Books send lasting message

By KENDAL A. RAUTZHAN

December 04, 2007 Last Updated: December 04, 2007 10:20 AM Community

"Stop Kissing Me" by Ethan Long is full of laughs for children ages 3 to 4. The book also has "smooching" sound effects.

As you make out your holiday gift list this year, I hope you'll include the gift of a book for a child in your life. Unlike toys, a good book can make a lasting impression, and giving a child a wonderful book sends all sorts of powerful, important messages. But with roughly 5,000 new children's books published every year, the process of selecting the right book can be overwhelming.

That's where this guide comes in handy. For almost 20 years, I have lived and breathed children's books, and I assure you the books recommended below excel in every regard. Just select the age bracket you're looking for and read the two quick reviews to help further narrow your search.

It's that simple. No money wasted on a dud book, no disappointed children and one more item checked off your holiday "to do" list. It's shopping made easy with guaranteed winners, and that's a nice gift for you!

4 "Baby Days: A Collection of 9 Board Book" designed by Pamela Notarantonio, photographs by Ken Karp Photography, Little Scholastic, 2007, 10 pages per book, $9.99 board books. Babies are fascinated by other babies, and this selection is perfect for just that. Nine little board books explore many of the moods and activities of a baby. Each book has a specific topic, such as "Baby Plays" and "Baby Eats," and each tiny book boasts color photographs of different, adorable babies on every page.4 "Who's That Pretty Baby?" by Abigail Tabby, illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke, Little Simon Baby, 2007, 12 pages with picture frame, $9.99 board book. "Who's that pretty baby, so adorable and sweet? Who's that pretty baby, who is perfect head to feet?" So begins this charming little story told by different animal parents who speak loving, rhyming words to their little ones. This happy story is perfectly complemented by delightful illustrations and a small cloth-covered picture frame for your pretty baby's picture.

4 "Go to Sleep, Russell the Sheep" written and illustrated by Rob Scotton, HarperCollins, 2007, 16 pages, $9.99 board book. The comical Russell is having trouble going to sleep. He tries everything he can think of, but it's not until he counts sheep that Russell finally drifts off to dream land. As a very funny bonus, turn the last page and listen to Russell snoring in his sleep!4 "What's Wrong, Little Pookie?" written and illustrated by Sandra Boynton, Robin Corey Books/Random House, 2007, 18 pages, $5.99 board book. Poor little Pookie is upset, and his mother asks him question after question to try and discover what the problem is. "Did a very large hippo try to borrow your shoes? Are there five lazy frogs in your bed for a snooze?" Full of laughs and hilarious illustrations, this rhyming story is certain to be a hit with toddlers and adults alike.

4 "Stop Kissing Me!" written and illustrated by Ethan Long, Little, Brown and Co., 2007, 30 pages, $10.99 hardcover. Duck decides to give the poodle a big, slobbery kiss. When the poodle protests, the duck kisses the poodle again and again and again. When the duck finally understands that the poodle means business, the duck is dejected. Just then, the poodle has an idea and the tables are turned. Children are especially in-tune with overenthusiastic kisses, making this selection most identifiable and full of laughs, page after page while pushing the "Press Me! Kiss Me!" button that makes the smooching sound. The sum total of this book? Pure success!4 "Stellaluna" written and illustrated by Janell Cannon, Harcourt, 2007, 44 pages, $7.95 board book. The award-winning "Stellaluna" is now available for the first time as a board book, perfect for young hands. When a little bat gets separated from her mother, she falls into a nest of baby birds. There, much to her surprise, the baby birds and their mother befriend her and take care of her. When, at long last, Stellaluna is reunited with her mother and her bat family, she doesn't forget about her other friends, for they are her family, too. A loving tale of being lost and found in more ways than one, this story offers an important lesson on friendship.

4 "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Fly Guy" written and illustrated by Tedd Arnold, Scholastic, 2007, 30 pages, $5.99 hardcover. Fly Guy is back, but this time, he doesn't get a chance to stick around for long. That's because Buzz has brought Fly Guy to meet his Grandma, and when Grandma hurries to hug Buzz, Fly Guy shoots off Buzz's shoulder and gets swallowed by Grandma! What will she do? You guessed it – she swallows a spider to catch Fly Guy, and when that isn't successful, she swallows a bird to catch the spider, and so the scenario goes on and on. But what about Fly Guy? Well, you'll have to read this book to find out! Certain to keep kids laughing from page to page, readers will love the familiar story line with a different twist at the end. Go Fly Guy!4 "You Think It's Easy Being the Tooth Fairy?" by Sherri Bell-Rehwoldt, illustrated by David Slonim, Chronicle, 2007, 30 pages, $15.95 hardcover. "You think it's easy being the tooth fairy? Well, it's not. It takes skill! It takes daring! Thank goodness I'm here to do the job." So begins this hilarious undercover story that exposes exactly what the tooth fairy does, how she does it, and how difficult her job is. Once read, kids will have new-found respect for the tooth fairy and will be following her orders to make tooth collection easier for her!

4 ""Ribbit! Flip and See Who Froggy Can Be" written and illustrated by Bender & Bender, HarperCollins, 2007, 18 pages, $16.99 hardcover. Take a wild ride through the pages of "Ribbit!" where you'll meet all sorts of crazy characters. Froggy can be just plain old Froggy, or can be "Cowboy Chad with grand mustache rounds up rustlers in a flash." Then again, Froggy can transform into "Sailor Sam with gritted teeth finds treasure the sea beneath." With a spiral binding, each page is split into three parts, both in text and illustration, with the potential to make over 3,000 different combinations. Hilarious and offering hours of creative fun, "Ribbit!" will have great appeal to early elementary age kids.4"Abracadabra! Magic with Mouse and Mole" written and illustrated by Wong Herbert Yee, Houghton Mifflin, 2007, 48 pages, $15.00 hardcover. The magician has come to town, and best friends Mouse and Mole are very excited. Mole is especially crazy about magic, but when something goes wrong at the end of the magic show, Mole is really angry about being deceived. Mouse, on the other hand, is determined to show Mole that real magic is happening everywhere, and to Mole's surprise, he discovers she is right! With a good tempo and a dash of adventure, this tale of friendship is satisfying and fun.

4 "Explorer: A Daring Guide for Young Adventurers" by Dugald Steer, various illustrators, Candlewick, 2007, 30 pages, $15.99 hardcover. Calling all young explorers! This incredible guide book teaches readers how to search for lost cities, civilizations, and treasures, how to develop the skills you will need to be successful, and how to survive whether you are exploring the oceans, the depths of the seas, the jungle, a tomb, the Poles, the desert, or the mountains. Learn about survival tips, famous explorers, and what treasures have and have not been found. With pop-ups, booklets, flaps, letters and more, this exciting book is perfect for children age 9 and older (unlike the publisher's recommended age of three and older; must be a misprint!).4 "A Tale of Gold" by Thelma Hatch Wyss, McElderry, 2007, 152 pages, $16.99 hardcover. In San Francisco, 1897, 14-year-old James Erickson has recently become an orphan. When he hears about the gold in the Yukon, he's determined to be among those that strike it rich. Booking passage on a steamer to Alaska, he then must travel by foot and on a raft, all the while transporting a ton of goods. James meets a skinny boy who turns out to be a girl, and ultimately they become partners. The hardships they endure are incredible, and they will need a lot of luck to strike gold, especially because neither one has much of a clue as to what they are doing. Brimming with history, action and suspense, this fast-paced novel will strike readers on many important levels.4 "The Slippery Map" by N.E. Bode, HarperCollins, 2007, 273 pages, $16.99 hardcover. Oyster R. Motel was dropped off at the nunnery doorstep as an infant. It's their way of life is all Oyster knows, and that translates into a fairly dull existence. So it comes as no surprise that Oyster dreams of another world, full of excitement and all the things a boy could want. When Oyster meets the Mapkeeper, she hands him a map of his imagination, a map that is very small and quite lacking in details. The Mapkeeper tells Oyster he has a great imagination, but he hasn't unleashed it yet. Not long thereafter, Oyster hears a distant voice and feels a gust of wind that beckons him, taking him to someone else's imaginary world where he is expected to save that world from the iron grip of an evil power. Gripping, loads of fun and just the right amount of suspense, this wildly imaginative story will sweep readers away on a magnificent ride.

4 "Night of the Howling Dogs" by Graham Salisbury, Wendy Lamb Books, 2007, 191 pages, $16.99 hardcover. On the Big Island of Hawaii in 1975, 11 boy scouts and their leaders are camping on a remote beach below the island's ancient volcano. It begins as an exciting adventure for Dylan and his fellow boy scouts as they make the long trek across and down the ancient lava flow to the secluded beach below, but trouble is about to explode around everyone. Dylan senses something isn't right and is particularly spooked by the sound of wild dogs howling at night. Shortly thereafter, terror strikes, and no one is spared the horror. Over the next several hours the small group of people is tested to its limits and discover the real meaning of leadership, friendship and the human will to survive. Based on the true events that occurred in 1975, this extraordinary, well-written story will keep readers on the edge of their seats.4 "The Klipfish Code" by Mary Casanova, Houghton Mifflin, 2007, 227 pages, $16.00 hardcover. In 1940, 10-year-old Marit's life is turned upside-down. Her country, Norway, is invaded by Nazis. For her protection, she and her younger brother are sent to live with her grandfather and aunt on a neighboring island. The separation from her parents is painfully difficult for Marit to endure. So, too, is living under Nazi occupation. Hardships abound under the hand of the Nazis, and Marit wants nothing more than to be reunited with her family. But as the years pass, Marit wants to do something to stop the Nazis. But what can a 12-year-old girl do? Then Marit hears about the Resistance. Risking her life and potentially the lives of her family and friends, Marit makes a bold decision to participate in transmitting a secret code; a code that the Resistance and perhaps all of Norway desperately need to end the madness and reclaim their lives and their country. Rich in history, this fast-paced adventure novel will leave readers breathless.

"Ribbit! Flip and See Who Froggy Can Be" is for children ages 7 and 8. Each page is split into three parts and can make more than 3,000 combinations.

"Night of the Howling Dogs" is set in Hawaii and involves 11 boy scouts who are camping and make a trek across the island. However, adversity strikes and the group is tested to its limits.