With the holidays right around the corner, I thought I would share five amazing books for kids that would make great gifts. These run the gamut from architecture to science, geography, history, exploration and even to the message “always be yourself.”
Into the Unknown: How Great Explorers Found Their Way by Land, Sea, and Air, by Stewart Ross, illustrated by Stephen Biesty; Candlewick Press.
A true adventure that delves into history and exploration, Into the Unknown starts in 340 B.C., with Pytheas the Greek sailing to the Arctic Circle without even a compass and ends in 1969 with Apollo 11 landing on the moon. This book is full of pullout maps and diagrams showing the journeys as well as the vessels used to make them.
Maps, by Aleksandra and Daniel Mizielinska; Candlewick Press.
A beautifully illustrated, fascinating and oftentimes funny depiction of the world, Maps highlights countries in each continent, including details of culture, local people, places of interest, native plants and animals and geography. One of the main appeals of this book is its size – it is nice and large, perfect for children to lie belly-down on the floor with and enjoy. Vibrant colors and illustrations hold interest, and written information is kept to the point.
Gaston, by Kelly DiPucchio, illustrated by Christian Robinson; Simon & Schuster.
Gaston is a book about a mix-up between two dog families. Their resulting decision may surprise you, ultimately showing that to be happy, you should always follow your heart.
Architecture According to Pigeons, by Speck Lee Tailfeather (aka Stella Gurney); Phaidon.
If you didn’t guess from the author’s nom de plume, this book is a tribute to architecture all around the world with a twist: It is told from the point of view of a pigeon named Speck. Speck tells the story of landmark structures, including architectural details and historical accounts.
Animalium, by Jenny Broom, illustrated by Katie Scott; Candlewick Press.
Animalium is a celebration of biodiversity on Earth and the creatures that live here. The book is set up as a museum, divided into galleries. The illustrations are works of art, and each gallery includes wonderful facts about the creatures within. This book is perfect for children of all ages.
