While the title of this blog post might be ever so slightly tongue in cheek, but I’m a big fan of giving kids books as gifts. I asked some of my colleagues for recommendations from the books we’ve published in the past year.

Without any further ado:

Alix Reid says: “I’d recommend The Secret of Goldenrod, which is the perfect book to curl up with under a blanket and next to a fire, and immerse yourself in a book about a lonely girl and a house that is magical and mysterious.”

Greg Hunter says: “I would recommend The Midnight War of Mateo Martinez, because the story teaches readers that every gift is precious–and that you should always beware of talking skunks.”

For elementary-age kids, Anna Cavallo recommends Dino-Racing. She says: “It’s hard not to enjoy seeing the largest dinosaurs crammed in tiny cars, and illustrator Barry Gott’s fake logos adorning the race cars are hilarious. Plus, the text features lots of fun info about racing!”

And for teen girls, Anna recommends The Immortal Throne (along with the first two Into the Dark books, The Shadow Prince and The Eternity Key), saying, “This series is an engrossing escape from the winter cold and gray, easily enjoyment under a blanket with a mug of something warm. And Daphne, the badass strong female main character, should be a welcome example of a girl who’s saving the world, despite the bumbling and/or greedy men around her.”

Amy Fitzgerald says, “I’d have to recommend Gabriel’s Horn, a Kar-Ben picture book about a boy whose brief meeting with a mysterious soldier changes his life forever. The art is gorgeous, the story is universal (thought it’s cleverly based on a Jewish legend), and the theme of giving and looking beyond our own needs is perfect for the holidays.”