2023 Best Books for Kids — College of Education Gift-Giving Guide

The Day the Crayons Came Home by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers

The companion book to the award winning book The Day the Crayons Quit tells the silly story of all the underused colors — like Pea Green, Maroon, and Turquoise — who ran away or were forgotten under the couch because kids barely picked them from the crayon box. Each crayon has an incredibly sad story to tell and kids will laugh — and maybe feel a bit more empathetic toward Burnt Sienna. Each page includes a hidden glow-in-the-dark picture for added fun.

I’m Trying to Love Germs by Bethany Barton

Calling all the parents of science lovers! This fun, interactive book engages young scientists through a graphic novel style format and humor, which makes it the perfect gift this holiday season. The book overviews “good germs” versus “bad germs” through vibrant pictures and lots of action. Children will finish the story gaining more of an understanding about microbes and probably generate more questions to explore!

SANKOFA: A Culinary Story of Resilience and Belonging by Eric Adjepong

As we gather with our families to celebrate our various traditions and holidays, this book is the perfect story to share as it highlights not just the traditions of a young Ghanaian American child, Kofi, but an understanding of key vocabulary related to all of our collective cultures and traditions as a whole. Through food and oral storytelling, Kofi learns about and is connected to the resiliency of his ancestors.

Seals are Jerks! by Jared Chapman

Seals are Lorilei’s favorite adorable, cuddly animal — until she researches them for a class project and finds out they’re actually penguin-eating jerks! Hilarious casual dialogue between the characters reveals tons of real (and horrifying?) facts about the food chain. This book also makes a great mentor text for young writers.

Something, Someday by Amanda Gorman

This simple, poetic children’s book by New York Times #1 Bestselling Author Amanda Gorman and illustrated by Caldecott Honor winner Christian Robinson affirms children by sending the message that no matter how small you may be you can still accomplish great things, especially with the help of others. What better gift to inspire a child this holiday season? 

Stickler Loves the World by Lane Smith

From the illustrator of The True Story of the Three Little Pigs and Stinky Cheese Man and Other Stupid Fairytales comes the story of Stickler, a woodland creature with multiple eyes who loves the world it sees around it each day. From the awe-inspiring sunrise to the stars at night, to seed pods blowing in the wind and especially each and every stick, Stickler’s observations are a simple exercise in discovering microjoys and engaging in mindfulness. 

Why do Elephants Have Big Ears? Questions — and Surprising Answers — About Animals by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page

Ever wonder why elephants have those big ears, why narwals have tusks, or what giant squids’ gigantic eyes help them do? This fascinating animal facts book has the answers, complete with oversized, gorgeous and accurately detailed illustrations from a Caldecott Honor-winning author duo. 

Zero Zebras: A Counting Book About What’s Not There by Bruce Goldstone

This innovative take on a counting book (up to 12) has readers considering the increasing numbers of animals on a safari but more importantly, what isn’t there! This is a fun introduction to the number zero.

The Little Elephants’ Big Adventures Series (PK: ages 2-5) by a collaboration of the Purdue Early Achievement Research Labs

The Little Elephants’ Big Adventures series of three books teaches early childhood math with fun adventures filled with mathematical words. Too Many Pillows uses the concepts of more, less, many and a lot as animals pack for a trip. Just Enough Eggs uses the concepts of same, similar, different, and enough as animals bake a just-right cake for a friend’s birthday. Picnic With Some Peanuts uses the concepts of fewer, less, and a little bit as animals save their picnic and a friend while solving a mystery. The books are a collaboration of the Purdue Early Achievement Research Labs.

Never Catch Me! Nursery Rhyme Book by Breanya Hogue

“Never Catch Me!” is an original song that author’s mother made up and repeatedly sang to the author and her sister. When the author grew up to become an educator and children’s book author (Shawn Trenell book series) she developed the idea to publish her mother’s song after she overheard her mother singing it to a special young friend. The original insect in the tune was actually a flea, but the author felt that a bee would be more fun and relatable for young readers. Enjoy Never Catch Me! and may it become one of your family’s favorite nursery rhymes as it has for the author’s family.

The Pattern Pals Series (PK: ages 3-6) by a collaboration of the Purdue Early Achievement Research Labs

The Pattern Pals series of three books focuses on patterning skills through stories about a birthday party (Birthday Beeps and Boops), a sleepover (Sleepover Similarities), and a trip to the library (Levels in the Library). The books were also developed with built-in prompts for caregivers to use to enhance the reading experience with children.

Counting in Dog Years and Other Sassy Math Poems by Betsy Franco

This book of 29 poems is paired with beautiful illustrations from Priscilla Tey and focuses on mathematical topics in a fun way that relates to children’s lives.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: No Brainer by Jeff Kinney

Parents and kids alike will enjoy this series of hilariously irreverent and painfully emotionally accurate diary-style stories from a middle schooler’s perspective. In this newest installment, No Brainer (Book #18), Greg saves his crumbling school from closure after he finds out it will cause him and his best friend Rowley to attend different schools.

Jawbreaker by Christina Wyman

Max is a kid with lots of problems: school bullies (her sister is the worst one), and teeth that require headgear that hurts so much it’s nicknamed “the jawbreaker”. Her life is complicated, and it’s only getting more complicated when she decides to follow her dreams and enter a journalism competition. 

Key Player (Front Desk #4) by Kelly Yang

First, if you haven’t read Front Desk or the others in the series, go back and read the whole set! The books follow Mia, a tween who manages the front desk of her immigrant family’s hotel where they also live. In the newest book, Key Player, Mia finally sees her California and Chinese identities coming together during World Cup Soccer fever.

The One Thing You’d Save by Linda Sue Park

If your house was on fire, what’s the one thing you would save? This book is written in verse about the different well-loved and meaningful items a class of middle school kids would save and value for special reasons.

A Rover’s Story by Jasmine Warga

If you liked Wild Robot and The One And Only Ivan, you’ll love this moving fictional story about the journey of a Mars Rover.

There Was a Party for Langston: King O’ Letters by Jason Reynolds

In this beautifully illustrated and lively rendition of a party in Harlem, New York, YA novelist Jason Reynolds’ debut picture book celebrates the writer/Renaissance Man Langston Hughes and all the great minds he inspired. 

Thirst by Varsha Bajaj

Minni lives in the poorest part of Mumbai, India, where water access is scarce. Should she risk it all to take on a water mafia boss?

Act Your Age, Shawn Trenell! by Breanya Hogue

Ten-year-old Shawn Trenell is having a difficult time with understanding exactly what the phrase every adult keeps uttering to him, “Act Your Age” means. Aren’t ten-year-olds supposed to have fun and joke around all of the time? Why was everyone on his case all of a sudden? Read more to experience a typical day in Shawn’s shoes. Along with the adventure, discover the lesson he learns about growing up and what his mom realizes about having patience.

Shawn Trenell: The Greatest of All Time by Breanya Hogue

Shawn returns! This time around he needs a slice of humble pie. He knows he’s the fastest, strongest and the brightest and doesn’t miss the opportunity to rub it in his peers’ faces. After getting overlooked, Shawn learns a valuable lesson about humility and teamwork.

Temperature Turmoil by Laura Bofferding

Hot. Cold. More. Less. Higher. Lower. Positive. Negative. Incompatible opposites? Or Friends with new viewpoints? Follow Ilana Icy and Curt Cozy as they sort through temperature turmoil!

Alebrijes by Donna Barba Higuera

This novel is a mix of science fiction and Mexican folklore set in a dystopian world where the few humans left scrape together an existence in a city wasteland. The protagonists, Leandro and Gabi, are teen pickpockets and siblings. After stealing, Leandro’s punishment is to have his consciousness placed in an ancient drone and he becomes an Alebrije, a fantastical, mythological creature and spirit guide. Together he and other Alebrijes seek hope, humanity, and a better world.

Elf Dog and Owl Head by M. T. Anderson

This book is set during the pandemic. Stuck inside sharing a computer with his siblings for online school and smothered by his parents’ financial worries, Clay decides to venture out to the woods. While exploring he unexpectedly encounters a magic dog who leads him deeper into the woods and on surreal adventures.

Hidden Systems: Water, Electricity, the Internet, and the Secrets Behind the Systems We Use Every Day by Dan Nott

This scientifically accurate graphic novel illustrates how different systems we “can’t live without” came to be, how they work, and what they might hold in the future.

The Labors of Hercules Beal by Gary Schmidt

We’ve all heard of the mythical Hercules and maybe about his “12 Labors” — taking on a lion, taming a hydra, and cleaning up after thousands of sheep in a single day. In this book, a history teacher assigns seventh grader Herc Beal to complete his own modern versions of the challenges of his namesake, all set in modern-day middle school. Through his trials he gets help from other people and animals alike.

Once There Was by Kiyash Monsef

While grieving her father’s sudden death, an Iranian American girl learns he was secretly a veterinarian for fantastic magical creatures. Now that he’s gone she must take up his position and all the dangers that come with it.

The Probability of Everything by Sarah Everett

Eleven-year-old Kemi gravitates toward facts, numbers, and statistical probability. And she loves her family. But when an asteroid is seen hovering in the sky with an 84.7% chance of hitting earth in the next four days, Kemi’s life is engulfed by the inevitability of everything coming to an end. Amazed that many people around her keep going on with life like nothing’s changed, Kemi resolves to create a time capsule to capture the cherished and unique qualities of her loved ones as she prepares to say goodbye.

Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow

This book is funny despite dealing with heavy topics and is full of animal-focused antics. Simon is a famous survivor of a school shooting incident. His family moves to the only place in America where the Internet is banned and he’s not virally famous. Since he’s unknown here, he can spin a new tale for everyone to take up.

The Sum of Us (Adapted for Young Readers): How Racism Hurts Everyone by Heather McGhee

If you liked Stamped for Kids by Ibrahim X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds, you’ll love The Sum of Us. Written by a policy expert and adapted for youth, this New York Times bestselling nonfiction book is about how economic and racial inequality impacts our world, and what can be done to shift it.

All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir

An emotionally poignant multigenerational story of the impacts of trauma, abuse, discrimination, and forgiveness in the lives of two Pakistani American teenagers and friends who live in — and dream of escaping from — a small working-class California town. 

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

This mystery/thriller follows Daunis, a teen athlete with an Ojibwe dad and white mom, who’s navigating coming of age and going away to college to study biology. However, all her plans are put on hold when she witnesses a murder. She reluctantly cooperates with the FBI to weed out corruption that has caused a series of drug-related deaths in her community. Author Angeline Boulley is a member of the Sault Sainte Marie Tribe of Chippewa and weaves Chippewa language and customs throughout this fast-paced book. 

Promise Boys by Nick Brooks

If you like Jason Reynolds or Angie Thomas books, you’ll love Promise Boys, a mystery thriller about three teens at Promise Urban Academy who have to investigate their principal’s murder to clear their own names. 

Rez Ball by Bryan Graves

Tre loves basketball and plays on the Reservation High basketball team. After his older brother dies in an accident, Tre fills his brother’s shoes on the team and dreams of someday playing in the NBA. His Ojibwe community needs a hero, and this might be his first step toward it. 

True Biz by Sara Novic

“True biz” is American Sign Language (ASL) slang for real talk. This book dishes up plenty of true biz about the lives of River Valley School for the Deaf students as they get through their classes, struggle with family drama, and navigate high school relationships. Charlie, the rebellious transfer who grew up in the hearing world, and Austin, the school’s legacy student and CODA (child of deaf adults) whose baby brother was just born hearing, grapple with their place in the world and what it means to be in the Deaf community. When their school is threatened with closure, they spring into action for justice.