Bookseller recommendations for children's gifts — from Stella

The time is approaching when you want to gift books and you may have a list of recipients that need matching with great choices. A bookseller is your friend in this task! Every year we receive lists from our customers wanting recommendations for children and teens; for adults who have specific interests and reading genres; and for suggestions to expand one’s horizons. Instead of a review this week, I am going to give an example of a ‘list’ and the choices we would offer the customer, who is looking for gifts for children. 

“Hello, I’d love some suggestions for these children and teens. My nephew George is, I think, 6 and loves being read to, my niece is also 6 but I don’t know her very well and I’m not sure what her reading level is. Aroha has read everything! She’s 12. Vincent is turning 15 and used to like adventure stories but doesn’t read much these days. Helena is 9 and likes stories about people, and her big sister will be 16 soon and is keen on historical romances. Two little ones. Kenji is 4 and likes to laugh, while Jess, 3, is keen on animals and plants. And we have an 11-year-old budding writer. Thanks for your help, RJ.”

And our reply would be something like this:

Hi RJ, 
Here are some recommendations. 

George,6: The First Case (chapter book with pictures), Frog and Toad (we have a collection, as well as individual books each with a number of different stories), Skunk and Badger (chapter book with pictures about two very different characters)

Niece, 6: Tales from Moominvalley (short stories - for reading to), My Happy Life (junior chapter book), or a sophisticated picture book A Perfect Wonderful Day with Friends, Dulcinea in the Forbidden Forest

Aroha, 12: Heap House (interesting and strange), The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne (daring adventure, but also a climate message), A Face Like Glass

Vincent 15: A fast-paced sci-fi The Loop or fantasy Spellslinger a graphic novel Tsunami

Helena, 9:  The Letterbox Tree (friendship, climate change), The Wolf Wilder, The Secrets of Cricket Karlsson

Helena’s big sister, 16: Enchantee (France, revolution, a dangerous dress, and romance), Anatomy: A Love Story (historical, gothic mystery), Mortal Fire (YA from NZ author Elizabeth Knox — intriguing)

Kenji, 4: Funnybones (a classic), A Bird Day (witty)  Dazzlehands (lively and funny)

Jess 3 : Animals at Home (a matching game), The Big Book of Beasts, Look! Said the Little Girl (local author, picture book)

The Writer, 11: Writing Radar,  Skinny Dip (collection of Aotearoa poetry), The Writing Deck (writing prompts and ideas)

Let us know if you would like further suggestions or more information about any of the titles.
Happy choosing,
VOLUME.

From here the customer can ask more questions, choose which appeals the most, and we can gift wrap, and have them ready for collection or posting to the customer (or we are always happy to courier to the recipients directly with a message). 
Booksellers make recommendations every day for gift-giving and for your own reading pleasures. We are always keen to match books and readers. Send in your lists sooner, rather than later, if you would like the books in time for the gifting season!