Here's my favorite book gift tip, after years of putting books in kids' hands: don't buy one book. Buy the first two in a series.
When a kid finishes a book they loved and the next one is already sitting right there, something clicks. They don't have to wait. They don't have to pick something new. They already know the characters, so they just keep going. For a kid who says they "don't like reading," that momentum is everything. In fact, this just unfolded in my own house and so I’ll continue singing the praises of book series’.
So this year's gift guide is all series, sorted by age. (Shopping for single books instead? My holiday gift guide for reluctant readers has you covered.)
Why a Series Beats a Single Book
Momentum. Book two is waiting, so there's no "now what?" moment.
Less work for their brain. Familiar characters and settings make each new book easier to read.
Confidence. Finishing a whole series is a big deal, and kids feel it.
Easy future gifts. Birthdays and stocking stuffers? Sorted.
First Series for Ages 5 to 7
Mercy Watson by Kate DiCamillo. A pig who loves hot buttered toast, big color pictures, and short chapters. It starts as a read-aloud and turns into a read-alone.
Narwhal and Jelly by Ben Clanton. Comic-style, with three short stories in each book. Silly, sweet, and perfect for kids just starting to read on their own.
The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale. A proper princess by day, a secret monster-fighting hero the rest of the time. Action plus pictures on almost every page.
Funny Series for Ages 7 to 9
InvestiGators by John Patrick Green. Alligator detectives and puns on every page. If your kid loves Dog Man, start here.
Cat Kid Comic Club by Dav Pilkey. From the Dog Man creator, about a bunch of baby frogs making their own comics. Fair warning: your kid may start making comics too.
The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey. Big text, lots of pictures, and laugh-out-loud funny. A great pick for kids who think chapter books look like "too many words."
Series to Get Hooked On, Ages 9 to 12
Hilo by Judd Winick. A boy falls from the sky with no memory, and his new friends have to help him figure out who he is. Funny, heartfelt, and full of adventure.
Wings of Fire graphic novels by Tui T. Sutherland, adapted by Mike Holmes. Dragons, warring tribes, and a big prophecy. The graphic novels are a great on-ramp to the full-length books.
Yes, Graphic Novels Count
I get this question all the time, so here's the short answer: graphic novels are real reading. Kids are building vocabulary, following a plot, and reading pictures and words together, which takes a lot of inference. And if they reread the same one five times? That's fluency practice. Many kids move on to more text-heavy books on their own once reading feels good.
How to Gift a Series
Wrap books one and two together with a ribbon.
Add a little reading extra: a book light, a fun bookmark, or cozy socks.
Tuck a note inside book one, like "Can't wait to hear what you think!"
Hide book three for a January surprise.
What If They Stall After Book One?
Totally normal. Try reading the first chapter of book two out loud together, or play the audiobook while they follow along. It's also fine to let them switch to a different series. The goal is a kid who wants to read, not a finished checklist.
If reading feels like a battle at your house, The Reluctant Reader Reset walks you through a simple plan to turn things around, one small step at a time.
Give Books Twice This Season
If you're still shopping, my nonprofit Community Book Project has a book-themed apparel shop on Etsy. 100% of proceeds buy books for kids in underserved schools, including our partner school, Sanislo Elementary in Seattle. Your gift gets a gift, too.
Happy gifting, and happy reading! What series is your kid obsessed with right now? Tell me in the comments.
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