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December 15, 2009 by Travis Jonker

Children’s Book Lump of Coal Gift Guide

December 15, 2009 by Travis Jonker   4 comments

Looking to give books that convey just the right “if only you had tried harder this year” vibe? The 100 Scope Notes Children’s Book Lump of Coal Gift Guide is for you.

(Click the images below to purchase)

SCROLL TO KEEP READING THIS POST

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For a child who’s head over heels for complex interactions between physical systems:

The ABCs are overrated – bring on the umlauts! This is the stuff toddlers need to be introduced to.

For a child whose cat has too many toes:

I think we can now say with authority that there is indeed a book for everything.

For a child who thinks coloring books should be more disturbing:

“I thought Burnt Anguish was just the right color for this dilapidated house.”

For a child who likes puppies. Too much:

This book addresses an issue that really needs clearing up. What if dogs really are angels?

For a child with a beard:

My first thought: this is a novel? My second thought: actually, this might be awesome.

For a child with exceptional vision:

“This book is so small, sweetie, that you can’t even read it!”

For a child who requires too much information:

Not to be crass, but is that poop playing with dogs?

For a child who enjoys Australian dystopian action films, preferably starring Mel Gibson:

The image above, from the book Donkeyoti Gets Rough, Tough, and Buff, might be the oddest thing on this list. Mad Max?

For children everywhere, who demand to know:

The world has been patiently waiting.

Click here for the Librarian Lump of Coal Gift Guide

Enough nonsense! Be sure to visit these outstanding, useful children’s book gift guides:

MotherReader: 105 Ways to Give a Book

Abby (the) Librarian: Twelve Days of Giving

A Chair, A Fireplace, a Tea Cozy: Gift Giving Idea Roundup

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About Travis Jonker

Travis Jonker is an elementary school librarian in Michigan. He writes reviews (and the occasional article or two) for School Library Journal and is a member of the 2014 Caldecott committee. You can email Travis at scopenotes@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter: @100scopenotes.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. charlotte says

    December 16, 2009 at 12:17 pm

    I clicked through on the server book, and was rather fascinated by what I found….that the author, for instance, is best known for his pioneering work on electric pencil sharpeners in the home.

    Thanks! Next time we buy a stay at home serve (ha ha), I’ll know what book to get my kids!

  2. charlotte says

    December 16, 2009 at 12:18 pm

    blah. stay at home “server.” sorry.

  3. Madigan says

    December 29, 2009 at 12:22 am

    I have that server book! My sister got it for me for Christmas. I had trouble believing it was a real book, until I saw it in my own hands.
    I had a little trouble believing it, even then!

  4. Scope Notes says

    December 29, 2009 at 1:12 am

    I’m glad I now have evidence that this book existed. I wasn’t sure this was actually real until you posted this comment. So thanks for that!

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