There鈥檚 nothing quite like hunkering down with a good book. It鈥檚 a timeless activity, one that spurs imagination, opens new windows to the world and broadens understanding.

Sometimes, turning each page is about learning, other times it鈥檚 simply about escaping the confines of one鈥檚 own mind.

While reading may not be everyone鈥檚 cup of tea, opening the eyes of children to just how much books have to offer can be a gift to last a lifetime 鈥� the beginning of an adventure that can take them to every corner of the world, and introduce them to every creature, culture and career.

There is virtually no limit.

For those wanting to share the gift of books with youngsters this holiday season 鈥� or any time of year, for that matter 鈥� there is, as always, a plethora of tomes to choose from.

Recommendations currently on the shelves of White Rock Library include classics such as Clement Moore鈥檚 Twas the Night Before Christmas and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, by Dr. Seuss.

There鈥檚 also Chris Van Allsburg鈥檚 fantasy picture book, The Polar Express; the lively Llama Llama Holiday Drama (Anna Dewdney); Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson; and Little Blue Truck鈥檚 Christmas by Alice Schertle.

All of these are geared to kids aged  8 to 10 years old, and present much-treasured opportunities for families to slow down and spend time together.

At 性视界传媒 Libraries, options listed online include the latest in Reese Witherspoon鈥檚 Busy Betty series: Busy Betty & the Perfect Christmas Present; Stephen Shaskan鈥檚 graphic novel Pizza and Taco, Best Christmas Ever; T.L. McBeth鈥檚 I Am Not Santa Claus!; and Goats for Christmas, by Jacqueline Kelly.

Marta Schietroma, manager of Black Bond Books in Semiahmoo Shopping Centre, suggested a range of reads that cater to various ages and interests.

Into the Uncut Grass, by Trevor Noah, is 鈥済ood for all ages,鈥� Schietroma said, describing the fable as as 鈥渂eautifully illustrated鈥� really moving.鈥�

According to a description at amazon.ca, it explores 鈥渢he secrets of solidarity, connection, and finding peace with the people we love.鈥� It鈥檚 a book that can be read to a two-year-old or gifted to a grandparent, Schietroma noted.

鈥淐hapter 19鈥� in Louise Penny鈥檚 Armand Gamache mystery series, The Grey Wolf, is another on Schietroma鈥檚 holiday list; as is any in Jeff Kinney鈥檚 Diary of a Wimpy Kid series 鈥� the newest, released in October, is Hot Mess 鈥� which details the misadventures of 鈥渁 skinny middle school student near the bottom of the social pecking order.鈥�

The series debuted in 2007, 鈥渁nd it鈥檚 still one of the  most popular things out there,鈥� said Schietroma.

The options are seemingly endless.

Schietroma described reading as 鈥渋mportant for every age.鈥� 

鈥淣othing really stimulates your brain as much,鈥� she said.

In addition to benefits including boosting knowledge and cultivating creativity, the activity is also lauded for its potential to improve sleep and reduce stress.

It's hard to imagine turning down a gift like that.