Books for Kids

Young dancers will be delighted with a book from Mystery Loves special selections.

The Nutcracker Doll by Mary Newell DePalma

The Nutcracker Doll by Mary Newell DePalma is the story of one young dancer's involvement with the Holiday classic ballet. A beautiful story with illustrations to match. Ages 4 to 8, $16.99

A Dictionary of Dance by Liz Murphy

From Arabesque to Quickstep, A Dictionary of Dance is a must for everyone interested in dance. Liz Murphy's inspiring artwork will make you want to get up and try out each definition. Ages 4 to 8, $15.95

Little Ballerina: My First Ballet Book

Marianne Loibl covers all the moves and even the storylines from Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and the Nutcracker in Little Ballerina: My First Ballet Book with charming illustrations by Clara Suetens. And, there's a pink tutu included! Ages 4 and up, $17.95

Mouse Cookies and More by Laura Numeroff

Mouse Cookies and More is a treasury for the whole family, chock-a-block with stories, recipes, songs, games, activities and more! All three characters from Laura Numeroff’s If You Give… series have brought their books, recipes, songs, and activities to this family treasury. Parents, grab your kids! Kids, grab your parents and join Mouse, Moose, and Pig as they read, bake, sing, and play. Includes 4 books, recipes, games a CD and more. $24.99

Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant by Jack Prelutsky

What do you get when you cross a toaster with a toad? Why a Pop-up Toadster, of course. Plenty of these silly matches fill Jack Prelutsky’s Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant (umbrella and elephant, of course). Collage illustrations by Carin Berger are the perfect accompaniment. Ages 4 and up, $16.99

Klutz Paper Fashions

Klutz Paper Fashions is a perfect starter kit for the budding fashionista on your list. Stencils, gorgeous papers, embellishments and tiny hangers for the finished clothing are all included for hours of fun for those 8 and up. $19.95

Lullabies Under the Moon by Giovanni Caviezel

In Lullabies Under the Moon by Giovanni Caviezel, Little Bunny loves to play, and bedtime always comes too soon! But it’s always nice to say good night as Mother hums lullabies under the moon. Snuggle up warm in bed with Little Bunny and go to sleep to the comforting sounds of your favorite lullaby with this book and CD. Board book with CD, ages up to 4, $6.99

Quiet Time with Cassatt by Julie Merzberg

In Quiet Time with Cassatt by Julie Merberg & Suzanne Bober, cuddling, bathing, sailing or just daydreaming are the quiet time activities included in this fetching board book that's perfect for little ones' first art reading. Born in Pittsburgh, Mary Cassatt lived and worked in France where as part of the Impressionists she received worldwide acclaim for her intimate scenes of family. Up to age 5, $6.95

Choose Your Own Adventure

The hours of entertainment that the Choose Your Own Adventure books brought to our kids prompted us to pick up the new #1 through #14 as a special gift idea. Exciting adventures are told to a cliff-hanging point…and then….What happens next in the story? It all depends on the choices you make. How does the story end? Only you can find out! And the best part is that you can keep reading and re-reading until you've had not one but many incredibly daring experiences!

You'll find the whole list of Choose Your Own Adventures here.

Can You See What I See: Once Upon a Time by Walter Wick

Working with painstaking care that is his trademark, Walter Wick has built sets, modeled characters, and designed clothing for all the wonderful storybook heroes who populate each spectacular search-and-find spread featuring Hansel and Gretel, The Little Mermaid, Puss in Boots and more! Can You See What I See: Once Upon a Time will provide endless hours of parent-child enjoyment searching for hidden objects in Walter Wick’s carefully arranged pictures and it’s a splendid introduction to the world of fairy tales. Ages 4 to 8, $13.99

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

Prepare yourself for a miraculous journey Kate DiCamillo’s The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Once, in a house on Egypt Street, there lived a china rabbit named Edward Tulane. The rabbit was very pleased with himself, and for good reason: he was owned by a girl named Abilene, who treated him with the utmost care and adored him completely. And then, one day, he was lost. A timeless tale by the author of Tale of Despereaux, complete with stunning full-color plates by Bagram Ibatoulline, honors the enduring power of love. Ages 7 up, $18.99

The Kid's Book of Sudoku: Challenge Edition

Younger puzzlers need not be left out of the Sudoku craze. The Kids’ Challenge Book of Sudoku by Gareth Moore provides complete instructions, humorously illustrated, with 150 puzzles of varying difficulty. Ages 7 to 12, $5.99

The Fright Before Christmas by James Howe

It's Christmas Eve and something is stirring... in James Howe’s The Fright Before Christmas, latest in his Bunnicula and Friends seris. Howie the dachshund puppy jumps in fear every time he hears about the big, jolly man in the bright red suit who will be coming down the chimney. Harold the dog and Chester the cat can't understand why anyone would be scared of Santa -- especially when there are Christmas ghosts to worry about. Late that night, the animals hear strange noises coming from the basement. Who is causing the spooky sounds? Is it a ghost? Is it Santa? Or is Bunnicula the vampire bunny going to turn this very merry Christmas into a very scary Christmas? Ages 6 to 8, $14.95

Living in Leonardo's Shadow by Christopher Grey

The Duke of Milan is tired of waiting. The Pope is visiting at Easter and Leonardo da Vinci has hardly started the commission. The Duke is threatening to replace Leonardo with a young genius-Michelangelo. Young Giacomo must get his Master back on track before they are thrown out into the street. A well-researched tale with as many turns as the medieval streets of Milan, young readers and old will enjoy the unusual perspective of Living in Leonardo’s Shadow, Or My Astonishing Life as Leonardo DaVinci’s Servant by Christopher Grey. $16.95