105 Ways to Give a Book

Yet, Even Twenty-One More Ways to Give a Book

All right, here are 2008 books with gift suggestions. Thanks to Abby the Librarian, whose suggestions got me a quarter of the way through the list. She is also running twelve days of great book suggestions, so stop on by and pick up more ideas. Fresh ideas also came from The Reading Tub — where you’ll also find more wonderful titles to read and give — and from The Kiddosphere — now with comments!

I’d like to do one more list and bring the total suggestions up to a hundred. For this one, I’m taking suggestions for any book from any year. I’m also looking to include some new title suggestions to my original ideas. Maybe there’s another great bathtime or bedtime book I should highlight. The only thing I ask is that the book be something that you know and would recommend. Have fun.
  1. Pair Monsters on Machines or Building with Dad with toy construction vechicles.

  2. Give your little dragon-lover Hush Little Dragon or Guess What I Found in Dragon Wood with the cutest dragon ever.

  3. Is there a doctor in the house? There will be with picture book Doctor Ted along with a doctor kit.

  4. Future firefighter? Give Firefighters (People in the Community) and Firefighters A to Z and firefighter gear.

  5. Pair picture book stunner How I Learned Geography with an inflatable globe.

  6. What else can go with Lester Fizz, Bubble Gum Artist other than gum — and perhaps an early apology to the parents.

  7. Nature lovers will enjoy Birdsongs along with a guidebook like Backyard Birds and some binoculars. (BTW, these look like a good deal.)

  8. For more nature, pair Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly with a butterfly garden kit.

  9. Cat lovers can enjoy three new picture books, Grumpy Cat, Katie Loves the Kittens, and Wabi Sabi with a cat card game.

  10. Expand the idea of giving with Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival and a Pawsitively New Orleans T-shirt, and throw in some Mardi Gras beads.

  11. Give One Hen — How One Small Loan Made a Big Difference with a loan to Kiva or a donation to Heifer International to buy chicks.

  12. Give What the World Eats with a promise for an international dinner out or in.

  13. Give Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Writing Thank You Notes with, um, cute stationery.

  14. Pair Every Soul a Star with The Kids Book of the Night Sky and plan a date to look at the stars together.

  15. You can’t go wrong with the funny poems and outstanding art in Frankenstein Takes the Cake along with a cake-baking session, followed by reading the book together. As a matter of fact, throw in Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich and make a whole day of it.

  16. Speaking of the amazing Adam Rex, give the hilarious book The True Meaning of Smekday with a the related T-shirt Regarding Stickyfish Teams, I Favor the Bigfield Fighting Koobish.

  17. Buy a teen My Life the Musical or Dramarama along with tickets to a show.

  18. Give Young Adult book A La Carte with personal cooking lessons

  19. Match casino gambling themed Drop with a deck of cards and a family game of penny poker or blackjack.

  20. I’ve used this before, but there is no 2008 book that more deserves post-reading discussion at Starbucks than The Adoration of Jenna Fox.

  21. I left this picture book for the end, because I think it has many levels and can be enjoyed by all ages. Give How to Heal a Broken Wing in a quiet moment and have a heart-to-heart talk.

15 comments:

Jennifer Schultz said...

When you get a chance, could you add the "21 Ways" tag to your latest posts? I'd love to link to them on my blog.

EM said...

I just finished GRACELING and keep wanting to make the wholly inappropriate suggestion to pair that with a nice dagger or sword. (Maybe a series of martial arts lessons?)

Terry Doherty said...

Thanks for the shout-out (and including Velma). I've really enjoyed the variety in your collection of ideas ... especially the ones that incorporate trying new things, like international dining. Santa may be very interested in the geography book/inflatable globe.

Lorie Ann Grover said...

One of my favorite YA novels of the year is LOOKS by Madeleine George. Give it as a gift to a teen girl with India.Arie's cd ACOUSTIC SOUL.

Or give ballroom dance lessons with Beth Kephart's HOUSE OF DANCE!

Anonymous said...

Another idea for a companion to Lester Fizz, Bubble-Gum Artist: An art set. (Though, what kid wouldn't love a big bag of bubblegum?!)

Bill said...

(Editorial note: "21 Ways" tags added!)

Abby said...

Woo, another great list! Thanks for linking me, too. ;)

Boni Ashburn said...

Thanks for including my book (Hush, Little Dragon)! When I saw what you were doing this week, I couldn't help myself and did a few ideas of my own on my blog- it's so much fun! I could do that all day :) Great idea, Pam.

jama said...

Thanks for all these great lists, Pam :)!

Jennifer Schultz said...

Thanks for the tags-and the link to Kiddosphere!

Sherrie Petersen said...

Well, you earned your commission from me! I clicked through to Amazon and bought that Rat-a-Tat Cat card game for my cat loving daughter along with a cat book. Thanks for the suggestion!

Anonymous said...

Mary and I are "pawsitively" grateful that you included the Two Bobbies on your gift-giving list -- which, when given, is double-gifting because 10% of our authors' royalties are being donated to Best Friends Animal Society, the organization that rescued the two Bobs.

Books are the purrfect gift for any occasion!

Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery

Mary Nethery said...

Thanks so much, Pam, for including Two Bobbies on your very creative and fun gift list! When you purchase a copy of Two Bobbies you also give another very precious gift to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, as Kirby and I donate 10% of our author proceeds to BFs. It's our way of thanking them for caring for Bobbi and Bob Cat and as well as for all those animals in need of love and protection.

Anonymous said...

I love all these book pairings and was so surprised to see The Adoration of Jenna Fox listed. Yes, pair with a Starbucks card--I'll be there to chat and drink a latte with you!

Thanks for the pairing,

~Mary

Gillian said...

I love your lists here. I hadn't realized there were Smekday shirts. Might have to get me one.

I'm compiling a list of blogs by VA Librarians for the Youth Services Wiki, can I include yours? And if so, do you have a name and library you want linked to your blog?

Thanks,
Gillian