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I love to give books as Christmas presents, and since my kids are such avid readers, they like to give books as presents to their friends and cousins. It's easy to select books for a friend or family member if you have kids the same age, but it's tricky to choose ones for kids that you aren't sure what they like or what their reading level is. Here are some tips that you and your children can use when selecting titles for gifts and ensuring that your choices are age appropriate.

Books for Babies and Toddlers

*Babies are attracted to books that can be touched as well as seen. Look for ones with textures and bold patterns. *Keep your eyes open for books that can handle baby abuse. There are many lovely board books that can stand up to drool and rough play. *Toddlers love to hear rhymes and rhythmic repeated patterns. *For toddlers who are speaking, look for books with familiar pictures, such as farm animals or items around the house.

Books for Preschoolers

*Preschoolers also love rhymes and poems in stories, so choose ones that have repeated elements. *They also love silly characters that either are the same age or slightly older than themselves. *This age is able to understand illustrated jokes and things that are out of the ordinary, so stories about mix-ups and mistakes appeals to the preschooler's sense of order. *Any book that covers basic learning skills, such as letters and numbers, is a good choice.

Books for Beginning Readers

*Many early reader books are marked as such, so check out the back covers for age appropriate recommendations. *Children this age love to read about other kids the same age, so find a character that is close to the child's age. *There are many early reader books that are chapter books as well. They are usually longer but not necessarily harder. *Don't just look in the fiction section. There are many interesting easy-to-read nonfiction books geared for children with science, weather or animal topics.

Books for Advanced Readers

*Consider giving the first book in a popular series to an advanced reader. Then they have the opportunity to buy or check out others like it when they finish. *Look for a subject matter that the child has expressed interest in, such as horses, space exploration and so forth. There are many books out there on just about everything. *Try browsing through alternative books such as joke books, trivia books, puzzle/maze books and so forth. *Some of the basic classics can be introduced to advanced readers now, either in the original form or in an age appropriate version.

*15 Minute Moment* Read about the menorah and discuss what it is and what it means.

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