You love books.
You love gifting books.
You worry. What if [name] doesn’t like books? Our answer: They haven’t opened your gift! What makes yours so special? You chose the book because you know they like [pick subject].
Just in case you still want to add a little extra to your book gift, we have some curated pairings for you. We chose books our judges are reading for the 2023 CYBILS. They are written for audiences from toddler to teen and reflect topics popular with kids and teens.
… For Bedtime
THE DREAM TRAIN: POEMS FOR BEDTIME
by Sean Taylor, Anuska Allepuz (Illustrator)
Candlewick Press
Nominated: Fiction Picture Book
Pair this book with …
- Album of lullabies
- Audio recording of you reading the book
- Small pillow or lovey in the shape of a featured animal or train
- Soft blanket that captures an element of the book
… For the Foodie
CHINESE MENU: THE HISTORY, MYTHS, AND LEGENDS BEHIND YOUR FAVORITE FOODS
by Grace Lin
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Nominated: Middle-Grade Nonfiction
Pair this book with …
- cookbook for Chinese cuisine
- dishes or hand-made chopsticks.
- ingredients for a favorite dish
- “coupon” for dining out
… For the Humorist (or future medical professional)
BODY MUSIC: POEMS ABOUT THE NOISES YOUR BODY MAKES
by Jane Yolen,
Moonshower
Submitted: Elementary Nonfiction
Pair this book with:
- human body model, kit, or puzzle
- whoopie cushion
- kazoo or plastic horn
- sensory toys
… For the Future Space Explorer
Pair a book with …
- Glow-in-the-dark stars, planets, or galaxy
- Solar system kit or puzzle
- Tickets for a trip to a planetarium or observatory
- Moon lamp
- Telescope
MOONLIGHT MEMORIES
by Amanda Davis, Michelle Jing Chan (Illustrator)
Worthy Kids
Nominated: Fiction Picture Book
THE MUSEUM ON THE MOON: THE CURIOUS OBJECTS ON THE LUNAR SURFACE
by Irene Latham, Miriam Wares (Illustrator)
Moonshower
Nominated: Poetry Collection
TEE TIME ON THE MOON: HOW ASTRONAUT ALAN SHEPARD PLAYED LUNAR GOLF
by
Submitted: Elementary Nonfiction
THANK YOU MOON: CELEBRATING NATURE’S NIGHTLIGHT
by Melissa Stewart, Jessca Lanan (Illustrator)
Knopf Books for Young Readers
Nominated: Elementary Nonfiction
… for the Budding Detective
THE ABSENT ALPACA + BATS IN THE CASTLE
(A to Z Animal Mysteries, Books 1 & 2)
by Kayla Whaley, Ron Roy, and Chloe Burgett (Illustrator)
Random House Books for Young Readers
Nominated/Submitted: Early Chapter Books
THE BOOK BANDIT
(a Phoebe Chen Mystery)
by Caran Pescatore, Amanda Neves (Illustrator)
Pesky Books 4Kidz
Nominated: Early Chapter Books
THE MYSTERY OF RADCLIFFE RIDDLE
by Taryn Souders
Sourcebooks for Young Readers
Nominated: Middle-Grade Fiction
..
THE TWO-MINUTE WARNING
(Football Mysteries, #1)
by David A. Kelly, Robert Thibeault (Illustrator)
Curveball Books
Nominated: Early Chapter Books
Pair a book with …
- Age-appropriate fingerprinting or detective kit
- Theme or challenging puzzle
- Mystery game like CLUE
- Family Ancestry kit
… For the Bird Lover
A BEAUTIFUL HOUSE FOR BIRDS
(Storytelling Math)
by Grace Lin
Charlesbridge
Nominated: Board Books
LONELY BIRD
by Ruth Whiting
Candlewick Press
Submitted: Fiction Picture Book
STINKBIRD HAS A SUPERPOWER
G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE A BIRD (ADAPTED FOR YOUNG READERS): FROM FLYING TO NESTING, EATING TO SINGING–WHAT BIRDS ARE DOING AND WHY
- binoculars, a bird-watching guide, notebook
- globe, geography device, or migration map
- birdhouse or bird feeder kit
- “ingredients” to make suet and bird-seed treats
- Adult edition of David Sibley book to read together
… for the Tech Lover & Inventor
BECOMING BIONIC AND OTHER WAYS SCIENCE IS MAKING US SUPER
by
Nominated: Middle-Grade Nonfiction
COPY THAT, COPY CAT!: INVENTIONS INSPIRED BY ANIMALS (Lift-the-Flap)
by
Nominated: Board Book
INDIGINOUS INGENUITY: A CELEBRATION OF TRADITIONAL NORTH AMERICAN KNOWLEDGE
by
Nominated: Middle-Grade Nonfiction
SCIENCE, MATTER AND THE BASEBALL PARK
by
Nominated: Elementary Nonfiction
Pair a book with:
- a cyborg hand or robotics kit
- science kit
- subscription to a STEM-focused build box subscription (e.g., CrunchLab)
- tickets for a baseball game
- a trip to the science museum
Book covers link to amazon.com, with whom we have an affiliate relationship.