Book & gift ideas for children, teens, and young adults

From children’s activity pads to gripping fantasy and holiday romance, there’s something special for every age and reading stage.

By Felicia Chua

It’s no secret that children grow up really fast. One minute they’re obsessed with their favourite children’s shows and books, the next minute they’ve grown out of them, turning their attention to more adult-like hobbies. It’s not unnatural for children’s interests to change rapidly, but this means choosing the right gifts for them can be tricky. Here are some gift ideas by age groups to help make shopping a little easier.


Hands-on activity pads for young children:

Unicorn Academy Activity Case

 

Fans of Unicorn Academy will love this activity case, a great gift for the little ones to dip into their creativity and immerse themselves in a magical world of unicorns and unicorn riders. They can learn all about the main characters as they colour in the Meet the Riders profile pad and create beautiful Unicorn Academy scenes in the colouring pad. Apart from over 700 stickers to decorate, they can also challenge themselves with heaps of puzzles in the activity pads for hours of fun!

Fantasy adventure for tweens & teens: 

Impossible Creatures #2: The Poisoned King

By Katherine Rundell


For thrill-chasing tweens and teens, send them on a daring adventure in a fantastical world. When Christopher Forrester is unexpectedly woken by a miniature dragon chewing on his face, his heart leaps for joy. For months, he's dreamed of returning to the Archipelago — the secret islands where all the creatures of myth still live. But he did not know it would involve a rescue mission on the back of a sphinx, or a plan to enter a dragon's lair. Nor did he imagine it would involve a girl with a flock of birds at her side, a newly hatched chick in her pocket, and a ravenous hunger for justice...

Cosy romance for young adults & above:

The Gingerbread Bakery 

By Laurie Gilmore

 

Cosy romance can be sweet to indulge in, especially for young adults searching for love to call their own. As owner of her beloved Gingerbread Bakery, Annie Andrews should have a love life to match her business: sugary and sweet. But instead, she’s locked in a game of words with the irritatingly upbeat bar owner down the street. Meanwhile, Mac Sullivan has everything he wants, except the girl he dreams of. It’s easier to argue with Annie than get her to talk to him, but with Jeanie and Logan’s wedding coming up, they're about to spend a lot more time together. As the snowflakes fall and with romance in the air, will Annie see that the one she loves to hate might just be her perfect match after all?

As children grow, their imagination and interests expand and evolve. Whether you’re shopping for an inquisitive preschooler, a fantasy-loving tween, or a young adult who enjoys heart-fluttering romance, these are gifts that are sure to spark joy.