Karen Macpherson

She’s a veteran children’s novelist. He’s only illustrated a handful of children’s books. Yet novelist Katherine Applegate and illustrator Jon Klassen share a key common bond: They are the 2013 winners of the most prestigious awards for children’s literature.

Applegate won the 2013 Newbery Medal, given annually to the best-written children’s book, for “The One and Only Ivan” (HarperCollins, $16.99, ages 8-12). Klassen, meanwhile, won the 2013 Caldecott Medal, given annually to the best-illustrated children’s book, for “This Is Not My Hat” (Candlewick Press, $15.99, ages 4-8).

Looking for some great books to give as gifts to the children and teens in your life? Here’s a look at a few favorites of 2012 for kids and teens, including new books by previous winners of the Caldecott Medal, given annually for the best-illustrated book for children, and the Newbery Medal, given annually for the best-written book for children.

Celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas this year with some of these great new children’s books ... 

BOARD BOOKS:

Everyone’s favorite monkey leads the way in “Happy Hanukkah, Curious George” (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $7.99, ages 2-4). This board book, written in a lively verse by Emily Flaschner Meyer, comes with a series of tabs on the right-hand side. Each tab has an illustration on it and leads to a two-page spread highlighting a Hanukkah activity. The illustrations by Mary O’Keefe Young nicely echo the style of the original “Curious George” books by Margret and H.A. Rey.

Author/illustrator Leslie Patricelli has a genius for making board books that will amuse both little ones and their parents as she demonstrates once again in “Fa La La” (Candlewick Press, $6.99, ages 6 months-3 years). The cheerful Baby who stars in all of Patricelli’s board books takes on Christmas with typical verve and energy. This is an endearing, secular introduction to the season.