Thanks to Candlewick Press for sending us these books to review. All opinions are my own.

I've made holiday gift guides in years past, but honestly? I'm not big on the consumer aspects of Christmas, so this year I decided it would be more genuine to skip them. We aren't getting our kids (or ourselves) anything expensive, and I can't encourage you to drop hundreds of dollars on big, flashy gifts if I'm not. But one thing I can talk about in good conscience is books. I firmly believe that a love for reading is one of the best things you can give a child. For young kids, I especially love books that have a "wow" factor that captures their imagination, like an extra-large size, intricate pop-ups, or detailed illustrations. Here are four books we've picked up recently that have that special "extra something" to deem them gift-worthy. They're all somewhat travel-related, so they'll encourage a love for adventure and exploration too. And I purposely picked books that look beautiful on the shelf. I'm not saying you should judge a book by its cover, but a gorgeous design never hurts! ;) Best of all, these books are all super affordable (under $20), so you can feel good about your gift and how much you spent.

1. A World of Cities - From the lights of Paris to the cherry blossoms of Tokyo, you can travel the world through this beautifully illustrated tour of thirty dazzling cities across the globe. Printmaker James Brown has skillfully rendered each city in a stylistic nod to vintage travel posters, while incorporating historical and cultural facts for inquisitive minds to devour (travel-loving adults will love this book too). Wander the distinctive cities of the world, all from the comfort of your favorite reading nook.

2. Ten Horse Farm - From renowned pop-up book master Robert Sabuda, Ten Horse Farm is an amazing work of art that will make your kid's jaw drop in awe. Majestic horses leap off each page: grazing, prancing, bucking, and galloping in an idyllic farm setting inspired by the real Ten Horse Farm (now an art studio) owned by the author himself. This 3-D gem is so special and beautifully done. We love it.

3. Around the World in 80 Puzzles - Inspired by Jules Verne’s iconic novel, this gorgeous puzzle book would be a great gift for school-age kids. Aleksandra Artymowska’s imagining of the classic tale takes you on a journey through the world via steamship, hot air balloon, train, and just about any kind of transport you can imagine. It's sure to encourage your kids' love for adventure!

4. City - We already loved Animals, the oversize book also written and illustrated by Ingela P. Arrhenius (but if you don't have it yet, add it to the list!). City is just as charming and whimsical, with giant pages that kids will love to flip through. It features iconic urban images, from subways to skyscrapers, museums to cafes, fountains to sidewalk newsstands. Each bold, graphic image is set apart by a different typeface. It's so artful, you'll be tempted to get to get a second book that you can cut up and frame on the wall!

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