2014-11-28

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Giving your friends, family and loved ones the gift of reading is one of the best holiday presents. We have complied a list of the best books to give this holiday season.



Roaming Reindeer Kit

Every child has their “naughty” days and their “nice” days. This darling story with two accompanying plush reindeer helps encourage the “nice” behavior and reinforces teamwork. A book to engage the entire family.

Maurice’s Valises

Maurice the mouse travels the world learning valuable lessons about telling the truth, compassion, friendship, kindness and other moral lessons from many different cultures. Along the way he collects momentos in his valise he shares as he tells stories your children can learn from. Beautifully illustrated and interactive.

Disney Frozen Hairstyles: Inspired By Anna and Elsa

The perfect gift for your Frozen princesses.  Recreate hairstyles inspired by the beautiful Elsa and Anna. Clearly illustrated with easy to follow step by step instructions and beautifully photographed on real girls,  this book offers 28 hairstyles to choose from.

Disney Princess Hairstyles: 40 Amazing Princess Hairstyles With Step by Step images

For the little girl who dreams of being a princess! Step by step instructions with illustrations and photographs to recreate the hairstyles of eleven of Disney’s most beloved princesses.  The perfect companion to “Disney Frozen Hairstyles”.

Blizzard

Few things are more exciting to a young child than snowflakes beginning to fall. Now your child can relive the blizzard that brought 53 inches of snow to a town in Rhode Island. John Rocco shares this adventure from his childhood through colorful illustrations and brief text. A wonderful book to cozy up with and escape into a winter wonderland.

This is the Greatest Place!: The Forbidden City and the World of Small Animals

Your child will explore the architectural, cultural and natural world that influenced the creation of The Forbidden City in Beijing through the eyes of Uncle Builder as he seeks to create a palace like no other for The Emperor. The book has interactive elements and is intended for ages 5 – 9.

In the Forbidden City (We All Live in the Forbidden City)

Take a walking tour through time of The Forbidden City with line drawings that illustrate every aspect of the city including its design, inhabitants, inner workings, and history. This book is a great opportunity for children 9 and older to begin learning about China’s lush culture and its history.

Don’t Judge a Lizard by His Scales: Book One in The Principle Gang series

A story about the unlikely friendship between Danny the Wizard Lizard and Bli the Fly. Your child will learn important lessons about bullying, prejudice and friendship. A wonderful opportunity to read with your child to start conversations on these topics.

Wizard Lizard Rides the Subway: Book Two in The Principle Gang series

Danny the Wizard and Bli the Fly travel to New York City for an anti-bullying conference. Your child will go along for the ride as they explore the city and will learn three secrets for handling bullies. This is the second book in the Principle Gang series by Physician Dr. Dan Dugi and his wife, Physician Assistant Bli Dugi.

My Yellow Balloon

A young boy must cope with the loss of his best friend, a yellow balloon he does everything with, when it slips from his grasp and flies away. This book helps children deal with grief and loss and provides reassurance there are happier days ahead.

Tweens

The Red Sun: Legends of Orkney

The first in a series of adventure fantasy stories for tweens by Alane Adams, “The Red Sun” was written for Adams’ son Alex.  She tells the story of an angry young boy Sam Baron who travels to the magical realm of Okney to save his father and friends. While in this alternate world, Sam encounters all sorts of mythical creatures, battles dark forces, unravels secrets about his past and must break an ancient curse that threatens to destroy Okney. Will Sam, his father and friends find a way home or will they be trapped in Okney forever?

Giants in the Land: Book One: The Way of Things

Imagine living in a village where the giants you are dependent upon for protection and survival suddenly disappear. This is the position the village Thomas lives in, finds itself in. Thomas, a young farmer, bravely volunteers to set out on his own to find them. In his quest, Thomas faces danger and learns about the true nature of giants. This book written by Clark Rich Burbridge and illustrated by Karl C Hepworth is the first in a series with valuable life lessons for young readers.

The Prodigals: Book Two – Giants in the Land

The story of Thomas continues in this second book of the “Giants in the Land” series by Clark Rich Burbridge. Thomas’ grandson, Tommy aged 17 with the help of his grandfather and giant, Earthwater must save his young sister, Rose from village raiders who have kidnapped and enslaved her. Life lessons on what it means to be a giant continue.

Mortal Heart (His Fair Assassin Trilogy)

For tween fans of the New York Times best selling supernatural romance series “His Fair Assasins Trilogy” by Robin LaFevers. This final book in the series follows the story of sister Annith introduced earlier in the trilogy, who has trained her entire life to do Death’s work as an assassin. When she learns she will not be sent on a mission to serve Death, she defies the convent and leaves to fulfill her dreams.

Ask the Dark

For the young adult reader who loves scary murder mysteries! This is Henry Turner’s debut novel and gets a rave review from New York Times Best Selling author, Michael Grant (“Gone” and “BZRK”).

Pet Lovers

ASK ANNA: Advice for the Furry and Forlorn

Best selling author, Dean Koontz’s golden retriever Anna has an advice column for her fellow canines. A humorous collection of letters and Anna’s responses make for a highly entertaining read and all proceeds from the book go to Canine Companions for Independence, an organization that provides canine companions for people with disabilities.

Legacy of the Claw (Animas Book One)

For your tween animal lover. The first book of the brand new Animas series written by C.R. Grey. Admitted to the prestigious Fairmont Academy, twelve year old Bailey Walker hopes to connect with his missing animas… his animal counterpart. At the Academy, Bailey and the students venture outside the grounds of the school into the Dark Woods which are shrouded in mystery and adventure. Meanwhile the capital city near Fairmont holds its own dark secrets.

Foodie

Cold Press Juice Bible: 300 Delicious, Nutritious, All-Natural Recipes for Your Masticating Juicer

The perfect gift for anyone looking to start the New Year off right! With over 300 delicious creations, this book features 200 calorie recipes, tips and tricks, recipes rich in vitamins and anti-oxidants, as well as cleansing and weight-loss recipes.

Woman’s Day Easy Everyday Lighter Dinners: Healthy, family-friendly mains, sides and desserts

From Woman’s Day magazine, for the busy, budget conscious woman who appreciates recipes that are quick and easy, yet healthy and delicious. Author Kate Merker has worked as a line cook for Alfred Portale’s Gotham Bar and Grill in New York City and is the Food & Nutrition Director for Woman’s Day. She emphasizes fresh ingredients in dishes that are lower in calories, fat and cholesterol.

Traveler

Why Your Flight Attendant Hates You: And other useful information for the flying public, courtesy of a former Flight Attendant

Are you a flight attendant? A high maintenance flyer? Do you know one or both of these? A former flight attendant humorously shares her experiences and gives you a glimpse of what makes air travel so trying when passengers forget their manners. A bit of a rant? To be fair, yes. But it certainly illustrates the frustrations of dealing with the flying public who like all of us aren’t always at their best. Stock up and bring one copy with you when you fly to have at the ready to hand out to a deserving fellow air traveller.

A Quick Guide to Travelling with Kids

For many parents, traveling with young children can be an anxiety inducing experience. This humorous guide written by a mom who is a former flight attendant and seasoned traveler herself will give you advice on traveling with babies and toddlers, what to pack, making it through security, how to keep kids entertained at the boarding gate and on the flight, as well as other tips.

Spiritual

Good Health, Good Life: 12 Keys to Enjoying Physical and Spiritual Wellness

For the busy person in your life who could use some support in treating themselves well. This audiobook written by Christian Author Joyce Meyer and narrated by Jodi Carlisle provides insight on habits that undermine good health and shares 12 keys for embracing a healthy lifestyle for body, mind and spirit.

Jesus Daily: 365 Interactive Devotions

By the popular Jesus Daily Facebook page founder, Aaron Tabor M.D., this hardcover book offers 365 versus from the Bible, a devotion, and a recommended interaction that will move you beyond simply reflecting to connecting the passage to your real world life and relationships.

Inspirational

The Way of Tea and Justice: Rescuing the World’s Favorite Beverage from Its Violent History

Written by Episcopal priest, Becca Stevens who has founded organizations that employ and help victimized women recover and get back on their feet. Stevens weaves experiences and lessons she learned in building one of these organizations, The Thistle Stop Café, with the history of tea, its meaning in peoples lives, and tea blend recipes the tea lover on your Christmas list can make herself.

A Life Intercepted: A Novel

This novel by New York Times Best Selling Author, Charles Martin, tells the story of a man who has it all and loses everything. Married and the top NFL draft pick, he is falsely charged with and convicted of a terrible crime. He loses his promising career, his wife, and his freedom. Upon release from prison he is determined to win his wife’s love back, but the path there may put him back in prison for good.

Dana Wilde grew up playing “sous chef” for her father as he churned out one amazing meal after the next for family and friends. She inherited her father’s life long passion for cooking and has spent the past two decades studying, reading, practicing, experimenting, and creating in the kitchen. Together, she and her sister, Shan are Simply Wilde, a small boutique catering business focusing on in-home entertaining.

The post Holiday Gift Guide: The Best of Books appeared first on OC Mom Blog.

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