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Bookshop Staff's Favorite Kids & YA Books

Give the gift of reading with our delightful collection of kids' books! From board books for babies to chapter books for older kids, Bookshop Santa Cruz's selection has something for every age group! Star your child on a lifelong journey of learning and exploration with our captivating children's books.

Peek-a-Who Too? by Elsa Mroziewicz

I cannot tell you how many hours my son has sat with this book opening and closing the flaps. He delights every time he finds the owl (his favorite) or "bobo!" (his word for monkey). This illustrations are absolutely unique and delightful. What an excellent interactive start to learning animal names and sounds. It's a trim size and shape also make it stand out on the shelf so kids will reach for it again and again. 

— Ivy

Staff Pick Badge
Peek-a-Who Too? By Elsa Mroziewicz, Elsa Mroziewicz (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Elsa Mroziewicz, Elsa Mroziewicz (Illustrator)
$11.99
ISBN: 9789888341818
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: minedition - September 1st, 2019

Mac Undercover written by Mac Barnett

What if you were a kid, but also secretly a spy for the Queen of England? Well, then you'd be our intrepid author! When the royal Coronation Spoon is stolen, Mac is called in to take on the case. What follows is a madcap adventure with KGB agents, corgis, and hilarious illustrations by Mike Lowry. If you've run out of Dog Man, I promise this will scratch that itch. 

— Ivy

Staff Pick Badge
Mac Undercover (Mac B., Kid Spy #1) By Mac Barnett, Mike Lowery (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Mac Barnett, Mike Lowery (Illustrator)
$12.99
ISBN: 9781338143591
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Orchard Books - September 11th, 2018

The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

Lucy and her siblings find a whole new world hidden in a wardrobe of the manor they've been sent to live in to avoid the worst of WWII. Witches, heroes, and helpful creatures abound. I recently reread this with my daughter and was instantly transported back to Narnia. So much of my childhood was spent exploring its hills and castle and it's just as magical now as it was back then. Do yourselves a favor and pick up this gem. It's a classic for a reason.

— Ivy

Staff Pick Badge
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: Full Color Edition (Chronicles of Narnia #2) By C. S. Lewis, Pauline Baynes (Illustrator) Cover Image
By C. S. Lewis, Pauline Baynes (Illustrator)
$11.99
ISBN: 9780064409421
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: HarperCollins - August 22nd, 2000

Sabriel by Garth Nix

Sabriel's father has gone missing and she must take up his mantle of ushering the dead into the underworld. to combat a powerful enemy of the Old World. With the help of an amnesiac and something cat-like, the entire world is at stake. This has been a constant favorite of mine since I was young. You'll want to return to Sabriel's world again and again—thankfully it's an ongoing series! 

— Ivy

Staff Pick Badge
Sabriel 25th Anniversary Classic Edition By Garth Nix Cover Image
$15.99
ISBN: 9780063040496
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: HarperCollins - August 3rd, 2021

They Say Blue by Jillian Tamaki

Explore the world through colors in this breathtaking and beautifully illustrated board book. A peaceful read-out-loud to talk about the world, slow down and observe as colors change throughout seasons and through various objects in nature. Caldecott Honoree Jillian Tamaki delivers a wonderful book I often find myself re-reading in the corner of our Infant section. 

— Andrea C.

Staff Pick Badge
They Say Blue By Jillian Tamaki Cover Image
$9.99
ISBN: 9781419740961
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Abrams Appleseed - April 7th, 2020

Mama & Mommy & Me in the Middle written by Nina Lacour

Mama & Mommy & Me is a gentle exploration of emotions, one where a  young girl is safely allowed to dwell on her sadness as she misses one of her mothers. Nina Lacour, better known for her emotional and impactful young adult novels, demonstrates her ability to tell a story to all ages, even young ones. I adore the LGBTQIA representation and the pure love this book radiates. 

— Andrea C.

Staff Pick Badge
Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle By Nina LaCour, Kaylani Juanita (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Nina LaCour, Kaylani Juanita (Illustrator)
$17.99
ISBN: 9781536211511
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Candlewick - March 29th, 2022

The Accursed Vampire by Madeline McGrane

Drago, a kid vampire, has been living a life of bliss alongside their two friends—until their old master returns and asks them to find her spellbook or they'll be turned into worms! Throughout the graphic novel we get glimpses of each of the character's origin stories intertwined with their thrilling adventures in search of the book. Perfect for fans of humorous graphic novels with spooky elements and the power of friendship.

—Andrea C.

Staff Pick Badge
The Accursed Vampire By Madeline McGrane, Madeline McGrane (Illustrator) Cover Image
$12.99
ISBN: 9780062954343
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Quill Tree Books - July 27th, 2021

This One Summer written by Mariko Tamaki

Rose and her parents take a yearly summer vacation to Awago Beach, where she spends her time with her friend, Windy. However, this summer everything feels painfully different with her parents fighting and she searches for an escape. A story about the bonds of family and friendship, the ache of growing up, and summer vacations. The combination of Mariko Tamaki's melancholy and Jilian Tamaki's swooping and organic illustrations prove why This One Summer is a timeless Caldecott honoree. 

—Andrea C.

Staff Pick Badge
This One Summer By Jillian Tamaki (Illustrator), Mariko Tamaki Cover Image
By Jillian Tamaki (Illustrator), Mariko Tamaki
$18.99
ISBN: 9781596437746
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: First Second - May 6th, 2014

Ophelia After All by Racquel Marie

Everyone in her life knows Ophelia is boy crazy. However, lately she feels like the world doesn't quite know her as well as they think when she develops a crush on a classmate, one who she knows is a bisexual. Ophelia starts to question just how boy crazy she really is. With a twist that caught me by surprise, Ophelia After All is a joyous search for identity sexuality at the cusp of adulthood. 

— Andrea C.

Staff Pick Badge
Ophelia After All By Racquel Marie Cover Image
$11.99
ISBN: 9781250830661
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Square Fish - May 9th, 2023

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

I have so much love for this series. Maggie Stiefvater creates a truly unforgettable cast of characters and world. Reading The Raven Cycle is an experience. We've got complex characters, magical realism, and codependent friendships. There are twists and turns, romance, and a house of psychics. Not to mention hunts for mythical kings who have been dead for centuries, bee allergies, dreams, storylines that keep guessing, and a whole lot more. 

—Alana

Staff Pick Badge
The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle, Book 1) By Maggie Stiefvater Cover Image
$12.99
ISBN: 9780545424936
Availability: Not On Our Shelves, But Available from Warehouse - Usually Delivers in 3-14 Days
Published: Scholastic Paperbacks - July 30th, 2013

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