Books

Kids and comics go together like, well, kids and comics. But many of today's graphic novels--even the generally tame mainstream comics we grew up with--are a bit edgier and adult these days. I recently bought my son (9 years old) a Batman graphic novel--he's obsessed with Batman. He's DC, I'm Marvel -- go figure. I'd flipped through it at Borders and it seemed harmless enough. Some mild villian-bashing, few weapons, no blood.

"K is for Kwanzaa"by Jwanda Ford is an excellent introductory read for young kids learning about and celebrating Kwanzaa.

Reading like a traditional Yiddish folk tale "Latkes, Latkes Good to Eat" by Naomi Howland is a fun holiday book with a nice message full of suprises.

Author/illustrator Jan Brett has made a huge name for herself in the kiddie book market. Her picture books are as interesting to look at as they are to read. And many of our preferred holiday reads come from her. She simply has a way with wintertime.

Through a process called micro-photography Kenneth Libbrecht has captured the fascinating complexity and pure beauty of nature in his book "Snowflakes".

"Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins"by Eric A. Himmel is my kids' favorite Hanukkah book for many reasons but mainly for the goblins.

I'm not too keen on all these holiday themed books ripping from the classic story "Twas the Night Before Christmas" by Clement Moore. This especially seems to be a popular thing to do when writing a children's Thanksgiving book. To me it's just one more way to force me to think about Christmas before Thanksgiving and that just bugs me something horrible. However, there is one exception I'm willing to make and I think you'll agree.

"Leaf Jumpers"by Carole Gerber and illustrated by Leslie Evans, is a sweet rhyming book about fall leaves.

It's voting time. We're getting a new chief. You need a book so you don't look dumb trying to explain the presidency to the kids.

One of my greatest weaknesses happens to be children's books. Even greater is my love for Halloween picture books and even greater still is my addiction to J. Otto Seibold. We can't get enough of his sweet and sassy, thoroughly detailed art. And so it was with great pleasure, while poring over Halloween kiddie books at my local bookstore searching for a new title to add to my collection, that I came across a Halloween book written and illustrated by Mr. Seibold. A brand spankin' new Seibold Halloween book..as if all my prayers had been answered.