Last year we read about an Icelandic tradition called Jolabokaflod, or “Christmas Book Flood” in English. This tradition started during World War II, when paper was one of the few things not rationed in Iceland. Our family are huge book lovers, as you might have guessed if you’ve read either my How to Find the Perfect Books for Your Child or one of my many different book gift guides. In keeping with our love for books, and in honor of learning about the Icelandic book flood, we’ve made a kind of Merry Bookmas tradition, in keeping with the one we learned about. I thought I’d share with you some of the books that have made it into our Merry Bookmas stacks as well as some books that should be on every kids wishlist!
Merry Bookmas
Celebrating with a Merry Bookmas flood of books is a great way to encourage love of reading. Of course, you don’t have to do a book flood for Christmas. Books make great stocking stuffers. You could also do a countdown to Christmas with books or a Christmas Book Advent Calendar.
Explorer Academy
My kids have fallen in love with the Explorer Academy books from Nat Geo. The Explorer Academy books have fun, relatable characters that inspire curiosity with new technology and innovations; amazing inventions and gadgets. These books engage readers with secret clues, codes, and ciphers. As with most of Nat Geo Kids products, these books inspire a love of STEAM learning.
Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret (Book 1)
Explorer Academy: The Falcon’s Feather (Book 2)Explorer Academy: The Double Helix (Book 3)Explorer Academy: The Star Dunes (Book 4)Explorer Academy: The Tiger’s Nest (Book 5)Explorer Academy: The Dragon’s Blood (Book 6)Explorer Academy: The Forbidden Island (Book 7)
I Survived
Our youngest took a class at co-op that used four of the I Survived books, by Lauren Tarshis, as the base for their learning. She engaged with these books in a way she hasn’t with any other series. She’s even asked me to get her every book in the series. It took some doing, but I think we’ve added them all to her stacks.
I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 (Book 1)I Survived: The Shark Attacks of 1916 (Book 2)I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005 (Book 3)I Survived the Bombing of Pearl Harbor, 1941 (Book 4)I Survived the San Francisco Earthquake, 1906 (Book 5)I Survived the Attacks of September 11th, 2001 (Book 6)I Survived the Battle of Gettysburg, 1863 (Book 7)I Survived the Japanese Tsunami, 2011 (Book 8)I Survived the Nazi Invasion, 1944 (Book 9)I Survived the Destruction of Pompeii, AD 79 (Book 10)I Survived the Great Chicago Fire, 1871 (Book 11)I Survived the Joplin Tornado, 2011 (I Survived #12) (12)I Survived the Joplin Tornado, 2011 (Book 12)I Survived the Hindenburg Disaster, 1937 (Book 13)I Survived the Eruption of Mount St. Helens, 1980 (Book 14)I Survived the American Revolution, 1776 (Book 15)I Survived the Children’s Blizzard, 1888 (Book 16)I Survived the Attack of the Grizzlies, 1967 (Book 17)I Survived the Battle of D-Day, 1944 (Book 18)I Survived The Great Molasses Flood, 1919 (Book 19)
If I hadn’t already started collecting the I Survived series, I totally would have saved myself some time and just bought the set!
I Survived Series Complete Books Set (21 Books)
National Geographic Kids Animal Books
My animal loving daughter is getting two tomes of animals from National Geographic Kids. The updated 2nd edition of the Animal Encyclopedia is so colorful and pretty. We recently studied the continent of Africa, so The Ultimate Book of African Animals is sure to be a hit! The Utlimate Dinopedia is sure to go right along with our dinosaur studies in January.
National Geographic Kids Animal Encyclopedia 2nd edition: 2,500 Animals with Photos, Maps, and More!The Ultimate Book of African AnimalsNational Geographic Kids Ultimate Dinopedia, Second EditionThe Ultimate Book of Big Cats: Your guide to the secret lives of these fierce, fabulous felines (National Geographic Kids)
Rick Riordan Books
My son is a huge Rick Riordan fan. I *thought* he had all of the books to round out his three favorite sets (Percy Jackson, Heroes of Olympus, and Trials of Apollo) but he informed me recently that I made him read some of them from the library. *gasp* He has read and reread many of these, and said he’d rather not have to keep checking them out on Hoopla, so the rest of these sets will be waiting for him under his stocking. The Kane Chronicles and Magnus Chase are on the wishlist, because we need to make room on some shelves.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians Boxed Set
The Heroes of Olympus Paperback Boxed SetThe Trials of Apollo Boxed SetThe Kane Chronicles Collection Boxed SetMagnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard Boxed Set
Gordon Korman books
My son also enjoys Gordon Korman books, so we’re adding more to the stack. When I bought him Slacker, he thought I was trying to say something — which was kinda funny — but once he got over that, he really enjoyed it. He’s read it seventy billion times, and is constantly asking if there are any more. Yup. Here you go.
SchooledSlackerThe UnteachablesRestartUngiftedSupergifted
Warriors Books
Our 12yo absolutely loves The Warrior books. We’ve been slowly building her collection, but for Christmas, we’ll be finishing off Series 3 and Series 4. Series 5 and Series 6 are on the wish list. I can’t even think about Series 7 yet. LOL
Warriors Box Set: The Prophecies Begin (Series 1)Warriors Box Set: The New Prophecy (Series 2)Warriors Box Set: Power of Three Box Set (Series 3)Warriors Box Set: Omen of the Stars (Series 4)Warriors Box Set: Dawn of the Clans (Series 5)Warriors Box Set: A Vision of Shadows (Series 6)
The Chronicles of Egg
My kids think every child should have their very own copies of The Chronicles of Egg. This was one of our read aloud series, and the kids absolutely loved it.
Deadweather and Sunrise: The Chronicles of Egg, Book 1New Lands: The Chronicles of Egg Book 2Blue Sea Burning: The Chronicles of Egg Book 3
The Menagerie Series
Another series that my kids adored is The Menagerie Series. This one kept them on the edges of their seats and kept them begging for “one more chapter” every morning.
The Menagerie Series 3-Book Set
The Seven Wonders
We’re currently reading The Seven Wonders series aloud, and the kids have already said, “Mom, recommend this set!” Their wish…
Seven Wonders Book 1: The Colossus RisesSeven Wonders Book 2: Lost in Babylon (Seven Wonders, 2)Seven Wonders Book 3: The Tomb of Shadows (Seven Wonders, 3)Seven Wonders Book 4: The Curse of the King (Seven Wonders, 4)Seven Wonders Book 5: The Legend of the Rift (Seven Wonders, 5)
Just Joking
No, seriously. My kids love joke books, and some of their favorites are the animal joke books fron Nat Geo. They recommend these for kids from 2 to 102!
National Geographic Kids Just Joking Laugh-Out-Loud Collector’s Set: 900 Hilarious Jokes (Just Joking: National Geographic Kids)National Geographic Kids Just Joking 2: 300 Hilarious Jokes About Everything, Including Tongue Twisters, Riddles, and MoreNational Geographic Kids Just Joking 3: 300 Hilarious Jokes About Everything, Including Tongue Twisters, Riddles, and More!National Geographic Kids Just Joking 4: 300 Hilarious Jokes About Everything, Including Tongue Twisters, Riddles, and More!National Geographic Kids Just Joking 5: 300 Hilarious Jokes About Everything, Including Tongue Twisters, Riddles, and More!National Geographic Kids Just Joking 6: 300 Hilarious Jokes, about Everything, including Tongue Twisters, Riddles, and More!Just Joking 7Just Joking SportsNational Geographic Kids Just Joking LOLNational Geographic Kids Just Joking CatsJust Joking DogsNational Geographic Kids Just Joking: 300 Hilarious Jokes, Tricky Tongue Twisters, and Ridiculous RiddlesNational Geographic Kids Just Joking Animal Riddles: Hilarious riddles, jokes, and more–all about animals!Just Joking ScienceNational Geographic Kids Just Joking Gross
Even More Series
Some of the rest of these are well loved favorites, like Chronicles of Narnia and Boxcar Children. Some of them are series on our list of series to check out, like The Penderwicks, Alex Rider, and Spy School vs. Spyder.
Trapped in a Video Game: The Complete SeriesThe Maze Runner Series Complete Collection Boxed Set (5-Book)The Mysterious Benedict Society Paperback Boxed SetAnne of Green Gables, Complete 8-Book Box SetInvestiGators Boxed Set: InvestiGators, Take the Plunge, and Off the HookThe Penderwicks Paperback 5-Book Boxed Set: The Penderwicks; The Penderwicks on Gardam Street; The Penderwicks at Point Mouette; The Penderwicks in Spring; The Penderwicks at LastThe Complete Chronicles of Narnia ( Boxed Set 7 Books )The Boxcar Children Bookshelf (The Boxcar Children Mysteries, Books 1-12)The Spy School vs. SPYDER Paperback Collection: Spy School; Spy Camp; Evil Spy School; Spy Ski School; Spy School Secret Service; Spy School Goes South; Spy School British InvasionAlex Rider: The Complete Missions 1-11Magic Tree House Boxed Set, Books 1-28A Little SPOT of Emotion 8 Book Box Set (Books 1-8: Anger, Anxiety, Peaceful, Happiness, Sadness, Confidence, Love, & Scribble Emotion)
Whether you choose to gift one book, or an entire shelf of books, books make great gifts. Espcially for last minute shoppers, because most are in stock on Amazon and many of them can be shipped with Prime 2 day delivery! Score!
Want something other than books for your book lover? Check out this Merry Bookmas Tee and Journal!
Merry Bookmas TeeMerry Bookmas Journal
Happy Reading and Merry Bookmas, from our book loving family to your!
