Friday, December 31, 2010

Kwanzaaa Books

Kwanzaa Reading Fun!


 
The following books will be good reading for your Kwanzaa Day celebrations and to learn more about this wonderful holiday!


Habari Gani? What's the News? A Kwanzaa Story by Sundaira Morninghouse and Paintings by Jody Kim.


December 26 to January 1 will never be the same for seven year old Kia and her family. This year the Edwards are celebrating Kwanzaa, the only indigenous, non-heroic African American holiday in the U.s.. "Habari Gani" replaces "hi," and as each day unfolds, Kia experiencs the severn principles of Kwanzaa woven into the fabric of her family and community life. With Kida, we learn that Kwanzaa is a cultural and political celebration of the African-American experience.This book is well organized. The pictures are warm, friendly, and inviting. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous! I like how the book is simple and easy to read. It is a great introduction to the Kwanzaa celebration!


This is great simple, Kwanzaa book that is a nice addition to any home, school, and public library collection!***************************************


The Sound of Kwanzaa by Dimitrea Tokunbo and Illustrated by Lisa Cohen


"Come close, gather 'round. Listen to the sound of Kwanzaa. Loving words and greeting family, we stand together for UMOJA. UMOJA means "unity." One black candle gently shines to welcome our first Kwanzaa night."


The words "Come close gather round..." is echoed throughout for each of the seven principles of Kwanzaa.


This brightly colored Kwanzaa story is a must have for anyone who wants to learn more about Kwanzaa. The colors are rich and vibrant. The peope are happy. There is a wonderful Author's Note at the end tells how the author met the founder of Kwanzaa , Dr. Maulana Karenga. He lists the 7 principles of Kwanzaa that include:


UMOJA  - Unity
KUJICHAGULIA - Self Determination
UJIMA - Collective Work and Responsibility
UJAMAA - Cooperative Economics
NIA - Purpose
KUUMBA - Creativity
IMANI - Faith


There is a No-Cook Kwanzaa Brownie Bites Recipe and a Bibliography at the end

This book should be available in home, school, and public libraries.

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The Children's Book of KWANZAA: A Guide to Celebrating the Holiday
by Delores Johnson


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This wonderfully written book explains what Kwanzaa is, how it came to be, and details its principles and symbols. She includes an extensive craft and recipe section with instructions and diagrams for making everything from the seven symbols, to gifts for family and friends, to a scrumptious meal for the Kwanzaa Karamu.

The chapters are organized as follows:

Chapter 1: A History of Africans and Africans in America and Its importance in the Celebration of Kwanzaa

Chapter 2: What are the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa and How are they Practiced

Chapter 3: What are the Symbols of Kwanzaa and How are they Used in the Celebration

Chapter 4: Crafts to Make Before Kwanzaa

Chapter 5: Gifts to Make for Kwanzaa

Chapter 6: Recipes for a Well-Fed Kwanzaa

Chapter 7: Special Programs for Kwanzaa

Chapter 8: How Do I Prepare for Kwanzaa

Chapter 9: Where to Buy

This book also includes a Glossary, Bibliography, and Calendar.

This book is a great addition to anyone's Kwanzaa library... home, public, school, etc.


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Until the next time....


Happy Reading...


A children's book a day, keeps the scary monster away!
The Seven Principles are listed in the back as well as a Glossary.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

First Day of Kwanzaa Umoja - Unity

Welcome to the first day of Kwanzaa... 

What is Kwanzaa and how long does it last? Check back tomorrow when I will review two Kwanzaa children's books and tell you more about the celebration.

I will tell you that it is celebrated from December 26 through January 1 and each day represents a different word.

Today's word is..............

Umoja...

What does Umoja mean?

Unity!

Here is a link to the Official Kwanzaa web site:

http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/index.shtml


Here is the link to the Wikipedia information on Kwanzaa:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwanzaa

See you tomorrow for more information and a review of Kwanzaa books.

Happy reading!!!!!!!!!!
Until the next time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A children's book a day, keeps the scary monster away!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

A Celebration of Children's Christmas Books

A Celebration of Children's Christmas Books

Christmas will be here sooner than you can say Old Saint Nick..............



I am going to take the time to include some children's books that you might want to check out for your children, student, grand children, niece, nephew..... Any little angels in your life.....


Some are fun. Some are historical.... Some are poetry........ Some are activities....


AND AWAY WE GO.......................


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Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters by Patricia C. McKissack and Frederick L. McKissack


This historical Christmas book shows us in wonderfully written and illustrated drawings the difference between Christmas in the plantations in 1859 and the slave quarters.


The Big House is awash with light and color--elegance and beauty at every turn. There's delicious food and warm hospitality. But along with Carol's and the gifts, there's talk of John Brown's raid, slave uprisings, secession-- and war.


In the slave Quarters nearby, there is no such grandeur for the families who live in cramped one-room cabins with dirt floors. Yet despite the harshness of their lives, today a joyous celebration is going on --- eating, singing, and dancing. Some slaves who were sold away are reunited with those they love, if only for a day.
Here is the link on Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Big-House-Quarters/dp/0590430289/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1292688166&sr=1-1


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How Santa Lost His Job
by Stephen Krenskyk and Illustrated by S. D. Schindler


Downsizing hits the North Pole and even Santa loses his job.......to be replaced by... You will have to read the story to find out.......


Well.. does Santa get his job back at the end and save Christmas Day..


Check out this book for the entire story.


What a creatively peachy little story....... The pictures are pretty awesome too.


Grab your favorite little angel(s) and let the story begin.... You won't be disappointed. You might even chuckle with glee.. at the end of the stoooorrrrieeee!


Here is the direct link on Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/How-Santa-Lost-His-Job/dp/0689871473/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1292696955&sr=1-1
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A City Christmas Tree by Rebecca Bond



When the Christmas tree man set up his shop on Liberty Street at the end of the block, it started the city all dreaming great dreams of a city Christmas tree.




What an amazing story. The pictures are absolutely gorgeous and will put you in the Christmas holiday spirit. What a feast for the eyes! It is such a happy bubbly book. This book will make your heart leap for joy!!!!! The acrylics are so rich and colorful that this book would lend itself for a calendar and posters!


"For Teddy Laroche it was the color, the deeply, densely green-blue hue. He felt he was home in the heart of the woods, all brightly and lushly alive."


"To Ellie Laroche it was the angel, with her marvelous wings and her butterfly grace. She would keep careful watch on the world just below from her spot at the top of the tree."


Add this to your Christmas holiday collection... You won't be disappointed!!!!!!!!


Here is the direct link on Amazon.com:


http://www.amazon.com/City-Christmas-Tree-Rebecca-Bond/dp/B000HEYVKO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1292696284&sr=1-1


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Christmas Presents: Holiday Poetry - Selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins and Pictures by Melanie Hall (An I Can Read Book)


Vibrant colors... Lovely poetry..... Grab your hot cocoa with marshmallows and your favorite little angel(s) and let the poetry begin.


This book of poetry for beginning readers is a great find!


From the excitement of looking for hidden Christmas presents to the solemnity of Midnight Mass, the differing moods and meanings of Christmas are brought to life in these joyful poems.


Some of the poems are:


Waiting; Colors: Secrets; Making Presents; Our Tree; Christmas Eve; Midnight Mass; Wonder; Away in the Manager; Christmas Night; and Snow Globe.


Here is the direct link on Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Presents-Holiday-Poetry-Read/dp/0060080566/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1292697009&sr=1-1
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The Merry Christmas Activity Book by Jane Bull
 
 


With this step-by-step guide, you can turn your home into a winter wonderland! Count down to Christmas morning by doing something new every day. Creative festive holiday food. Design your own colorful Christmas cards. Make cool gifts for your family and wrap them up in style.


This is a good book for children and adults to learn and have fun creating nice Christmas gifts and fun for everyone!!!!!!


I am planning to create some of the fun in this book!!!!!!!


Some of the activities include How to make snowy bunting, Paper snow, Paper plate flakes, Snowy greetings, Baubles, stars and 3D trees, Paper baubles both little or large, Super stars, Shining star jars, Glowing angels, etc.


Here is the direct link on Amazon.com


http://www.amazon.com/Merry-Christmas-Activity-Book-Sticker/dp/0756613698/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1292697048&sr=1-1


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Hallelujah! A Christmas Celebration - Text by W. Nikola-Lisa and Paintings by Synthia Saint James


A sprinkle of stars, A plume of smoke, A plum-purple sky,
And a Black baby Jesus---
Hallelujah!


A royal crown, A jewel-studded vest,
A red canopy, And a black baby Jesus---
Hallelujah!


This beautifully written vibrantly colored books takes the reader on a journey of the Nativity and the birth of the black baby Jesus.


I would love to have the pictures in this book as posters for me to hang on my wall. What incredible beauty!!!


Here is the direct link on Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Hallelujah-CHRISTMAS-CELEBRATION-W-Nikola-lisa/dp/1442402245/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1292691474&sr=8-2


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The Amazing Christmas Extravaganza by David Shannon
It all started with one little string of tiny white Christmas lights ...


Hitch a ride on this "Amazing Christmas Extravaganza!"


You will be able to tell from the pictures that the artist an an award winning painter!


Check out the rich colorful paintings. You will want them in your collections. Talk about attention to every minute detail. What a celebration and feast for the eyes.. The story is great too!


Even the cover of this book will remind you of rich Christmas wrapping paper. He really incorporates all of the Christmas colors into the fabulously written and designed Christmas book!


Here is the direct link on Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Amazing-Christmas-Extravaganza-bkshelf-Bookshelf/dp/0439683475/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1292688819&sr=1-1


What's Cooking Jamela?
When Mrs. Zibi arrives to prepare the Christmas meal, Jamela decides to rescue Christmas, her chicken, from the pot. She sets off with the chicken in her arms ... and a trail of chaos follows. Suddenly, it's Jamela, not the chicken, who's in hot water. But, as Jamela proclaims on Christmas's
behalf, "You can't eat friends!"


What a delightful story. We certainly don't want to eat our friends....


Here is the direct link on Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Whats-Cooking-Jamela-Niki-Daly/dp/071121705X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1292688727&sr=1-1




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Happy Reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Happy Holidays!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Until the next time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


A children's book a day, keeps the scary monster away!!!!!!!!!!!

Friday, December 17, 2010

New York Times Best Selling Children's Books - Week of 12/12/2010


 New York Times Best Selling
Children's Book


Week of December 12, 2010


********************************************************************
President Barack Obama's book OF THEE I SING is still number one.

LLAMA LLAMA HOLIDAY DRAMA is still number two.

Mo Willems' KNUFFLE BUNNY FREE book is still on the list at number five!

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Write and let us know your thoughts and book recommendations.............

I will include a few Christmas titles in the days ahead.... Check us out!

Until the next time.....

Happy reading.........

A children's book a day, keeps the scary monster away!'


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Here is the link to the list of Picture Books
http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2010-12-19/picture-books/list.html

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Here is the Picture Book List

Children's Picture Books Weeks on List



1 OF THEE I SING, by Barack Obama. Illustrated by Loren Long. (Knopf, $17.99.) In a letter to his daughters, the president has a message about heroes. (Ages 5 to 8) 3
2 LLAMA LLAMA HOLIDAY DRAMA, written and illustrated by Anna Dewdney. (Viking, $16.99.) When the suspense is too much, Llama Llama turns to you-know-who for comfort. (Ages 2 and up) 7
3 LEGO STAR WARS, by Simon Beecroft. (DK, $21.99.) An annotated visual dictionary. (Ages 7 and up) 50
4 SPLENDIFEROUS CHRISTMAS, by Jane O’Connor. Illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser. (Harper/HarperCollins, $17.99.) When Fancy Nancy celebrates the holidays, there’s no such thing as too much tinsel. (Ages 4 to 8) 10


Buy Buy Amazon Barnes and Noble Local Booksellers


5 KNUFFLE BUNNY FREE, written and illustrated by Mo Willems. (Balzer & Bray/HarperCollins, $17.99.) A little girl and her well-loved companion take a trip that leads to unexpected discoveries. (Ages 3 to 7) 10


6 THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, by Clement C. Moore. Various illustrators. (Various publishers) Not a creature was stirring; various editions. (All ages) 28



7 FABULOUS FASHION BOUTIQUE, by Jane O’Connor. Illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser. (HarperCollins, $17.99.) Fancy Nancy takes an entrepreneurial approach to haute couture. (Ages 4 to 7) 8





8 IT'S CHRISTMAS, DAVID!, written and illustrated by David Shannon. (Blue Sky/Scholastic, $16.99.) A boy who won’t take no for an answer. (Ages 3 to 7) 4



9 WHEREVER YOU ARE, MY LOVE WILL FIND YOU, written and illustrated by Nancy Tillman. (Feiwel & Friends, $16.99.) All about tenderness. (Ages 4 to 8) 9



10 ART AND MAX, written and illustrated by David Wiesner. (Clarion, $17.99.) Two artists mix methods and media. (Ages 5 to 8)


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Here is the Paperback list




Here is the link to the New York Times Paperback list:


http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2010-12-19/paperback-books/list.html


Here is the entire list:


Children's Paperback BooksWeeks on List
1THE BOOK THIEF, by Markus Zusak. (Knopf, $11.99.) A girl saves books from Nazi burning. (Ages 14 and up) 169




2FALLEN, by Lauren Kate. (Delacorte, $9.99.) Love is thwarted at a boarding school with an unusual student body. (Ages 12 and up) 10




3WITCH AND WIZARD, by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet. (Little, Brown, $9.99.) One of each, a sister and brother, flex their new powers. (Ages 10 and up) 5

4PINKALICIOUS AND THE PINK DRINK, written and illustrated by Victoria Kann. (Harper Festival/HarperCollins, $3.99.) Lemonade goes pink. (Ages 3 to 7) 13




5THE GRAVEYARD BOOK, by Neil Gaiman. Illustrated by Dave McKean. (HarperCollins, $7.99.) To avoid a killer, a boy lives in a cemetery. (Ages 10 and up) 10





6HUSH, HUSH, by Becca Fitzpatrick. (Simon & Schuster, $17.99.) A love story of immortals and ancient battles. (Ages 14 and up) 10





7THREE CUPS OF TEA: YOUNG READERS EDITION, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. (Puffin/Penguin, $8.99.) A former climber builds schools in Pakistani and Afghan villages. (Ages 9 to 12) 96




8THE MAZE RUNNER, by James Dashner. (Delacorte, $9.99.) A stone wall imprisons teenagers who live by their wits and have no memories. (Ages 12 and up) 8




9SAVVY, by Ingrid Law. (Puffin/Penguin, $7.99.) Mibs is about to receive the supernatural abilities that run in her family. (Ages 9 to 12) 27




10SHIVER, by Maggie Stiefvater. (Scholastic, $8.99.) Love among the lupine. (Ages 13 and up) 22






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Here is the link to the Series list:

http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2010-12-19/series-books/list.html




Children's SeriesWeeks on List
1DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, written and illustrated by Jeff Kinney. (Abrams, hardcover only) The travails of adolescence, in cartoons. (Ages 9 to 12) 99




2THE HUNGER GAMES, by Suzanne Collins. (Scholastic, hardcover and paper) In a dystopian society a girl fights for survival on live TV. (Ages 12 and up) 15


3HARRY POTTER, by J. K. Rowling. (Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic, hardcover and paper) A young wizard hones his skills while fighting evil. (Ages 10 and up) 236


4PERCY JACKSON & THE OLYMPIANS, by Rick Riordan. (Disney-Hyperion, hardcover and paper) Battling mythological monsters. (Ages 9 to 12) 178




5THE TWILIGHT SAGA, by Stephenie Meyer. (Megan Tingley/Little, Brown, hardcover and paper) Vampires and werewolves in school. (Ages 12 and up) 174




6BIG NATE, Lincoln Peirce. (HarperCollins, hardcover; Andrews McMeel, paper) Where Nate goes, trouble is sure to follow. (Ages 8 to 12) 7




7THE 39 CLUES, by various authors. (Scholastic, hardcover only) A brother and sister travel the world in search of the key to their family’s power. (Ages 9 to 12) 74




8THE IMMORTALS, by Alyson Noël. (St. Martin’s Griffin, hardcover and paper) Love and angst of the supernatural variety. (Ages 14 and up) 22




9MAGIC TREE HOUSE, by Mary Pope Osborne. Illustrated by Sal Murdocca. (Stepping Stone/Random House, hardcover and paper) Neither space nor time is an obstacle to these siblings. (Ages 6 to 9). (Ages 6 to 9) 231




10WARRIORS, by Erin Hunter. (HarperCollins, hardcover and paper) Four clans of cat warriors aspire to meet up with the StarClan. (Ages 10 to 14) 95

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Ashley Bryan's "All things Bright and Beautiful"


All Things Bright and Beautiful

Ashley Bryan




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Ashley Bryan has done it again. This time with a wonderful color children's book set to the song "All Things Bright and Beautiful" by Cecil Alexander.  This book celebrates the Creation Story for young children.


All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful;
The Lord god made them all.

I absolutley love this bright, cheerful children's book. Ashley Bryan has taken this beautiful beloved hymn to a new level.  I have sung this hymn for several years and so seeing it put to rich multicultural pictures was a delight to behold and music to my ears.

The colors are rich and fun! It will brighten up everyone's day. I have to tell you that the colors and animals portrayed in this book are so rich that I would love to see this book made into posters and a calendar that parents that can put in their children's rooms and teachers and librarians can place in their classrooms and libraries.

I love how this book begins with children of all races in their traditional clothing and with their favorite pet(s). They are all centered around a bright golden sun! Then we move to "All Creatures GREAT and small. I would love to have these animals as a poster or calendar. The blues, oranges, red, pinks, purples are absolutely gorgeous!  The whale and other animals span two pages. We then move to "All things wise and wonderful." I thought of Noah's Ark but without the ark. These animals are on land and the birds are in the sky. The book then celebrates children and diversity!

This book is perfect for story time whether at home, in a school or public library, or day care. This is a must have book. You will be so happy that you picked up a copy.

 This will make a great addition to every home, school library, public library collection.

This book will put a smile on every child and adults face! What a great treat!

Happy reading!

Until the next time!

A children's book a day, keeps the scary monster away!




Monday, December 6, 2010

Capstone Publisher Presents: Pingpong Perry: Experiences How a Book is Made





Pingpong Perry: Experiences How a Book is Made
by Sandy Donovan and
Illustrated by James Christoph






Perry likes pizza and pingpong. But one day he wonders what kind of  pizza professional pingpong players would pick. When he can't find the answers at the library, Perry decides to write his own book. Follow Perry's idea from beginning to end, and find out how his big idea becomes a book.


This well written and designed book from Picture Window Books: a capstone imprint was funny and a bit quirky!  I thought the idea was very creative! The book is colorful and engaging. The larger print makes it easy to read. Students both learn about Perry's Ping Pong adventures and the book publishing cycle. 

I liked this book because I am hoping that students will read this book and decide to write, edit, design, illustrate and finally publish their own books!

There is a combination of pictures, drawing, and illustrations in this book. It is very well organized and will  hold the attention of both children and adults.....

The plethora of pictures and short well thought out text make for a very quick, fun, and thought-provoking read!!!!!!!!!

I would recommend this book for home, school, and public libraries!

Pick up your copy when you have a chance....

You won't be disappointed.

Happy reading.......

Until the next time.....

 A children's book a day, keeps the scary monster away!

New York Times - Children's Book - Week of December 5, 2010


New York Times Children's Books
Week of December 5, 2010'



**********************************************************************

Welcome to this week's list of New York Times best selling children's books.

Let's see if there are any  new comers..... It appears that President Obama's new book is still number one on the Children's Picture Books list for this week!

Have any of you read President Obama's new book "OF THEE I SING?" What do you think? Tell us your thoughts!!!!!!!!

Have you read LLAMA LLAMA HOLIDAY DRAMA? Mo Willems is still on the list with his book Knuffle Bunny Free. Is it his best... worst....... OK, what did you think about it?????

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Here is the link to the list:
Children's Picture Books Weeks on List
http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2010-12-12/picture-books/list.html

Children's Chapter Books Weeks on List
http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2010-12-12/chapter-books/list.html

Children's Series Books Weeks on List
http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2010-12-12/series-books/list.html

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The Lists in their Entirety!

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Children's Picture Books List



1 OF THEE I SING, by Barack Obama. Illustrated by Loren Long. (Knopf, $17.99.) In a letter to his daughters, the president has a message about heroes. (Ages 5 to 8) 2





2 LLAMA LLAMA HOLIDAY DRAMA, written and illustrated by Anna Dewdney. (Viking, $16.99.) When the suspense is too much, Llama Llama turns to you-know-who for comfort. (Ages 2 and up) 6





3 LEGO STAR WARS, by Simon Beecroft. (DK, $21.99.) An annotated visual dictionary. (Ages 7 and up) 49





4 WHEREVER YOU ARE, MY LOVE WILL FIND YOU, written and illustrated by Nancy Tillman. (Feiwel & Friends, $16.99.) All about tenderness. (Ages 4 to 8) 8



5 FABULOUS FASHION BOUTIQUE, by Jane O’Connor. Illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser. (HarperCollins, $17.99.) Fancy Nancy takes an entrepreneurial approach to haute couture. (Ages 4 to 7) 7



6 KNUFFLE BUNNY FREE, written and illustrated by Mo Willems. (Balzer & Bray/HarperCollins, $17.99.) A little girl and her well-loved companion take a trip that leads to unexpected discoveries. (Ages 3 to 7) 9





7 ART AND MAX, written and illustrated by David Wiesner. (Clarion, $17.99.) Two artists mix methods and media. (Ages 5 to 8) 7





8 IT'S CHRISTMAS, DAVID!, written and illustrated by David Shannon. (Blue Sky/Scholastic, $16.99.) A boy who won’t take no for an answer. (Ages 3 to 7) 3





9 IT'S A BOOK, written and illustrated by Lane Smith. (Roaring Brook, $12.99.) It doesn’t tweet or need recharging. (Ages 6 and up) 15





10 CAN'T WAIT TILL CHRISTMAS, by Mike Huckabee. Illustrated by Jed Henry. (Putnam, $17.99.) Keeping holiday gifts under wraps is hard for impatient young Mike. (Ages 4 to 8)

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Children's Chapter Books List



1 THE LOST HERO, by Rick Riordan. (Disney-Hyperion, $18.99.) A return to Camp Half-Blood and semi-divine characters old and new. (Ages 10 and up) 7





2 JUSTIN BIEBER, FIRST STEP 2 FOREVER, by Justin Bieber. (HarperCollins, $21.99.) A musician reaches out to fans with short takes and photos. (Ages 6 to 12) 7





3 THE RED PYRAMID, by Rick Riordan. (Disney-Hyperion, $17.99.) Ancient gods (this time from Egypt) and a mortal family meet. (Ages 10 and up) 30





4 HARRY POTTER FILM WIZARDRY, by Brian Sibley. (Collins Design/HarperCollins, $39.99.) Deep background, subtext and behind-the-screen details from the moviemakers. (Ages 18 and up) 6





5 CRESCENDO, by Becca Fitzpatrick. (Simon & Schuster, $18.99.) A world where the truth is sought and feared; a sequel to “Hush, Hush.” (Ages 14 and up) 7




6 TORMENT, by Lauren Kate. (Delacorte, $17.99.) A novel about the nephilim, the children of humans and fallen angels. (Ages 12 and up) 9





7 TALES FROM A NOT-SO-POPULAR PARTY GIRL, by Rachel Renée Russell. (Aladdin, $12.99.) The further reflections of Nikki Maxwell on the agonies of middle school; a "Dork Diaries" book. (Ages 9 to 13) 20





8 THE UNOFFICIAL HARRY POTTER COOKBOOK, by Dinah Bucholz. (Adams Media, $19.95.) Recipes in which a dash of eye of newt would not go amiss. (Ages 9 to 12) 1





9 PATHFINDER, by Orson Scott Card. (Simon Pulse, $18.99.) A boy can not only see the past but also revise it. (Ages 12 and up) 1





10 LUKA AND THE FIRE OF LIFE, by Salman Rushdie. (Random House, $25.) The Nobodaddy haunts the younger brother of Rushdie’s Haroun. (Ages 10 and up) 2


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Children's Series Books List

1 DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, written and illustrated by Jeff Kinney. (Abrams, hardcover only) The travails of adolescence, in cartoons. (Ages 9 to 12) 98




2 THE HUNGER GAMES, by Suzanne Collins. (Scholastic, hardcover and paper) In a dystopian society a girl fights for survival on live TV. (Ages 12 and up) 14





3 HARRY POTTER, by J. K. Rowling. (Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic, hardcover and paper) A young wizard hones his skills while fighting evil. (Ages 10 and up) 235



4 PERCY JACKSON & THE OLYMPIANS, by Rick Riordan. (Disney-Hyperion, hardcover and paper) Children of the gods battle monsters of myth. (Ages 9 to 12) 177


5 WARRIORS, by Erin Hunter. (HarperCollins, hardcover and paper) Four clans of cat warriors aspire to meet up with the StarClan. (Ages 10 to 14) 94





6 THE IMMORTALS, by Alyson Noël. (St. Martin’s Griffin, hardcover and paper) Love and angst of the supernatural variety. (Ages 14 and up) 21





7 THE TWILIGHT SAGA, by Stephenie Meyer. (Megan Tingley/Little, Brown, hardcover and paper) Vampires and werewolves in school. (Ages 12 and up) 173



8 BIG NATE, Lincoln Peirce. (HarperCollins, hardcover; Andrews McMeel, paper) Where Nate goes, trouble is sure to follow. (Ages 8 to 12) 6





9 THE 39 CLUES, by various authors. (Scholastic, hardcover only) A brother and sister travel the world in search of the key to their family’s power. (Ages 9 to 12) 73





10 MAGIC TREE HOUSE, by Mary Pope Osborne. Illustrated by Sal Murdocca. (Stepping Stone/Random House, hardcover and paper) Neither space nor time is an obstacle to these siblings. (Ages 6 to 9) 230


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Happy reading.........

Until the next time........

A children's book a day, keeps the scary monster away!