12 Best Books for Teacher Gifts

Celebrate the special people who make a huge impact on their students with these 12 best books for teacher gifts. As a child of two educators myself, I know the hard work and dedication it takes to be a good teacher and it’s not for the faint of heart, that’s for sure. So, whether you’re looking for a holiday gift or end of year present, or a just-because nod of appreciation, take a look at the titles below and find one that speaks to your experience with a great teacher!

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12 Best Books for Teacher Gifts

Because I Had a Teacher by Kobi Yamada, illustrated by Natalie Russell

We all remember our favorite teacher.

Where would we be without them those special people who inspire us, support us, and encourage us? Whether they’re an educator, a coach, or a mentor, this book is for them. To celebrate the worlds they open up for us and to thank them for the difference they make.

This heartwarming book is a thank you gift for great teachers everywhere. Perfect for National Teacher Day, Teacher Appreciation Week, the end of the school year, or just because.

Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem by Amanda Gorman, illustrated by Loren Long

“I can hear change humming
In its loudest, proudest song.
I don’t fear change coming,
And so I sing along.”

In this stirring, much-anticipated picture book by presidential inaugural poet and activist Amanda Gorman, anything is possible when our voices join together. As a young girl leads a cast of characters on a musical journey, they learn that they have the power to make changes—big or small—in the world, in their communities, and in most importantly, in themselves

Dear Teacher, A Celebration of People Who Inspire Us by Paris Rosenthal, illustrated by Holly Hatam

Filled with gratitude, Dear Teacher, thanks all the people that empower and inspire little ones to be themselves and overcome all of life’s obstacles.

With the same tenderness as Dear Girl, and Dear Boy, Paris’s charming text and Holly Hatam’s stunning illustrations come together beautifully to express well-deserved appreciation for teachers of all kinds.

Perfect for fans of the teacher appreciation classic Because I Had a Teacher who are looking for a new gift to give.

A Hundred Thousand Welcomes by Mary Lee Donovan, illustrated by Lian Cho

Welcome, friend. Welcome.

There are almost as many ways of making someone feel welcome as there are people on our planet. To welcome another is to give that person and yourself a chance at a new connection, a new friendship, and maybe even new eyes through which to view the world.

Journey around the globe as A Hundred Thousand Welcomes introduces the word for “welcome” in fourteen languages to illuminate a universal message of hope and acceptance. Mary Lee Donovan’s spare text is brought to life by Lian Cho’s boisterous, richly detailed illustrations.

A Letter to My Teacher by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter

Dear Teacher, Whenever I had something to tell you, I tugged on your shirt and whispered in your ear. This time I’m writing a letter.

So begins this heartfelt picture book about a girl who prefers running and jumping to listening and learning—and the teacher who gently inspires her. From stomping through creeks on a field trip to pretending to choke when called upon to read aloud, this book’s young heroine would be a challenge to any teacher. But this teacher isn’t just any teacher. By listening carefully and knowing just the right thing to say, she quickly learns that the girl’s unruly behavior is due to her struggles with reading. And at the very end, we learn what this former student is now: a teacher herself.

Smart Cookie by Jory John, illustrated by Pete Oswald

This cookie has never felt like a smart cookie no matter how hard she tries, especially in comparison to all the clever cupcakes and brilliant rolls in the bakery. Will a dash of creativity and a sprinkle of confidence be enough to help her learn that perfect scores and having all the answers aren’t the only ingredients for intelligence?

A Teacher Like You by Frank Murphy and Barbara Dan, illustrated by Kayla Harren

Teachers have the power to change the life of a child with every new school day. Whether they’re discovering math or reading, practicing a new instrument or a new sport, or learning about our wonderful, diverse world, students can count on the kindness, innovation, and patience of a teacher. This is a wonderful celebration of all the ways teachers help their student’s bloom.

Teachers Rock! by Todd Parr

Teachers are amazing! They teach you new things, make you laugh, and help you meet new friends. Teachers always encourage you to do your best. They make the classroom a great place to be!

From admiring the way teachers foster creativity in the classroom to how they ensure all children’s needs are met, Todd Parr offers an ode to everything teachers contribute to the world. Bursting with positivity about school and the people who make it special, this book is sure to become a classroom and at-home favorite.

Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco

Patricia Polacco is now one of America’s most loved children’s book creators, but once upon a time, she was a little girl named Trisha starting school. Trisha could paint and draw beautifully, but when she looked at words on a page, all she could see was jumble. It took a very special teacher to recognize little Trisha’s dyslexia: Mr. Falker, who encouraged her to overcome her reading disability. Patricia Polacco will never forget him, and neither will we.

Thank You, Teacher by Eric Carle

Perfect for National Teacher Day, Teacher Appreciation Week, the end of the school year, or just because! This heartwarming gift book is a perfect thank-you gift for teachers everywhere. Using bright and colorful Eric Carle imagery, plus The Very Hungry Caterpillar, this story provides all the reasons why the teachers in our lives are so special and why we’re so thankful for them.

365 Days of Wonder: Mr. Browne’s Book of Precepts by R. J. Palacio

In Wonder, readers were introduced to memorable English teacher Mr. Browne and his love of precepts. This companion book features conversations between Mr. Browne and Auggie, Julian, Summer, Jack Will, and others, giving readers a special peek at their lives after Wonder ends. Mr. Browne’s essays and correspondence are rounded out by a precept for each day of the year—drawn from popular songs to children’s books to inscriptions on Egyptian tombstones to fortune cookies. His selections celebrate the goodness of human beings, the strength of people’s hearts, and the power of people’s wills.

There’s something for everyone here, with words of wisdom from such noteworthy people as Anne Frank, Martin Luther King Jr., Confucius, Goethe, Sappho—and over 100 readers of Wonder who sent R. J. Palacio their own precepts.

What Do You Do with an Idea? by Kobi Yamada, illustrated by Mae Besom

This is the story of one brilliant idea and the child who helps to bring it into the world. As the child’s confidence grows, so does the idea itself. And then, one day, something amazing happens. This is a story for anyone, at any age, who’s ever had an idea that seemed a little too big, too odd, too difficult. It’s a story to inspire you to welcome that idea, to give it some space to grow, and to see what happens next. Because your idea isn’t going anywhere. In fact, it’s just getting started.