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Gift Books for the Holidays
Book Review by Nancy Taylor
Books for teens and tweens.
Big Book of Girl Stuff
By Bart King (and his 5 sisters)
Middle school teacher Bart King wrote a book in 2004 called
the Big Book of Boy Stuff that was fun, engaging, and packed
with just the kind of things boys like. Seem unfair to the
girls? Well, it did to Bart too. King has five sisters, so
he knows a thing or two about girls. And since he is a
middle-school teacher and something of a kid himself, he was
able to draw from his own experience and that of his ‘female
counterparts’ to put together a book sure to be a hit with
girls everywhere. Chapters about slumber parties, mean
girls, boys, fashion and make-up are packed with tips,
tricks and fun facts for teen and pre-teen girls. The Big
Book of Girl Stuff is interesting, educational and
empowering – a perfect combination of elements for every
girl who understands the joys of childhood and the trials of
growing up. Bart King, author of this rather unorthodox
collection of fact, fiction and marginally useful
information is a critically acclaimed award winner of the
coveted “Arrested Development” award. The Big Book of Girl
Stuff, along with the Big Book of Boy Stuff, is available at
bookstores nationwide and online booksellers. (Gibb Smith
Publishers)
Wintersmith
by Terry Prachett
When Tiffany Arching decides she wants to be a witch, she
isn’t quite aware of what she is bargaining for. Wintersmith
is a sequel to the enchanting Wee Free Men and A Hat Full of
Sky, where Tiffany and a band of tiny blue allies help fight
evil and keep the world safe. In Wintersmith, Tiffany has
become the object of affection of the spirit of winter. In
order to keep the seasons in place, Tiffany and her
companions must use all of their skill and cunning to
survive until spring. This delightful blend of storytelling,
suspense and humor is sure to be a hit for the young reader
who enjoys a mystery that suspends disbelief.
Award-winning author Terry Pratchett weaves a tale of
mystery, magic and intrigue in this third in a series of
books for teens and tweens. Available from HarperCollins
Children’s Books at bookstores nationwide and online
booksellers.
For the Younger Set
Evie Finds Her Family Tree
by Ashley B. Ransburg
When young Evie overhears her parents talking about their
family tree, she is intrigued by the possibility that her
family has a single tree that represents them all. When she
heads outside to try and figure out which tree they may be
talking about though, she realizes that there are so many
trees that it is impossible to find the one that qualifies.
She decides to make a tree of her own, and with what she
knows about the people she loves most she creates a tree
that does a wonderful job of representing all her family
members. This fun story is a great way to teach kids about
the differences within their own family, and includes a
poster for young kids to trace the genealogy of their
immediate families in an engaging, appealing way. Published
by the Indiana Historical Society, Evie Finds Her Family
Tree is available by calling 1-800-447-1830 or online at
shop.indianahistory.org.
Touch The Art series
Pop Warhol’s Top, Make Van Gogh’s Bed, Brush Mona Lisa’s
Hair and Feed Matisse’s Fish
By Julie Appel and Amy Guglielmo
Introduce a passion for art in your children this Holiday
Season with one of these books in the Touch the Art series
by Julie Appel and Amy Gugliemo. Kids can slide, poke, stick
and peel the art of some of our most renowned artists.
Warhol’s Marilyn has an eyelash to touch, Morisot’s The
Cradle has a blanket to cover the baby, and kids will love
the sticky mustard on Lichtenstein’s Mustard on White.
Perfect for the preschool and primary child, this engaging
series of books is available in bookstores nationwide and
online booksellers. Published by Sterling Publishers, Inc.
Go Back to Bed!
By Ginger Foglesong Guy
Illustrations by James Bernardin
Kids are always sure the adult world is an exciting place,
and things come alive once they have been put to bed. When
young Edwin Dupree is sent upstairs one night, he decides to
sneak into the world of adults to see what happens
downstairs once he is asleep. Kids will love this colorful,
magical world where people stay up all night eating sweets,
throwing snowballs, sledding and swimming in the living
room. The playful rhyme, beautiful illustrations and
engaging story is sure to delight children and their
parents, and may even prompt a kid or two to sneak
downstairs and see if Edwin’s happy world may exist in their
own homes. Published by Carolrhoda Books, Inc., and
available in bookstores nationwide and online booksellers.
Black? White! Day? Night!
A Book of Opposites
By Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Step into a world of opposites with this die-cut book of
inventive shapes, colors and drawings that are wonderfully
creative and fun to look at. Kids will love to unfold the
pages to reveal opposites like light and dark, simple and
complicated and over and under. Parents will enjoy the
unique drawings and artistic perspective. Vaccaro Seeger
does a masterful job of making this book of simple opposites
anything but, and Black? White! Day? Night! is a sure hit on
your holiday book gift list. Published by Roaring Book
Press, Black? White! Day? Night! is available at book and
specialty stores nationwide and online booksellers.
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