As the holiday season descends, I love giving the gift of children’s books to everyone on my list- grown ups most especially.

For many adults, it’s been an awfully long time since they sat down and read a picture book. Simply enjoying the beauty of illustration and the joy of story can be enough of a gift. But I also like to match a friend or relative’s loves with the books I choose.

Below are six of my favorites from this year’s amazing list of picture books.

For dog lovers…

Homer by Elisha Cooper (my review is here)

For knitters…

Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett (my review is here)

For gardeners…

And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliani

For storytellers…

Bear Has a Story to Tell by Philip and Erin Stead (my review is here)

For jokesters…

This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen (my review is here)

For anyone who has ever been distracted by an electronic device…

hello! hello! by Matthew Cordell (my review is here)