What to Read to Your Kids

After a break for the Thanksgiving holiday, we are back with another installment of this year’s Gift Guide, and this one is all about short chapter books. (In case you missed it, we’ve already done Novelty & Nonfiction and Picture Books.) In this post, you’ll discover a range of titles, from traditional early chapter books for those still mastering independent reading, to longer chapter books that would shine as read alouds for those ready to listen to longer stories. When selecting these titles, I have given priority to books that feel particularly gifty—not always an easy feat in this category—such as hardcover editions with special touches and captivating art.

I also want to mention that the books below, especially the ones towards the end, can also work brilliantly for kids who might test at a higher reading level but haven’t yet developed the stamina to delve into longer books in their own time. Parking a fixation on reading level and letting kids read what appeals to them in any given moment is the tried-and-true key to raising lifetime readers. If you read these books, you’ll see just what I mean: they’re a true delight, each and every one.

The books are loosely presented in order of ascending age/reading ability.