One of our family traditions
is for each member to open one present on Christmas Eve. We always choose a book for that one present—one
we can cuddle up with and read together by the Christmas tree. It’s a heart-warming tradition I hope we’ll
always continue. Here’s what we
unwrapped this year.
(Should be easy to place
each book with mom, dad, four-year-old daughter, and one-year-old son.)
I’m sure you’d also
agree, books are great gifts to receive ANY time of year and for all occasions! In fact (spoiler alert), if you ever invite
me to a baby shower, I can tell you right now that I give the new baby
books. There are so many amazing board
books out there that engage even newborns—and the nestling up time new parents
have while reading to babies is irreplaceable. As a former teacher who spent several years
teaching children how to read, I can promise you that it’s never too early to
start.
Another popular tradition
this time of year is “Best Of” lists, so in case you’re still thinking about
books to give and receive (any time of year),
here are some of my favorite books I read in 2013, and also some of my
favorites I read to someone this
year.
(As an aside, I hope
anyone reading this post has a child somewhere in their life that they can read
to. Niece, nephew, grandchild, neighbor, son, daughter…reading to children is
one of my favorite pasttimes ever. I
love picture books, and my only hang up with trying to write one is that I am a
romance freak. My books
Must.Have.Romance.) :)
Some of my favorite YA books this year.
Some of my favorite kids’
books this year.
So there you have it—my
best to give and receive in books! I
hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and wish all my best for 2014!
