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1. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR UNDERWEAR? — This charming book helps children learn colors and animals in an amusing way—each page poses the question to the given animal, for example, what color is your underwear, Harry Horse? Kids can then open the flap to reveal many diff erent animals’ underwear and answer the question. Older preschoolers will find it hilarious because it’s about underwear! Ages 1-5. By Sam Lloyd; Scholastic Press; www.scholastic.com; $9. HOPSCOTCH HILL SCHOOL’S “TEASING TROUBLE” — Spencer, who is Hallie’s classmate teases Hallie a lot about her loose teeth, which hurts Hallie’s feelings. Both Hallie and Spencer find a way to stop the teasing and save their friendship in this easy-to-read book which teaches sensitivity and mediation skills. Ages 4-8. By Valerie Tripp; Pleasant Company Publications/American Girl; www.americangirl.com; $4. 2. IN THE KINGDOM OF THE FAIRIES: A MEMOIR OF A MAGICAL SUMMER & A REMARKABLE FRIENDSHIP — When Susan was five years old, she visited her elderly neighbors dilapidated cabin, which she had been assured is inhabited by elves/fairies. Susan leaves various gifts for Mr. and Mrs. Moir, including a letter. Much to her surprise, she develops a summer correspondence with a fairy princess. As Susan grows older, she discovers that the letters were written by Mr. Moir, but to her the letters would always remain a testament to a magical friendship. Ages 5+. By Susan Coyne; St. Martin’s Press.; www.stmartins.com; $18. 3. AN EGG ON THREE STICKS — Thirteen-year-old Abby is not only struggling with becoming a teenager, but also with her distant relationship with her mother, who has recently suff ered a nervous breakdown. This raw novel intertwines humor and tragedy, making for an emotionally charged read for teens. Ages 13+. By Jackie Moyer Fischer; Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin’s Press; www.stmartins.com; $13. INVENTING ELLIOT — When Elliot arrives at his new highschool, he is determined to reinvent himself so as not to be bullied as he was at his old school. But when the Guardians, a group of upperclassmen, who wield power through terror want Elliot to join their ranks, Elliot must ask himself whether its better to be a bully or be bullied. This is a gripping teen novel that examines power, addresses morality, and the difficult choices that teens are forced to make. Ages 15+. By Dutton Children's Books; www.penguin.com; $16. |
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4. BABY EINSTEIN “LULLABY CLASSICS” — This music collection offers parents a peaceful way to tuck their little ones in each night. The CD includes 17 classical selections from Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Debussy, Vivaldi, Dvorak, Schumann, Brahms, Vivaldi, Pachelbel, Smentana, and Mendelssohn. Re-orchestrated for little ears the CD offers calming music for both parent and child. Ages 0+. Buena Vista Records; www.babyeinstein.com; CD/$7. TOM CHAPMAN “MAKING GOOD NOISE” — This eclectic album features kids staging “Annie” with a local musical theatre group in “Putting on a Show;” a rockabilly tune, “Making Good Noise;” a classical theme song, “I Love to Play the Kazoo;” a rebellious marching song, “You’re Not the Boss of my Brain;” a ditty about doing homework at midnight, “This Song Is My Homework;” a song of fun family chaos, “Cooking in the Kitchen;” and many other songs which celebrate learning, silliness, creating, and sharing. Ages 5+. Gadfly Records; www.gadflyrecords.com; CD/$15. ALL-AMERICAN CAR*I*OKE — Pass the time away in the car with this lyric book/CD which will have the whole family singing the time away. With 21 songs, you’ll fi nd everything from classics like “When the Saints Go Marching In” to gusty rock songs like “Proud Mary.” The book contains lyrics, trivia games, activities, and musical lore to transform a dull car ride into lively entertainment. Ages 2+. Workman Publishing; www.workman.com; $15. |
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5. LITTLE PEOPLE CREATIVITY COLLECTION — Claymation brings the Little People characters to life in ten, fiveminute long, episodes that explore music and artistic themes that are easy for young children to follow and comprehend. Episodes include: “One, Two, Three—Draw,” “Big, Bigger, Biggest,” “The Musical Mobile,” “When Flowers Fly,” “Picture Perfect,” “Sarah Lynn Shares a Song,” “Eddie Finds the Beat,” “Sonya Lee Sings,” “Michael Helps the Harmony,” and “Maggie’s Musical Masterpiece.” Ages 2+. Fisher-Price and Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.; www.fisherprice. com; DVD/$13; VHS/$10. 6. MISS SPIDER’S SUNNY PATCH KIDS — Brooke Shields and Rick Moranis give voice to Miss Spider and her husband, Holley, in this fun CGI-animated adventure. When Squirt and his friends make a dangerous attempt to reunite a lost chicken egg with its mama, Miss Spider and Holley must come to their rescue before they become chicken feed. DVD bonus features include a read-along, a dance-along, an interactive game, and more. Rated G. Made by MGM Kids/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment.; www.mgmhomevideo.com; DVD/$15; VHS/$10. 7. STELLALUNA — Stellaluna, the fruit bat, gets separated from her mom and adopted by a family of birds. She doesn’t fit in: they sleep when she wants to fly; they whistle and sing, when Stellaluna doesn’t even have a beak. Just when it seems she’ll never fit in, Stellaluna makes a discovery and learns to appreciate her differences. This heartwarming animated movie teaches children the value of friendship, and an open heart and mind. DVD bonus features include a learn how to draw Stellaluna, create your own Stellaluna, sing-a-long, and printable coloring pages and activities. Rated G. Made by MGM Kids & Scholastic Entertainment.; www.mgmhomevideo.com; DVD/$15; VHS/$10. |
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CHOOSING CHILDCARE FOR DUMMIES — Parents learn how to explore childcare options and make the right choices for their children. Learn how to evaluate centers; what to expect to pay in-home verses out-of-home; how to use subsidies and tax credits to cut costs; hiring in-home caregivers; back-up childcare; how to find childcare when working non-standard hours; and more. By Ann Douglas, Wiley Publishing, Inc.; www.wiley.com; $20. 8. LAUGHING ALLEGRA: THE INSPIRING STORY OF A MOTHER’S STRUGGLE & TRIUMPH RAISING A DAUGHTER WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES — Anne Ford, granddaughter of Henry Ford, writes a compelling memoir in which she shares with readers her struggle to help her daughter, Allegra, maximize her full potential. Readers journey through trips to doctors and specialists as Ann learns to fight common misconceptions and myths in regards to her daughters severe learning disabilities. By Anne Ford with John-Richard Thompson; Newmarket Press; www.newmarketpress.com; $17. A PARENTS GUIDE TO RAISING SEXUALLY HEALTHY CHILDREN —From Infancy to Middle School From Diapers to Dating— Featured on Dateline, Oprah, and Newsweek, Haffner, one of America’s leading sexuality educators, offers advice to parents on talking to children and teens about sex. Parents learn how to set values and communicate them. This revised edition of the book includes the “Britney Syndrome,” Internet safety, latest medical research, and children who do not conform to society’s gender roles. By Debra W. Haffner & foreword by Alyssa Haffner Tartaglione; Newmarket Press; www.newmarketpress.com; $17. |
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