8 brilliant chapter book combinations for kids aged 5 to 14 this Christmas

 

We’re firm believers that a well-chosen book is an excellent gift for any occasion. But there’s something particularly special about gifting books at Christmas. Perhaps it’s the fact that you can just imagine the recipient snuggling up to enjoy their new book during the cold winter months that follow the festivities?

Books are also gifts that go on giving enjoyment well beyond the day that they’re unwrapped. Sometimes they can sit on a shelf for a while but, when the time is right, a child will be able to dive right in and enjoy the wonderful story that you’ve shared.

Have we convinced you that books make a great gift for kids? Hopefully!

 

How to choose chapter books for children to give as gifts

But the next question is – “Which book to choose?” And that is where it’s easy to come unstuck. There are so, so many books to choose from when you walk into a bookshop or browse your favourite online retailer. The choice can be overwhelming and it’s all too easy to stick to the classics you remember from your own childhood or the bestsellers and celebrity-penned titles that dominate the shelves and tables.

Every year we read hundreds of children’s books in order to select the very best of the bunch for our subscription boxes. We always read with our child subscribers in mind and work hard to find unusual or undiscovered titles that they may not have come across easily. Families tell us that through our boxes they’ve discovered new favourites that they would never have picked up in a bookshop or library.

 

Parrot Street’s book recommendations for kids

We’ve taken a look back at the books we’ve selected for subscribers and for our bookshop over the last few years and chosen the following combinations that we think would make a fantastic gift bundle. We’ve included titles for a range of ages and focused on spotlighting books that you may not find front and centre in your local bookshop.

 

 

Highly-illustrated first chapter books for early readers

Destiny Ink: Sleepover Surprise is a sweet and gentle story about overcoming your fears. Huxley and Flapjack: Trouble at Sea irrepressible koala with BIG ideas, and his penguin best friend. Finally, Adventuremice: Otter Chaos is fun-filled, full-colour animal adventure.

 

Longer illustrated chapter books for more confident readers

Though still illustrated these titles are a little longer and would make a particularly great combination for readers aged 7 and up. The O.D.D. Squad: Rise of Invisidog is a hilariously silly adventure with cartoon-style illustrations throughout. The Wishkeeper's Apprentice is a gentle and charming peppered with magic. Finally, Michael the Incredible Super-Sleuth Sausage Dog is funny canine adventure with plenty of heart.

 

Fantasy books for readers aged 8 to 12

The fantasy worlds created by the authors of these three books are all very different but equally enjoyable to explore. The Girl Who Dreamed in Magic is an epic, myth-inspired adventure across an icy landscape. Magicalia: Race of Wonders is a sparkling fantasy adventure featuring strange creatures and a gripping mystery! Finally, The Sword of the Sun combines a modern family drama with myth, magic, fantasy and adventure.

 

Thought-provoking, real world stories for older primary school-aged readers

Again, these three titles are very different but complementary. Countdown to Yesterday is a moving story about navigating family breakups and new friendships. I am Rebel is a heartwarming historical adventure about the bond between a dog and his human. Stitched Up is a school-based story about fashion, friendship and finding your own path.

  

Fantastic adventures for nature lovers with environmental themes

The Cloud Thief is a cosy, magic story that addresses important environmental themes. Greenwild: The World Behind the Door is the first in a thrilling eco-adventure series laced with magic and mystery. In contrast Save Our Forest! is a full-colour graphic novel set telling a real world story about tween friendships and eco-activism!

 

Fantasy books that will transport tween and teen readers

In these three books the fantasy world that the authors have created are unsettling and will prompt older readers to question their assumptions. All three books were chosen for our Macaw subscribers and can be purchased with their accompanying activity packs.

Use BUNDLE at checkout to save 10% on the total when buying any three book & activity pack sets. 

Postcards from Valhalla is a chilling mythological mystery primarily set on Shetland. King of Dead Things is a dark, urban fantasy exploring magic within the Jamaican diaspora. Finally, The Stars Did Wander Darkling is a supernatural thriller centred on a small US town in the 1980s.

 

Books for tweens and teens with strong female leads

These books are wildly different but all feature female lead characters learning to navigate their world and growing in confidence. In Sister of the Moon grieving Suzy wishes her life would change and when Rhiannon joins her school, suddenly it does but who is Rhiannon and where did she come from? Bringing Back Kay-Kay is about a sister's journey across India to find her brother when the adults around her have dismissed and underestimated her. Finally, The Thread That Connect Us is a gripping family drama touching on the strong and complex relationships mothers and daughters, sisters and best friends.

All 3 books come with activity packs and you can use BUNDLE to save 10% when buying three sets. 

Nail-biting adventures for tween and teen readers aged 12+

Older readers will be rooting for the lead characters as they face seemingly impossible challenges in these three books. Code Name Kingfisher is a gripping and moving story told in both the present day and during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The Last Whale is an action-packed eco-adventure set in the present day and a near future where it seems whales are extinct. Finally, Mexikid is a brilliantly inventive, award-winning graphic novel that tells one boy's coming of age story with heart and humour.