Cover of Aiza and the Kindest Gift: Aiza in a yellow coat holding a wrapped present beside Yet the glowing star on a snowy Christmas Eve

Aiza and the Kindest Gift

A Christmas story about kindness, giving and gratitude. Picture book for kids ages 5–8.

Aiza wants the biggest present under the tree, and Nope the grumpy cloud says it's not fair. But across the snowy street, Grandpa Ellis is spending Christmas alone. With a little help from Yet, Aiza makes a gift no shop can sell.

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Think Big Kids · Book 3 · By Imran Munawar · Full-colour paperback and Kindle · Kindle Unlimited

Look inside

Aiza at a frosty window looking across the snowy street at her lonely neighbourWho brings Grandpa Ellis presents? The moment Aiza notices someone who has nothing under the tree.
Aiza holding a wonky homemade Christmas card while Nope sniggers and Yet encourages herMade with love is never ugly. A wonky first try, and the courage to try again.
Aiza and Azlan singing with Grandpa Ellis under a paper star garland as Nope floats awayThe little house twinkles too. Cookies, songs and a warm glow inside.
The 24 Days of Kindness advent calendar page24 Days of Kindness. One tiny kind act for every day of advent.

Why this book

Young children are not selfish when they want the biggest present; comparing is normal at five. Kindness and gratitude grow with practice. This story gives children a feeling to remember: the warm glow of giving something they made themselves.

Christmas gift tip: the 8.5 × 8.5 inch paperback includes a colouring page, a "make a card for someone" page and a paper star garland craft, so it doubles as a December activity book.

Questions parents ask

What is a good Christmas book about kindness for a 5 or 6 year old?

Aiza and the Kindest Gift was written for ages 5 to 8. It shows a child moving from wanting the biggest present to making a gift by hand for a lonely neighbour, and it includes a 24 Days of Kindness advent calendar so children can practise one small kind act each day in December.

How can I teach my child gratitude at Christmas?

The note for grown-ups in the book suggests four things: let your child make one gift by hand and hand it over themselves, ask together who might be lonely this Christmas, use a kindness advent calendar with one tiny act a day, and name feelings such as jealousy before talking about how the other person felt.

What is the 24 Days of Kindness calendar?

A page in the book with 24 small kind acts, one for each day of advent, such as making someone a card, helping bake cookies, calling a relative far away or visiting someone who is alone. Children tick a box each day.

What age is Aiza and the Kindest Gift for?

Ages 5 to 8: a read-aloud for younger children and an early independent read for 7 and 8 year olds.

Do I need to read the other Think Big Kids books first?

No. Each book stands on its own. Book 1, Aiza and the Word Yet, introduces Nope and Yet, and Book 2, Aiza and the Big Blue Pool, is about courage and learning to swim.

Is it available as a paperback?

Yes. It is available on Amazon as a Kindle eBook (included in Kindle Unlimited) and as an 8.5 x 8.5 inch full-colour paperback, which makes a good Christmas gift or stocking stuffer.

More Think Big Kids

Free printable: the 24 Days of Kindness advent calendar from this book.

Book 1: Aiza and the Word Yet (growth mindset) · Book 2: Aiza and the Big Blue Pool (courage). The whole series