Need gift advice.

[saxikath]

A dear friend of mine has three kids for whom I want to get holiday gifts. I have something for two of them, but I'm stumped on the third. She's 6 years old (I think, maybe 7). I've kind of lost track of what she's into, but I know she loves books. jadelennox, colorwheel, I know you guys normally look at stuff for older kids, but do you have ideas? bookishfellow? Anyone? Or something other than a book?

Two ideas would be even better, because her birthday is two days before Christmas.

Comments

[bookishfellow.livejournal.com]

I'm gonna put in a plug for Astrid Lindgren. Jadelennox and Colorwheel may be better about suggesting individual title appropriate for a 6-7 year old, but there are the Pippi Longstocking books for a younger reader, or a nice and little-known story of friendship called Ronia the Robber's Daughter for a mid-level reader or read-to-me book.

[qarylla.livejournal.com]

Actually, if she likes to read and she is that young, then maybe something like:

IlluStory

would work. It looks cool, but geared to a younger audience.

[saxikath]

Oh, what an awesome idea. I think she'd like this, and I know her mother would think it was cool. :)

[kayre]

My tutoring students and piano students are all about that age. They all go absolutely wild about age-appropriate jewelry. They're not too old for dolls and stuffed animals, either. You could also look at the "Klutz" books-- lots of cool activity-oriented books.

[ex-colorwhe.livejournal.com]

A favorite of mine is The Fledgling by Jane Langton. It's not without sadness and some scariness. But it's gorgeous and rich and rewarding and joyful.

Actually, you might like it yourself. :)

[otherbill.livejournal.com]

I suppose your friend would have some good ideas, but books are always a good bet at that age. I suggest Norton Juster's The Phantom Tollbooth. Cute book, although a lot of the allegory would be completely over her head for now.

[red-queen.livejournal.com]

H'mmm. Anything by John Sciesksa, anything by Margaret Mahy, anything by Jane Yolen, anything by Bruce Coville. (you can find picture books or chapter books by most of these authors.)

Pish Posh, Hieronymous Bosch, by Nancy Willard. Get an extra copy for yourself, trust me.

Harvard Book Store had, unbelievably, *remaindered* copies of Eloise, one of my very very favorite children's books.

[jadelennox]

I second bookishfellow's Lindgren; I adore Ronia, but it might be too old. I'd stick with Pippi for that age, for to be read to.

Aiken's Arabel and Mortimer is good. Except, aargh, out of print, as are all of Diana Wynne Jones' books for younger readers. Feh.

If she's not offended by picture books, Charlie Parker played be-bop by Raschka is gorgeous. Lobel's Frog and Toad books are old, but they're classics for a very good reason.

Oh! I know! Get Red-Eyed Tree Frog by Cowley; it's visually stunning.

[mixedborder.livejournal.com]

The Oz books--my favorite was The Magic of Oz. Calvin & Hobbes collections. For read-to books: The Swallows & Amazons books by Arthur Ransome. Picture books: anything by William Pene du Bois (The 3 Policemen is a classic). I second Pish Posh, said.... Any of the Orlando the Marmalade Cat books by Kathleen Hale.