I love a bookish gift – something book-related, but not necessarily a book.
(Don’t get me wrong, I love the books too. Give me all the books.)
But I don’t think you can go wrong with a bookish gift for kids and teens. Something to add to that teetering pile of gaily wrapped books, or to encourage a lifelong connection with reading.
So, to save you time this festive season, the Your Kid’s Next Read team has trawled through our favourite websites to find bookish gifts for kids and teens. I would have loved to have received any of these as a young person… actually, I’d be pretty happy to receive most of them now.
Happy gift giving!
Bookish gifts for kids
Little Book Gift Pack
These cute little gift packs for babies include a board book and a soft rattle, with five different book titles to choose from.
$49-59 (inc Australian postage), from The Book Basket Company.
Miniature Library Craft Kit
This Miniature Library craft kit for kids 8+ is a book-lover’s dream. It includes everything you need to cut-out, fold and glue a complete collection of tiny books, as well as a little bookshelf to press out and construct.
Full instructions are included, and even the box itself transforms into the perfect setting for your itty-bitty books. Or, you know, Barbie’s house.
YKNR Book Bag/Tote
Endorsed by celebrity teacher-librarian Megan Daley, the Your Kid’s Next Read tote is the perfect library bag for primary school kids.
Plus, we donate 10 per cent of profits to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, so it’s the gift that give twice.
$14.95, from Tilly & Wilbur.
Decision Maker Coin for readers
I can think of a few adults who could use one of these, but I can also see them being the perfect gift for kids – and their parents – when it comes to bedtime reading.
On one side the coin says ‘one more chapter’. On the other, ‘go to bed’. A fun stocking stuffer!
$23.99, from Book Geek.
Book Ends
Have you ever wanted to climb inside a book?
These gorgeous metal book ends by Peleg Design will appeal to anyone who’s ever dreamt of walking into their favourite stories, and are perfect for a touch of whimsy in a child’s bedroom.
$49.95, from Quirksy.
Magic Journal
I’m sorry, but a secret notebook, with lock, AND a magic invisible ink pen? In one handy package? Eight-year-old me is beside herself right now.
There are several different designs to choose from for kids 5+ – from fairytale, to animals, to adventure island – and I love that journals like these encourage writing from the heart.
$29.95 by Djeco Kids Stationery
Colouring Book
Alison Lester is one of Australia’s most beloved illustrators, and her ‘Wonderful World’ colouring books allows children to put their own stamp on her work.
$19.99, from alisonlester.com
Ultimate Reading Challenge For Kids
Readers will love everything about this portfolio, which offers challenges and bookish prizes to encourage, well, more reading. But it’s just as perfect for kids who have yet to discover the full joy that books can bring.
The pockets and packets inside the folder offer 15 reading challenges, from ‘read outside’ to ‘watch a movie based on a book’ and everything in between. Once the challenge is completed, young readers get to discover the prizes contained inside – and they’re decent prizes, from bookmarks, to stickers, to bookplates and more.
I bought the adult version of this challenge – for research purposes, you understand – and can confirm that, once again, 8-year-old me would have been in seventh heaven at the very idea.
Children’s Illustrator Art Prints
Did you know that many of Australia’s finest illustrators offer prints and original works of art for sale, framed and unframed? As far as stunning book-related gifts for kids go, artworks may be hard to beat.
Here’s a selection we’ve found – if the specific artwork we’ve linked to is no longer available, check out the artist’s shop link for other options.
Jess Racklyeft print
‘Bear and Balloons’, Giclee Print, by Jess Racklyeft
More at Jesses Mess (Etsy Shop).
Sami Bayly print
A3 Atlas Moth Print by Sami Bayly
Anna Pignataro original artwork
‘Little Hedgehog Finds A Ladybug’ by Anna Pignataro
Illustrator Anna Pignataro sells a variety of original artworks through Wily Woods Studio on Instagram. It’s absolutely worth following if you love her beautiful work.
Aura Parker print
‘Bowerbird Blues’, Giclee Print, Collector by Aura Parker
$60
Bookish gifts for teens
Stationery Box
I connected with Kim from Betty Mae Wrote in the very earliest of my blogging days and, frankly, her limited-edition stationery boxes and subscriptions make my mouth water.
This Birdie Stationery Box, for instance, is the perfect collection of the kinds of bits and pieces that paper lovers cannot resist – writing paper, envelopes, cards, a note book, a pencil, a cute wax stamp, pretty wax, tea and more! And gorgeously illustrated by Kim’s son Lew to boot.
But if this one is sold out, there is ALWAYS something else.
Book Light
Megan and I are often asked about keeping teens reading, and the ‘reading before bed’ habit is an essential one to foster. But when your eyes are tired, a good book light is also essential.
This amber book light is often recommended by YNKR members. It emits zero blue light, meaning it won’t keep them up all night, is rechargeable and is good for at least 16 hours of brightness at three different levels.
$44.99, from Readings.
Amber book light (often recommended by YKNR members
Book Pins
We’re not sure what it is about teens and pins, but there’s a connection – and Jubly-Umph is generally regarded as having one of the best collection of bookish pins around.
Collect them all!
Bookmark
Yes, there are a lot of different bookmarks around, but we particularly liked these simple leather ones for teens. This one says ‘To Be Continued…’, and isn’t that a message we could all keep close to our hearts?
You might prefer ‘today a reader, tomorrow a leader’, ‘fell asleep here’, or ‘oh, the places you’ll go’.
Socks
My sons joke that Christmas becomes a ‘socks and undies’ event once you hit your teens, and it’s true that stocking stuffers may have become a lot more practical after primary school. But that’s not to say they can’t be fun!
These Out of Print socks function as both practical footwear and a regular reminder to your teens!
The Ultimate Reading Challenge
Sorry, I couldn’t resist. The adult version of this reading challenge is perfect for bookish teens. Lots of fun and it reminds them to read outside their comfort zone as well (which is essential for their writing).
There are 25 reading challenges and prizes in this version.
Books: always perfect for kids and teens
I couldn’t create a list like this and not also remind you that books are always perfect gifts for kids and teens. Portable, easily wrapped, and portals to other worlds.
What Megan and I have anecdotally observed over the years, and discuss regularly on our podcast, is that children who are pegged as readers get books for every occasion.
But reluctant readers do not – and it’s reluctant readers who really need the encouragement of consistent and sustained effort to help put them in touch with the stories that unlock the magic of reading for them.
Keep trying. Think about the things they love to do and then try to find books that are adjacent to those interests. Remember, those books might be non-fiction, graphic novels, or audio books.
Need help? Join the Your Kid’s Next Read Facebook community where there are 30,000+ members ready to offer suggestions, no matter if your child or teen is interested in slugs, calligraphy, typewriters, dictionaries, fairies, dragons or trucks (all real examples).
Here are some lists to get you started, but there are more here at yourkidsnextread.com.au.
15 Amazing Australian Novels for Readers 10+
100+ Books for Tweens Full of Mystery, History and Adventure
60 more tried-and-tested books for 13/14 year old boys
We hope this helps!
Are you new here? Welcome to my blog! I’m Allison Tait, aka A.L. Tait, and I’m the author of middle-grade series, The Mapmaker Chronicles, The Ateban Cipher, and the Maven & Reeve Mysteries. My latest novel THE FIRST SUMMER OF CALLIE McGEE is out now. You can find out more about me here, and more about my books here.
If you’re looking for book recommendations for young readers, join the Your Kid’s Next Read Facebook community, and tune in to the Your Kid’s Next Read podcast!
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