2023 Bookish Gift Guide: Best Bookish Gifts for Kids Ages 0-5

If you–like the rest of the world–loved Hair Love, then you will ADORE this alphabet board book in the same vein. No more boring, A is for Apple rhymes. Now, A is for Afro and B is for Braids. It brought me so much joy to flip through this stunning board book. Hand this to all the beautiful curly-haired littles you know.

I’m passionate about kids learning multiple languages, especially because it’s so much easier when they’re younger. If you’re looking for a fun, bilingual, easy-to-read board book that will be handy when your kid starts to read, this is a fantastic choice. It follows a young boy who gets around on his pogo stick running errands on his way to a picnic with grandma. 

I love a good counting book and this is a sweet one with a heartwarming message. One becomes two and six and seven as we meet a team of beautiful Black girls on a soccer team. The last page caught me by surprise as author Forman touches hearts with the sparsest of text.

Another great addition by Sandra Boynton. A Dr Seuss for modern times, Boynton always hits just the right note of humor and wisdom. This fun, uplifting board book is a treat for younger kids just learning new skills. 

A child documents their day at the pool. Different kinds of people frolic and swim in the neighborhood pool. Sunblock is applied. Cannon balls continue all afternoon long. Even a brief afternoon cloud can’t dampen the pool joy. I loved the rhythm in this story and the bold, sparse text throughout. If you need a book to hold on to the summer vibes or conjure them during the bitter winter, this is an excellent pick!

Everyone remembers wishing they were something else but a child. The protagonist in Blackall’s newest picture book wishes they were a horse. Then, they wouldn’t need to have a bath or give their sibling a ride to school. It is the ultimate wish fulfillment that is gorgeously illustrated with sparse text for a young audience.

This sweet picture book is designed to be gifted (down to the “To:” and “From:” inscriptions on the first page). It’s a pun-y take on all the ways a parent loves their child. It will make for a sweet bedtime read for babies and toddlers who be soothed at first and then tickled by it as they get older.

This funny and playful picture book explores different ways to count a year. Speaking directly to young readers, the author acknowledges that a year seems like a really long time–unless you break it down into more manageable (and sometimes hilarious) segments. For instance, a year can represent 365 ice cream flavors of the day, 52 buckets of popcorn for weekly movie nights, or one very special birthday wish. 365 encourages children to think creatively about ways to count time and reflect on how far they’ve come in one wonderful year.

On a snowy evening, Little Red, a cheerful pickup truck, and his driver Katie are heading down a mountainside when they hear a call for help. One after another, six brightly colored vehicles in need stop them, and Little Red and Katie gladly make repairs. Colors, counting, repetition, and a vertical book turn will engage the youngest readers. Through kindness and generosity, Little Red and Katie deliver true holiday spirit to their community. 

This joyful picture book invites readers from all backgrounds to join in the celebration of New Year’s traditions. The story focuses on a multicultural family celebrating Rosh Hashanah and Lunar New Year. From family gatherings to traditional dishes, the author highlights the differences and similarities between these two New Year’s traditions. By emphasizing the message of unity, Two New Years encourages readers to reflect on their own customs and experiences. An excellent seasonal book to introduce multiculturalism to young children. 

In this series opener, Gigi is so excited for her Ojiji to come visit from Japan. But when the two meet, she’s disappointed. Ojiji won’t give her a hug, laughs at her Japanese, and won’t even open her gift to him. After a conversation with her mom, Gigi realizes that some people might have different reactions than we expect, but it doesn’t mean they don’t love us. This is a huge charmer with sparse text and full-color images. I adored it.

These stories about unlikely besties are always such a hit for new readers. This one is super short but very sweet — reminiscent of Bear and Bird’s adventures but in graphic novel format as Owl and Penguin help each other through ice-cream spills, a flying disaster, and learning to play in the rain.

Gnome and Rat are besties in this new chapter book series, a la Bear and Bird and Cornbread and Poppy. This one is a graphic novel-style charmer, containing several stories following the duo through their day-to-day adventures. Super cute and good for new readers.

This early reader series is so much fun for kids, especially for those who love unicorns! Bright colors and cheerful dialogue told between two friends, a unicorn and a yeti, will appeal to little kids of all ages. 

This modern-day classic from Kate DiCamillo is humorous and well-written, setting the stage for readers to love language while enjoying the fun of following Mercy’s adventures. The charming illustrations help pre-readers enjoy the story before they begin clamoring to read this book for themselves. 

The duck in this story wants to be a detective so badly that all her friends know her penchant for solving mysteries. Detective Duck is not your average duck. Her dad is a beaver, and her friends at the Dogwood Pond where she lives include a dragonfly, frogs, and a book-loving salamander. When a huge object lands in the pool, disrupting the residents’ daily lives, it’s up to Duck to solve the case and save their home. This one is fantastic on audio and has inspiring environmental connections without being TOO on the nose.

Meet Cornbread and Poppy! These two mice besties are as different as night and day. Cornbread loves to plan, while Poppy would rather live on the edge. But now, winter is here, and while Cornbread is fully stocked with supplies to last the entire season, Poppy has… nothing. So the two decide to go up the intimidating Mount Holler (or Mont Brouhaha if you read the French version like I did). There, they meet a new friend and reunite with an old one. This book is cozy, charming, and laugh-out-loud funny.

Start ‘em young with a love for books and reading by gifting this cute onesie from Etsy. I love that it’s available in three neutral colors.

If you haven’t read the Mo Willems’ books to your little ones, RUN don’t walk to get these books for them. Bedtime read-alouds have never been this funny. They will love to wear these homemade cozy hats for winter walks AND for read-alongs.

These colorful magnetic upper and lower case letters are ideal for children working on letter recognition, spelling, or grouping skills. Melissa & Doug toys are beautiful and durable, and this alphabet set is no exception–we had ours for years and were able to pass it down to a younger child. The magnets are easily stored in their wooden case, making this set ideal for travel.

Simple Words Puzzle Pairs is a fun way for kids to develop word recognition and boost pre-literacy skills. Depending on skill level, there are multiple ways to play: an adult can read a word for the child to match with the appropriate picture or vice versa. Vibrant colors and engaging illustrations of animals, foods, vehicles, and more will appeal to young children.

Fun, interactive, and great for traveling. Get rid of the baby blues (aka toddler screams) on your long holiday drives or plane rides with this fuzzy yet educational gift.

Every audiobook-loving parent I know swears by their Yoto, and many love the Yoto Mini for its slightly more compact size. You can use it to play audiobooks for your kids, and it’s great for readers ages 3 and up.

Great gift idea for a new baby, baby shower, or toddler. Customize with the child’s name or a classic bookish saying like “Read Me a Story” or “Once Upon a Time.” Choose from different colors and handle options. The dividers within the book bin are also helpful for sorting between types of books or stuffed animals.

This digital poster can be printed and framed in your favorite newborn or toddler’s nursery, just next to their nursery bookshelf.

This is another Etsy print I loved that would also work for a newborn’s nursery walls.