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If you’ve noticed bookshops and online shelves filling up with delightfully odd little titles and hands-on activity books, you’re not imagining it — novelty and children’s books are having a moment. These titles are more than reading material; they’re conversation starters, calming crafts, and pocket-sized adventures. Think of them as the chocolate truffles of the book world: small, unexpected, and capable of making a lazy afternoon feel special.
Menkind has carved out a niche selling quirky gifts and pop-culture items — and their book selection reflects that playful spirit. If you want something that sparks a laugh or becomes the centrepiece of a mantel, Menkind’s curated titles are aimed at people who buy books as experience as much as content.
From tongue-in-cheek guides to personalised cheeky keepsakes, Menkind stocks books that double as gifts. Highlights include "How To Apocalypse An Illustrated Guide" — a darkly humorous survival pamphlet for fans of tongue-in-cheek prepper lore — and "Star Wars Dad Jokes Book," which is exactly what it sounds like: groan-worthy puns for any galaxy. If personalised gifts float your boat, the "Personalised Liverpool On This Day - Father's Edition" or the "Personalised As Per My Last Email Flip Book" offer bespoke charm that reads like it was made just for the recipient.
Other Menkind finds such as "Sip Me Baby One More Time" and "Yes Daddy Book" blur the line between humour and novelty. And for the book-lover who collects tiny worlds, the "Sakura Densya Street Book Nook Kit" turns a bookshelf into a miniature diorama — perfect for creators who like to tinker in a 6-inch universe. Even quirky non-fiction like "Is Your Cat A Psychopath" offers a blend of science and dark humour that guests will pick up and laugh over during visits.
Ebebek approaches books from a family and developmental angle. They stock early-learning staples and playful activity books aimed at toddlers and preschoolers, helping parents blend education with hands-on fun. If you want engaging tools to get a little one’s hands and imagination moving, Ebebek’s selection reads like a mini classroom packed into bright, durable board books.
Classic picks include "Orchard Toys Animals And Farmyard Colouring Books," which combine easy art with familiar animal names, and "Lamaze Classic Discovery Book," a tactile board book designed to stimulate sensory play. For slightly older children, "Recent Toys How To Become A Chef" brings playful role-play into the kitchen arena, while "Penguin Colours Book" and "Disney Winnie The Pooh 50 Things To Make The World A Better Place" introduce colours and kindness with charming illustrations.
Ebebek also stocks developmental books like "Taf Toys Where Is Joey Book" and "Rossie Learn To Use Scissors With Fun," which take seemingly mundane skills and turn them into achievements toddlers can celebrate. And for the grown-ups with a cheeky sense of humour, titles such as "Mum’s The Word - 2 It’s All Sh*ts And Giggles" offer that slightly edgy parental comic relief we all sometimes need.
If you’re hunting for novelty books, personalised titles, or budget-friendly children’s books, the UK market has several reliable go-tos beyond Menkind and Ebebek. Each retailer brings a different strength: specialist recommendations, discounted bundles, or indie-seller warmth.
Waterstones remains a favourite for browsing in person, discovering staff picks, and finding signed or special-edition books. They blend mainstream bestsellers with quirky finds and often host events that bring books to life.
WHSmith is everywhere: rail stations, high streets, and airports. It’s a practical stop for last-minute gifts or travel reads, with a steady rotation of fun novelty books and children’s activity kits.
If you’re bargain-hunting, The Works often stocks activity books, colouring sets, and children’s series at wallet-friendly prices. It’s a great place to load up for classroom treats or party goody bags without breaking the bank.
For the bibliophile who likes discovery, Foyles and small independent shops offer curated selections and indie publishers you won’t see on every shelf. They’re brilliant for niche themes and quirky art books that elevate a living room display.
Choosing a novelty book is part matchmaking. You want something that fits the recipient’s personality: witty, sentimental, or hands-on. Think about the person’s interests, humour threshold, and whether they like displays or practical uses. A book that complements their home, job, or hobby will get more love than one that’s purely a gag.
If the giftee prefers subtlety, skip the loud gag books and opt for a witty coffee-table title or a beautifully designed illustrated guide like "How To Apocalypse" that mixes craft with content. For the loud-and-proud jokester, a "Dad Jokes" book or the "Sip Me Baby One More Time" cocktail-centric read will hit the mark.
Personalised books — like the Liverpool Father’s Edition or custom flip-books — feel like they were crafted specifically for someone, making them emotionally resonant. But universal novelty books often arrive instantly and can be shared freely at parties without seeming too intimate.
Kids absorb so much through play that activity-driven books are one of the smartest buys you can make. Look for titles that promote fine motor skills (like cutting or colouring), language building, or imaginative role play. Combining a bedtime story with an activity session during the day is like giving your child a small, repeatable lesson that’s disguised as fun.
Titles such as "Lamaze Classic Discovery Book" stimulate touch and observation, while "Rossie Learn To Use Scissors With Fun" teaches control and coordination. "Orchard Toys Animals And Farmyard Colouring Books" helps with recognition and creativity. These aren’t just toys — they’re tiny skill workshops wrapped in colourful pages.
Books don’t have to be expensive to be meaningful. Buy seasonal items during sales, consider boxed sets for younger readers, and check charity shops or local community exchanges for gently used gems. If you’re buying multiples for classroom rewards or party bags, retailers like The Works or online marketplaces often have discounts that make bulk purchases practical.
Keep an eye on seasonal sales (bank holiday weekends are golden), subscribe to newsletters from high-street chains for exclusive coupon codes, or join loyalty programs at larger shops for point-based savings. For collectors, independent bookstores sometimes offer exchange credit if you trade in like-new copies.
There’s an undeniable magic in an object that bears your name, hometown, or a private joke. Personalised books transform reading into heirloom-making. Whether it’s a Father’s Edition which commemorates local history or a flip-book that compiles in-jokes from the office, these items become memory anchors.
Choose personalised when you want meaning to outshine novelty. For milestone events like birthdays, anniversaries, or retirements, a personalised volume tells the recipient that you thought beyond the shelf and invested time and care into the gift.
Shopping in person is great for flipping through pages and feeling paper weight, but online shopping opens up a wider range. Use filters to narrow age ranges, see customer photos for real-world looks, and check product dimensions — a book described as "compact" might still be the size of a small sketchbook, so thinking in inches helps.
Always check the recommended age, the material (board book vs. paperback), and whether personalised options require extra production time. For activity kits like the Sakura Densya Street Book Nook Kit, look for included tools or adhesives so you’re not stuck hunting for a missing crafting glue at the last minute.
Even the quirkiest book looks elevated with the right presentation. Think about pairing a novelty book with a small prop — a mini magnifying glass for a detective-themed book, or a small pouch of tea for a cosy reading kit. Presentation is the bow that turns a funny title into a thoughtfully curated present.
A "How To Become A Chef" toy paired with a child-safe wooden spoon makes for a playful cooking starter kit. A miniature diorama book nook looks fantastic with a strip of warm LED lights and a tiny plant. These small additions make the gift feel intentional, not last-minute.
Expect more hybrid products that combine a book with a craft, audio, or AR experience. Eco-friendly materials are rising too, with more publishers producing recycled-board books or soy-based inks. And the personalised market is expanding: digital print-on-demand means more bespoke titles are available without huge lead times.
Greater variety and customisation mean you can find something that perfectly suits the recipient’s style and values. Want low-waste options? Seek out titles that advertise recycled materials. Want something interactive? Look for books that include stickers, fold-outs, or companion apps.
Whether you’re shopping at Menkind for a witty adult gift or Ebebek for a toddler’s first tactile book, the UK market offers countless delightful options. Mix and match novelty, personalised, and educational titles to create gifts that entertain, teach, and stay remembered.
Now that you’ve got the lowdown, which shelf will you raid first — the cheeky humour section or the colourful activity corner?
Conclusion: The right book can be a small catalyst for joy — whether it’s a witty one-liner that becomes a running joke or a first colouring book that sparks a lifelong love of art. In the UK, retailers like Menkind and Ebebek, alongside high-street favourites and indie stores, make it easy to find the perfect quirky or developmental title for any occasion.
