Giving books for Christmas is a wonderful way to encourage reading and foster imagination. Unlike many toys that are quickly forgotten, books are gifts that can be cherished, revisited, and loved for years to come. They offer a unique opportunity to create lasting memories and build a foundation for a lifelong passion for learning.

This holiday season, consider starting a new tradition by making books a central part of your gift-giving. A thoughtfully chosen book can transport a child to a different world, spark their curiosity, and create special moments of connection when read together.

The Lasting Benefits of Gifting Books

Choosing a book as a Christmas present is more than just giving an item; it’s an investment in a child’s development and future happiness. Here are a few reasons why books are such a meaningful gift.

Encourage a Lifelong Love of Reading

A single, captivating story can spark a passion for reading that benefits a child throughout their entire life. Reading enhances vocabulary, improves concentration, and strengthens analytical skills. More importantly, it provides a source of endless pleasure and discovery that can be enjoyed independently.

Nurture Imagination and Creativity

Books are gateways to new worlds and different perspectives. They encourage children to dream, to imagine possibilities beyond their own experiences, and to think creatively. Whether it's an adventure in space or a mystery in their own backyard, stories help expand a child's understanding of the world and their place in it.

Create Lasting Memories

A beloved book becomes a treasured keepsake. It can be reread countless times, with each reading bringing new discoveries and comforts. Many families find that books gifted during the holidays become part of their traditions, passed down from one generation to the next with personal inscriptions marking the occasion.

Provide Quality Family Time

The holiday season is a perfect time for cozying up and spending quality time together. Reading a book aloud is a wonderful activity for parents and children to share. It creates a quiet, focused space for connection and conversation, building a strong family bond around the shared experience of a story.

Award-Winning Books to Spark Their Imagination

Finding the right book is key. At MamaBear Books, we pride ourselves on publishing stories that are not only fun and engaging but also carry messages of kindness, teamwork, and creative problem-solving. Below, we’ve paired each of our award-winning titles with highlights and praise from editorial and reader reviews to help you choose the perfect book for every child on your list.

For the Youngest Readers (Ages 0-2)

Feelings on the Farm
By Heather Wall LCSW & Claire Young

“This charming board book helps babies and toddlers begin to understand their emotions. Farmer Cody’s animals experience a range of feelings, from cranky to silly. With expressive illustrations and simple language, it’s a wonderful tool for building social and emotional intelligence from the very beginning. Midwest Book Review calls it ‘a charming little board book chock full of goodies’ that’s ideal for families and classrooms.”

For Preschool Adventurers (Ages 3-5)

The Day I Had a Dinosaur
By Ashley Wall, M.Ed.

A dino-tastic adventure about inclusion, teamwork, and making sure everyone gets to play. Editorial reviews rave:

• "A laugh-out-loud, fun-filled playground adventure, with a dino-sized twist."
• “The Day I Had a Dinosaur combines an entertaining plot and educational elements to teach children about dinosaurs. It is whimsical, encouraging children to be imaginative and kind to others.”
• “Highlighting the importance of patience, kindness, empathy, and never giving up, this is a well-rounded, heartwarming story that’s so fun that its lessons about friendship and supporting each other slip in offhandedly, without didacticism.”

The Day I Had a Bulldozer
By Ashley Wall, M.Ed.

Perfect for kids who love construction vehicles, this fun-filled friendship story celebrates imagination and teamwork. Kirkus Reviews says, “A message-driven tale that will appeal most to young construction-vehicle enthusiasts. Our verdict: Get it!” Online Book Club raves, “I loved the illustrations… This book is so childlike and fun… 5 out of 5 stars.” Reedsy adds, “Children will love watching the diverse cast build a road to the ice cream parlor… a home run hit with young children!”

Detective Stan the Crayon Man and the Case of the Missing Birthday Cake
By Kristy Tussing

There's a mystery in Colorful County, and your child can help solve it!
Book Life Reviews celebrate it as “a joyful celebration of all things color—and coaching kids on the steps needed to correctly solve a puzzle.”
Online Book Club gave it a perfect rating: “This book gets a perfect score of 5 out of 5 stars…”
Readers will love the interactive clues and vibrant illustrations that make this book an engaging read from start to finish.

For Imaginative Kids (Ages 3-6)

The Day I Had a Fire Truck
By Ashley Wall, M.Ed.

A Readers’ Choice Book Award Finalist, this imaginative adventure invites kids to run the fire station for a day. “This is a delightful picture book that captures the excitement of fire trucks and firefighters, through the eyes of a young boy,” reviewed by award panels. Readers’ Favorite highlights, “The expressive illustrations by Vaughan Duck complement the creative writing. Children will adore reading this book”—perfect for kids who love action and teamwork.

The Handy Pandas
By Jamie McMahon

What do you do when the sun goes missing? You work together, of course! Winner of The BookFest Award, this story is praised as “engaging for young readers, filled with important lessons about teamwork, creative problem-solving, and perseverance.” Midwest Book Review notes, “Whimsical in its presentation, colorful in its illustrations, and thought-provokingly fun and encouraging…a superior read for libraries and families.”

The Day I Had a Spaceship
By Ashley Wall

Blast off on an out-of-this-world adventure! Readers’ Favorite calls it “a delightful ‘launchpad’ for learning and imagination.” Editorial reviews highlight the plot’s ability to model teamwork, encouragement, and problem-solving. “Ashley Wall’s writing is clear, upbeat, and age-appropriate, making it a perfect read-aloud choice for classrooms or bedtime,” and the book “introduces facts about space in natural and fun ways.” A perfect pick for young explorers and dreamers.

For Fans of Silly Scenarios (Ages 4-6)

How to Get an Alligator Out of the Bathtub
By Lynsey Martin

A Readers’ Choice Book Award Finalist and The BookFest Award Winner, this zany story is all about solving problems and making new friends—when those friends happen to be a bathtub-loving alligator! Midwest Book Review raves: “Lynsey Martin spins an upbeat, uplifting, zany yarn that will delight all kinds of picture book readers, from alligator-loving kids to parents looking for important lessons embedded in adventure…highly recommended for elementary-level libraries and read-aloud adults.”
Reviewers also praise its playful illustrations and heartwarming message about creative thinking and cooperation.

These handpicked stories, each celebrated with enthusiastic reviews and prestigious awards, are sure to inspire, entertain, and become instant favorites.

Make the experience of receiving a book even more special with a creative presentation.

• Christmas Book Advent Calendar: Wrap 24 books and let your child open one each night leading up to Christmas. It creates a wonderful nightly reading ritual during the holiday season.
• The Five-Gift Rule: Incorporate a book into a more intentional gifting strategy. The rule includes something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read.
• Personalized Keepsake: Write a special message inside the front cover. Note the year and the occasion. This personal touch transforms the book into a unique keepsake they will treasure for years.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of our series, where we will dive deeper into more of our fantastic titles and share more ideas for making reading a fun and integral part of your family's life.