9 Great Books to Give as Gifts

The best stories and guides to give to your little readers this holiday season. 
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1. Hey, Seymour!

Heath Robbins

Walter Wick puts a twist on his popular "I Spy" series with Hey, Seymour!, an oversize search-and-find book with foldout pages that stars a cute little wooden guy. Kids must spot Seymour, as well as letters, numbers, and toys on the filled-to-bursting pages. Ages 3 to 8 Scholastic, $19 

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2. Minecraft Blockopedia

Heath Robbins 

This book is a must-have for fans of the popular game. The reference book walks players through the different types of cubes and what they're used for in the 3-D world. Ages 9 and up Scholastic, $50 

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3. Circus Mirandus

Heath Robbins 

In Cassie Beasley's adventure novel Circus Mirandus, 10-year-old Micah risks everything to find "the Lightbender," a mysterious magician who owes his sick grandpa a miracle. Ages 8 and up Penguin Random House, $18 

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4. Creaturepedia

Heath Robbins 

Creaturepedia, by Adrienne Barman, is a fun illustrated field guide to 600 animals grouped into unique chapters. (The "night owls" include the Asian tree toad, kiwi, and Brazilian tapir.) Ages 5 to 8 Wide Eyed Editions, $23 

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5. The Marvels

Heath Robbins

Brian Selznick's 640-page illustrated novel, The Marvels, follows in the style of his Caldecott-winning The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Through rich prose and dramatic drawings, this masterwork intertwines two generation-jumping tales. Ages 10 and up Scholastic, $33 

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6. Maps

Heath Robbins

The world awaits in Maps, a sumptuously designed atlas from illustrators Aleksandra Mizielinska and Daniel Mizielinski. Its 50 charts are filled with vintage-y icons of historical landmarks, geographical sites, and more. Ages 5 and up Big Picture Press, $35 

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7. Welcome to the Museum: Historium

Heath Robbins 

Welcome to the Museum: Historium, by Richard Wilkinson and Jo Nelson, opens up a virtual gallery of 160 artifacts (figurines, armor, tools, and other treasures) from six ancient regions, including Africa and the Middle East. Ages 8 and up Big Picture Press, $35 

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8. It's Only Stanley

Heath Robbins

In Jon Agee's story It's Only Stanley, a family is woken up throughout the night by their busy beagle. Sure, Stanley is baying at the moon, but he's also tinkering with household items to make a surprise that your kids will love. Ages 5 to 8 Penguin Random House, $18 

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9. Fable Comics

Heath Robbins

Aesop gets an upgrade in Fable Comics, a collection of 28 parables illustrated by acclaimed cartoonists such as Graham Annable and Jaime Hernandez. Among our favorite entries: a 1970s version of "The Dog and His Reflection." Ages 6 and up First Second Books, $20 

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Tips for Encouraging Reluctant Readers

Jarrett Kroscozka, author and illustrator of the popular Lunch Lady and Platypus Police Squad series, shares his tips for encouraging a love of reading in kids.

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