No Kidding: The best kids' books to give this holiday season

Looking for a gift for your young reader? We've got you covered. Local children's book experts Lisa Von Drasek and Holly Weinkauf joined MPR News senior producer Stephanie Curtis for a round up of the very best children's books to give and receive this holiday season.

Holiday books:

• Red and LuLu by Matt Tavares

• A World of Cookies for Santa by M.E. Furman

• Hanukkah Bear by Eric Kimmel

• Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric Kimmel

For the littlest ones:

• General Relativity for Babies

• Quantum Physics for Babies

• Pizza! An interactive Recipe Book

• Tacos! An Interactive Recipe Book

• Wolf in the Snow by Matthew Cordell

• The Wolf, the Duck and the Mouse by Mac Barnett

• I want my Hat Back by Jon Klassen

• Baabwaa & Wooliam by David Elliott

• Little Fox in the Forest by Stephanie Graegin

• La La La by LOCAL author Kate DiCamillo

For advanced readers in elementary school:

• Birchbark House Series by LOCAL author Louise Erdrich

• The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

• The War I finally Won Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

• Goofballs Series by Tony Abbott

• The CatStronauts Series by LOCAL Drew Brockington

• Good Night, Planet by Liniers

• Charlie & Mouse Series by Laurel Snyder

• The Spy School Collection by Stuart Gibbs

• Treasure Hunters by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein

• The Treehouse Series by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton

• The Treasure Chest Series by Ann Hood

• Small Walt by Elizabeth Verdick

• The Boys' House by LOCAL author Jim Heynen

• Bow Wow: A Bowser and Birdie Novel by Spencer Quinn

For middle grade readers looking for a challenge:

• York: The Shadow Cipher by Laura Ruby

• That Inevitable Victorian Thing by E.K. Johnston

• Saints and Misfits by S.K. Ali

• The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street Karina Yan Glaser

• All's Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamieson

• Babymouse Tales from the Locker Series by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm

• Turtles All the Way Down - John Green

• Things I'm Seeing Without You by LOCAL author Peter Bognanni

• Favorite Folktales From Around the World by Jane Yolen

• Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

• Dragonfly Song by Wendy Orr

• Overturned by LaMar Giles

• Searching for Dragons Series Patricia Wrede LOCAL

• Frogkisser by Garth Knicks

For everyone:

• Chef Roy Choi and the Street Food Remix by Jacqueline Briggs Martin

• The Chronicles of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg

• A Different Pond by LOCAL author Bao Phi

• Come With Me by Holly McGhee

• Doodling for Academics by LOCAL author Julie Schumacher

• Her Right Foot by Dave Eggers

• Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

• SNEAKERS by Alex French and Howie Kahn

• Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling

• Knightology: A True Account of the Most Valiant Knights by Dugald Steer

• Refugee by Alan Gratz

• The Rooster who Would Not Be Quiet by Carmen Agra Deedy

• Book of Bones: 10 Record-Breaking Animals by Gabrielle Balkan

Use the audio player above to hear the full conversation.