When it comes to picking out the perfect gift for grandkids, you can’t go wrong with books. Whether you share favorites from your own childhood or stock up on brand-new titles, gifting books means giving an opportunity to connect, learn, and bond.
Best of all, you’ll find something for every interest and reading level. Book lovers who are still at the read-aloud stage enjoy listening to the adventures of their favorite characters, while older kids will amaze you with their insights into your beloved series from your childhood.
For Budding Scientists
Kids are natural scientists: curious and eager to learn about the world around them. To encourage your favorite STEM-loving kiddo, choose books that will answer their most pressing questions and suggest brand-new things to think about.
The Magic School Bus has been a favorite for decades and for good reason. What kid wouldn’t want to go on a field trip with Ms. Frizzle and the gang and learn about bees, or hurricanes, or the five senses?
What If You Had Animal Eyes? will delight amateur zoologists (and anyone who’s ever wished they could see in the dark).
Everything Awesome Fact Pack is the perfect book gift for kids who love dinosaurs, underwater creatures, or outer space. These graphic novels are packed with eye-catching illustrations and facts that will get the whole family talking.
For Animal Lovers
Is your grandchild a softie for animals of all stripes (and spots and scales)? Consider a book gift that features a pet or other animal friend. From cuddly Clifford to majestic whales and squids, there are gift ideas for every animal lover.
Clifford's Family features a special adventure for everyone’s favorite big red dog. Clifford misses his family, so his best friend Emily Elizabeth takes him to visit his mother, father, and siblings. A perfect read for grandparents and kids to experience together.
Who Would Win?: Lion vs. tiger. Polar bear vs. grizzly bear. T. rex vs. velociraptor. Kids and their grandparents will love learning which of these fearsome creatures would win in a hypothetical fight.
Raise a Reader Set: Furry Friends: If you’re a sucker for unlikely animal friends — and who isn’t — you’ll love this set featuring dogs and cats (and dogs and penguins, and dogs and deer, etc).
For Fantasy Enthusiasts
There’s nothing more fun than sharing your favorite series with a new generation of readers. If you love fantasy, you have a wealth of stories to choose from. Inventive tales set in fictional worlds hold up well over time, and every kid craves stories about heroes — especially if those heroes are just a few magical gifts away from being regular kids.
The Animorphs Graphix series features the titular characters’ battle against the Yeerks. This box set includes the first five titles in the series, each told from a different character’s point of view.
The Harry Potter MinaLima Boxset is perfect for Harry Potter superfans or brand-new readers of the series. Enjoy the saga of the Boy Who Lived, now with gorgeous full-color illustrations from the studio behind the look of the movies.
The Unicorn Diaries Value Pack is perfect for newly independent readers who love all things magical (especially unicorns). Part of Scholastic’s early chapter book line, Branches, this series will help your grandchild build reading skills and confidence.
For Kids Who Love Scary Stories
For some kids, it’s Halloween all year long, and any time is a good time for a spooky read. Good news for grandparents who also love scary stories.
Goosebumps Series Starter Pack: Get your grandkid started off right with the classic creepy tales from the Goosebumps universe. This set includes Night of the Living Dummy, Zombie Halloween, and, of course, an entry from Slappy. (Shudder.)
The Last Resort is a great gift for any kid who’s ever wanted to see a ghost in real life. Thanks to the story’s interactive element, readers can see the ghosts rise right out of the page (with a little help from a tablet or phone). Best of all, this tale deals with some real-life scary moments that may be familiar to your favorite reader, including losing loved ones, navigating friendships, and supporting siblings.
Eerie Elementary: Does your grandchild like scary stories… but not really scary stories? Eerie Elementary is just right for them. Follow along for adventures and very light scares as hall monitor Sam Graves navigates the spookiest school of all time.
For Every Beloved Grandkid
Want a book gift that will remind your grandchild how much you love them? Choose one of these sure-to-be-favorite books that focus on the love grandparents have for their grandkids.
In Grandma's Arms is a beautifully illustrated board book that follows the adventures of a little girl who travels the world while snuggled in her grandma’s arms.
Love You By Heart is a poetic tribute to the power of unconditional love of all kinds, including that of a grandparent for their grandkids.
Grandma Loves You Because You're You reminds grandkids that everything they do with their grandparents — from baking cookies to flipping through photo albums — is a special moment.
Want more gift ideas for a special grandchild? Scholastic’s Holiday Gift Guide features hand-picked gifts, including favorite books, toys, games, and stocking stuffers.
