I have collected some outstanding new books to give for newborns through adults that will surely bring delight and smiles. The first two books are for youngsters ages newborns through three. The rest of the books will have the appropriate age listed.
Reindeer in Here: A Christmas Friend, by Adam Reed and brightly illustrated by Xindi Yan, is a book and a plush reindeer placed in a gift designed box. This colorful book is about how a cute little reindeer has an antler shorter than the other making him a bit different. But that does not stop him from making friends and helping Santa. The story works better by giving this set in December before Christmas. Then your little reindeer can live with you and help Santa know what youâd like for Christmas. This idea is much easier than the âelf on the shelfâ because you donât have to move the reindeer every day. What a nice new tradition.
Baby Basic: My Cuddly Fox, by Lucie Brunelliere, is soft little plushy fox that is also a durable cloth book. The sweet little story centers on bedtime. The soft fabric is washable the illustrations are simple and easy for baby to discern.
The Arnold Lobel Book of Mother Goose, by the famed Arnold Nobel, is an over-sized picture book packed with more than 300 classic nursery rhymes. There are many familiar rhymes that youngsters will enjoy reciting. But there are many that may be unfamiliar along with lesser-known verses from the well-known rhymes. What is the most enchanting part of this beautiful book are the intricate and gorgeous illustrations done in gouache, black ink and pencil by this master. Children pick up words and phrases that lead to reading through rhyming. This book is good for ages zero through five.
Ivy + Bean (Books 10+11+12), by Annie Burrows and illustrations done in Chinese ink by Sophie Blackall, is the last of three books in this wonderful series. If your seven-through nine-year-old hasnât discovered these interesting books, theyâre truly missing out. Two girls couldnât be more different and yet they are the best of friends often finding them in the thick of fun and laughable situations. These three paperback books come in a set and the darling illustrations are found throughout making these books perfect early chapter books.
The Secret Garden and The Little Princess, by Frances Hodgson Burnett, is part of a four-book set called The Frances Hodgson Burnett Essential Collection. The other two books included in this lovely set are Little Lord Fauntleroy and The Lost Prince. These beautifully written books, geared for ages nine and up, are the kinds of books every family should have in their home library. And this collection is nicely bound to boot.
A Bugâs Notebook, by Zhu Yingchun, has to be one of the most unique and motivating journals for kids that Iâve come across. Each page has an adorable bug encouraging doodles, drawings and daily writings that will surely bring out the young storyteller in your family. Your eight- through twelve-year-old may not even realize the budding imagination waiting to be discovered!
The Brothers Grimm Cookbook: Recipes Inspired by Fairy Tales, by Robert Tuesley Anderson, is a wonderfully packaged book fully of enhanced and tasteful recipes that correspond with the Grimmâs classics. There are more than fifty delicious and easy to follow recipes that were inspired by the many short stories from these two brothers. There are some brilliant essays that go right along with each recipe as well as old timey etchings that reflect these delectable techniques. This book is a treasure and good for ages twelve through adult. Anderson also has another new recipe book out that is inspired by the classic books of a famous author: Jane Austinâs Table: Recipes Inspired by the Works of Kane Austin.
Delicious Gatherings: Recipes to Celebrate Together, by Tara Teaspoon, is richly full of simple and appetizing meals to elevate your eating experience. There are helpful hints and clever ways to give your meal the flair you desire, again without the pain and stress of lengthy preparation. Some of the meals include Half-and Half Granola Pancakes with Ginger Maple Syrup and Grape and Feta Quinoa. What is most appealing about this outstanding book are the full-page and mouthwatering photos of each dish.
