Back to Staff Picks
This is the post-pandemic anthem that I’ve been pining for! Not only does Sophie Blackall offer 52 “things to look forward to,” they’re each illustrated in her inimitable style. Having little literary self control, I plunged through all 52 in one sitting, promising to go back and award myself with one every week going forward! From “No.1: The Sun Coming Up” to “No. 52: Seizing the Day”, each page provides thoughtful commentaries on often unnoticed pleasures. This is the perfect gift for anyone forging onward in this world: intellectually, artistically, scholastically, chronologically (see “No.9: 11:11”). Utterly charming and uplifting!
Collette
Reynolds and Griffin have collaborated and made art. This book embodies the past three years in all its pain and beauty. A breath of fresh air. A reminder of what our world has been through and how important it is to take care of one another. The stunning illustrations complement the words in an indescribable way. After this read, don’t forget to take a deep breath–in through the nose and out through the mouth.
Jess
Holy moly is this book astonishing. Nothing I write can do it justice: from Paloma Valdiva’s incredible illustrations, to the fold-out pages and see-through jacket. The thought-provoking, unanswerable questions of Nobel-laureate Pablo Neruda are presented in both the original Spanish and English, translated by Sara Lissa Paulson. This edition presents 70 of Neruda’s beguiling questions that reframe the world, drawing out what is awe-inspiring and mysterious in our lives. “Does the earth chirp like a cricket / in the symphony of the skies?”
Timothy
ALL ABOARD! It’s time to go on an adventure around the world! Buckle up as Sedgman and Brewster take us on 12 different train journeys from Africa to Canada and everywhere in between! With fun facts sprinkled through every page, this book will make you want to pack your bags and go explore!
Jess
How to be a Moonflower is filled with stunning illustrations and Daisy’s own cute and quirky bullet-pointed lists, recipes, and how-to’s. Inspiring quotes fill this coffee table book with a calming aura and a love for after-hours. Perfect for fans of bullet journaling, scrapbooking, and appreciators of art.
Jess
Delve into ancient wisdom and superstitions from around the world in this gorgeously illustrated book filled with natural folklore and wild wisdom. Read about folklore ranging from lucky flowers to folktales about the moon and stars, brought to life in bold, brilliant colors with this book’s unique and memorable art style. Readers of any age will love learning about folklore from cultures around the world and engaging with the beauty of the natural world.
Jenna
What started out as a ruse to get his young son engaged in making thank you cards turned into a joke posted on the internet offering “beautiful custom pet portraits” for a ridiculous amount of money. Hercule had no intention of taking any money for his self-described “rubbish” pet portraits, but when he kept receiving commissions, he decided to extend the joke, fill the orders, and donate the funds. This little book offers the actual photos that people sent, his “rubbish” interpretations, and the hilarious comments from his customers. One customer quips “so this is the cost of disappointment, is it?!” Very funny with understated British humor and portraits not even his own mam could endorse. My go-to stocking stuffer!
Collette
We all have our favorite books, from childhood classics like Curious George to modern mega-series like Percy Jackson and the Olympians, but how do any of these stories actually come to be? In her beautiful book, Blenken takes us back to the original ideas that created some of the most famous stories ever written. The Stories Behind the Stories would make the perfect gift for everyone who adores reading.
Anna
Sea Lions in the Parking Lot by Lenora Todaro and illustrated by Annika Siems looks directly at what has happened in many different ecologies while humans have been in lock-down. With the usual traffic paused, there’s a rare opening in the universe for the non-humans to verge into cityscapes that they normally try to avoid. The images by Annika Siems of deer on the escalators of Japanese subways or wild boars frolicking in a city fountain in Israel are stunning. The twelve true, eye-opening stories bring to mind the delicate balance of coexistence on this Earth.
Collette
A blackout poetry version of the classic fairy tale "The Little Mermaid," offering a new, spare, and lovely tale of empowerment, body acceptance, and knowing where you belong
You know the story of the Little Mermaid—the girl who traded her tail for legs, her beloved sea for sand, to land the prince. Or do you?
Animals and poems have many similar gifts to give us—wonder, humor, companionship, awe, serenity…Walk through the year hand and hand with our fellow creatures in the pages of this book brimming with 366 poems and stunningly saturated illustrations. Readers young and old will rejoice in this gorgeous volume featuring poems and animals from around the world and of all shapes and sizes. This book is truly a work of art and celebrates poetry, animals, and the world we share.
Claire
A stunning historical document written as a handwriting exercise by a Polish 8-year-old at the beginning of World War II. Gorgeous paintings by Ala Bankroft illustrate Skibinski’s spare, daily observations that are by turns mundane (“I went to church”) and ominous (“A plane circled over Anin”). This gorgeous object, interspersed with reproductions of the original notebook, can be admired even if you’re not a history buff. We are all keepers of History, this book reminds us, even if we think we’re not.
Timothy
In an industry based on a universal object: the book, you might mistakenly think all bookstores are alike. Happily, Do You Read Me? illustrates that the essence of the independent bookstore is shaped by the people who work and shop there. Peruse radically different styles of bookshops from austere (one in Japan sells only one selection per week) to opulent (another in Portugal is architecturally astonishing and sells tickets for entrance). Each selection is a portrait of bookish passion, and the quality of production of the book itself makes me absolutely giddy! Gestalten has created an art book, and yes (blushing furiously), Wild Rumpus is graciously included. This book is a gift for anyone missing the in-person shopping experience! Please shop local and keep this hallowed tradition called bookselling alive!
Collette
This little treasure bears magic of the strongest sort: that of the natural world. Poems and paintings brim with life, weaving through moths’ wings, oak branches, and swift-filled skies. Enchantments of all sorts—playful tongue twisters, healing charms, and wistful lullabies—accompany pages saturated with rich illustrations of plants and animals. This book of spells is sure to entrance readers of all ages.
Claire
A collection of nature essays on subjects ranging from memories of childhood family trips to questions asked during a national bird counting day with the author’s two young sons. Nezhukumatathil writes with a poetic economy of words that brings every short chapter into sharp focus. Reading it, I felt joyfully immersed in our world of wonders.
Collette
Full of whimsy and wonder, this beautifully-made book is an ideal gift for families at any stage. Each story is short (perfect for reading aloud) and sandwiched between vibrant, wonderful illustrations that will be delightful to adults and children alike. Discover each character again and again and let the book guide you through a gorgeous journey!
Linda
Most people choose from the same pool of favorite animals: the kingly lion, the mighty eagle, the fearsome shark. But have you ever considered the bristly Antarctic scale worm? Or the follicly-challenged hairless Chinese crested dog? In this gorgeously-illustrated book, Bayly points the spotlight toward some rather strange, yet no less fascinating, animals who deserve a closer look. It’s their time to shine, in all their toothy, tentacled, and definitely peculiar glory.
Anna
Getting bored with being stuck at home? Now is the perfect time to master a new craft or skill! Look no further than this Curious Compendium. Packed with intriguing visual tutorials, this book will teach you to rewire a lamp, identify bird calls, and even shear a sheep. Perfect for restless minds and life-long learners.
Alec
“Page 106 is the very best page in the book and should be enlarged and framed!” . . . Booker T.
“NO! Page 109 is the one that people should spend time staring at and use for their screen saver” . . . Walter Dean
“HOLD THE PHONE! Check out the guy on the bottom of page 111. Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner.” . . . Trini Lopez
Book recommended by the unbiased cats of Wild Rumpus
This book is beautifully written and is scattered with elegant sketches. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse is a book for all ages who need a gentle reminder that you are loved and perfect. Each animal represents teachers who share universal messages that we all need to hear, and also shows the importance of friendship and kindness to each other.
Mayah
What would you do if you were stuck on a spaceship with only yourself? Astronaut Ijon Tichy’s solo space mission goes awry when he gets caught in an interstellar time loop. If that wasn’t strange enough, future and past versions of himself keep popping up. Now Ijon must put all his minds together to escape. Brought to new life with mesmerizing watercolors, this graphic novel rendition of Stanislaw Lem’s absurd short story is sure to delight established science-fiction nerds and emerging enthusiasts alike.
Claire
Calling all logophiles and wordsmiths: this is the book for you. This compact collection presents words from days of yore accompanied by sumptuous Renaissance/Neoclassic art and quippy examples of how each word can be used in a modern context. Lost Words can serve as a guide to spice up your causerie (informal chat) or be enjoyed as a quick read while you latibulate (hide in a corner) in your favorite snuggery (cozy place) with your grimalkin (cat).
Claire
Bookish families, rejoice! From two New York Times Book Review editors comes a dynamic, easily digestible guide to fostering children’s love of reading. The authors organize their practical (literary party favors!) and often myth-busting (yes, comics count!) advice into short sections that busy parents can breeze through during fleeting free moments. They also provide up-to-date, diverse lists of recommended books organized not only into reading levels but also into topics like “Books that Make Us Laugh” and “Kindness and Empathy.” Full-color illustrations make this an attractive as well as a useful gift for your favorite family of readers.
Leigh
What would you get if you took Hamlet and boiled it down to the absolute minimum amount of text necessary to convey the story? And you cast the main character as a gloomy bunny holding a handbag? You would get Look Hamlet by Barbro Lindgren and Anna Höglund. This darkly hilarious gem of a book concisely tells the story of Shakespeare's tragic Danish prince with just a handful of words to accompany its morose, Edward Gorey-esque illustrations. Pithy. Brief. Excellent.
As a book lover, finding a little tome that is not only charming and cute, but also describes your love for books is an absolute treat! That is exactly how I felt as I picked up The I Wonder Bookstore. This cheery story chronicles the day in the life of a bookseller who only sells books about books. We get a glimpse into each of his recommendations he gives his customers, all of which are cheeky, witty, and absurd stories surrounding interactions with books, both real and imaginary. Recently translated from the original Japanese, this book will fill you with delight, not unlike the books within it! Crack it open, take a whiff of that new book smell, and read on!
Heather
In this fascinating introduction to animal migration around the globe, mesmerizing illustrations and poetic language let us see and hear the movement of wildebeests, European eels, and monarch butterflies as they travel by land, sea, and sky. In the end, we consider the most migratory of all creatures—people—and ask why we, too, undertake amazing journeys. Less a comprehensive encyclopedia than an engaging point of departure, this book is sure to captivate naturalists both young
and old.Katie
Looking for a global adventure this holiday season? Allow Martin’s stunning watercolor illustrations to transport you to the streets of Hong Kong, New Delhi, Moscow, Reykjavik, and more. Explore the millions of vending machines of Tokyo,
the stray cats of Cairo, and the botecos of Rio de Janeiro. An informative, funny, vibrant, and curiositysatisfying gift for people of all ages!Kara
Calling all adventurers and seekers of the mysterious and unexplained: have we got the perfect guide for you! Travel the world and discover places and phenomena you’ve never heard of—sometimes near your own home town! From the creators of Atlas Obscura comes the wonderful young explorer’s edition by the same name. It’s easy to lose yourself in Joy Ang’s luscious illustrations, depicting dozens of
bizarre occurrences and beautiful mysteries, both natural and man-made. Want to learn about a cave full of crystals that weigh more than ten elephants? Or a lake full of skeletons? How about a place called Snake Island? This book has got you covered. Put on your explorer’s hat and get reading!Heather
Kalman’s is a jewel of a cake book! Hers is full of homemade pleasures for any
occasion whether it be a “let’s celebrate!” or a “something sweet to soothe a soul.” Flour, butter, sugar, eggs, stories, and art are all folded in with care. Sweet memories of baking and frosting with kids is such a simple delight. And serving cake almost becomes a holy event—“I made this for you!” As food writer Barbara Scott-Goodman says, “Welcome to Cake.”Ellen
Each holiday season, I try to find a gift that might be appreciated long beyond the
holidays. This year, it’s this massive and elegant collection of poetry. A perfect family gift, a lovely tradition and a challenge: who can memorize a poem a week? A month? What if each person in your family could take a turn bringing the day’s poem to the dinner table—to be read aloud, or better still, recited from memory!
Learning a poem ‘by heart’ is infinitely more satisfying than memorizing
passwords or numbers, and it engages the heart and the brain in a
philosophical question and answer period. That said, I need to go brush up
on my Robert Frost: “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood…”Collette
Acclaimed nature writer Sy Montgomery relates thirteen pivotal moments in her life’s journey, each viewed through the lens of a significant animal encounter, ranging from terrier to emu to octopus. Her sense of awe and devotion are infectious and the accumulated result is a sincere but never simplistic sojourn inside “the wildness that keeps us sane and whole, the wild, delicious hunger for life.” With magnificent two-color design and lush, playful illustrations by Rebecca Green, this is a heartwarming and tactile treasure for critterlovers and anyone seeking effective relief from despair and irony.
Theo