If you’re anything like me, you love finding gifts that not only bring joy but also spark creativity and imagination in your little ones. I’ve put together a list of four awesome gift ideas that pair a charming book with a fun toy. Each combo is designed to encourage play and storytelling—let’s jump in!

1. The Camping Trip by Jennifer K. Mann + Kid’s Flashlight

The Book: The Camping Trip is such a sweet story about two cousins exploring the great outdoors. It captures all the fun of camping—from setting up tents to roasting marshmallows. The illustrations are gorgeous, and it really brings the excitement of nature to life.

The Toy: Team this book up with a cool kid’s flashlight. Whether they’re pretending to camp in the living room or going on nighttime adventures outside, this flashlight adds a whole new level of fun. They can create shadow puppets or read by flashlight, just like the characters in the story.

---

2. The Crayon Man by Natascha Biebow + Twistable Crayons

The Book: The Crayon Man is a colorful read that dives into the history of crayons and how they were invented. It’s packed with vibrant illustrations and tells the inspiring story of Edwin Binney, the crayon genius. Perfect for little artists!

The Toy: Pair it with a set of twistable crayons. These bad boys are super easy to use and mess-free—perfect for kids who love to color without the hassle of sharpening. Your kiddos can let their creativity run wild and create masterpieces inspired by the book.

---

3. Growing Spaghetti by Katie Trujillo-Acosta + Yeti in My Spaghetti Game

The Book: Growing Spaghetti follows a boy named James who plants a garden with hopes of one day harvesting a bowl of spaghetti. It’s a fun, imaginative story that sparks curiosity about gardening and where our food really comes from. Plus, it’s just plain adorable. To be totally transparent, I wrote this book, so I’m of course biased, but I think you’ll love it.

The Toy: To go along with this charming book, grab the game Yeti in My Spaghetti. In this silly game, kids try to remove noodles without letting the yeti fall into the bowl. It’s a blast and a great way to keep everyone entertained while reinforcing the book’s fun theme!

---

4. Dinosaur Lady by Linda Skeers + Dinosaur Egg Excavation Kit

The Book: Dinosaur Lady tells the inspiring story of Mary Anning, a trailblazing paleontologist who made some incredible discoveries. This beautifully illustrated book is perfect for little ones curious about science and dinosaurs.

The Toy: Pair it with a dinosaur egg excavation kit, and you’re golden! Kids can dig for dino fossils, just like real paleontologists. It’s a hands-on activity that’s not only fun but also reinforces the themes of the book and encourages a love for science.

They promote reading, creativity, and tons of imaginative play, making them perfect gifts for any occasion. Happy gifting, and here’s to all the adventures your little ones will have with these fantastic duos!