9 Parenting Books That Make Great Gifts

written by Julie Vick, mom, educator, and author of Babies Don’t Make Small Talk

Looking for a gift for a parent in your life? As a mom and the author of a parenting book, I have read many books in this genre. There are a variety of options to choose from depending on your gift recipient and whether you want something humorous, informative, or both.

Here is a list of good possibilities to suit any parent on your list.

9 Parenting Books That Make Great Gifts

For Parents of Young Kids:

Horizontal Parenting by Michelle Woo, illustrated by Dasha Tolstikova
There will come many times in any parent’s life when their young kids have more energy than they do, and this book comes to the rescue by offering games that parents can play while lying down.
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For Parents Short on Time:

Moms Don’t Have Time to Have Kids: A Timeless Anthology, edited by Zibby Owens
In this anthology with a very relatable title, host of the podcast Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books collects essays from different authors on a variety of topics ranging from sleep to seeing friends. The short essays make a great gift for any parent short on time (which is basically most parents).
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For Introverted Parents:

Babies Don’t Make Small Talk (So Why Should I?): The Introvert’s Guide to Surviving Parenthood by Julie Vick
Aimed at the time of pregnancy through pre-school, this offers a mix of humor and advice ranging from finding quiet time to managing playdates. I’m a tiny bit biased since I wrote it, so I will let Publisher’s Weekly explain, “This will be an invaluable resource for introverts about to become parents, though anyone with kids will appreciate Vick’s perspective on the absurdity of parenthood.”
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For Star Wars Fans:

Goodnight Darth Vader by Jeffrey Brown
Star Wars enthusiasts will enjoy the illustrations and references in this bedtime story that has Darth Vader trying to get Luke and Leia to sleep. It’s a clever and entertaining read for both parents and kids (my kids are particularly fond of a cute baby Ewok on one of the pages).
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For Parents Interested in the Immigrant Experience:

Parenting with an Accent: How Immigrants Honor Their Heritage, Navigate Setbacks, and Chart New Paths for Their Children by Masha Rumer
Through a mix of personal stories and interviews, this book explores parenting for different immigrant families raising children in the United States. Readers will find information on topics ranging from bilingualism to navigating family advice and childcare.
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For the Person You Are Co-Parenting with:

Love Poems for People with Children by John Kenney
Looking for a gift for the person you are raising small humans with? This collection of funny poems with titles like “My Six-Year-Old Got Hold of My Phone” and “3:32 A.M. and I am Sure the Infant is Taunting Me” will offer some comic relief.
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For Stay-At-Home Dads:

The Ultimate Stay-at-Home Dad: Your Essential Manual for Being an Awesome Full-Time Father by Shannon Carpenter
A comprehensive guide of actionable advice for stay-at-home dads which includes chapters on everything from cooking to mental health. The dad in your life will also appreciate the accessible, humorous style.
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For Poetry Lovers:

Dear Mother: Poems on the Hot Mess of Motherhood by Bunmi Laditan
Bunmi Laditan has several books that would make great parenting gifts. This one provides poems that busy moms can read in the small bursts of time they have.
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For the Mindful Mom:

Breathe, Mama, Breathe: 5-Minute Mindfulness for Busy Moms by Shonda Moralis
Psychotherapist Shonda Moralis relays easy strategies for moms to incorporate meditation into their life in just 5 minutes each day. Perfect for any parent looking for a little more calm.
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About Julie Vick

Julie Vick is the author of the humorous advice book for new parents Babies Don’t Make Small Talk (So Why Should I?): The Introvert’s Guide to Surviving Parenthood (Countryman Press, 2021). Her writing has appeared in New Yorker Daily Shouts, Real Simple, Parents, McSweeney’s, and The Washington Post. Follow her on Instagram or Twitter.