Kids Picks
When you give a child the gift of a good book, you are helping to foster a lifetime of reading. But where do you start? There are so many books to choose from. You can find one written on practically any subject you can imagine. I tried to help narrow down the list for you a bit. A great gift is a box set that will keep a child reading for hours! These are box sets that my children loved and are always finding their way to the top of the best-seller lists.
Ages 3-5
“Elephant & Piggie: The Complete Collection” by Mo Willems Gerald and Piggie are best friends with whom readers will fall in love from the start. Gerald is a worrier, always careful, and usually serious. Piggie is always happy, always smiling, and doesn’t have a care in the world. Although they couldn’t possibly be any different, somehow these two are the best of friends. From one adventure to the next, they will have readers laughing through each silly story. This best-selling series comes complete with 25 titles.
“Dr. Seuss’s Beginner Book Collection” by Dr. Seuss Dr. Seuss has been a library staple for what seems like forever. From “The Cat in the Hat” and “Green Eggs and Ham,” to “Hop on Pop,” “Fox in Socks” and “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish,” children love the rhyming stories that are fun to read over and over again. This collection includes these five of Dr. Suess’ most popular stories that are perfect for reading alone or out loud together.
Ages 6-8
“Junie B. Jones First Boxed Set Ever!” by Barbara Park
Junie B. Jones has been making readers laugh for more than 20 years. With more than 60 million copies in print, these stories are a huge hit with kindergarteners and first-graders. Junie B. Jones finds herself in a lot of interesting situations, but the best parts are the hilarious ways she finds to get herself out of them. Books included in this set are: “Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus,” “Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business,” “Junie B. Jones and Her Big Fat Mouth,” and “Junie B. Jones and Some Sneaky Peeky Spying.” Perfect for the kids just starting school or any child who enjoys laughing along with silly characters.
“Magic Tree House Boxed Set: Books 1-4” by Mary Pope Osborne
When Jack and his little sister, Annie, discover a tree house in the woods, they had no idea how much their lives were about to change. Each time they visit the tree house, something magical happens and they are sent back to a different time in the past. From dinosaurs and medieval castles to pirates and pyramids, each adventure is heart-stopping and educational. The books in this set include: “Dinosaurs Before Dark,” “The Knight at Dawn,” “Mummies in the Morning,” and “Pirates Past Noon.” Perfect for young readers just getting into chapter books.
Ages 9-12
“Harry Potter Paperback Box Set” by J.K. Rowling
J.K. Rowling took the wizard world by storm with her best-selling Harry Potter series. The books are fantasy novels that follow the lives of a young wizard, Harry Potter, and his friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Throughout the books, Harry struggles against Lord Voldemort, a dark wizard who intends to become immortal, overthrow the wizard governing body known as the Ministry of Magic and subjugate all wizards and Muggles, regular people like us. Each book is filled with captivating new characters, difficult obstacles to overcome and prophecies to fulfill. Now, all seven books can be purchased together in a boxed set, perfect for any Harry Potter fan!
“The Chronicles of Narnia Box Set” by C.S. Lewis
“The Chronicles of Narnia” first hit bookselves more than 60 years ago. These best-selling books have been on the syllabus of every young reader’s classroom and most have also become movies. Narnia is a world where a witch brings on an eternal winter, animals talk and are more prevalent than people, and wars are fought by Centaurs, Giants and Fauns. Narnia is a world that will captivate the reader and make them want to visit over and over again. This set includes all seven books in the series: “The Magician’s Nephew,” “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” “The Horse and His Boy,” “Prince Caspian,” “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader,” “The Silver Chair,” and “The Last Battle.” Sure to be a hit with the young readers on your list!
