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The 2021 MMD gift guide for bookish kids

I’m sure no one will be shocked to hear that I love to give gifts of the readerly variety, and that this has been true for as long as I can remember. It’s so nice to know I’m not alone in this! For those who think book gifts are the best gifts, you’ll be pleased to see this year there’s no shortage of great gift ideas for the bookish kids in your life. This list includes gifts my kids have received over the years, gifts I’m planning on giving this year, and gifts I wish I had a reason to give this year.

Take note: there may be no shortage of options this year, but order now to make sure they arrive on your doorstep before you need them. We’ve included lots of independent shops and creators on this list, so watch those shipping deadlines and do them a favor by getting your orders in early. Shopping early goes a long way towards easing the pressure of both supply chain issues and ordinary seasonal stress for small businesses.

This gift guide is geared towards preschoolers up to older kids, but we couldn’t resist slipping in a few baby bookish gifts: some of my very favorites are this cute Baby Goodnight Moon bodysuit and this Clifford Storybook Baby Blanket. For bookish teens tea, chocolate, and candles will never go amiss, and please know the teens in my house want basically everything on this year’s gift guide for grown-up book lovers.

I hope you enjoy perusing this guide, and I hope you’ll share your favorite bookish gifts for kid readers in comments.

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100 Kids Books Scratch Off Poster

Read your way through 100 classic kids’ books and scratch off as you go to reveal the artwork. This could be a fun project for the whole family!

Reader Girl Bookend 

Such a cute bookend! Scroll Master Designs has a bunch of other great silhouette bookends to choose from.

It’s a good day to read a book T-shirt

Truer words were never spoken.

Litographs Frog and Toad Throw Blanket

A soft fleece blanket with artwork created out of words from favorite books, like Frog and Toad, The Little Prince, Black Beauty, The Boxcar Children, and more.

Lego Bookmark

Lego lovers of all ages will get a kick out of this durable bookmark.

Jambo Book Club Subscription Box

There are so many great kids’ book subscriptions to choose from. Jambo Book Club helps you build a multicultural library, sending two books per month that feature a child of color as the main character.

Galison Queen of The Stacks Set of Two Puzzle Set

Two uniquely shaped puzzles means twice the fun! Be sure to check out the titles on the spines.

Create Your Own Published Storybook Kit

Encourage the aspiring writer in your life with this cool storybook kit. They write and illustrate the story, then pop it in the mail—and they’ll get a hardcover copy back. There’s also a Create Your Own Comic Book Kit.

Bullet Dotted Journal – A5 Dot Grid Notebook

My daughter has gotten way into journaling these past two years and these journals are her FAVORITE.

Tombow Dual Brush Pens

Good pens are a great accompaniment to journals; my daughter says these are her favorite for hand-lettering and illustrations.

Boxed set

It’s never too early to start building your child’s library with a wonderful collection, like Puffin Hardcover Classics. This is just one of many beautiful children’s box sets.

Bookworm Kids T-shirt

This t-shirt is too cute! Jordandené has it available for grownups too.

Grammar Pencils

Never forget the rules of grammar again, thanks to this helpful pencil set.

The world was hers for the reading sticker

I love this sticker from Carrot Top Paper Shop! Stickers seem to be a hit in general, like this one and this one.

A Book Is A New Adventure bookplate

A bookplate is such a special touch for any budding home library.

Little Women 500 Piece Puzzle

I love this needlework book cover art by artist Rachell Sumpter. This would be a fun puzzle to work on, whether alone or with help.

Personal library kit ​​

This is seriously a go-to gift for us (we’ve given dozens as presents). It ranks as one of my kids’ favorite literary gifts, ever.

Personalized book bracelet

Choose the birthstone and initial letter to personalize this book charm bracelet.

Happy shopping, and happy reading!

P.S. 15 gift ideas for kids who love to read, 15 bookish gifts for kids who love to read, A very bookish Christmas countdown, and the 2021 Modern Mrs Darcy gift guide for book lovers.

The 2021 MMD gift guide for bookish kids

8 comments

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  1. Those bookplates! The T-shirt! The bracelet! Love, Love everything about this list – thank you! May I humbly suggest that if you are looking for beautifully packaged collections of children’s picture books curated by a former Children’s librarian, check out Lion & Dragonfly Book Collections? For every five books we sell, we donate a book to a teacher working in an underfunded community.

    • Jessica says:

      Thank you for the suggestion! I’m excited to see some fresh ideas in both the fall and Christmas selections! Looking forward to getting an order in this week.

  2. Claire says:

    My favorite book-related gift to give is a gift card to a local independent bookstore, then take the recipient for an afternoon visit to spend the gift card, and for an ice-cream afterwards.

  3. Maya says:

    I gave my daughter My Reading Life for her 13th birthday today. She loved it and can’t wait to use it. I think this will be a wonderful memento for her when she’s older. Thank you!

  4. Kelsey says:

    I loved the “It’s a good day to read a book” shirt as a Christmas gift for all my kids, but my children are 6, 5, 3, and 1. The link on the blog seemed to only have adult sizes from what I could tell. So if you want to purchase that shirt for younger kids, I found this etsy shop that has toddler and youth size choices > https://www.etsy.com/listing/1081808575/its-a-good-day-to-read-books-tee-reading?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=it%26%2339%3Bs+a+good+day+to+read+a+book&ref=sr_gallery-1-2&organic_search_click=1&pro=1

    Also, last year for Christmas I got all my kids book-themed pajamas from their favorite books from Books to Bed on Amazon. They LOVE them! https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Books+to+Bed&ref=bl_sl_s_ap_web_20344592011

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