When it comes to shopping for kids, Christmas presents tend to be either electronic gadgets or faddy plastic toys. Unfortunately, most of those must have toys don’t hold up very well. A few weeks after Christmas, I usually have to throw three quarters of their Christmas wish list toys away because they have been reduced to a basic hunk of plastic. So, this year, I am going to be buying many of the children’s gifts I need from my own Usborne bookstore!

Usborne books make great kids’ Christmas presents because:

• They are sturdily made. I have other books for children that literally fell apart before the kids made it the whole way through them one time. I have yet to have one of Usborne’s books fall apart on me, but if the kids do manage to tear one to bits, I will be able to get it replaced for half the retail price. (Plus a $5 processing fee.)
• They are more than just a gift. They are literacy building blocks. Kids who have a home library of colorful, well written books will learn to read more easily and will do better in school than kids who don’t have books at home.
• They don’t go out of style. Today’s must have G Force toy is tomorrow’s old news, but a good book can literally be passed down from generation to generation.

Well, enough talking already! Here is my Christmas gift guide for parents who want to give the gift of reading:

Baby and Toddler Christmas Present Ideas

The Old Steam Train Kid Kit is the perfect gift for any 4 year old boy with a passion for trains. It includes a great book and a train for kids to assemble and play with.There are also several other kid kits that are suitable for four to five year old children.

Holiday Gift Ideas for 6 to 10 Year Olds

This Beginner’s Set includes several high interest, easy reader books that are sure to please young boys and girls. I’ve tested them on my gang and they really enjoy them. The Sharks title is a family favorite. The books are packed with fun facts and exciting pictures.

There are also several other sets available. Beginners set one appeals to girls who like cute, fluffy things, such as chicks and butterflies. Beginners set two is sure to appeal to an active boy, since it includes books about trucks and pirates. Beginners set four is great for a child interested in learning more about the world or going green.

Kid Kits are perfect for the 8 to 10 year old crowd, since they can read the book or cards in the kit and then do the activity. I’m loving the new How to Draw Robots and Aliens kid kit. Other kits I really like are:

• Magic Tricks to Make and Do
• Starting Chess
• Dinosaur Adventure Excavation
• Start Cooking

Another set of books I really enjoy giving to kids around this time of year are the holiday themed titles. There are quite a few of them and they are all nicely done, but my current favorite is the Little Book of Christmas Cooking. It is actually part of an entire cooking series for kids and is perfect for moms (or dads!) and kids to work on together.

For a before Christmas gift, I usually like to buy an Advent calendar. This year, I think I will get the Advent Nativity Book instead.

Usborne Christmas Gift Ideas for Older Children

Horse crazy girls are sure to enjoy the Sandy Lane Stables series.  The stories center around the girls who spend all their free waking moments hanging out with the horses at Sandy Lane.

Photos via Usborne.com. Need a last minute gift? I am an independent consultant for Usborne books and would be delighted to help you pick out a fun title from the books I have in stock!