Match Book: New books for kids

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Reader
Anonymous, Cambridge

Challenge

I have many children in my life that I love to gift books to. I am well acquainted with all of the classics of children's literature. I would appreciate any newer or lesser-known recommendations for kids of all ages from toddlers to teenagers. I especially enjoy picture books that are fun for the adult to read aloud.

Match Book

Finally a kids book challenge! I have been waiting for the chance.

For the past year I have been giving the following very silly, underappreciated books as gifts: "Naptime" by Iris de Moüy, translated by Shelley Tanaka; "Where Is It Coming From" by Dave Eggers; and "Thank You, Octopus" by Darren Farrell for all toddler absurdists in your life. "The Storm Whale" by Benji Davies is a deeper weepy that gives ballast to your reading list. All of these picture books were orginally recommended to me by the fabulous Harvard Bookstore children's book buyer, Liz Sher.

For young readers who want something meatier than picture books and like emotional nuance, you can't miss with the thick, but accessible, "The Year of Billy Miller" by Kevin Henkes. A picture book champion, Henkes rocks the longer form.

For middle-graders "The Real Boy" by Anne Ursu and illustrated by Erin McGuire, longlisted for the National Book Award, can be read aloud alternating between kid and adult readers. And for young adults open to historical fiction I recommend National Book Award winner, "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M. T. Anderson.

NICOLE LAMY