Give Thanks: 5 Picture Books About the Importance of Giving and Receiving

During the holiday season, it’s expected that the kids in your life are a little obsessed with presents at the moment.

Understanding the importance and true meaning of ‘giving’ and ‘receiving’ is important as a child. Whether you want to celebrate the pure pleasure of unwrapping a parcel or opening a letter; or share a cautionary tale, here are six of our favourite children’s books on the topic of gifts.

A Christmas Present for Roo by Sophie Sayle, Illustrated by Daron Parton

It’s Christmas Eve, and sleepy Echidna still doesn’t have a present for her friend Roo. Maybe she could make something! But Christmas craft doesn’t always go quite to plan… This is an uplifting Christmas picture book featuring a cast of adorable Australian bush animals, from the creators of The Great Aussie Egg-And-Spoon Race.

Buy a copy of A Christmas Present for Roo here.

The Cleo Stories: The Necklace and the Present by Libby Gleeson and Freya Blackwood

Cleo desperately wants a necklace. Her parents say special presents are only for birthdays … but Cleo doesn’t want to wait. In the second story, it’s her mum’s birthday and Cleo doesn’t know what to give her – until she has the best idea of all. Delightful, warm, and irresistible, these stories show how a little girl with a big imagination can always find a way to have fun.

Buy a copy of The Necklace and the Present here.

Princess and the Presents by Caryl Hart and Sarah Warburton 

Princess Ruby really is a horrid child – the most spoilt princess you could ever meet. And when it’s her birthday, there are so many presents the palace literally bulges at the seams. Was there ever a more selfish princess? But when the palace and the gifts finally collapse under the poor king, the tiny tyrant realises that she has overlooked the most precious thing of all. And, luckily for Ruby, it’s never too late to make amends.

Buy a copy of Princess and the Presents here.

Mr Rabbit and the Lovely Present by Charlotte Zolotow and Maurice Sendak

Little Girl really needs to find a birthday present for her mother in her favourite colour. But with so many things to choose from, she’s going to need some help from Rabbit. And so they search, learning about colours as they go. Maurice Sendak’s soft pastel illustrations beautifully complement this endearing tale of a little girl’s search for a perfect present.

Buy a copy of Mr Rabbit and the Lovely Present here.

The Boy Who Slept Through Christmas by Matt Lucas, Illustrated by Forrest Burdett

Leo LOVES Christmas. And this Christmas needs to be absolutely perfect, because it’s the first one without Mum. Only it all keeps going wrong! Soon Leo decides he’s had enough – he makes a heartfelt wish that it would all GO AWAY. Then Leo wakes up on what SHOULD be Christmas Day – and it’s gone!! All of Christmas! But Leo isn’t going to let it escape that easily… Join Leo as he sets out on a mission to undo his wish and get Christmas back in the brand-new festive classic by bestselling author Matt Lucas.

Buy a copy of The Boy Who Slept Through Christmas here.