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 PICTURE BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS  Frankenstein Makes a SandwichBy Adam Rex ISBN: 0152057668 Newcomer Adam Rex is both the author and illustrator of this hysterical book of poetry featuring notorious monsters. Mr. Rex might be some kind of a crazy genius and the poems are so funny you will want to read them several times to make sure you don't miss any of his incredible wit. And yet, they are totally understandable and equally amusing to children. My personal favorite: "The Phantom of the Opera Can't Get It's a Small World Out of His Head." Make sure you sing it when you read the poem out loud to get the full comedic effect.  Flotsam By David Wiesner ISBN: 0618194576 David Wiesner's picture books are never a disappointment and Flotsam is no exception. This stunning wordless picture book will enrapture anyone with an imagination regardless of age. The story of a boy who finds a camera on the beach and finds some astonishing photographs when he develops the film is told entirely in pictures. The details and complexity of the illustrations will fascinate readers for long periods of time.  Mouse Cookies and More: A Treasury By Laura Joffe Numeroff Illustrated by Felicia Bond ISBN: 0061137634 For fans of Numeroff's If You Give a Mouse a Cookie picture book series, this is the ultimate gift. Numeroff's little mouse has been charming children and parents since 1985. The treasury includes 4 complete storybooks, recipes, activities, letters from the author and illustrator, a CD with eight songs and lots more. This is several nights' worth of bedtime reading plus lots of fun activities for the vacation week. Treasuries like this allow children to become really immersed in a character.  A Creature Was Stirring: One Boy's Night Before Christmas Adapted and illustrated by Carter Goodrich ISBN 0689863993 For collectors of Clement C. Moore's The Night Before Christmas this is one to add to the list. Author-illustrator Carter Goodrich presents The Night Before Christmas as we know it on the left hand of the page. But it's the right hand side of the page that will have children fascinated. While Moore's poem predictably unfolds on one side of the book, the story of a little boy who can't sleep because he's worried he might be on the naughty list unfolds on the other. Eventually the two sides of the story collide and become one. This book is for anyone who's spent Christmas Eve listening for the klip-klop of reindeer hoofs on the roof.  Christmas in New York: A Pop-up Book By Chuck Fischer ISBN: 0821257021 For children and adults who have spent any time in New York City during the Holiday season this is a real treat. This book is for children over the age of 7 who can control themselves from ripping the tree out the amazing two-page spread of Rockefeller Center. Everyone will love seeing their favorite New York City scenes depicted in this lovely book. I recommend buying it before Christmas so you can enjoy the book while you see the sites.  Changeling By Delia Sherman ISBN: 0670059676 Changeling is one of the few truly original fantasy books in recent history with the added benefit of a New York City based theme. The story follows Neef, a changeling, who lives in New York Between. Her New York has all the same landmarks as ours, but is filled with fairy tale characters of every kind. Neef gets herself thrown out of her home in Central Park and must embark on a quest in order to be able to return. This is fantasy writing at its best. Suitable for children ages 10 and older.  Christmas Remembered By Tomie De Paola ISBN: 0399246223 Tomie De Paola's 26 Fairmont Avenue series is an all time favorite. This book of Christmas recollections is similar to the series as De Paola recalls different Christmases from both his childhood and adult life. De Paola's writing style pulls you right into his life effortlessly and you feel like you're right there with little Tomie opening presents. These biographical books open up so much intergenerational discussion since many of his stories trigger memories for us to share with our own children.  The American Story: 100 True Tales from American History by Jennifer Armstrong illustrated by Roger Roth ISBN: 0375812563 This collection of 100 stories chronicles the history of America spanning from 1565-2000. The tales focus on events of historical, social and national importance. The writing level is perfect for reading aloud without being overburdened by too much heavy information. The stories touch on the subject matter and inform without boring. Each story is a few pages long and is complimented by beautiful illustrations. This is my top choice for a gift book this holiday season. Children will enjoy reading it and having it read aloud to them and it will serve as a terrific reference book for the whole family. Suitable for children ages 7 and up.  Pick Me Up: Stuff You Need to Know by Simon Adams et al ISBN: 0756621593 A wonderful reference book, it is full of stuff you do need to know, along with a few things you might never need to know. It's also full of stuff you never really thought about. It's just really full of stuff. Published by Dorling Kindersly, this is an amazing collection of facts covering history, science and popular culture all presented in an eye popping and engaging format. Suitable for children ages 10 and older.  Ripley's Believe It Or Not Special Edition 2007 by Mary Packard and the editors of Ripley's Entertainment Corp. ISBN: 0439825989 Is your child hoping to find a two-headed kitten under the Christmas tree this year? If so, you're in luck; Ripley's Believe It or Not is full of that sort of nuttiness. This annually updated book is crammed with both gross and bizarre facts all accompanied by full color photographs. A definite crowd pleaser, this book is suitable for children ages 8 and up. |