A Guide for Pairing Toys with Books // Fourth Edition
I’ve been moody lately. I don’t even feel like I need to explain it to you because I think you’re feeling it too. I’ve been hunting for “The Thing” that might pull me out of it. But I think you also already know “The Thing” doesn’t exist. It’s never one thing that helps. It’s a hundred tiny little things that work differently at different times. The more we experience this feeling, the more tools we have to help us. And yet this year requires an entirely new set of tools, which apparently, like toilet paper, is all sold out.
Some are turning to Christmas trees and twinkle lights for “The Thing.” I support this. I will get there. But it hasn’t felt like what I wanted quite yet. Really, I don’t know what I want. It certainly isn’t in a gift list. It never is in a gift list. And you know that, too (you are so smart.)
But it also isn’t NOT in a gift list. What I mean is, I remembered this week that I am no stranger to funky moods during Christmas. I’ve been first trimester pregnant, I’ve been third trimester pregnant. I’ve had new babies, I’ve been in new places. Now here we are in Pandemic Christmas, certainly new but still quite similar to these uncomfortable transitions. So I looked back at years past and tried to find one small thing that brought me joy when holiday depression settled.
Gift giving.
Really, it’s not even in the gift giving but rather the gift curating I love so much. It’s a creative nudge that I can handle when my body just wants to be still. My favorite gift planning of all is in my Book and Toy Pairing Gift guides. As a form of resistance against the negative feelings, I set about creating this year’s list. The process involves books and creativity, all things I love. And when we go hunting for the things we love, we find joy. That’s not a small thing.
I hope you enjoy this year’s list. Feel free to visit these archives for year’s past.
And if you, too, are sitting in the middle of an unfortunate mood, I hope you can find something small that brings you joy soon.
Sometimes it is the toys that drive me to find a book. This year it was the books. Many are favorites. Some are new and on our wish lists and library lists. All are sure to delight both you and the children in your lives. Because extending story to play is another small joy worth finding.
P.S.When you make a purchase though my links, I make a small commission. That being said, these are my honest opinions and I was not paid to talk about any of the products mentioned. I just think they are pretty great!
Winter Books
I think one guy of the best ways to mark the changing of a season is in reading books that fit that season. Winter brings some of my favorite books. You’ll find many of them in this list. Here are some new ones we have enjoyed.
The Wish Tree / Penguin Problems / Mice Skating / Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter / Lines
While sleds or winter gear might be an obvious pairing with winter books, I feel I need to give a plug to these indoor snowballs. Trust me, you will like these more than you think. I have taken great pleasure at pelting my children at the end of a long week, and their giggle fits tell me they like it too.
Notable People in History Books
I gather many of my books from the library, but these are some I don’t mind having in our own collection. Reading about heroes in history feels like one of the best ways I can teach my children how to be good humans.
Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls / Little Dreamers / Dream Big Little One / Think Big Little One
One of the primary reasons we pair books with toys is so the story can continue long after the last page. Along with a diverse set of books, adding diversity to our children’s play things is just as important. These stickers would be fun for kids to put together different people. These little peg dolls are so simple and sweet. I’m also heart eyeing this collection of inspiring women. I love the idea of Frida Kahlo, RBG, and Rosa Parks all having tea together inside a little dollhouse. Or better yet, going on a road trip like Thelma and Louise! Step aside, Barbie. There are some new women in town!
How Things Work Books
We have the How Trains Work and How Airports Work and thoroughly enjoy this series. There is so much to find in each picture that I don’t think we will ever tire of it. I want to add the third book in this series How Cities Work.
How Airports Work / How Trains Work / How Cities Work
The toy to pair with these books is pretty obvious and there is no shortage of cars and trains and plane options out there for you. But I especially love these rubber ones from Wonder Wheels for Battat. We have the airplane and I will be adding the garbage truck along with the How Cities Work book. They have a few moving pieces but also as sturdy as can be which is important.
Bike Books
All of these books on bikes charmed me with their covers and I haven’t even read them yet. They would be the perfect gift to your wheel loving little one.
Go Bikes Go / Cycle City / Born to Ride / The Red Bicycle
This bike light with multiple sounds is sure to impress the neighborhood bike gang.
USA Travel Books
Very few of us are traveling these days. But the planning is half the fun anyway. There are some great index books on fun facts about the country. Or dive into the Larry Gets Lost series, always a fun way to introduce your kids to new places around our country. Get your kids in on dreaming up the next big adventure!
National Parks of the USA / 50 Adventures in the 50 States / National Geographic Ultimate US Road Trip Atlas / Larry Gets Lost in Chicago / Larry Loves Chicago
We love this puzzle to go along with a big road trip. Also you could consider any of these favorite road toys in this post. And these journals look like so much fun, especially if you are headed to any of these national parks. Also, I found this camper van when looking at the Wonder Wheels from above and I think this would be such a cute addition. Santa is adding this to his bag for our house this year.
Shape Books
The best books are those that tell such a great story you don’t even notice you are learning. These books are all fun ways of teaching about shapes.
Round is a Tortilla / Square / Circle / Triangle / Shape Shift
Bring the shapes out of the story and into your kids hands with creativity while also teaching geometry. These tangrams have been a big hit for our kids this fall. It is even satisfying for adults.
Cardboard Creation Books
It is true that you give a kid a present and all they really want to play with is the box. But there is no greater beginning point for imagination. These books capture the magic in a box.
A Fort on the Moon / Cardboard Kingdom / The Fort
And these cardboard creation tools continue it into play. Start saving your cardboard now!