Disneyland Handcrafted reveals the extraordinary artistry and grit it took hundreds of craftspeople to bring Walt Disney’s impossible dream project of Disneyland to fruition – from groundbreaking to Opening Day on July 17, 1955. The documentary captures both the legacy and nostalgia of the year leading up to the creation of the Disneyland Resort. Through newly unearthed materials from the Walt Disney Archives, Leslie Iwerks and her team uncovered long-forgotten 16mm film reels and audio recordings. The result is an unpolished, fly-on-the-wall perspective that captures what was truly happening behind the scenes, told through the firsthand accounts of the artists, craftsmen, and Imagineers who were there.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Julie O. comments, “I love seeing how Disneyland was built, particularly the attention to detail and artistry that went into making the four lands and rides, and was surprised at how quickly they were able to make it.”  Rayce S. adds, “This film puts you right into the pressure and expectations of building the world’s first ever wonderland theme park, Disneyland. The film follows the lead-up to opening day for Disneyland in 1955. We see monthly updates of the progress while it is being built and experience the stress, worry, and sense of urgency to finish it on time and on budget.” Isabella V. wraps it up with, “Disneyland Handcrafted is an incredibly interesting documentary about one of the most famous theme parks in the world. I gained so much knowledge and appreciation for the team behind this park, thanks to the hard work by the filmmakers.” See their full reviews below. 

Disneyland Handcrafted

By Julie O, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

I really enjoyed Disneyland Handcrafted. I love seeing how Disneyland was built, particularly the attention to detail and artistry that went into making the four lands and rides, and was surprised at how quickly they were able to make it.

This documentary, directed by Leslie Iwerks, explores the making of Disneyland through interviews, videos, and pictures of Walt Disney and the talented people who helped build “The Happiest Place on Earth,” including never before seen footage. The film starts one year before the opening of Disneyland, when Walt Disney introduced the plans and concept design for the amusement park on his new TV show. The documentary continues showing the progress and challenges over the months, weeks, and the last days leading up to its grand opening on July 17, 1955.

Genius. Passionate. Creative. Talented. Detailed. Crazy. Failure. These are some of the words used to describe Walt Disney and the people who helped build Disneyland. The pursuit of a life-long dream and the risks that Walt Disney was willing to take to see his dream come to life is a major focus of the film as well as the hard work, talent, creativity, and perseverance shown by the people who created and built the park. I have seen other documentaries about Walt Disney and Disneyland and I really like that this shows more of the attention to detail that went into creating Disneyland and discusses the many obstacles that they faced while building it. I enjoyed the interview footage with the people that built it – their memories of Walt Disney are a primary focus of the film. My favorite part of the documentary is the montage of funny construction segments. I was surprised to learn that there were so many obstacles that almost kept the park from opening, including several mishaps in the last few days. It was neat to see how crowded it was on opening day and to see some of my favorite rides and buildings being built.

The film’s message is really about the effort, struggle, hard work, and creativity that went into creating Disneyland in 1955.

I give Disneyland Handcrafted 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. Disneyland Handcrafted releases on Disney+ on January 22, 2026.

Disneyland Handcrafted
By Rayce S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

The documentary Disneyland Handcrafted puts you right into the pressure and expectations of building the world’s first ever wonderland theme park, Disneyland.

The film follows the lead-up to opening day for Disneyland in 1955. We see monthly updates of the progress while it is being built and experience the stress, worry, and sense of urgency to finish it on time and on budget. Simultaneously we see the skepticism of those who believed it would never be successful.

This is an admirable film that I enjoyed quite a bit. In terms of its practical aspects, we get to see never-before-seen footage from over 70 years ago, which was filmed in black and white. Still, this film lets us truly experience what it was like for the hands-on building of this theme park. The archival footage really enhanced the experience for me as it switches between the original black and white film and the colored footage of the current park. I really enjoyed hearing the first-hand perspective from those who worked on it and learning what everybody thought about Disneyland, even Walt Disney talked about his hopes and dreams for the park. It was interesting hearing the critics say that it’ll never pan out. Hearing the different lead workers like the painters and mechanics was insightful, especially those who stated that some parts would be impossible to complete by the deadline. The film really made me aware of how the sense of urgency ramped up throughout the film as it counts down the months, weeks and days to opening day. We really see how stressed out everyone was and how behind they were, which really helps put you right there with the team. Finally I really enjoyed learning about the history behind the park. We get to see the full story of the building of the world’s happiest place on earth – Disneyland.

The film’s message is to not give up and not push back, but to dig your heels in and push forward to reach your goal, in spite of what the critics may say and even with as the deadline approaches. Keep pushing your dream. People advised Walt Disney to push back the opening date but he chose to deliver on the promise that he made.

I give Disneyland Handcrafted 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18,plus adults. This film releases on Disney+ January 22, 2026

Disneyland Handcrafted

Isabella V., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14

Disneyland Handcrafted is an incredibly interesting documentary about one of the most famous theme parks in the world. I gained so much knowledge and appreciation for the team behind this park, thanks to the hard work by the filmmakers.  It has a great soundtrack, visuals, and perfectly shows the highs and lows never before seen about the process of creating Disneyland.

The documentary, created from archived footage and audio, shows the creation process of Disneyland from a year before opening, to opening day. Month by month we see the struggles that came with building it in such a short time and budget and watch how the crew overcame all odds and made their opening day deadline.

The concept of this film is executed perfectly. The thing that sticks out to me the most is the soundtrack – it is perfect and enhances the emotion it’s trying to portray. In funny scenes, the music is upbeat and fast tempo, while in the sadder or hopeful ones, the music becomes slower and heartfelt. Also, the music is also incredibly catchy throughout and adds to the nostalgic feeling of the film. I also love the pacing of the film, and how it allows us to follow the crew month by month, just as they experienced it. This helps build suspense and intrigue for whether or not they will manage to finish by their deadline. It also shows the development and slow improvement of the land as we watch it go from nothing to a full theme park. Using archival footage with voiceovers of people who worked on the project make the film unique. Hearing these people describe how they succeeded adds to the overall message of determination, while also allowing these hard workers to shine. I learned so much about the creative process of building the park that I never knew before. This film gave me a new appreciation for everyone that helped make Disneyland possible.

The film’s message is that even if something is not easy, it’s possible if you combine hard work with determination to get it done.

I give Disneyland Handcrafted 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It releases on Disney+ on January 22, 2026.

Taylor Swift’s concert film captures the magic of her record-breaking tour, featuring backstage moments and special performances with fellow artists, while sharing personal insights from her closest circle.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critics Adele B. comments, “Taylor Swift: The End of an Era is a six episode series showing the strongest moments and struggles of Swift’s Eras tour. I was captivated by the raw emotions of Taylor, her family and those working on stage and behind-the-scenes.” Kinsley H. adds, “This series is full of heartfelt experiences and emotions. Swift’s dedication to her fans, crew, family, friends, and others who come into her life is inspiring. The film takes time to not only look at Swift’s life but also the people who contributed to making the tour a success.” Kyla C. wraps it up with, “This six-episode docuseries provides insight into how Swift’s team made this happen, with behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage, performer spotlights, and peeks into Swift’s personal life.” See their full reviews below.

Taylor Swift: The End of An Era
By Kinsley H., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

I found Taylor Swift: The End of An Era so inspiring. This six episode docuseries follows Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour that took place from 2023 to 2024. It provides behind-the-scenes access to all the twists and turns that happened during this tour of epic proportions.

This docuseries covers Swift’s journey through the ground breaking Era’s Tour which ran from March 17, 2023 through December 8, 2024. It showcases everything from scary terrorist threats to her personal love story. It highlights many of the tour’s performers showing that Taylor Swift is not afraid to share the spotlight. She states multiple times throughout the series how she doesn’t want her performers to blend in but to stand out as individuals. Everyone has a story, and people should always feel bigger than they are. Swift’s professionalism comes through as we see how she started her journey and became the superstar that she is today.

This series is full of heartfelt experiences and emotions. Swift’s dedication to her fans, crew, family, friends, and others who come into her life is inspiring. The film takes time to not only look at Swift’s life but also the people who contributed to making the tour a success. The personal segments about individual tour dancers give a new perspective to Swift’s ability to make sure everyone gets respect and acknowledgement for what they put into the show. The show really highlights the raw emotions of each individual and showcases their resilience to fight through everything from cancer to the challenges they overcame on their path to success. We see how Swift takes time to show her appreciation. In one episode, Swift is shown writing handwritten notes to all members of the show and how she met with each one of them individually. Taylor Swift’s impact on the world is huge and her creativity and drive is the fuel to her success. She is constantly creating, and does everything she can to provide a positive escape for her fans as well as herself. The tour helped her find her purpose while creating a bonding experience for thousands of fans across the world.

The film’s message is about the importance of accepting all people. Allowing individuals to be unfiltered is small, but meaningful. Her impact is widespread. Be aware that this series has mature themes and strong language.

I give Taylor Swift: The End of An Era 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It is available on Disney+ beginning December 23, 2025.

Taylor Swift: The End Of An Era
By Kyla C, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 16

Taylor Swift: The End Of An Era gives us the opportunity to discover what made the difference between a regular high-grossing tour and the experience of a lifetime! This six-episode docuseries provides insight into how Swift’s team made this happen, with behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage, performer spotlights, and peeks into Swift’s personal life. We get a full look into what it is like to live the life of Taylor Swift as she performs one of the most remarkable tours of all time and its mind boggling.

Taylor Swift: The End Of An Era focuses on Taylor and her journey throughout The Eras Tour. From the tiny plastic stage models to the live concerts with over 70,000 attendees each, the viewer gets a glimpse into how this tour was created. The episodes generally follow chronological order, with the first episode focusing on pre-tour rehearsals and the last episode showing the tour’s conclusion and lasting impact. The docuseries spotlights many of the dancers, singers, band members, and backstage workers.

Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour set records in nearly every measurable aspect of a musical tour– spreading across countless countries, earning billions of dollars in revenue, and generating jaw-dropping attendance both inside and outside the stadiums. However, the true accomplishment of this tour simply can’t be described by statistics. This 21-month sensation of a pop phenomenon changed not just economies; it impacted each and every concert attendee on a personal level.  Considering The Eras Tour’s incredible success, it’s natural that both devoted Swifties and outside observers would be interested in how this tour came to be. This series absolutely delivers in answering my questions. It dives deep into the stage effects, dance rehearsals, song choices, guest appearances, costume design, acoustic set mash-ups, and so much more. A highlight in each episode is the performer spotlights. Whether showcasing one of the dancers or a costume designer, we get a close look into not only their work for the tour, but also their personal life and accomplishments. This provides a well-rounded view of the tour, as it shows the personal journeys of those who were vital to the tour becoming such a phenomenon. Taylor Swift: The End Of An Era continues to exceed my expectations through its emotional reach. Each episode is guaranteed to leave the audience with laughs, tears, and most importantly, smiles. Despite the presence of some unimaginably tragic obstacles that the tour’s performers, fans, and attendees faced, the tour continued delivering the audience what they needed: an escape from the constantly changing world around them. Taylor emphasizes this throughout this series as she shares both personal and large-scale difficulties that occurred throughout the tour and how she knew her priority had to be showing up for the fans and giving them the experience they both paid for and expected. The docuseries portrays this purpose with such clarity, painting a picture of not only the tour itself but the goals and vision Swift had for the tour.

This series expresses the purpose of The Eras Tour, which was to provide a space for people to join together, escape from the outside world, and have the time of their lives. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration and family within a work environment, showing how this promotes positivity and unity both on and off of the stage throughout the tour. Note that it does include some profanity and some mature topics, such as a detailed discussion about attempts at violence on the tour.

I give Taylor Swift: The End Of An Era 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. You can view all six episodes of Taylor Swift: The End Of An Era on Disney+ beginning December 23, 2025.

Taylor Swift: The End of an Era
By Adele B. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11 

Taylor Swift: The End of an Era is a six episode series showing the strongest moments and struggles of Swift’s Eras tour. I Was Captivated By The Raw Emotions Of Taylor, Her Family And Those Working On Stage And Behind-The-Scenes. The music and camera work pairs well with the emotional depth of the tour story and it kept me wanting to watch until curtain closed. 

The series gives us a thorough understanding of what it took to create Swift’s record-breaking 18 month tour. Each episode layers the logistics of producing this show and gives insights into the tremendous dancers and musicians that share the stage with her. We see the special relationships Taylor forms with her team in rehearsals that come to life on stage. The series also displays collaborative moments with fellow artists and the impact they had on the tour. The real life struggles that happened alongside the tour are showcased with emotion and care. I love how the series highlights Taylor and who she is as a person, what goes into her songwriting, the tour’s vision, and the people that surrounded her to make this amazing tour happen. 

The people who contributed to the 149 shows across the world come to life in this series. You can feel how special they all are and how they each are part of the story. I was inspired by one of Taylor’s  dancers, Kameron, who talks about how people always made him feel like he had to change himself if he wanted to be successful. He says that Taylor never made him feel that way and she was incredibly welcoming and supportive. I was brought to tears more than once. One moment that really stands out to me is when there was an attack on the tour. Taylor emotionally talks about how that moment was not only very scary for her and her team, but devastating for her fans. Her fans ultimately are what gave her the motivation to show up and give the best show to bring happiness during a dark time. I love the portrayal of Taylor as an iconic performer and also as a human with real ups and downs. She shares that when one of her singers has health struggles. I also enjoyed how perfectly the moments in the tour match Taylor Swift’s songs to reflect and bring them to life. Moments that resonate with me are the quick wardrobe changes and seeing the countless fans showing up for her performances.

Authenticity and personal drive are themes woven throughout the series. It shows us that people from all backgrounds, with their own stories, can come together to experience joy in a fun and meaningful way. 

I give Taylor Swift: The End of an Era 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. All six episodes are streaming on Disney + as of December 23, 2025.

Avatar: Fire and Ash
By Jackson N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

Welcome back to Pandora! Avatar: Fire and Ash is the perfect return to Pandora and the Avatar universe. This film is expertly crafted and does what the Avatar franchise does best; tell a beautiful story with an awesome message. This is sure to be one of my favorites for a long time.

The story takes us back to Pandora, where the Sully family is mourning the death of their son Neteyam (Jamie Flatters). This sparks a chain of events leading them to a new tribe, a betrayal, and intergalactic warfare. Their adopted son, Spider (Jack Champion), comes to grips with the harsh reality that without being able to breathe in the Pandoran atmosphere, he’ll be unable to live there. Jake (Sam Worthington) decides to send him away and the family begs him not to – or to at least let them go as a group on one final trip, as a family, to drop him off. Begrudgingly, Jake accepts.

One of the best things about the Avatar saga is how much it addresses real world themes. The humans have destroyed earth and are senselessly colonizing Pandora. The Banshees experience deep polarization; cut off from the Na’vi and left without a connection to the land, they act blindly in hatred of something different. All of these story elements connect to things we’re experiencing today but when woven in with the fantastical world of Pandora, it feels exciting and fun, even as thought provoking, deep topics are explored. The visuals and character animation in Avatar: Fire and Ash are epic and it’s worth seeing in the theatre for the 3D experience. The first person flying scenes feel like you are actually flying in the world of Pandora. It is unlike anything I have ever experienced! The actors perfectly depict their characters’ emotions, and that is particularly challenging when most characters are made with advanced CGI using performance capture. And, the movie begins with a message from Avatar director and creator, James Cameron that the film was made without the use of any of the new AI tools. The fact that they can painstakingly make more than three hours of rich and engaging content that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire movie will never cease to amaze me. If you are looking for a film to watch over winter break, look no further.

The main message of Avatar: Fire and Ash is that every day we have a choice, to do the right thing, or do the easy thing. This film includes themes of family connection, parental love, and the power of working together to fight for what’s right. As Jake Sully says, “Many arrows together cannot be broken.” Parents should be aware, there is a lot of violence, but none of the shots highlight the gore.

I give Avatar: Fire and Ash 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults.  It releases in theatres on December 19, 2025.

Avatar: Fire and Ash

By Elsy S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

I really enjoyed the movie Avatar: Fire and Ash because of its ruthless villains, shockingly realistic portrayal of Pandora, and how the characters’ reactions perfectly line up with what one might expect, considering their personalities.

The story takes place on the planet Pandora and follows Jake (Sam Worthington), Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), and their children, Spider (Jack Champion), Kiri (Sigourney Weaver), and Lo’ak (Britain Dalton) as they work to stop the humans, Colonel Quaritch (Stephen Lang), Varang (Oona Chapi), and the Ash tribe from covering Pandora with fire. They decide to send Spider away and go with him to see him off, but their ship is attacked by the ruthless Ash tribe. In the end, Jake and Spider get captured, but are freed by Neytiri. Colonel Quaritch and the Ash tribe form an alliance, and a huge battle takes place, which the Na’vi luckily wins.

This is an amazing sequel to the first two movies, directed by James Cameron, and really adds to the story line in a way that isn’t overwhelming, and also is necessary. The story really demonstrates the importance of family love, and how we should not take what we have for granted – especially not in nature. My favorite character is Varang, because of her commanding presence, and her clear protective instincts for her tribe. All of the actors’ portrayals of their roles are impeccable, and line up with their characters perfectly. My favorite duo is Varang and Colonel Quaritch, because they suit each other so well, and really have a clear impact. My least favorite part is when we find out that Kiri can’t connect with Eywa, because her mother is human…sort of. The film’s sets are wonderfully made, and really embrace the natural beauty of Pandora, using the forest, the ocean, the fire, and more. This film is somewhat darker than the previous films, introducing the stark, Ash-covered lands and fiery culture of the Ash Clam with their red and black body paint and volcanic homes – which contrast with the lush landscape of Pandora.

The film’s message is about learning to let go of what you believed to be the truth, and learn to accept new cultures, and traditions. Be forewarned that there are some extremely violent scenes, partial nudity, and adult references.

I give Avatar: Fire and Ash 3.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 14 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters on December 19, 2025.

The only study guides a middle schooler needs to ace their STEM classes—Math, Science, and Computer Science and Coding—now in one Big Fat Boxed Set! Perfect for homework help, study sessions, or when your textbook just doesn’t make any sense, this bundle of Big Fat Notebooks is the one-stop-shop for middle school STEM study guides. Together, these three bestselling books cover all the important STEM concepts middle schoolers need to know—from the Pythagorean Theorem to exponents, atoms to outer space, and binary code to Boolean expressions. Big Fat Notebooks are packed with all the information you need for an entire year of middle school Math, Science, or Computer Science and Coding classes. Plus, they’re written in language that’s actually easy-to-understand, and full of colorful diagrams and hilarious doodles that help important information stick. Soon, you’ll be the smartest kid in class!

This is a must for all Middle Schoolers! My favorite thing about the set is that kids will be able to easily comprehend the information in each of the books.

Self Disclosure: I received a free set of books to feature. Image was also provided.

In an afterlife where souls have one week to decide where to spend eternity, Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) is faced with the impossible choice between the man she spent her life with (Miles Teller) and her first love (Callum Turner), who died young and has waited decades for her to arrive.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Katherine S. comments, “I thoroughly enjoy Eternity. It’s the cleverest rom-com I’ve ever seen, with its one-of-a-kind plot, strong acting and vivid development of the setting… Along with the imaginative plot, the world building of the afterlife is hilariously creative. There are a lot of different choices for how to spend one’s eternity, like Paris Land, Capitalist World, Casino World, Beach World, Men Free World, and countless more.” See her full review below.

Eternity 

By Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17

I thoroughly enjoyed Eternity. It’s the cleverest rom-com I’ve ever seen, with its one-of-a-kind plot, strong acting and vivid development of the setting.

Recently deceased Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) finds herself in an impossible situation: she must choose one of her husbands to spend eternity with in the afterlife and only gets one chance to get it right. It’s between Luke (Callum Turner), her first husband who died young after fighting in a war and Larry (Miles Teller), her second husband who she had children and grew old with.

There have been movies about the afterlife before, of course, but I’ve never seen a rom-com with this as its main focus, and I love how both of those aspects interact throughout the film. Along with the imaginative plot, the world building of the afterlife is hilariously creative. There are a lot of different choices for how to spend one’s eternity, like Paris Land, Capitalist World, Casino World, Beach World, Men Free World, and countless more. There is something for everyone, and it would be hard to choose where to go even if you didn’t have to pick between your two husbands. The acting is phenomenal. Being reverted to the physical state during the happiest time of their life, even though they all look young, their souls remain the same age as when they died, and the actors speak and act exactly how an elderly person behaves. Seeing Joan interact differently with each of her past husbands is extremely entertaining. Her shyness with Luke feels like young love whereas her tender annoyance with Larry feels exactly how you behave when you know someone for a long time. I also adore the side plot exploring the relationship of Anna (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) and Ryan (John Early) – Larry and Joan’s ACs, respectively (you’ll figure out what AC means when you watch the movie).

There are many themes of uncertainty, regret, possibility, and hope in this film. I found it intriguing that the afterlife represents living life to the fullest and the importance of memory, but also displays messages of adaptability and acceptance in difficult situations. Be advised that there are some mature themes present, including profanity, drinking, and suggestive scenes.

I give Eternity 5out of 5 stars and I recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters on November 26, 2025.

The Merchants of Joy is a 2025 documentary following five New York City families who dominate the lucrative, competitive Christmas tree business, showing their year-round hustles, family dynamics, and gritty realities behind the festive holiday tradition, as they battle for prime locations and face challenges from each other and a mysterious rival, blending heartwarming holiday spirit with the tough business of making a living from the season.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Harper B. comments, “Merchants of Joy is an inspiring film about a Christmas tree lot owner’s journey through the Christmas season. I love this film because it depicts a real life situation. It shows how hard the seemingly easy things can be. I also like that it shows how your past doesn’t make you who you are today.” See her full review below.

Merchants of Joy

By Harper B.. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

Merchants of Joy is an inspiring film about a Christmas tree lot owner’s journey through the Christmas season. I love this film because it depicts a real life situation. It shows how hard the seemingly easy things can be. I also like that it shows how your past doesn’t make you who you are today.

The storyline follows five families who all run Christmas tree stands in New York City. They all have unique backstories and unique ways of running their stands. This film lets the viewer know there is more to running a stand than just getting some trees and standing out in the cold until people buy your trees.

This is a wonderful film, although it did take me a while to get into the story. There is such a diverse cast. Each tree lot owner is very different from the others. Some of these owners have criminal records; while others have been in the business for as long as 50 years. My favorite part is the end when I realized that selling a Christmas tree is more than just selling a tree – it is selling joyful moments in time. My favorite company is NYC Tree Lady, run by Heather Neville. Heather is a very straightforward person. The reason I enjoyed watching her so much is because she tells you not to dwell on the past. She has a criminal record and still looks to the future and to whom she is today. Heather always looks to the future and encourages the viewer to do the same. She will flat out tell you what to do but then ask what she can do for you. Greg’s Trees, another company, owned by a guy named Greg, who may look alright but he is not. Little Greg is a high school drop out and is finding time to spend with his father because he doesn’t know when his last Christmas will be. He is also beginning to take over the business for his father.

The film’s message is to not dwell on the past and that things may look better than they are. This film shows love in its deepest form. Please note there is mention of drug use and some profanity.

I give Merchants of Joy 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It will be released on VOD on December 1, 2025.

As the year winds down and the holidays draw near, there’s no better gift than a story that sparks imagination, comfort, and connection. Books have a magical way of bringing families together, from bedtime snuggles to cozy reading by the fire. This season, celebrate the joy of giving (and reading!) with these heartwarming children’s books that inspire kindness, adventure, and creativity. Perfect for gifting now and starting the new year with fresh pages and new perspectives!

When Flowers Got Their Colors by Scott Sollers

A vibrant tale that weaves science, imagination, and wonder, When Flowers Got Their Colors tells the enchanting story of how nature’s blossoms came to life in all their beautiful hues. Perfect for curious young readers and budding nature lovers, this book celebrates creativity, discovery, and the beauty that surrounds us every day.

You Yoga by Maria Castellucci Moore

A gentle and joyful introduction to mindfulness and movement, You Yoga by Maria Castellucci Moore helps children discover calm, confidence, and connection through yoga. With playful poses and positive affirmations, it’s a wonderful gift for families looking to nurture both body and mind — no mat required!

The Magic Maze by Samuel Warren Joseph & Phil Proctor

Adventure and problem-solving take center stage in The Magic Maze, where young readers join brave characters on a thrilling journey through twists, turns, and unexpected surprises. It’s the perfect pick for kids who love puzzles, teamwork, and a touch of magic in every page.

Kam and Santa’s Global Adventure by Sheila A. Morrow

Join Kam and Santa on a whirlwind trip around the world in this festive, heart-warming story. Kam and Santa’s Global Adventure introduces children to different cultures and holiday traditions, all while celebrating kindness, generosity, and the spirit of giving — a must-read for the season.

Kloe’s New Friendship by K. M. Selvidge

In Kloe’s New Friendship, a sweet story about friendship and empathy, Kloe learns that kindness can come from unexpected places. Ideal for preschool and early elementary readers, this charming tale makes a thoughtful gift that helps kids explore inclusion, understanding, and the joy of making new friends.

Mommy Is Here! After a Long Day at the Hospital by Nathalie P. Suarez Moscoso & Edison J. Cano Cevallos

Mommy Is Here! After a Long Day at the Hospital is a heart-warming bedtime story that captures the magical reunion between a mom and her baby after a long day apart. This touching paperback honors the resilience and special bond between parents working in the medical field and their children. It offers a comforting space for love, laughter, and connection, reminding little ones that even when Mommy’s away, her love never takes a break.