Books

I'm not too keen on all these holiday themed books ripping from the classic story "Twas the Night Before Christmas" by Clement Moore. This especially seems to be a popular thing to do when writing a children's Thanksgiving book. To me it's just one more way to force me to think about Christmas before Thanksgiving and that just bugs me something horrible. However, there is one exception I'm willing to make and I think you'll agree.

"Leaf Jumpers"by Carole Gerber and illustrated by Leslie Evans, is a sweet rhyming book about fall leaves.

It's voting time. We're getting a new chief. You need a book so you don't look dumb trying to explain the presidency to the kids.

One of my greatest weaknesses happens to be children's books. Even greater is my love for Halloween picture books and even greater still is my addiction to J. Otto Seibold. We can't get enough of his sweet and sassy, thoroughly detailed art. And so it was with great pleasure, while poring over Halloween kiddie books at my local bookstore searching for a new title to add to my collection, that I came across a Halloween book written and illustrated by Mr. Seibold. A brand spankin' new Seibold Halloween book..as if all my prayers had been answered.

The Morgan-Wixson Theater in Santa Monica is baking up a special theatrical treat for families to enjoy each Saturday and Sunday from now until October 26th as their popular children's theater series Y.E.S. presents Laura Numeroff's beloved tale "If you Give a Moose a Muffin"

Looking for something wonderful to do with your family this weekend? Does it help that it's free and full of major entertainment and educational value?

Beloved children's author Maurice Sendak has had a busy year. He celebrated his 80th birthday, revealed some major personal tragedies and came out of the closet. Adored and loved by young readers and their parents raised on his kooky stories and moving illustrations his books are treasured classics.

Cory Doctorow of BoingBoing.com reviews John Holt's "How Children Fail," the companion book to "How Children Learn."

Cory blogs:

Earlier this week, I blogged a review of John Holt's classic book on "unschooling," "How Children Learn," promising that my next read would be the companion volume, How Children Fail, a book that's really about how teachers fail students.

Need to brush up on the pirate talk? Your kids like pirates. Talk Like a Pirate Day is this Friday and you need to get your pirate party on.

What's a festival without a few good books to get us in the mood to party? To honor the Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon Festival I offer a few book suggestions to educate and inspire a truly magical celebration.