The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K.Rowling

My children and I enjoyed this wonderful little book. As dear to us as Mother Goose, bringing back those lovely memories of Hogwarts and our dear friends there. Each tale is followed by an excerpt from Professor Albus Dumbledore, which is also a bit of timeless wisdom. If you are a fan, I'm sure you've read it and I don't need to go on about J.K.Rowling's brilliance. And if you are not a fan you probably have no interest. But if you are curious, this little book may be the first step of yours into our world. Come on in and get lost.

J.L.Wills

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S.Lewis

This is a wonderful book to read aloud to your kids. Me and the girls enjoyed every moment of this. I never had to ask them twice to come listen to me read about Narnia, in fact I had to be careful and make sure I could follow through with it because once mentioned they wouldn't be happy without a dose of Lucy, Peter, Susan, and Edmund. This is the second book but is always the first of the movies when movies are being made on Narnia. Still, the first book sets the stage and gives a fuller appreciation of the entire story. C.S.Lewis writes to enthrall not only children but anyone who has been a child once. He is brilliant.

The Princess Bride by S. Morgenstern abridged by William Goldman

I was excited about this book. I've loved the movie since I was a child, love to watch it still with my daughters. But I was dissappointed. Not disappointed enough to close it and put it away. I loved the story enough that I was determined to get through all of William Goldman's excerpts to get back to the story. I think, it must be the format he wrote it in. He just threw in his own paragraphs, stopping the story and explaining about this or about that. I was very interested in what he had to say but I didn't want to necessarily stop the story to read it, sometimes for 5 pages or so. I would have enjoyed reading it at the end of the book. And in the last excerpt I have to agree with Stephen King, Goldman did botch it up. I didn't want to read Goldman's thoughts every few pages, I wanted to read a crisply edited Morgenstern story. I wanted to be enchanted in the tale of true love and high adventure. Not stop every heartbeat to learn about Goldman's battle getting this published. I'm just...disappointed. It makes me want to edit it myself. But Morgenstern is priceless and I did enjoy his story, ever so much more than the movie. My advice is, if you read this book ignore the italicized Goldman, ignore it until the very end. Then go back and read what Goldman had to say once you've enjoyed your adventure. I still give it three stars because in this book is my only access to the original Morgenstern tale. And I'm assuming because of the Morgenstern Estate's dissapointment in William Goldman we will never see Buttercup's Baby, at least not any time soon.

J.L.Wills

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore Illustrated by Douglas Gorsline

This is a sacred treasure for me. I had the same print of this story when I was a child and the illlustrations are nostalgic. In fact I kept this book all these years, it's nearly as old as I am...but certainly I don't smell of attic and cardboard boxes. Some of you may know how my little sweet dog, Trixy, loves books as much as I do. Oh yes, especially the old smelly ones. She has devoured many of my sacred texts. Last year she got my copy of The Night Before Christmas, not just a little bit, it was torn and chewed every page. And I was devastated. No doubt I am fanatic over my books, I wasn't surprised at my easy tears and neither was my husband. That was a quiet day, every one gave me my space. So you can only imagine my delight at finding this in print again! I swear an opera singer was holding out a high F when my eyes laid on this little book. It took all I had not to shed a tear right there in the book store.

I gave it as a gift to my eldest daughter, she remembered my grief over losing my copy, and when she opened it she smiled the most beautiful smile and held it to her heart like it was the best thing I had ever given her.

This little $3.99 book is our best treasure of this Christmas 2008.

J.L.Wills

Kenny and the Dragon by Tony DiTerlizzi

Yes, it was fabulous. Tony DiTerlizzi is the owner of the fascinating imagination that brought us the Spiderwick Chronicles co-authored with Holly Black. Here he goes solo, and what a beautiful melody it is. I just love this little story and I know my dragon-loving daughter will find it perfect. A good moral story for kids, a brave story for kids and such a reminder for adults about how important it is to be open-minded, to listen to our children's tender hearts once in a while, to let go of "grown-up" reality and just maybe, step out on a thin wavering limb to reach that moist juicy apple...the sweetnes of life.

I recommend this to all ages, all genders. I truly enjoyed it. DiTerlizzi has scripted his name onto my all-time fav' authors list.

J.L.Wills

Miss Fiona's Stupendous Pumpkin Pies by Mark Moulton and The Littlest Pumpkin by R.A. Herman

These are my two all time favorite Halloween books to read with the kids. The Littlest Pumpkin is adorable and I just can't say anymore because it will spoil the whole thing, you just must read it yourself.

And Miss Fiona is a wonder, the kids love the rhyming poetry and the mesh of all things Halloween. The pictures are beautiful and the story is great. My two number one picks for this Halloween to read.

jlw

Bear Feels Scared by Karma Wilson

Oh this is a perfect October book. I just love October weather and this book gathers all of that snuggle up close to me feeling. Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman are masters at their work. We have all of the Bear books and my daughters just loves Bear, he's an integral part of their love for reading, and an integral part of exploring their own emotions. Of all the October books, this is by far the best. Buy it today, snuggle up with your little bear, and make your children fall in love with reading.
jlw

The First Dog by Jan Brett

This book made the fav list. My youngest daughter found this at the Big Read in St.Louis for $1, and I praised her for finding one of those great classical books by Jan Brett. But then we read it and I wanted to cry inside. It just hits a dog lover right in the heart. We have read it at least three times a week since we brought it home. It just goes to show that the best books sometimes are cheap and used, and even a seven-year old can find them.

jlw

Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black

Santa brought this to my eight year old daughter. She is enthralled by it. I've never seen her carry a book around with her so much. She takes it to bed, she takes it to school. She even has a following of "field guide owner wannabe's" amongst her friends. The book itself is rich in art and imaginative descriptions, some in cursive. My child who usually shies away from reading anything too hard has dove head first into these pages. Every new discovery she makes she wants to discuss together before bed, and this enthusiasm has lasted greater than twenty days! Not only does it give her energy to learn new things, but it promotes creativity - she draws up her own creatures and envisions their habits. For anyone who is wrapped up in the Spiderwick Chronicles, this book makes a great addition to the fantastical world we love to jump into with Tony and Holly.


jlw

Who put the B in the Ballyhoo by Caryln Beccia

As soon as I lifted this book from it's neatly arranged pile at Barnes and Noble I fell in love. It's full of color and wonder that immediately brings out that child smile inside. I had to get it for my girls! No question! Their eyes had circus stars shining in them as we enjoyed the pictures as much as the circus advertisements. And there is reading that the adult can enjoy on each page about interesting circus history and facts. I happened to find this just before our trip to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus, which was an invaluable cherished time for me and my kids. But this wonderful little book takes you to a circus that only exists now between the covers of books. I'm so glad to say that I've been there...won't you go too?

jlw