I am that Mom who gives books as gifts. Caroline is starting to complain that each of her friend’s birthday presents must include a book but I am persevering through all the “Mom, no one else does this!!” complaints. I just feel too importantly about it.

When the girls were younger, we would give their friends only books but as time has gone by, even I see the point of including a toy or game with the book. I don’t want to end up being the Mom who only gives books after all. I can still remember the day that I found MotherReader’s fantastic list of book/toy pairings. The list brought me way more joy than it should have. Since then, I have been busy adding my own treasures to her wonderful listing.

As I was  browsing at the library last week (and yes, this is often how I choose to spend my spare time!), I found two perfect titles to include with a shovel and pail for an instant and super fun birthday gift.

To the Beach by Thomas Docherty

 is an amazingly imaginative tale of a boy’s voyage to the beach and beyond and

an oldy but goodie by Leo Lionni, On my beach there are many pebbles

will make your shell and rock hunting all the more fun this summer.

I don’t know about you but I plan to enjoy a good book on my next trip to the beach… maybe the girls will too!