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Books and journals make gifts that can entertain, inspire, preserve memories, or become part of a favorite routine. Our Books & Journals 2026 guide includes children’s stories, personalized books, graphic novels, guided journals, and creative reads for different ages and interests.
Whether you’re shopping for an avid reader, a child discovering new stories, or someone who loves putting pen to paper, there are plenty of ideas to explore. From laugh-out-loud books to meaningful keepsakes, these picks offer something worth opening long after the holidays. Be sure to check back as we continue adding new finds throughout the season.
Related: Find More Book Gift Ideas
Books & Journals 2026
Color My Classics Personalized Coloring Storybooks
A child’s photo and name turn them into the hero of a classic story they can color themselves. Choose from Peter Pan, The Colorful Land of Oz, or Adventures in Wonderland, with girl and boy editions available. The personalized reveal makes the book feel extra special from the very first page. It blends a keepsake, a creative activity, and a familiar adventure families can enjoy together.
Available at ColorMyClassics.com. Prices start at $30
The Last Christmas Tree by Steve Thomas
A sweet Christmas story about patience and belonging follows a bent little tree who is passed over year after year. Everything changes on Christmas Eve when a little girl sees something special in the tree no one else chose. This 46-page story is for ages 3–12 and carries a gentle message about finding where you fit. It’s a heartfelt holiday read that reminds us every tree deserves a home.
Available on Amazon. MSRP $13
Review Wire Press Coffee Tasting Journal
This coffee tasting journal makes it easy to record favorite brews and compare flavors from cup to cup. Each entry provides space to note details such as the coffee, roast, brewing method, aroma, flavor, and overall impressions. Keeping a tasting record helps coffee lovers remember standout beans, discover personal preferences, and refine their palate over time. Created by yours truly at The Review Wire, it makes a fun gift for anyone who loves exploring coffee.
Available on Amazon. MSRP $10
Review Wire Press Poop Journal: Bowel Movement Tracker
This bowel movement journal makes it easy to track digestive habits and spot patterns over time. Each entry includes space for the date and time, food and beverage intake, stool details, color, type, and personal notes. A built-in Bristol Stool Chart with images and descriptions helps identify and record different stool types more accurately. Created by yours truly here at The Review Wire, it’s a practical tool for anyone monitoring gut health, chronic digestive issues, or changes in regularity.
Available on Amazon. MSRP $9
Word of You Personalized Photo Dictionary Book
Make a favorite person part of the definition with this custom-printed dictionary keepsake. Choose a word that describes them, upload a headshot, and their photo will be placed beside the personalized entry. Each book is professionally printed and available with either a soft or hard cover. It’s a clever gift for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, or anyone who deserves to see exactly what they mean to you.
Available at WordOfYou.com. Prices start at $39
Bookestry Personalized Books
Turn favorite family memories into a one-of-a-kind children’s book. Every book is completely custom. Both the story and the illustrations are crafted from your real experiences and the little details that make your story unique. You can review and edit the entire story before ordering a hardcover book or printable version. From birthdays and holidays to everyday adventures, Bookestry gives families a simple way to turn the stories they never want to forget into books their children can grow up with.
Available at Bookestry.com. MSRP $46/Hardcover
Dougie the Dung Beetle: A Story About Sharing
A funny read-aloud for ages 3–7 follows Dougie the Dung Beetle after he finds the forest’s greatest treasure: a giant ball of poop. When he tries to share it, Dougie learns that real generosity means thinking about what someone else actually wants. Full-color watercolor illustrations and a repeating refrain make the story fun to read aloud again and again. Beneath the gross-out humor is a simple lesson about empathy, thoughtfulness, and giving.
Available on Amazon. MSRP $13
The Case of the Missing Pink Piggy by Linda Harkey
When Nini the German Shepherd discovers her favorite pink piggy toy is missing, she teams up with her brother, Lobo, to find it. Their snowy backyard search leads to clues, surprises, and a mischievous pack rat named Speedy. The playful mystery mixes humor with lessons about friendship, honesty, teamwork, and perseverance. A reading and activity guide at the end adds extra fun for preschool and grade-school readers.
Available on Amazon. MSRP $15
Brave Star Books Personalized Children’s Books
A favorite photo transforms a child into the hero of a personalized hardcover story. Each keepsake book includes 32 fully illustrated pages with Christmas, faith, and adventure themes. The custom artwork makes every story feel uniquely created for the child receiving it. Five percent of every book sold supports the fight against childhood cancer.
Available at BraveStarBooks.com. MSRP $50
Everybody Opes by Nick Robinson
A playful Midwest tradition takes center stage in this rhyming picture book for ages 3–7. Lovable characters stumble through spills, bumps, and everyday mishaps while saying “ope.” Vibrant watercolor illustrations and bouncy rhymes make it a fun read-aloud for kids and grown-ups alike. It turns ordinary oops moments into something silly, sweet, and memorable. Available in paperback and hardcover.
Available on Amazon. Prices start at $15
My Pink Pixie Book & Doll Sets
These book-and-doll sets pair imaginative stories with handmade companion dolls that bring the characters to life. The story My Pink Pixie encourages kindness, creativity, and confidence, while My Pink Pixie: Meeting Mac explores empathy, understanding, and acceptance. Perfect for children ages 4–8, these engaging books inspire meaningful conversations and imaginative play. The handmade dolls extend the adventures beyond the pages, encouraging children to create their own stories.
Available at MyPinkPixie.square.com. MSRP $50
The Swell Dogs: Buddy and the Color in the Waves
This Color-Along Storybook features Buddy, a Boston Terrier, who brings color back to a black-and-white beach town through a good deed — and because the story starts in black and white, children color the waves back to life as it's read aloud. Crayons are included, so it keeps little hands happily busy for 30 to 45 minutes of screen-free fun, then doubles as an interactive bedtime story. A Huntington Beach-inspired read-aloud for ages 0–7.
Available at TheSwellDogs.com. MSRP $18
This is… Children’s Book Series by Miroslav Sasek
The This Is series brings classic travel storytelling to life with charming city and country guides for children and families. The witty writing and vintage-style illustrations bring places like New York, London, Paris, Rome, and more to life. Each book feels like a mini trip, mixing landmarks, local details, and playful observations in a way kids and adults can enjoy together. The series makes a lovely gift for young readers, travel-loving families, or anyone who enjoys nostalgic illustrated books.
Available on Amazon. MSRP $18
sELFie Graphic Novel by Elisa Eliot
A banished North Pole elf has just days to rediscover her Christmas spirit in this funny, heartwarming graphic novel. The story follows Candy as she navigates the human world and learns what the season really means. Written for ages 10–14, it blends humor, adventure, and holiday heart in a fast-paced format. It’s an entertaining seasonal read that older kids and families can enjoy together. Available as a softcover or hardback.
Available at Selfieelf.com and Amazon. MSRP $18
Alphabetica Sticker Book: Letters, Bookplates, and Bookmarks
This sticker book gives makers an easy way to add vintage style to paper crafts and creative projects. Includes more than 1,000 alphabet, number, bookplate, border, and decorative stickers inspired by typography and graphic design. Explore styles shaped by Gothic manuscripts, Art Nouveau elegance, Bauhaus clarity, Art Deco glamour, and Mid-century Modern charm. Mix and match the stickers on journals, cards, gifts, labels, phone cases, and personalized stationery.
Available on Amazon. MSRP $30
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