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Unlike clothes and toys, a truly timeless book for a kid will be usable across many different ages and stages. But what books should you consider gifting to new parents that will endure? After all, classics like The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Goodnight Moon are fantastic, but we’ve all read them a thousand times before. It can be a real relief to read something new—especially because you or a loved one is reading a kids’ book collection a zillion times or more. Why not choose something a little different?
I’ve compiled a list of five gift-ready kid lit options that will make new parents grin. These books are smart, charming, adorable to look at, and they tell meaningful stories that aren’t saccharine. They offer something a little different from the go-tos.
The Adventures of Beekle by Dan Santat
This Dan Santat classic is about an imaginary friend who waits to be chosen by a child, but sets off on his own after being passed over. As he ventures off to the big city, he eventually finds his perfect match, and a delightful story ensues. The art is beautiful, and kids will love its whimsy.
Dim Sum Palace By X. Fang
X. Fang’s books combine surreal humour and adorably expressive art. In Dim Sum Palace, Liddy goes to a dim sum restaurant for the first time, but somehow ends up in the kitchen and falls into a dumpling filling. The story gets more surreal from there. Don’t worry, though, Liddy is still in her pjs because this is all a dream!
Kids (and their adults) will love Fang’s homage to In the Night Kitchen, bringing a fresh perspective and cultural relevance to it.
Power to the Princess: 15 Favourite Fairytales Retold with Girl Power by Vita Murrow and Julia Bereciartu
It doesn’t matter whether this gift is for a girl or a boy; anyone can and should enjoy these beautifully packaged, updated fairy tales. From its embossed cover to the bright illustrations and well-written stories, this book was meant to be gifted. The characters are brave, kind, and resourceful, regardless of gender. These are definitely not your expected fairy tales.
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If You Come to Earth by Sophie Blackall
You absolutely can’t go wrong with a Sophie Blackall book. Though it is hard to pick from her whole award-winning oeuvre, I’m gonna suggest this one for new parents. A young child pens a letter to aliens, trying to explain what life on Earth is like. It’s informative as well as moving, with references to both the good parts of our existence—taking care of each other, enjoying nature, and how water works — alongside the bad parts — war, starvation, and death. Blackall wrote this with input from children she met all over the world, and it is heartwarming, despite its sadder parts.
Families Can by Dan Saks
The first books you read with your child will likely be board books so that you can protect your fancier titles from their greedy little mouths. This is one of my family’s faves, and it’s on a great topic that parents should have handy: families. Once your child heads off to daycare and eventually to school, they’ll meet all kinds of families. Let’s introduce them to all the possibilities nice and early and save others from having to do the heavy lifting of explaining their family structure to your kid.
Looking for more ideas? Check out these unexpected gift-worthy board books and these baby shower books you haven’t likely thought of giving.
