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Books for Kids and Grandkids
By Gabrielle Redford, November & December 2005
These great reads make great holiday gifts
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Looking for children's gifts that don't require batteries? This year give the kiddies a book (or two or three). Chances are they'll remember the stories—and the times you've read to them—long after they've outgrown their XBox. Here's a list of the best new books for the little people in your life.
Newborn to 3 years
Wiggle by Doreen Cronin (Atheneum, $12.95). A silly story about a dog who loves to shake his booty. Our promise: you'll be wiggling and giggling for hours afterward.
Belly Button Book by Sandra Boynton (Workman, $6.95). A hippo ponders his "bee bo" in this joyful tale by the author of such kids' faves as—of course—Moo, Baa, La La La.
Little Pea by Amy Krouse Rosenthal (Chronicle, $12.95). What's a little green pea forced to eat for dinner? Candy, of course—or there's no spinach for dessert!
Shhhhh! Everybody's Sleeping by Julie Markes with illustrations by David Parkins (HarperCollins, $14.99). Young children will delight in this classic nighttime tale of a town settling down for the night. One by one, each resident goes to bed—the teacher, the doctor, the policeman, even "the President, with so much to do." Guaranteed to make your little ones drop right to sleep.
He Came with the Couch by David Slonim (Chronicle, $15.95). Sophie's family finds a new couch at a rummage sale, but it comes with a little something extra. What happens to it (and them) will have you laughing out loud—again and again and again.
Once Upon a Time, the End (Asleep in 60 Seconds) by Geoffrey Kloske with illustrations by Barry Blitt (Atheneum, $15.95). If you've ever edited your grandchild's books (and who hasn't) you'll enjoy this truly zany collection of abridged fairy tales and nursery rhymes. A sample: "There was an old lady who lived in a shoe…when her kids wouldn't go to bed, she sold them to the zoo." Of course, belly laughing isn't exactly conducive to sleep, but this book is worth staying up a little later for.
4 to 6 years
Upstairs Mouse, Downstairs Mole by Wong Herbert Yee (Houghton Mifflin, $15). Can't we all just get along? Well, yes, say Mole and Mouse in this story of two neighbors who discover how different they are but how easily they can adjust. It just takes a little imagination.
Halfway Hank by Joe Fallon and Ken Scarborough with drawings by Jack E. Davis (HarperCollins, $15.99). A charming tale of a boy with a halfhearted style—he combs half his hair, he skates "figure fours" (on one skate), and his bike has half a seat. But the story's ending is wholly inspirational.
Winter's Tale by Robert Sabuda (Little Simon, $26.95). This journey through a sparkling winter wonderland is filled with pop-up surprises—from a family of deer playing in the snow to a bear chasing salmon through a waterfall.
One Red Dot by David A. Carter (Little Simon, $19.95). Children of all ages will love finding the little red dot on each pop-up spread in this book of 10 moveable paper sculptures. Inspired by Alexander Calder's mobiles and surprisingly challenging (even for adults), you'll be twisting the book every which way trying to figure it all out.
The Grandma Cure
by Pamela Mayer with illustrations by John Nez (Dutton Children's Books, $15.99). When Becky catches a cold and has to stay home from school, her mother calls her two grandmas to come take care of her. But Grandma Sophie and Grandma Rosalie can't agree on anything. Luckily, Becky remembers everything she's learned so far in kindergarten—like the importance of sharing and taking turns.
Chicken Socks
by the editors of Klutz ($9.95 to $12.95). After more than 25 years of producing arts-and-crafts books for older kids, Klutz has come up with a line of activity books for the younger crowd. Chicken Socks, designed for children ages 4 to 6, features 14 books, from Totally Tape (filled with "tape-me" pages) to Hand Art (everything you can make using your handprint). Includes everything your grandchild will need for hours of creative fun.
7 to 10 years
Diary of a Spider by Doreen Cronin with drawings by Harry Bliss (HarperCollins, $15.99). The team behind the bestselling Diary of a Worm has spun another tale, this one about a spider and his friend Fly. Among the entries: "Mom said I was getting too big for my own skin. So I molted."
Reaching for the Moon by Buzz Aldrin with illustrations by Wendell Minor (HarperCollins, $15.99). One of the first astronauts to land on the moon in 1969, Buzz Aldrin has led a fascinating life, first as a pilot and astronaut and later as founder of a rocket design company. Here, he tells the story of his life and accomplishments in a voice that is sure to inspire the young dreamers in your life.
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