rosie Revere, Engineer
By: Andrea Beaty

This book is probably my personal favorite of the five. I love a good book about persistence and never giving up. However, this book has a bit of a twist. It doesn’t talk about how you’ll always be successful in all your endeavors. It talks about failing. Over and over again. But the lesson is with ever “great flop” you learn something that will help you get closer.

This book also touches on what it feels like when people laugh at your dreams. Dream’s are such a delicate thing. If placed in the hands of the wrong person our dreams can be crushed. In this book, Andrea talks about pushing past the laughter, to do what you love doing regardless.

This book has been perfect for our now 4-year-old. When she tells us things are too hard or that she can’t do something we remind her of Rosie Revere and she is then empowered to give it another shot.

Best Children’s Book to Get Everyone Laughing

The Book with No Pictures
By:  B. J. Novak

This book was a librarian selection. I usually give our librarian a couple of topics of what I’d like to work on with the girls. Sometimes it’s academic: letters, numbers, animal habitats, recycling, etc. But other times I use books for social learning: friendship, adventure, adoption, having fun, perseverance, etc.

This was a book from when I had asked for fun books. The girls were rolling on the floor and begging us to read it over and over again. That being said, it’s a lot more fun and funny when the reader really gets into it too. (You get to make really funny sounds and make some cute kid jokes.)

Best Children’s Book to Foster a Questioning Spirit

Ada Twist, Scientist
By: Andrea Beaty

Ada Twist Ada Twist! This is a perfect book for the child who is always asking questions. It’s also a great book for the parents of that child! It highlights the importance of a questioning spirit and encourages the reader not to accept the status quo. By starting with why, then what, how, and when?

I’m like most parents who struggle with all the questions. But even so, I know deep down that the value of a child who is always asking questions and thinking beyond the simple answers. So I love reading this book, to reinforce something that I’m sometimes terrible at. Encouraging my girls to ask questions nonstop!

Best Children’s Book to Encourage Following Your Dreams

Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist
By: Jess Keating

I’ve heard that as wonderful as fiction is for youngers it’s equally important to read non-fiction. Now this isn’t a documentary or anything, but it takes Eugenie Clark’s life and turns it into a story that a child could understand.

Again, this was a book the girls asked to read at naptime, after naptime, and at bedtime all on the same day. It’s a thrilling story of a woman who didn’t give up on her dreams, no matter how many people told her it couldn’t be done. Sidenote: We read this book back before the shutdown in March and my girls still talk about Shark Lady! I can’t wait for them to open this book on Christmas morning!)

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Both of my girls have told me that they want to be Shark Lady when they grow up. Which I’m excited about, and completely terrified about at the same time. But I figure if at the end of their childhood if they can look back and say that mom and dad pushed us beyond our limits, never stopped believing in us, laughed at everything life handed us, and allowed us to follow our dreams then we did a pretty good job.

If you’re still looking for other gift ideas check out my post on a family-friendly coffee/cocoa bar (the best milk frother/steamer) and my post on how to gift cookie dough.

Thanks for stopping by! Don’t forget to follow along on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram! Have a great week! XoXo

Open Your Doors,
Aliya