Buying for a whole family of children? Here is one standout book for every age, from a first board book to a teen thriller. We mixed recent winners, which they are less likely to own already, with modern classics that never disappoint.
Each book was honored by a major prize jury, and each one links to a full guide for that age if you want more choices. If you are unsure about the age, go a little younger for picture books and a little older for novels: a picture book that is 'too young' is rarely unwelcome, while a novel that is too hard gets put aside.
Beth Krommes
Great for babies
For a baby: a glowing bedtime poem in black, white and gold that parents enjoy reading as much as babies enjoy hearing. A Caldecott winner that makes a beautiful first book. More in our guide for babies.
2009 Caldecott Medal winner
Honor2005
Mo Willems
Great for ages 1 to 3
For a 2-year-old: Trixie loses her bunny at the laundromat and cannot yet say so. Toddlers recognize every feeling, and parents laugh at every page.
2005 Caldecott Medal Honor Book
Winner2024
Vashti Harrison
Great for ages 3 to 6
For ages 3 to 6: a girl hears that she is 'too big' in a hundred small ways, and slowly takes those words back. A recent Caldecott winner, tender and powerful, and a book that says something every child needs to hear.
2024 Caldecott Medal winner
Winner2023
Doug Salati
Great for a dog lover
For ages 3 to 6: a dachshund in the hot, loud city has had enough, and his owner takes him to the beach. A recent Caldecott winner that feels like a summer holiday on a cold winter day.
2023 Caldecott Medal winner
Winner2024
Corey R. Tabor
Great for ages 5 to 7
For a new reader: a recent Geisel Award winner from the author of Fox the Tiger. Few words, big pictures and real humor, so a beginning reader can manage it on their own.
2024 Geisel Award winner
Winner2013
Katherine Applegate
Great for ages 8 to 10
For ages 8 to 10: a gorilla who lives in a shopping mall decides to give a baby elephant a better life. Short chapters, a huge heart and based on a true story.
2013 Newbery Medal winner
Winner2022
Donna Barba Higuera
Great for ages 10 to 13
For ages 10 to 13: a girl wakes on a spaceship centuries after Earth is gone and fights to keep her grandmother's stories alive. A recent Newbery winner that combines science fiction with family and storytelling.
2022 Newbery Medal winner
Winner2019
Elizabeth Acevedo
Great for teens
For a teen: a girl in Harlem finds her voice through slam poetry. A Carnegie Medal winner in verse, fierce and fast to read.
2019 Carnegie Medal for Writing winner
The American awards (Caldecott, Newbery, Geisel) are announced every January, and the Carnegie Medals in June. Our award pages list every winner by year.
Most bookshops accept exchanges, especially with a gift receipt. Recent winners are less likely to be duplicates than classics.
Yes. Award winners make excellent classroom and library gifts, and teachers often know the medals well.
Need more ideas? Each age has its own guide with eight hand-picked books.