Great books to give as gifts this holiday season!

Here are some of my favorite informational picture books that would make wonderful gifts for this holiday season for your young readers!

The Boy who loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdos 

by Deborah Heiligman and Illustrated by LeUyen Pham

Meet Paul, a young boy who loves math. All he can do is think about numbers all day long. Read about his story in picture book format about how he found his way in the world by making friends and sharing his ideas. Learn how he grew to be one of the most famous mathematicians ever.

Recommended reading for ages 4-8 yrs.

The Man with the Violin 

by Kathy Stinson Illustrated by Dusan Petricic, Postscript by Joshua Bell

Dylan noticed things. Unfortunately his mom didn’t. One Friday in January in Washington D.C. while taking the metro train, Dylan noticed a man with a violin. He wanted to stop and listen, but his mother said no. He thought about that man all day and the beautiful music that he played. He could hear the notes in his head. Once home that evening, he finds out that the young man in the station was a famous violinist, Joshua Bell, who was down at the metro giving a free concert. But why did nobody listen? A beautiful and compelling story about remembering to open our eyes and our ears and notice the beauty that surrounds us.

Recommended for ages 4-8 but even teens and adults will enjoy this one too!

On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein 

by Jennifer Berne and Illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky

It is not an easy feat to describe one of the most intelligent men in the world to young minds. This is an informational book in picture book format giving an overview of Albert Einstein’s life beginning with a young boy riding his bicycle but really wondering about how he could travel the speed of light. An incredible book that journeys the reader through Albert Einstein’s life through curiosity, laughter and self discovery.

Recommended for ages 6-9 yrs.

Jumping Penguins and Laughing Hyenas 

by Marije Tolman

Did you know that a sloth moves so slowly that green algae grows in it’s fur? This is a fabulous informational book, great for common core, that gives funny, disgusting, unbelievable, and weird facts about 50 different animals. These facts are pretty straightforward and the illustrations are pure fantasy. I give this one five stars!
Recommended for ages 5 and up.