Midummer Books Gift Guide for Ages 3-5: The Best Analog Gifts for Preschoolers Beautiful Picture Books, Winter Favorites & Cozy Storytime

If there is a perfect time for falling in love with stories, it’s around age 3–5. Preschoolers are loud readers, interactive readers, giggle-’til-they’re-teary readers. They want to shout answers at the page, name every animal, flip back to their favorite picture, and demand that you read it “again!” before you’ve even closed the book. Plus reading is one of the best screen-free analog gifts for preschoolers that offer tons of options and entertainment without all the plastic waste.

This is one of our favorite age groups to curate for because they are figuring out what they like, but in many ways they are still so open to new experiences. Their imaginations are wide open, their attention spans are growing fast, and they’re finally old enough to appreciate a beautiful picture book or a storytime ritual. And it turns out I am also in love with winter-themed books because our shelves are filled to the brim with brand-new picture books, seasonal favorites, cozy classics, and premium used treasures that make incredible analog gifts for ages 3–5.

If you’re shopping for a holiday present, a winter birthday, or a “just because” surprise or reward for a little reader, here are our top gifting recommendations for preschoolers.

Beautiful new picture books for preschoolers

Picture books are truly a thing of beauty, and I feel like right now we are in a true renaissance of illustrative artwork. Some of these new picture books are so gorgeous that its filled with artwork you want to frame, and stories kids want to hear again and again. From stories that help kids navigate their feelings, to sharing, to the power of imagination, picture books fit just the right moment in your young readers life.

The Highly Sensitive Rabbit

by Judith Orloff & Jennifer Adams

Perfect for the kid with worries. Aurora, our highly sensitive hero, learns to accept herself when her sensitivity and anxiety are put to the test.

The Chamelon's True Colors by Julia Pankratova

When the chameleon is sad because he doesn’t have a color of his own, he borrows from others - yellow from the sun, pink from an orchid, and orange from a tiger, but will there be enough color for everyone? With gorgeous illustrations and a message about the power of giving, this is a picture book for every family.

The Girl and the Dinosaur by Hollie Hughes

The power of imagination is strong enough to bring a dinosaur to life in this whimsical tale that is beautifully illustrated by Sarah Massani. This special book takes readers on a journey far beyond the page to believe in the impossible.

Winter and holiday picture books to make storytime special

Nothing beats curling up with a warm drink and a winter picture book on a chilly night. We’ve brought in a beautiful mix of seasonal titles for families looking to start new traditions or refresh their holiday shelves. Here are just a few:

Katy and the Big Snow: A timeless winter adventure. Young readers love following Katy, a powerful snowplow, as she bravely clears the town after a massive snowstorm. It’s a thrilling, empowering story for kids who love trucks, weather, and helping others. A perfect “snow day” read-aloud.

Winter: A Solstice Story (The Solstice & Seasons Series): One of the most beautiful, poetic winter picture books available. This story explores the quiet magic of the solstice, when darkness gives way to light, with gentle prose and stunning illustrations. It’s ideal for families who love nature-based traditions and books that feel warm, lyrical, and timeless.

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats: A must-have for every winter shelf. The iconic art and simple storytelling follow Peter’s unforgettable adventures in the first fresh snowfall. It’s nostalgic for adults and enchanting for preschoolers, we have several of these gently-loved classics in stock to make for a meaningful seasonal gift.

Robot’s First Snow: A charming, modern winter tale. Kids will love this sweet story of a curious robot discovering snow, scooping it, slipping on it, building with it, all while learning what makes winter fun. Wonderful for children who enjoy humor, winter exploration, and stories that blend imagination with play.

These winter books pair perfectly with plushies, cocoa packets, and our gently-loved classics to create warm, cozy holiday gifts.

Classic picture books every preschool should have

Beautiful new books are wonderful, but the classics endure for a reason. And we always make sure they’re accessible in both new and gently-loved versions.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar remains a must-have for ages 3–5. Preschoolers light up at the food illustrations and rhythmic patterning, and it’s a book that grows with them.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? is another forever favorite. The repetition and bright animals make it ideal for early participation, and it’s a staple for building vocabulary.

Frederick by Leo Leonni: I still remember my mother reading me the stories of Leo Leonni, and Frederick is a standout, reminding us that stories are what make life so special.

Gently-loved picture books: eco-friendly, budget-friendly, absolutely magical

Preschoolers experience their books with enthusiasm. They carry them around, sleep with them, read them upside-down, and flip pages over and over. A perfectly crisp spine isn’t the point. A great story is.

Our used titles are clean, sturdy, and thoughtfully selected, making them perfect for:

• Building a bigger home library

• Encouraging independent page-turning

• Eco-friendly gift-giving

• Introducing timeless stories without the new-book price

And because used titles often include classic or out-of-print gems, they make gifts that feel thoughtful and unique. We have a ton of gently used picture and board books in stock, perfect for gifting and for your budget.

Analog gift bundles for preschoolers

When you’re gifting to preschoolers, a “book-plus-something-small” bundle always lands well. Here are some of our favorites this season:

The Cozy Winter Read-Aloud Kit

A winter picture book (like Robot's First Snow), a gently-loved classic (Goodnight Moon or Brown Bear), a soft plush, and a packet of cocoa, wrapped together with fun winter stickers and a winter-themed bookmark. Warm, comforting, and perfectly giftable. Customizable as one of our Book Flood packages.

Little Artist Storytime Set

Drawing Chibi Pets, a mini sketchpad, stickers, and a chunky pencil set. Great for budding creators.

Storytime + Game Night Mini Kit

A gently-loved picture book, a classic card game like Go-Fish, and a Topps Suprise ball for that extra touch of magic

Visit Midsummer Books for thoughtful, story-rich analog gifts

Whether you’re building a preschooler’s holiday basket, searching for seasonal stories, or curating a small gift that feels big on magic, we are here to help.

We offer a warm mix of:

✔️ New and beautiful picture books

✔️ Cozy winter and holiday titles

✔️ Premium gently-loved classics

✔️ Gift bundles curated by age

✔️ Art & craft kits, games, and STEM activity sets

✔️ Staff recommendations based on what kids actually love

Stop by our shop or send us a message, we’re always happy to help you find the perfect story to wrap.