The last thing a mama wants for Christmas is to blow the budget on gifts our kids won’t even play with after a few weeks. Who wants more random toys taking up space in the house? No, thanks. This is why I’m giving my six kids some great books that they will pick up again and again. 

We are big library people over here, and check out books weekly. Most of them we enjoy, and then return. But there are always a few that really stand out, and the kids ask to check those out over and over. I’d say one out of every fifty books we grab from the library earns that honor. What gives a kids’ book that certain je ne sais quoi? Usually it’s either heartwarming or hilarious. Bonus points when authors do both. (We’re looking at you, Mo Willems.)

I wanted to share some of those favorites with you, in case you are also in the market for books for your favorite people. I don’t want to tie you down here on the age range. I have read each of these books aloud to my kids, ages 3-11. My preschoolers listen with rapt attention, and my bigger kids who can read by themselves also enjoy picking these up and rereading. 

• Mercy Watson. Honestly, I think anything that Kate DiCamillo writes is just magical. This was my first foray into her writing and we all were in stitches. The illustrations help. They’re colorful enough to keep your littles engaged. 
• Amelia Bedelia. I vividly remember cracking up at this weirdo’s maid outfit and constant confusion. Why is she like this? I don’t know, but we are all glad that she is. The early reader editions are our favorite. My older daughter has read the chapter books, but prefers the earlier readers. Plus, you can read them aloud to the whole crew at once. 
• What Should Danny Do? My seven-year-old son is especially into this one. It’s basically a choose your own ending book, but gives the protagonist options to be rude or make good choices, then turn to the corresponding page, and see how that worked out for him. My younger kiddos also enjoyed the element of choice in this one. 
• The Gruffalo. A tiny mouse cleverly outsmarts all his predators in this classic. There is nothing not to love. Even the title. You had me at Gruffalo. Although the entire time we had the book on loan, I kept making Jeanine Gruffalo references. I think everyone was over that by the time the book came due. So, read and enjoy, but also keep your Jeanine Gruffalo jokes to a minimum, I think you are allowed like four total, so be sure to space them out accordingly. 
• Seven Silly Eaters. This book is a family classic for us. It’s about this family brimming with kids (hi), and each child only likes one specific food. So mom is realllly busy and exhausted. The first time I read this I was annoyed at the beginning, like, “Uh, you eat the thing I made, kid. Ain’t no short order cooks in this house.” In case that’s you, just suspend that feeling for a minute and go with the story. The ending is lovely. 
• Elephant and Piggie. Author Mo Willems is a master at his craft. With so few words, he elicits knee-slapping laughter from all of us. This proves especially helpful as your littles are just beginning to learn how to read. Little reading effort required, and huge reading enjoyment. Great read-aloud, great for early readers. When my older son was in first grade, he and a little girl from his class would go to the library at lunch recess and sit together reading this series, laughing their faces off. The books were so entertaining, that six year olds preferred reading them to playing outside! 

Let me know if you buy, check out or have already read any of these. Love hearing your suggestions, too! Leave me a rec in the comment below and I’ll add it to our library holds. 