12 Days of Giving: Mythology Mania

I'll be posting themed book lists with book giving ideas for a variety of ages and interests every day Dec. 1 - 12. Check the label Twelve Days of Giving for all the lists. I'm an IndieBound affiliate, so if you purchase books through the links on my site you're not only supporting an independent bookstore, you're supporting me, too! 

The popularity of Percy Jackson and Rick Riordan's many other series has tipped off an explosion in mythology-based books. If you have a reader who loves mythology and mythology-based novels, this is the list for you. 

First of all, you have to know about the series from Rick Riordan's new imprint, Rick Riordan Presents. He's publishing #OwnVoices authors writing about mythology from their cultural heritage. The first series starter that came out this year was 

Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi (Disney Hyperion, 2018). This first book in the Pandava Quartet (second book due out this spring) is an action-packed adventure based on Hindu mythology. This is the best Percy Jackson readalike that I've ever read - it gets the tone right with plenty of humor amid the non-stop action. 

This fall, the second series from Riordan's imprint debuted with 

The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes (Disney Hyperion, 2018). This series starter is based on Mayan mythology. I haven't read this one yet, but I would not hesitate to hand it to Percy Jackson fans. 

Those are both sure bets for Riordan fans, but there are lots of other mythology choices for your readers. 

The Serpent's Secret by Sayantani DasGupta (Scholastic, 2018). Here's another action-packed tale based on Indian mythology. It's wacky and funny and just a lot of fun. The second book in the series is due out this spring. 

Your mythology buff might like a nice mythology tome for their collection. You could go with a classic like Edith Hamilton's Mythology (1942). 

I personally like Donna Jo Napoli's Treasury series: 

• Treasury of Greek Mythology (National Geographic, 2011)
• Treasury of Egyptian Mythology (National Geographic, 2013)
• Treasury of Norse Mythology (National Geographic, 2015)

What about these You Choose Interactive Mythological Adventure books from Capstone? Combine mythology with the ever-popular choose your own adventure format and you have a sure winner on your hands. The You Choose books are super popular with elementary school kids at my library and they're out in paperback so you can pick up a handful without spending a ton. 

Keep your young mythology buff reading this winter with one (or lots!) of these great books. 

12 Days of Giving: Early Chapter Books

I'll be posting themed book lists with book giving ideas for a variety of ages and interests every day Dec. 1 - 12. Check the label Twelve Days of Giving for all the lists. Shopping for someone specific? Drop me a comment with ages/interests (including adults!) and I'll be happy to make some suggestions. Don't forget your local indie bookstore and if you don't have a favorite indie, might I suggest ordering from The Bain Lair Bookstore? 


What to get for that new chapter book reader on your list? Luckily, I have some great early chapter book series suggestions today. Buy one book as a stocking stuffer or wrap up a handful or a box set for a larger gift. 

The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey (Scholastic, 2017). This laugh-out-loud funny series is originally published in Australia and started being published in the US a couple of years ago. The "bad guys" of the animal world (Mr. Wolf, Mr. Snake, Mr. Shark, and Mr. Piranha) are determined to change their public image, but their quests to be "good guys" meet with hilarious failure. This is a highly illustrated series perfect for fans of Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel (another great early chapter book series!) or Carnivores by Aaron Reynolds and Dan Santat. 

A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold (Walden Pond Press, 2017). Bat (Bixby Alexander Tam) loooooves animals. Sometimes he relates better to animals than to people. So when his veterinarian mom brings home an abandoned baby skunk, Bat falls immediately in love and wants to help take care of it. No matter how many times his mom tells him that a skunk is a wild animal and will need to be returned to the wild, Bat is convinced that he can convince his mom to keep it as a pet. Young animal lovers will love this book and its sequel, Bat and the Waiting Game (a third book is due out this spring).

Jasmine Toguchi, Mochi Queen by Debbi Michiko Florence (Farrar, Strauss, & Giroux, 2017). Jasmine is a great choice for your readers of funny, determined young protagonists. In this first book of the series, Jasmine longs to join her older sister and the adults in their important jobs for their new year celebration, but she's not old enough to participate in the mochi-making... or is she? Jasmine comes up with a job for herself, but it's not something that girls traditionally do. This is a fun series that fans of realistic fiction will relate to and I love that they include elements of Japanese culture. 

Leroy Ninker Saddles Up by Kate DiCamillo (Candlewick, 2014) and other Tales from Deckawoo Drive. This spinoff of the Mercy Watson series (another excellent early chapter book series) is a great choice for kids looking for funny, silly stories with unforgettable characters. In this volume, Leroy has everything he needs to follow his dream of being a cowboy like in the movies... except a horse. And when he gets a horse, she's not exactly what he had pictured. 

Lola Levine is Not Mean by Monica Brown (Little, Brown, 2015). Lola Levine is a great choice for young readers who like spirited characters like Ramona Quimby or Clementine. Lola's heart is in the right place, but things don't always happen like she meant. Like at the school soccer game when she accidentally injures one of her classmates. Except no one believes it was an accident. They think Lola's a mean girl and she'll have to figure out how to prove them wrong. Half Jewish, half Peruvian Lola has determination to spare and you can bet she'll figure it out. 

Scary Tales series by James Preller (Feiwel & Friends). This is the series if you have any young fans of seriously scary stories to buy for. From the design of the books with their graying pages and creepy illustrations, to the subject matter dealing with haunted houses, wolves at the door, and creepy dolls, these books set the scene and deliver the chills. Don't buy these for kids who claim to want "scary stories" when you know they'll have nightmares later. But for those kids you know can handle it, you'll be the coolest gift-giver ever. 

The World According to Humphrey by Betty Birney (Puffin, 2005). What's better than a classroom series narrated by the class pet? Humphrey the hamster loves the students in his class and he looks out for them in a lot of ways, even finding true love for the school janitor. This is another series that will be a serious hit for young animal lovers. If you have readers who aren't quite ready for 144 pages, there's also a Humphrey series for younger readers called Humphrey's Tiny Tales. 

If you're shopping for early chapter book readers, there are lots of great choices here. These are great for kids starting to read chapter books on their own or for families reading chapter books out loud together. 

12 Days of Giving: RomComs

I'll be posting themed book lists with book giving ideas for a variety of ages and interests every day Dec. 1 - 12. Check the label Twelve Days of Giving for all the lists. Shopping for someone specific? Drop me a comment with ages/interests (including adults!) and I'll be happy to make some suggestions. Don't forget your local indie bookstore and if you don't have a favorite indie, might I suggest ordering from The Bain Lair Bookstore? 

This list is for teens who choose the books with pink covers, teens who are looking for a light love story to enjoy over the holiday break. These are great for beach reads or any time your reader wants to just relax with a love story. 

I Believe in a Thing Called Love by Maurene Goo (Farrar, Strauss, & Giroux, 2017). Laugh-out-loud funny, this romance features a determined heroine and lots of Korean drama references. When Desi gets a crush on a boy at school, she's determined to get a boyfriend just like she would accomplish any goal: make a plan, follow the steps, achieve the goal. So she comes up with a plan based on her father's favorite Korean soap operas where the heroine always gets the guy by the final episode. Turns out love is more complicated than that and hilarity ensues. 

The Way You Make Me Feel by Maurene Goo (Farrar, Strauss, & Giroux, 2018). Why stop at one Maurene Goo title when you could have two? (Answer: don't. Don't stop. Buy them both.) This one's also funny and sweet and would make a particularly good gift for foodie teens. Clara's a prankster but when her homecoming prank goes too far she finds herself sentenced to a summer of hard labor at her dad's Korean-Brazilian food truck. Worse? Her arch-nemesis is sentenced to work alongside her. Of course there's a cute boy at one of their regular stops and even though Clara's never had a long-term relationship, she just might give this one a chance. 

The Summer of Jordi Perez (and the Best Burger in Los Angeles) by Amy Spalding (Sky Pony Press, 2018). This book just oozes summer and it's the perfect read to channel that warm and carefree season. Abby's landed her dream internship at a local fashion boutique - an opportunity that could end in a full-fledged job for the school year. But something unprecedented has happened and the boutique owner has hired two summer interns. Only one of them will get the job and Abby really wants it. The trouble is, she quickly develops a crush on her fellow intern Jordi, which makes it a little hard to compete. 

Let It Snow: Three Holiday Romances by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle (Speak, 2008). With authors like these, this is a sure bet for the romance crowd. It'd be super perfect for devouring all in one day, say if your reader is spending the holidays with family they don't know too well. These three interconnected stories from YA superstar authors take place over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, making this a super choice for holiday reading. This would make a great stocking stuffer!

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon (Simon Pulse, 2017). Dimple Shah has big plans for herself and nowhere in them is having an arranged marriage (much to her parents' chagrin). Rishi Patel is a hopeless romantic, eager to meet the girl his parents have chosen for him - a girl who will be attending the same summer web development program as him. The problem? Dimple's parents have arranged her match with Rishi without letting her know. When Dimple meets Rishi, the first thing she does is throw her iced coffee in his face. This is a fun love story about two teens who have very different feelings about their shared culture and different ideas about the ideal relationship. 

Any of these would make a great gift for the teen on your list who's looking for love (or just looking to read about love). What other love books do you love? 

12 Days of Giving: Book to Screen

I'll be posting themed book lists with book giving ideas for a variety of ages and interests every day Dec. 1 - 12. Check the label Twelve Days of Giving for all the lists. Shopping for someone specific? Drop me a comment with ages/interests (including adults!) and I'll be happy to make some suggestions. Don't forget your local indie bookstore and if you don't have a favorite indie, might I suggest ordering from The Bain Lair Bookstore? 


There have been so many great books turned into movies recently! A book or series that's been turned into a movie or TV series makes a great gift because it's likely to be a title that all the kids are talking about. It's a great family activity to read a book together and then watch the movie together.



The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials series) by Philip Pullman (Knopf, 1996). This epic fantasy set in a version of Oxford, England was turned into a terrible movie many years ago (SKIP IT), but it's about to be turned into a wonderful-looking BBC/HBO series in 2019. Buy the boxed set of the series so your tweens and teens can read it before you all watch the series.




The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (Balzer + Bray, 2017). This powerhouse of a social justice teen novel has been on the New York Times Best Seller list for over 90 weeks and was turned into a movie released this fall. Make a date to take your favorite teen to this movie (or look for it on DVD, estimated January 2019) and grab coffee to have a talk about it.




The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness (Candlewick, 2008). This teen dystopian novel is being turned into a movie slated to release in March 2019. Beloved by many, this is a particularly good pick for teens who enjoy dark dystopian fiction. Grab the series so your teen can read it before the movie comes out and everyone's clamoring for it.




Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (Crown, 2011). This science fiction novel is a great choice for teens and adults who love video games and/or pop culture. The movie came out this past spring and is on DVD and Blu-Ray, so bundle them up with the book. OR grab the audiobook, narrated by Wil Wheaton, for your next road trip or for teens who prefer to read with their ears.




Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli (Balzer + Bray, 2015). The movie Love, Simon, based on this book, came out earlier this year and is now out on DVD and Blu-Ray. Book and movie would make a great gift for teens who love inclusive romantic teen movies. It's sweet and touching. If your reader's already read this, maybe grab Albertalli's Leah on the Offbeat, a sequel focusing on Simon's best friend Leah.



To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han (Simon & Schuster, 2014). This teen romance novel was turned into a super sweet Netflix movie earlier this year. Pick up the entire trilogy for the tweens and teens in your life looking for a fun, funny read.



A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle (Farrar, Straus, & Giroux, 1962). This modern children's classic is a great addition to any home library and it's a story beloved by many. It was turned into a movie earlier this year, so another one you can bundle with the DVD or Blu-Ray. Buy the entire Time Quintet for readers who just can't get enough.

These books make a great pairing with the DVD/Blu-Ray of the movie or with a movie gift certificate and the promise of a movie date (or transportation for your reader and their friends!).

12 Days of Giving: Gorgeous Picture Books

I'll be posting themed book lists with book giving ideas for a variety of ages and interests every day Dec. 1 - 12. Check the label Twelve Days of Giving for all the lists. Shopping for someone specific? Drop me a comment with ages/interests (including adults!) and I'll be happy to make some suggestions. Don't forget your local indie bookstore and if you don't have a favorite indie, might I suggest ordering from The Bain Lair Bookstore? 

Sometimes you find yourself shopping for a family that you might not know particularly well or kids that you don't get to see all the time but you still want to send them a little gift. Books with amazing illustrations can be appreciated by a wide range of ages (and adults) and make great additions to anyone's home library. If you happen to be shopping for kids you don't know very well, gorgeous picture books are a good sure bet and I tried to select these with that audience in mind. Bonus: these are also wonderful gifts for kids you do know very well and see all the time!

I'm including books here that I particularly love for their illustrations. I know that everyone's tastes are different, so the Caldecott winners and honor books are great resources for choosing your own gorgeous picture books if you don't happen to share my taste.




A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin (Little Brown, 2018). Grace Lin is one of my favorite authors and her striking illustrations in this book make this one of my favorite picture books of the year. The story is a whimsical telling about the origins of the phases of the moon as one little girl can't stop herself from sampling the big mooncake her mother told her not to touch.




Blue Sky, White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus, illustrated by Kadir Nelson (Dial, 2017). You can't go wrong with Kadir Nelson's brilliant oil painting illustrations, and he's illustrated a ton of books. You should definitely check them all out, but I think this one in particular has a wide general appeal as it presents different iconic American images.



The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael Lopez (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2018). This gorgeous picture book is a universal story of a child feeling like they don't quite fit in with everyone else. It's a feeling that most can identify with and this will be an especially poignant read for families with elementary school children.



A Different Pond by Bao Phi, illustrated by Thi Bui (Picture Window Books, 2017). This Caldecott-Honor-winning title is a great choice for families with elementary school children as it examines the life of an immigrant family. Paintings in blues and yellows set the scene as a boy and his father fish for their supper and the father tells his son about a different pond in his home country of Vietnam.



Dreamers by Yuyi Morales (Neal Porter Books, 2018). A love letter to a new child, a story from a parent to their progeny, this is a story of one mother's journey to America, everything she left behind and everything she brought with her. The idea of dreaming of a better future for your family is universal and this is a story that celebrates those who have made their home in a new place. The colorful, dreamlike art makes this book stand out.



Dusk by Uri Shulevitz (Farrar, Strauss, & Giroux, 2013). This is a picture book that I always think of this time of year when the days grow shorter. I love the stunning sunset colors and the quiet peace that this book portrays. I also love Shulevitz's Snow for another gorgeous book that evokes the winter season.



Green (Roaring Brook, 2012) and Blue (Roaring Brook, 2018) by Laura Seeger. I have long loved Green, a treatise on different shades of green, and this year Laura Seeger released Blue along the same lines. These would be particularly good choices for children or families who are into art, but the strong vocabulary and stunning artwork makes this a great choice for preschool children in general.


Hank Finds an Egg by Rebecca Dudley (Peter Pauper Press, 2013). Maybe more cute than outright gorgeous, this is still a picture book that kids of all ages will love poring over to see all the miniature stuff that Rebecca Dudley created and posed to make this picture book.




Journey by Aaron Becker (Candlewick, 2013). This wordless picture book, the first in a trilogy, shows a young girl drawing a door on her bedroom wall and going through it to have a marvelous, whimsical journey as she creates different vehicles to carry her on her way. The trilogy continues with Quest and Return, each just as gorgeous and perfect to buy together for a full set.




Martin Rising by Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney (Scholastic, 2018). This book of beautiful poetry and art is about the life and last days of Martin Luther King, Jr. It's not an easy read, but it's a poignant addition to home library shelves, particularly those with older elementary and teen readers. Even though it's a heavily illustrated book, the serious subject matter makes this a moving read even for parents who might want to read this along with their children.




Robert Sabuda books. Robert Sabuda is the name to know when it comes to intricate pop-up books. All of his books are stunners and he's designed a ton of them. Be wary about buying these for young children - they're super intricate and will not hold up to heavy handling - but for families with older kids these are sure bets and parents will love them as much as the kids.

Whether you're buying for a child you don't know too well or a child you see every day, any of these books would make a great addition to home library shelves.

12 Days of Giving: Books for Babies and Toddlers

I'll be posting themed book lists with book giving ideas for a variety of ages and interests every day Dec. 1 - 12. Check the label Twelve Days of Giving for all the lists. Shopping for someone specific? Drop me a comment with ages/interests (including adults!) and I'll be happy to make some suggestions. I'm an Indie Bound affiliate, so if you purchase books through the links on my site you're not only supporting an independent bookstore, you're supporting me, too!

To kick off our 12 Days of Giving, a list that is near and dear to my heart: books for babies. My newest nieces are 2 years old and 2 months old, so I've certainly kept my eyes open for great board books to give them. Here are my favorites!

Baby Loves Science series by Ruth Spiro, illustrated by Irene Chan (Charlesbridge). There have been lots of board book science series published over the past couple of years as more and more interest has built in STEM concepts (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). This is my favorite science series for babies. I think they do a nice job of introducing very basic science concepts in ways that relate to toddlers and ways that appeal to adults, whether or not the adults have a background in science. Baby's not going to build a rocket right away, but these books are great for introducing vocabulary and starting with the building blocks of science to make these concepts less daunting later on.

BabyLit series by Jennifer Adams and Alison Oliver (Gibbs Smith). Chances are you have seen this series somewhere - they've been popular for years. Each board book is based on a classic tale and boils it down to concepts that babies can learn and that literature-loving parents will be entertained by. Frankenstein, for example, talks about body parts. The Jungle Book talks about animals. Etc. They might seem kind of corny, but they are well done and fun reads for both literary-minded parents and growing toddlers.

Besos for Baby: A Little Book of Kisses by Jen Arena, illustrated by Blanca Gomez (LB Kids, 2014). This is a sweet book with lots of Spanish words thrown in. Baby gets lots of besos (kisses) throughout this book from all members of the family.

Jane Foster's Colors by Jane Foster (little bee, 2016). If you're looking for concept books, Jane Foster's are some of my personal favorites with her stylized illustrations. She covers colors, ABCs, numbers, and more in her series. These are great for building a little learning library.

Peck Peck Peck by Lucy Cousins (Candlewick, 2013). This is a new-to-me favorite with a great bouncy, rhyming text and super cute die-cut illustrations. As a baby woodpecker learns about pecking, things begin to get out of control with die-cut holes appearing all over the pages. This one is especially cute as a board book with holes that are enticing to tiny fingers.

Peekaboo Morning by Rachel Isadora (Putnam, 2002). Your little one will love playing peekaboo along with you as you read this book together. Throughout the morning, the little baby sees so many members of the family, so this is a great one to practice naming family members.

Please Baby Please by Spike Lee & Tonya Lewis Lee, illustrated by Kadir Nelson (Simon & Schuster, 2002). This is a great one for new parents or even older preschoolers ready to laugh at the exasperating things that babies sometimes do. The text is super simple and the illustrations carry the story as baby dumps cereal on her head, draws on the walls, eats sand at the playground, and all the other things active babies might do. Fans of the No, David! books will enjoy this funny and sweet book, too.

Quiet, Loud by Leslie Patricelli (Candlewick, 2003). All of Leslie Patricelli's board books are awesome and you can't go wrong with any of them. Each explains concepts like quiet/loud, yes/no, bedtime, potty time, and more with cute and funny illustrations.

Sharks by the American Museum of Natural History (Sterling, 2017). I feel like the Baby Shark phenomenon is creating an entire generation of marine-animal-obsessed toddlers and I am so on board. If you, too, have a shark-obsessed toddler in your life, this is a great book for teaching different kinds of sharks. It features different species on die-cut pages that are shaped like the sharks they're showing. It features real photos of sharks, so perfect first nonfiction for little brains. Pair this with aquarium tickets for an extra super gift.

Tickle My Ears by Jörg Mühle (Gecko Press, 2016). This interactive book gives you lots of actions to do together as you put bunny to bed. From fluffing up the pillow to tickling bunny's ears, there is lots to do to get ready for bed. And of course it ends with tucking bunny in and turning out the light. This is a sweet bedtime story that celebrates and involves the reader in the bedtime routine.

We Belong Together by Joyce Wan (Cartwheel, 2011). Joyce Wan's sweet board books have adorable kawaii illustrations and messages of affirmation and love perfect to share with your littlest readers. These are books my niece constantly chooses because they're just so darn cute. There's not a story to them, but they're the perfect excuse for an extra hug and a cuddle.