Merry gifts to get for kids

The best thing you can give a child is the gift of imagination. And what better way to do that than with books? Books open a whole new world of wonder and excitement, and as bestselling author Stephen King once said, “books are the perfect entertainment: no commercials, no batteries, hours of enjoyment for each dollar spent." 

Here then are our top recommendations to put a smile on your children's faces this Christmas:

THERE WAS A PERANAKAN WOMAN WHO LIVED IN A SHOE by Gwen Lee

Welcome bedtime and dreamtime with these beautifully illustrated nursery rhymes for your kids. In There was a Peranakan Woman who Lived in a Shoe, author Gwen Lee spins familiar classics such as "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and "Itsy Bitsy Spider" for modern Singapore by cleverly giving them local elements. Perfect for those who wish to keep a little magic in their hearts. 

KARUNG GUNI BOY by Lorraine Tan

If you have a kid who's a great innovator and problem-solver, then this book is for them! Meet Ming, a boy who thrives on creativity and just loves to invent things. When he lacks the money to buy the necessary items for his latest project, he decides to become a karung guni boy instead and uses his imagination to create things out of the materials he collects from his neighbours. (PS: Karung Guni Boy is currently featured as an exhibition at the National Gallery, and will be turned in to a play at the Esplanade next year.)

THE BRILLIANT OIL LAMP by Quek Hong Shin

Not long after moving into their new apartment in Toa Payoh, young Asha and her family experience their first power cut as the building is plunged into darkness! In a stroke of genius, Asha decides to share her family's oil lamp with her new neighbours. They have so much fun engaging in shadow play and lighting sparklers. The sequel to the award-winning picture book, The Incredible Basket, The Brilliant Oil Lamp celebrates cultural diversity among the different races in Singapore and the everlasting bonds of friendship.

YAYA THE DOUBLE DECKER BUS by Ng Swee San 

Yaya is a tall, handsome and super fast double-decker bus who thinks he can do anything and everything better than others.  When his friend Shorty, a single-deck bus challenges him to a dare, Yaya realises the extent of his capabilities. More than a simple, entertaining story for kids, Yaya the Double-Decker Bus also contains important lessons every kid should know, such as always staying humble and to never be afraid of relying on one's friends for support.

DO FARTS MAKE OLD PEOPLE GO FASTER? by Linda Locke

We all know of a kid who always asks the most bizarre questions ever, right? Well, Jack is one of them. The cheeky little boy has a voracious appetite for knowledge and isn't afraid to ask his Mama anything. One day, while taking a walk down the street with Mama, Jack hears some strange, loud noises coming from some people. Oddly enough, they also get a boost in their steps! That of course, leads Jack to ask his Mama the burning question: Do farts make old people go faster?

KELLY AND THE KRUMPS by Ken Kwek

From the author of Timothy and the Phubbers comes yet another hilarious story of growing up. This time around, we follow Kelly Mao, a 12-year-old girl who has a tiger mum. According to Asian standards, that's nothing out of the ordinary, really. Kelly's day consists of school, enrichment lessons and homework. It's really stressful—until she secretly joins a dance crew called the Krumps. What's more, she unwittingly gets embroiled in her brother's troubles with a secret underground gaming centre. With pressure from her parents, and struggles at school, how will Kelly get out of this mess—let alone ace her PSLE?

SECRETS OF SINGAPORE: CHANGI AIRPORT by Monica Lim and Lesley-Anne Tan

It may be the best airport in the world and millions of people walk through its gates every year, but Changi Airport is home to more secrets than planes and runways. For instance, did you know that video gaming devices are used to screen your luggage before your flight? Or that Singapore looks after more than 800,000 square kilometres of airspace? Find out all about the past, present and future of Singapore's aviation and airports with Danger Dan and Gadget Girl in this bestselling guide that every Singaporean, young or old, should have!

MAKE ANIMALS GREAT AGAIN by Maureen Yeo

In this wacky sequel to The Great Singapore Poo Sale, author Maureen Yeo takes a look at the difficult issue of leadership. The wild animals of Singapore—and yes, there are wild animals here (thank you, Jane Goodall for reminding everyone)—have to put their heads together to decide the most worthy animal to the next leader of the animal council. Will it be Finless Porpoise who will propose a purpose? Parakeet who parrots the ideas of others? Or will Shrew be shrewd enough to crush the competition? 

SHERLOCK SAM AND THE BURGLED BOOK IN KAMPONG GLAM by A.J. Low

Singapore's most famous young detective, Sherlock Sam is back with a new mystery to crack. While on an excursion to the Malay Heritage Centre, a rare manuscript gets pilfered right under Sherlock and the Supper Club's noses! And that's not all—the evidence points to Nazhar's dad as the main suspect of the theft. Is he really guilty? Or is there a criminal mastermind in the shadows pulling the strings in this set-up? There's only one way to find out! 

Ten years after he first appeared on our bookshelves, Singapore's most famous diarist, Amos Lee, is back with a spanking new omnibus collecting his first four diaries! It started from his hopeful mum's New Year's resolution to get Amos to practice his writing. But when can Amos ever get any spare time to write a journal—since any idle time is spent sleeping? On the toilet, of course! "Five to eight minutes max!" she tells Amos, "I don't want you to develop piles!" Well, the rest is history. Relive his adventures once again—and get some tips on how to be Singapore's next top child diarist.

OPEN HOUSE ADVENTURES (BOOK SERIES) by Various Authors

Come along on a magical adventure to the Istana with our Open House Adventures series! Leave no stone unturned and find out all the secrets that lie beyond its gates, such as: What was the plot of land was used for before the Istana was built in 1867? Who was the first person to introduce local dishes into the Istana menu? What are the names of the different spices cultivated in its very own spice garden? Seek, and you shall find! Check out our other Istana series for advanced readers here.

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Remember to place your orders by the 4th of December to get your books delivered in time for Christmas! Alternatively, you can get them at our Huggs-Epigram Coffee Bookshop.

Want more ideas? Check out our entire collection for the young ones here.

Didn't find what you were looking for? Why not browse through our gift recommendations for your friends here?