Hillsborough’s Favorite Reads of 2023

We’ve got you covered in search of a great books to gift this holiday season. Here are some of the most popular titles checked out this year by our customers:

The Best Gifts to Read: Birth to Preschool

Elephant Goes Potty by James Patterson
With adorable illustrations, a winning elephant family and a triumphant ending, this sturdy board book by the bestselling author is the perfect choice for any family looking to bring fun and positivity to potty training.

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All About Bingo by Penguin Young Readers Licenses
Meet Bingo! This book is perfect for Bluey fans who want to know more about Bingo, her favorite outdoor activities and what she likes to do before bedtime!

Peekaboo Rex! by Sandra Boynton
Follow a lovable T. rex as it plays peekaboo with a tiny dinosaur friend throughout its day. A story only Sandra Boynton could dream up, featuring two adorable dinos and every toddler’s favorite hide-and-seek activity, the ending showcases the ultimate game of peekaboo!

Pete the Cat: Hickory Dickory Dock by Kim Dean
Pete the Cat puts a groovy spin on the classic nursery rhyme “Hickory Dickory Dock” in this sing-along storybook with original illustrations.

Grades K-5

How Do Dinosaurs Learn to Be Kind? by Jane Yolen & Mark Teague
It is not always easy for a dinosaur to learn to be kind, but he can become a very kind dinosaur with a bit of practice and keeping other people in mind.

Party Hearty Kitty-Corn by Shannon Hale and Leuyen Pham
Kitty is excited to throw a kitty-corn party but becomes frustrated when newcomer Puppy messes up the decorations, ruins the gift Kitty made, and, worst of all, takes up all of Unicorn’s attention.

Dog Man #11: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea by Dav Pilkey
Piggy is back, and his newest plot is his most sinister yet. Dog Man and the rest of your favorite characters must join in this heroic, hilarious, ALL-NEW adventure. WHAT new villains are on the horizon? WHERE are they all coming from? And WHO will step forward to save the city when scoundrels sabotage our Supa Buddies?

The Baby-Sitter’s Club: Mary Anne’s Bad-Luck Mystery by Cynthia Yuan Cheng
A discarded chain letter augers a series of bad events for Mary Anne, who is plagued by bad luck and a threatening note demanding a midnight meeting on Old Man Sutcliff’s grave.

Grades 6-8

Moon Rising: A Graphic Novel (Wings of Fire Graphic Novel #6) by Barry Deutsch
The war may be over, but plenty’s still at stake with school beginning for the dragonets. Not to mention the dangerous dragon introducing himself as the new enemy.

Big Nate: Nailed It! by Lincoln Peirce
You can’t win them all—especially when you’re slumping sixth-grader Nate Wright. Stuck in a cycle of misfortune, our hero finds an unlikely good luck charm . . . and suddenly, he can do no wrong! Welcome to the riotous world of Big Nate, where chaos is the default setting and Nate’s learning the secret of survival: Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good!

Grades 9-12

The Stolen Heir: A Novel of Elfhame by Holly Black
Set nine years after the events of The Queen of Nothing, The Stolen Heir is the first book in a thrilling new duology that brings readers back to the world of Elfhame. Jude’s brother, Prince Oak, takes the spotlight alongside runaway queen Suren as they embark on a deadly and dangerous quest.

Kill Joy: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Novella by Holly Jackson
Six suspects. Three hours. One murder… Pip is not in the mood for her friend’s murder mystery party. Especially one that involves 1920s fancy dress and pretending that their town is an island called Joy. But when the game begins, Pip is drawn into the make-believe world of intrigue, deception and murder.

One of Us is Back by Karen McManus
The global phenomenon returns with the third book in the One of Us Is Lying series. When someone from the Bayview Four’s past resurfaces, history begins to repeat itself—and the consequences are deadly.

Need more ideas? You can explore all of the HCPLC staff pick lists HERE!

Originally published in December 2023 of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine.