Give the gift of reading this holiday season! A great book can inspire imagination, create special moments, and nurture a lifelong love of reading. To help make your holiday shopping stress-free, our Growing Readers panel, featuring Bright Horizons early education experts, has rounded up favorite books for children of every age.
Infant/Toddler Recommendations
Written and illustrated by Petr Horáček
A Best Friend for Bear follows black bear, who goes on an adventure looking for friendship. Along the way, he learns more about feelings, friendship, and fun. Will he find what he is looking for? The illustrations in this story burst with textured details, and the language is light, warm, and humorous. The story encourages children to build meaningful relationships with others, as they learn more about interpersonal connection. This book is a delightful choice to discuss more about companionship.
Flora and Friends Colors
Written and illustrated by Molly Idle
Flora and Friends Colors is a gentle and engaging introduction to colors for young children. With minimal text, the book invites readers to observe and name colors alongside Flora. The soft, expressive illustrations encourage the idea of color-mixing as colors overlap and change in simple, visual ways. This board book includes engaging elements with flaps to open throughout, as Flora creates a rainbow. This is a great choice to explore early artistic themes through shared reading.
Written and illustrated by Molly Idle
Flora and Friends Colors is a gentle and engaging introduction to colors for young children. With minimal text, the book invites readers to observe and name colors alongside Flora. The soft, expressive illustrations encourage the idea of color-mixing as colors overlap and change in simple, visual ways. This board book includes engaging elements with flaps to open throughout, as Flora creates a rainbow. This is a great choice to explore early artistic themes through shared reading.
Let’s Make Music
Written by Alexandra Penfold and illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman
Let’s Make Music is a beautifully colorful story that celebrates rhythm, sound, and creating music. The diverse illustrations burst with bright colors, and the rhythmic language and variety of onomatopoeia make for a very engaging read. The story encourages active participation and gross motor movement from children as they learn more about the joy of creativity within music. This book is an excellent choice to discover more about how everyone can make music in their own unique and different ways!
Written by Alexandra Penfold and illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman
Let’s Make Music is a beautifully colorful story that celebrates rhythm, sound, and creating music. The diverse illustrations burst with bright colors, and the rhythmic language and variety of onomatopoeia make for a very engaging read. The story encourages active participation and gross motor movement from children as they learn more about the joy of creativity within music. This book is an excellent choice to discover more about how everyone can make music in their own unique and different ways!
My Body and Me: My First Body Positivity Book
Written by Ceece Kelley and illustrated by Betania Zacarias
My Body and Me: My First Body Positivity Book celebrates the uniqueness of every child through a joyful exploration of body features, including hair, skin, cheeks, bellies, legs, and more. As readers move through the story, they are encouraged to celebrate their individuality and what their bodies can do and appreciate that everybody is special just as it is. The empowering, rhyming text and vibrant, inclusive illustrations help children develop confidence, self-acceptance, and appreciation for differences. This book is a positive choice to discuss self-esteem, body positivity, identity, and the qualities that make each of us unique.
Written by Ceece Kelley and illustrated by Betania Zacarias
My Body and Me: My First Body Positivity Book celebrates the uniqueness of every child through a joyful exploration of body features, including hair, skin, cheeks, bellies, legs, and more. As readers move through the story, they are encouraged to celebrate their individuality and what their bodies can do and appreciate that everybody is special just as it is. The empowering, rhyming text and vibrant, inclusive illustrations help children develop confidence, self-acceptance, and appreciation for differences. This book is a positive choice to discuss self-esteem, body positivity, identity, and the qualities that make each of us unique.
The Welcome Book
Written by Danna Smith and illustrated by Juliana Perdomo
The Welcome Book illustrates the impact of the word “welcome” in common situations such as inviting someone to play, meeting a newborn, or greeting a new teacher. Readers encounter a range of backgrounds and experiences that reflect the beauty of a diverse community. The vibrant illustrations, simple text, and inclusion of the word “welcome” on every page encourage children to find ways to include others and help them feel seen. This book is a great choice to discuss kindness, empathy, inclusion, the value of connection, and the small actions children can replicate to help others feel welcome.
Written by Danna Smith and illustrated by Juliana Perdomo
The Welcome Book illustrates the impact of the word “welcome” in common situations such as inviting someone to play, meeting a newborn, or greeting a new teacher. Readers encounter a range of backgrounds and experiences that reflect the beauty of a diverse community. The vibrant illustrations, simple text, and inclusion of the word “welcome” on every page encourage children to find ways to include others and help them feel seen. This book is a great choice to discuss kindness, empathy, inclusion, the value of connection, and the small actions children can replicate to help others feel welcome.
Preschool Through Young School Age Recommendations
Changing Tides
Written and illustrated by Júlia Moscardó
Changing Tides follows young Lula as she adapts to her new blended family on their first vacation together. Through beautiful illustrations and a gently evolving story, it captures the reality of navigating change, building trust, and adjusting to new experiences and people. The language is simple—providing comfort to children who may connect with experiencing change. This book is a meaningful choice to discuss adaptability, emotional growth, and embracing unfamiliar experiences—skills that help children prepare for the unexpected.
Written and illustrated by Júlia Moscardó
Changing Tides follows young Lula as she adapts to her new blended family on their first vacation together. Through beautiful illustrations and a gently evolving story, it captures the reality of navigating change, building trust, and adjusting to new experiences and people. The language is simple—providing comfort to children who may connect with experiencing change. This book is a meaningful choice to discuss adaptability, emotional growth, and embracing unfamiliar experiences—skills that help children prepare for the unexpected.
Earnest Sandpiper’s Great Ascent
Written and illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering
Earnest Sandpiper’s Great Ascent is an inspiring story about a young sandpiper that is making his first attempt at flying. To persist through the challenges, he must learn how to be brave. With pastel illustrations and emotive language, the book presents a warm and whimsical tone. This story encourages children to be courageous and learn that they can do anything they put their mind to. This book is a wonderful choice to discuss overcoming challenges as well as environmental awareness.
Written and illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering
Earnest Sandpiper’s Great Ascent is an inspiring story about a young sandpiper that is making his first attempt at flying. To persist through the challenges, he must learn how to be brave. With pastel illustrations and emotive language, the book presents a warm and whimsical tone. This story encourages children to be courageous and learn that they can do anything they put their mind to. This book is a wonderful choice to discuss overcoming challenges as well as environmental awareness.
Like Father, Like Son
Written by Leslea Newman and illustrated by AG Ford
Like Father Like Son is a warm and engaging celebration of children noticing how they are like the people who love them most. Through everyday moments—biking, baking, gardening, sewing, and more—children can spot familiar habits, shared interests, and connections between themselves and their parents. The simple rhyming text invites young readers to say, “That sounds like me!”, while the expressive illustrations are full of movement, emotion, and recognizable family scenes. This book is a thoughtful choice to discuss relationships, hobbies, family bonds, and the ways children can be both just like someone — and uniquely themselves.
Written by Leslea Newman and illustrated by AG Ford
Like Father Like Son is a warm and engaging celebration of children noticing how they are like the people who love them most. Through everyday moments—biking, baking, gardening, sewing, and more—children can spot familiar habits, shared interests, and connections between themselves and their parents. The simple rhyming text invites young readers to say, “That sounds like me!”, while the expressive illustrations are full of movement, emotion, and recognizable family scenes. This book is a thoughtful choice to discuss relationships, hobbies, family bonds, and the ways children can be both just like someone — and uniquely themselves.
Pigs Dig a Road
Written by Carrie Finison and illustrated by Brian Biggs
Pigs Dig a Road follows Rosie and her crew of pig construction workers as they race to build a road to the county fair before opening day. Along the way, they face a series of unexpected challenges, including construction mistakes, big messes, and fatigue from working so hard. Through teamwork and problem-solving, the pigs learn how to overcome obstacles and complete the project together. Featuring rhyming text, bold and detailed illustrations, and plenty of construction action. This lively and humorous story is a fun choice to discuss collaboration, resilience, and how great things can happen when everyone works together.
Pigs Dig a Road follows Rosie and her crew of pig construction workers as they race to build a road to the county fair before opening day. Along the way, they face a series of unexpected challenges, including construction mistakes, big messes, and fatigue from working so hard. Through teamwork and problem-solving, the pigs learn how to overcome obstacles and complete the project together. Featuring rhyming text, bold and detailed illustrations, and plenty of construction action. This lively and humorous story is a fun choice to discuss collaboration, resilience, and how great things can happen when everyone works together.
Rabbit’s Feat
Written and illustrated by Barney Saltzberg
Rabbit’s Feat follows a hopeful character named Boulder who dreams of seeing his friend Cactus’s flowers bloom up close, despite being unable to move on his own. When Rabbit learns of Boulder’s dream, he sets out to help make it a reality. Through kindness, teamwork, and problem-solving, the characters teach us how small acts can make a big difference. The illustrations are simple and expressive, capturing the story's warmth and humor, while the language is upbeat, and filled with clever wordplay. This book is a wonderful choice to discuss friendship, empathy, working together, and the power of helping someone achieve their dream.
Rabbit’s Feat follows a hopeful character named Boulder who dreams of seeing his friend Cactus’s flowers bloom up close, despite being unable to move on his own. When Rabbit learns of Boulder’s dream, he sets out to help make it a reality. Through kindness, teamwork, and problem-solving, the characters teach us how small acts can make a big difference. The illustrations are simple and expressive, capturing the story's warmth and humor, while the language is upbeat, and filled with clever wordplay. This book is a wonderful choice to discuss friendship, empathy, working together, and the power of helping someone achieve their dream.
Thank You
Written and illustrated by Jarvis
Thank You is a warm and engaging book that celebrates gratitude in a way children can easily understand. Through simple text and charming illustrations, Jarvis shows how saying “thank you” can make everyday moments feel special. The story encourages kindness and appreciation. Its gentle tone and relatable examples help children learn the importance of gratitude in their own lives. This book is a lovely choice for nurturing empathy and positive social skills.
Written and illustrated by Jarvis
Thank You is a warm and engaging book that celebrates gratitude in a way children can easily understand. Through simple text and charming illustrations, Jarvis shows how saying “thank you” can make everyday moments feel special. The story encourages kindness and appreciation. Its gentle tone and relatable examples help children learn the importance of gratitude in their own lives. This book is a lovely choice for nurturing empathy and positive social skills.
You Can Sit With Me
Written by Rachel Tawil Kenyon and illustrated by Tatiana Kamshilina
Written by Rachel Tawil Kenyon and illustrated by Tatiana Kamshilina
You Can Sit with Me centers on a child who helps a newcomer feel welcome through simple invitations that grow into a meaningful friendship. Through familiar moments such as finding a place to sit at lunch, the story highlights the impact of noticing when someone may feel alone. It reassures readers that many people feel lonely at times, while offering examples of inclusion and friendship. The rhythmic text and relatable illustrations help young children connect with themes of empathy, kindness, and belonging. This book is a heartwarming choice to discuss friendship, community, and helping others feel accepted and included.
