Bookish Gift Guide for Kids Ages 6-8

A delightful, humorous chapter book set at a hotel for dogs? Say no more! This charming series starter stars Rufus, a dog working at the Woofmore who’s tasked with preparing for the arrival of a Very Important Pooch hounded by pupparazi. Can Rufus keep their resident celebrity safe, rested, and away from disturbance? This chapter book is perfect for fans of funny, animal chapter books.

The Cozy Home is a hit by author Ame Dyckman. She is known for her funny books and this short chapter book doesn’t disappoint. The three characters, Cat, Rat, and Bat, are moving in together, and the friends’ different personalities quickly become evident. They have to figure out who will sleep in which room, play practical jokes, and learn that reading is the best. It’s a fully illustrated, fun book reminiscent of Mercy Watson.

Orris is a rat who lives in an old barn and sleeps inside a slipper. One night, he hears an animal crying for help and discovers an owl named Timble who has become caught in a mouse trap. Orris learns what it means to overcome fear and be a true friend. Beloved author Kate DiCamillo has many wonderful books for children, and this first installment of a planned trilogy is another one of her successes.

Emerald, “the most rebellious mermaid princess under the sea” doesn’t feel like royalty at all. As the annual Ocean Parade approaches, she wonders if she can join the King and Queen without losing sight of who she truly is. Written by Harriet Muncaster, author of the beloved Isadora Moon series, this chapter book is filled with whimsical illustrations in Muncaster’s signature style. While the storyline is breezy, it still tackles real-life issues like friendships, family expectations, and the challenge of fitting in. I bought this for my daughter, and she couldn’t put it down—she finished it in one sitting!

Best friends Bunny and Clyde are fed up with being good. The rabbit and chipmunk always follow the rules, so they decide to become good at being bad–only to find that their rebellious actions end up helping others. This early chapter book is filled with clever puns, old-time gangster slang, and a fast pace that will keep young readers entertained. Although some of their antics could land them in trouble, the stakes are low, providing an opportunity to discuss how breaking the rules can be tempting. And as Bunny and Clyde eventually realize, being “bad” doesn’t feel as good as they expected.

Pegasus is excited for his first day at the School for Magical Monsters. He’s sure he’ll make friends– after all, he’s a Creature just like everyone else! However, Pegasus soon realizes that starting a new adventure isn’t as easy as he thought. Children will love this adorable illustrated story of new beginnings and the quest for belonging. Adults will appreciate the included word list (with pronunciations) and comprehension questions to spark discussion about friendship, kindness, and trust.

This sweet (and actually mysterious) graphic novel follows a kitten named Beans, who’s obsessed with the idea of being a detective. When his hat goes missing, he embarks on his first mission, following a trail of surprising, funny clues to rescue his hat. This is a great pick for strong second-grade readers and older who love a good mystery.

The Peach and Plum rhyming duo are back with more fun in Double Trouble. I don’t know what it is about graphic food novels (Pizza and Taco, I’m looking at you), but my students love them. In this volume, there are five short stories about babysitting, ordering pizza, and helping ducklings find their way back home. Filled with bright colors, speech bubbles, and tons of fun rhymes!

Batcat is 50% bat and 50% cat. They are intentionally nonbinary and use the pronoun “they.” With just the right amount of spooky and loads of fun, Batcat manages to be both silly and uplifting. Batcat is told to choose between cat and bat but learns that no choice needs to be made and self-acceptance is the ultimate goal.

Tootie loves playing tag, but none of the other turtles in Turtletown want to join in. That is, until Tootie meets Teeny, who also loves the game! Tootie assumes Teeny is another turtle—despite how different she looks. When Teeny realizes she might not be a turtle after all, she worries that Tootie won’t want to be friends anymore. This charming early graphic novel teaches the importance of accepting differences with kindness and compassion. Young readers will love this wonderful duo and eagerly look forward to future adventures! Ages 5-8

A book featuring three twigs and a stump might seem odd, but this hilarious graphic novel is the perfect transition for young readers who are ready for early chapter books.  Children ages 6-8 will love the wacky adventures of Red, Noodle, Ziggy, and Stump as they explore the forest.  The illustrations are vibrant, playful, and full of energy, bringing to life the humor and charm of these fun, one-of-a-kind characters. Ages 6-8

Bibsy is a character you want to cheer for. She’s in third grade and is feeling misunderstood by her teacher. Bibsy is learning what it means to advocate for herself and how to get along with an adult who may not be her biggest fan. Scanlon writes Bibsy as such a strong and relatable character that this book is sure to spark great conversations when read with the entire family. Ages 6+

This new series is an ideal transition from Diary of a Pug fans to a more text-heavy book with about twice the amount of pages. Penelope is a spoiled pug who lives in 1800s England. She was so busy chasing a squirrel that she lost her Lady. Penelope is soon taken in by a new Lady, and they form a strong bond. The black and white illustrations show the charming attire of ladies and gentlemen in old-time England. Ages 6+

A boy and his stuffed bear venture “into the uncut grass” when the boy decides he’s sick of his mom’s rules. Along the way, they meet creatures and explore the meaning of connection, forgiveness, and truly listening. This book has been compared to The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse, and I agree. Similar to that story, Into the Uncut Grass makes a beautiful family read aloud because it appeals to both children and adults— a true “any age” book that imparts so much wisdom without being didactic. Highly recommend.

Miki Amelia Masuda likes everything in her life to be perfect. When she loses her cherished stuffed animal and later finds him with a broken wing, she is distraught over the imperfection. Miki eventually learns to find the beauty in life’s many imperfections when her Obaachan teaches her about the Japanese practice of kintsugi. This is a beautiful story featuring a loving intergenerational bond.

James Earl Jones is famous for his iconic voice, but as a child, he was terrified of speaking up in class. Struggling with a stutter that made words “stick in his throat,” James felt so ashamed that he stopped speaking entirely–for eight years! This moving picture book tells the story of his journey from struggle to determination and self-reliance, while highlighting the important people in his life who contributed to his success. The illustrations beautifully capture James’ emotions, while the text reflects the anxiety James experienced and the incredible power of poetry.

The 100 Things to Know About series from Usborne has a lot of great titles, from music to science to coding. This sports edition is the latest in the series and offers 100 facts about how sports were invented, as well as interesting things about sporting equipment and muscle memory. Many different sports are included, from running to skating to popular team sports. The graphics are bright and bold. This is such a fun book to browse and perfect for a long car trip.

I can’t quite capture the love my kids have for this book. It is part comics, part science text, part piece of art, and part conservation, all wrapped up in fun! While it focuses on insects, I have discovered that it also appeals to kids who aren’t bug lovers. Something about the drawings, witty speech bubbles, and reminders to look at the little things all around you just draws the reader in.

This collection of the world’s most entertaining and interesting facts from National Geographic Kids is packed with vibrant photographs and thousands of facts about things kids are really into, like deadly animals, cities of the future, and… peanut butter! Each interesting fact is presented in a way that even younger elementary-aged students can understand. The book’s wide range of topics and fun, accessible format spark curiosity and interest in new subjects! Keep this gorgeous book on your coffee table, where kids can browse at their leisure.

The popular Weird But True World is updated each year with new and “weird” animals, news, facts, and events from around the world. The book is packed with information and is a must-read for anyone who loves quirky facts, silly trivia, and captivating photography. Kids will especially love learning about the strange dates to celebrate in 2025– like National Sock Monkey Day in March, No Homework Day in May, or Pet Rock Day in September! These books are a hit with readers of all ages and make a perfect gift to celebrate the new year. I purchase one every year for my own kids, and they’ve amassed quite a collection!

The Yoto is a fantastic way to play kids’ audiobooks and even podcasts–no screens needed. It’s a small, nifty device that many kids continue to love and use even as they enter their teen years.

Age 6 is the perfect age for getting your voracious reader a Kids Kindle. With the new Basic Kindle, your kids can even read graphic novels! Plus, you can now get them books from the library via Libby or using your Kindle Unlimited membership (if you have one). It’s a win-win!

By the Book is a stacking puzzle similar to the game Rush Hour or Kanoodle. There are 40 different challenges, and they slowly get more difficult. This is a puzzle that uses logic to solve. Geared for ages 8 and up, it’s a fun, bookish gift for readers.

No matter what your kids are into, there’s an adorable bookend to help organize their home library while reflecting their unique personalities. We’ve spotlighted some seriously cute astronauts, but if your kid isn’t particularly interested in space, these ducklings, unicorns, mountains, or chess pieces might be the perfect gift for them.