The problem is, every year I think it’s too early to write holiday posts—and it IS too early, but I only write here once a week, so if I wait until after Thanksgiving it’s only four posts until Christmas, and one or two of those don’t allow enough time for shipping. Since this is a PRODUCTS AND GIFT IDEAS blog, that’s not going to work.
Plus, it’s more financially comfortable if I start buying things early and setting them aside. And the whole season is less frantic for me if I think about it early, even though I know for some people that makes it MORE frantic. So. I know it’s September, is what I’m saying. I know it hasn’t even been Halloween yet. I don’t want to PUSH you. There’s still A QUARTER OF A YEAR left. Plenty of time! You can just skip this post now, and come back to it in early December when you need it!
Would it feel better if we didn’t even mention The Holidays? I could just say this is a post of books my kids want, and incidentally I plan to acquire some of them for…a later event. Yes. That’s better. And happens to be true.
Mostly what we do when a kid mentions a book he or she is interested in is see if we can get it from the library. But right around the start of the school year, when book fairs get them thinking about books as something to beg for, I start putting the books they mention (or other books I find that seem like good candidates) in the saved-items area of my Amazon cart, because I like to put a book or two in each Christmas stocking. Our family has a kid celebration in the afternoon, and the grown-ups celebrate after kid bedtime—so it is very nice to tuck the children in with a new book to keep them busy and quiet until the sugar crash lets them sleep.
Here’s what I have in the cart so far:
Vordak the Incomprehensible: How to Grow Up and Rule the World (photo from Amazon.com). Edward (age 7) came home from the 2nd grade Scholastic book fair wanting this book. I said, “I don’t know, Edward, that’s pretty expensive”—and then I sneaked it onto the list. This book meets the happy goal of being a book OTHER kids will want to read. I don’t mind getting a niche book for one single child, but it’s even better if three or four or five kids will all be clamoring to read it next.
Mythbusters: Confirm or Bust! Science Fair Book #2 (photo from Amazon.com). This is another one Edward wanted from the book fair; it was half the price if I got it from the classroom order form instead of from the book fair (WHY, SCHOLASTIC? WHY?), so I ordered it that way. It’s another one I think more than one kid at our house would enjoy.
Dude Diary #2 (photo from Amazon.com). This is yet another one mentioned by Edward. I asked him, “Why not Dude Diary #1?,” and he said, “Because THIS one has a BURPING section!!” Ah.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel (photo from Amazon.com). This is for William, age 11, sixth grade—but Edward would like it too, and maybe Rob. A new Wimpy Kid book has been coming out right around November each year, which is perfect: they can get on the waiting list at the library but they still won’t get to read it before Christmas.
The Care and Keeping of You (photo from Amazon.com). Marie Green mentioned that her girls like this book, so I put it right on the list for my girl (Elizabeth, second grade, age 7). She’s the hardest one for me to find books for.
Show Me a Story (photo from Amazon.com). Catherine Newman just did a review of this book, and it looked like a book both Elizabeth (7) and William (11) would like: crafts and projects.
Guinness Book of World Records (photo from Amazon.com). It makes me twitchy that the 2013 book of world records is already for sale. The year 2013 has not even BEGUN, let alone had records set in it yet. THE 2012 BOOK SHOULD NOT EVEN BE AVAILABLE YET, SINCE 2012 IS NOT YET OVER. But the upside to this TWISTED SYSTEM is that I can get the 2012 version as a cheap paperback for a child for Christmas this year, and it appears hot off the presses! I’m not sure who will get this in the stocking—whoever doesn’t have a book or two already. They’ll all like looking through it.
All books my kids would love but since they might be too old (might), I am adding these to my amazon christmas listing for nieces and nephews since I am the aunt who always gives a book.
Amanda | September 26th, 2012 at 11:09 am
My first grader saw me looking at these and decided he wanted the first book you listed.
Order Scholastic online through their classes and get a $5 coupon–one per order! I am loaded up on coupons to spend!
Nowheymama | September 26th, 2012 at 3:52 pm
I used to be OBSESSED with my grandmother’s copy of the Guinness Book of World Records. That’s a perfect stocking book!
Meggan | September 26th, 2012 at 4:48 pm
Love Vordak!
Another book I would recommend for the pre-teen age group is “The Strange Case of Origami Yoda”. And for fun, there are instructions for you to fold your own origami yoda, too.
lynn342 | September 27th, 2012 at 1:08 pm
Am I going to remember to come back here and look for this list in 4 years? I hope so!
For a TOTALLY different age group–the 3 year old set–may I recommend my new favorite book to read at bedtime: A Visitor for Bear. I love love love it. It makes me laugh. It makes me tear up. I went and bought every single other bear book, and they are good, but the Visitor one is the best.
SIL Anna | September 28th, 2012 at 8:30 pm
The Care & Keeping of You is a GREAT book! FYI though - if you are not ready to broach the subject of periods (you said your daughter is 7), don’t get it. My daughter is 7 also, and I don’t have any issues with that subject. You might want to look at it thoroughly though before you give it to her so you can be prepared for the questions. ;o)
Jolie | October 2nd, 2012 at 11:38 pm