Give a special child a special book

By Kendal Rautzhan

December 13, 2006 Last Updated: December 13, 2006 01:49 PM Community

"The Going to Bed Book" features a host of animals on a boat and all the things they do to prepare for sleep. This book is fun for babies and toddlers and includes "The Going To Bed Blankie."

If you're thinking of buying a book as a gift for the special child in your life this holiday season, you're doing the right thing. The gift of a book is very special, and the only gift a child can open again and again.

You might be wondering, though, what book to buy. It can be a problem, considering there are more than 5,000 new children's books that flood the market every year.

Add to that the number of books published in previous years that are still available, and you've got a rather daunting task facing you. Don't despair — help is here.

I've been reviewing children's books every week for 19 years, and below you'll find several solid suggestions of excellent books for every age category. Visit your local bookstore soon. If the book you're seeking isn't on the shelf, your bookstore can order it for you in time for the holidays.

Take the hassle out of wading through endless offerings. Take a look below to help you zero-in on some of the best books for kids. In our fast-paced world, this really is shopping-made-easy.

Happy holidays!

• "The Going To Bed Book," written and illustrated by Sandra Boynton, Little Simon, 16 pages with "The Going To Bed Blankie," $12.95 board book gift set. A classic since it was first published in 1982, "The Going To Bed Book" is now available as a gift set that includes a tiny embroidered blankie made of soft 100 percent cotton flannel."The sun has set not long ago. Now everybody goes below to take a bath in one big tub with soap all over — Scrub Scrub Scrub!"So begins this fun story for babies and toddlers, featuring a host of adorable animals on a boat and all the things they do to prepare for bedtime.From finding pajamas to brushing teeth to nighttime exercises, this story is packed with fun.• "Baby Love: Messages from the Heart" written and illustrated by Sandra Magsamen, LB Kids (Little Brown), 2006, 12 cloth pages, $14.99 cloth book.Designed specifically for tiny hands, this snuggly soft cloth book reminds children how much their mommy loves them.Lift up the four different mommy animal faces that are colorfully portrayed in soft, fuzzy fabrics to reveal messages of love from a mother to her child.As an added bonus, the connected cloth pages spread out into a 39 inch panel that spells LOVE on the reverse side.Full of tactile elements, love, and brimming with fun, "Baby Love" is delightful.• "My Piggy Book" written and illustrated by Sandra Boynton, Little Simon, 2006, 10 pages, $16.95 cloth book.Babies and toddlers are certain to love this super-soft pink book that is shaped like a piggy head.Satin pink nostrils, a chocolate chip cookie on the pig's terry-cloth tongue, a simple, snappy rhyme, and that a snout that oinks (but not too loud for older ears!) when you squeeze it, this little book is loaded with charm and good cheer.• "Baby Cakes" by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Sam Williams, Little Simon, 2006, 28 pages, $7.99 board book.How do we show our love to our little Baby Cakes? In all sorts of ways, such as a kiss on the nose, playing peekaboo, a smooch on baby's toes, sharing a laugh together and a good hug to say good night.Told in rhyme and full of warm illustrations, this selection is a wonderful bedtime book.

• "Ruff! Ruff! Where's Scruff?" by Sarah Weeks, illustrated by David Carter, Red Wagon Books/Harcourt, 2006, 16 pages, $13.95 hardcover."My dog, Scruff, just rolled in the mud. So now I have to clean him. His bath is ready, but the question is … Has anybody seen him?"Lift the flaps and Scruff can be seen popping up and down and peeking through the multi-layered pop-ups as he hides from the cows, the sheep, the ducks and more.Told in a bouncing, rousing rhyme, young children will delight in finding Scruff as he eludes bath time.• "My Little Yellow Taxi" written and illustrated by Stephen Johnson, Red Wagon Books/Harcourt, 2006, 14 pages, $19.95 hardcover."Lift the Flap" and "Pull the Tab" take on a whole new meaning in "My Little Yellow Taxi."Follow a taxi driver as he prepares his taxi for the first customer of the day.From filling up with gasoline, checking the oil, tire pressure, rearview mirror, windshield wipers and more, young readers participate with the numerous interactive parts.Put the snacks in the glove compartment, the key in the ignition, put the gearshift in the drive position, and set the taxi meter — these are just a small sampling of the fun children will have in this highly innovative book, super-charged with hands-on fun.• "Just a Snowy Day" written and illustrated by Mercer Mayer, HarperCollins, 2006, 16 pages, $8.99 hardcover.Little Critter is getting ready to go outside and play in the snow and invites readers to experience all sorts of things with him, such as pulling the tab to reveal the furry lining that makes his coat so warm, pulling Little Critter on his sled down the hill, sniffing his mug of hot chocolate, and spinning the wheel to watch the snowflakes coming down outside of Little Critter's bedroom window.Charming, fun, and interactive throughout, kids are bound to enjoy "Just a Snowy Day," start to finish.• "Baby Bear's Books" by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Melissa Sweet, Harcourt, 2006, 40 pages, $16.00 hardcover.Baby Bear loves reading books — all kinds of books, all day long, in all sorts of places.Sometimes Little Bear likes stories full of laughter, and sometimes gentle and sweet stories. Other times, Little Bear wants to hear stories about bears eating huge honey cakes or soaring in spaceships.But whatever the story and whatever the time of day, Little Bear is ready to listen and read, over and over again.A genuine celebration of the joy of reading, this story will strike a chord with young book lovers everywhere.

• "Winston the Book Wolf" by Marni McGee, illustrated by Ian Beck, Walker & Co., 2006, 28 pages, $16.95 hardcover.Winston the Book Wolf loves words. He loves words so much that he eats every word he can find.Always hungry for more, Winston knows that books contain lots of words and the library is the place to find them. But wolves that chew on books aren't welcome in the library. That doesn't stop Winston, though. He marches right through the door where the librarian and helpers chase after him in hot pursuit.A girl named Rosie rescues Winston and teaches him that there is a better way to enjoy words than chewing them — to eat them with his eyes by reading.Loaded with fun and promoting a terrific message, "Winston the Book Wolf" is first-rate.• "One More Sheep" by Mij Kelly, illustrated by Russell Ayto, Peachtree, 2006, 32 pages, $16.95 hardcover.On a wild and windy night, Sam brings his sheep home and tucks them all in his bed. He wants them to be warm and safe from the hungry wolf that roams at night.To be sure he hasn't left a sheep behind, Sam begins to count his sheep, but before he finishes, he falls fast asleep. Suddenly, there is a loud knock at the door. Could it be one of Sam's sheep or a dangerous stranger?The sheep know they are all there, but they must find a way to get Sam to count all 10 of them so he won't let the stranger inside.Written in rhyme and loaded with hilarious illustrations, this sensational counting book will have children clamoring for repeat readings.