I love giving books as presents! It’s one gift my boys can count on for just about every holiday. But one of my favorite things to do is to pair a book with another gift. Each item is great on its own, but together they come to life! Here are a few of my favorites for this holiday season (includes affiliate links):
1. Press Here
Add some paper and you’re set! When I first flipped through this book, I didn’t get what all the buzz was about. Then I checked it out of the library for my boys and really sat down for a read. They loved it! It’s a cleverly interactive book that does for dots what The Monster at the End of This Book did for walls. (By the way, if you don’t have that book, you NEED that book! Classic, and I noticed it’s a steal right now at Amazon.)
2. Pinkalicious
This book is a perennial favorite about a girl who turns pink after eating one too many cupcakes! Pair it up with a cupcake making set (the one above, or just make your own set by putting together a mix, frosting, sprinkles, and fun wrappers) and/or a child-sized apron
3. Boy and Bot
My preschooler fell in love with this book when we picked it up at the library, and I did too! It’s simple, follows a great pattern, and creates a fantastic story! Pair this with a robot building kit like the one above, or make your own awesome Tin Can Magnetic Robot Kit like the one from The Chocolate Muffin Tree!
4. The Seven Silly Eaters
OK. You got me. This one is TWO books. But I still remember getting my first kid-friendly cookbook and my own set of measuring spoons. One of the few gifts I actually still remember! Add some Kizmos Get Happy Measuring Spoons
5. Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by James Dean & Eric Litwin
It’s hard not to love Pete the Cat — and I’m not even a cat person! With his chill attitude, nothing is a big deal. We just count and learn and roll along. Pair this fun story up with buttons for sorting, patterning, and lacing. It might be too much fun to be learning!
Have you ever paired together book+ gifts? What favorites do you have?
I LOVE this idea! I try to finish up my shopping before Thanksgiving, but I am definitely bookmarking for gift giving throughout this next year!
The good news is books are good gifts ALL year long! :0)
I love this! I tried a few of your combos and just got them in the mail today and they look awesome! Now I can’t get the idea out of my head. Every time I read a book from our library basket I think of how I can pair it for a future gift. A New Coat For Anna…maybe a loom or a sewing basket…art books with art supplies…A Tree for Peter with garden tools and seeds…All the Places to Love with a blanket for a new baby… the possibilities are endless. Thanks for sharing such a great idea!
Oh, I’m so glad you like them! My brain has been working the same way lately. I keep thinking, I should have included this and paired it with that — I’ll have to make another installment!