Welcome back to the MamaBear Books holiday gift guide! In Part 1, we explored why books are such a meaningful Christmas present and introduced some of our award-winning titles perfect for young readers. This time, we’re diving into even more fantastic stories that are sure to light up a child’s imagination and create treasured holiday memories.

Continuing the tradition of gifting stories is a powerful way to build a child's library and their love for reading. Let’s explore more books that entertain, educate, and inspire.

More Holiday Book Picks from MamaBear Books

Each book offers a unique adventure, ready to be unwrapped. Here are more of our acclaimed titles that make wonderful gifts for the curious and creative children in your life.

For the Littlest Learners (Ages 2-8)

The Day I Had An Activity Book

Perfect for a wide age range, this activity book is an excellent companion to the "The Day I Had A..." series. It’s filled with coloring pages, mazes, and opportunities to practice letters and numbers alongside beloved characters. It’s an ideal gift to engage kids creatively, develop fine motor skills, and provide hours of fun with their favorite dinosaur and construction vehicle themes.

For Fans of Friendship and Sparkle (Ages 3-5)

Lucy and Her Unicorn Get a Sparkle Puppy
By Ashley Wall, M.Ed.

What’s better than a unicorn? A unicorn and a sparkle puppy! This delightful story follows best friends Lucy and her unicorn, Twinkle, as they take on the responsibility of training a new puppy. This Readers' Choice Book Award Finalist is a "sparkle-tastic" tale that teaches teamwork, responsibility, and problem-solving. Midwest Book Review praises its "colorful, fun embellishment," making it a visual treat for any child who loves unicorns, puppies, and a bit of glitter.

Building a Holiday Reading Culture

Giving a book is just the first step. Creating an environment that celebrates reading can turn a simple gift into a cherished holiday tradition. Here are some creative ways to encourage reading and make it a central part of your festive season.

Create a Themed Reading Night

Pair a book with a fun, related activity. The possibilities are endless and can be adapted to any story.

• Construction Night: After reading The Day I Had a Bulldozer, spend the evening building amazing creations with toy blocks or LEGOs. You could even make "dirt cup" desserts with crushed chocolate cookies and gummy worms.
• Dinosaur Discovery: Following a read-aloud of The Day I Had a Dinosaur, have a dino-themed scavenger hunt around the house. Hide toy dinosaurs and have the kids find them, or create your own "fossils" using salt dough.
• Stargazing Adventure: Inspired by The Day I Had a Spaceship? Lay out a blanket in the backyard (or just look out the window) and try to spot constellations. You can make star-shaped cookies and drink "galaxy" juice to complete the theme.

Start a Book-Based Activity Jar

Fill a jar with simple, book-related activities written on slips of paper. Whenever you finish a story, a child can pull one out for a fun follow-up task. This keeps the engagement going long after the last page is turned.

Ideas for the jar could include:

• Draw your favorite character.
• Act out a scene from the story.
• Build a fort and read the book again inside.
• Create an alternate ending for the book.
• Write a letter to one of the characters.

Make Reading a Cozy Ritual

The holidays provide the perfect atmosphere for cozying up with a good book. Designate a special reading spot with comfortable pillows, warm blankets, and soft lighting. Make hot chocolate and enjoy reading together as a family. This simple ritual can become a treasured tradition that children look forward to every year, associating books with warmth, comfort, and connection.

By gifting books and creating fun traditions around them, you give a child more than just a story. You give them a gateway to new worlds, a tool for learning, and a foundation for a lifelong love of reading.