Book review: Two holiday treats for youngsters

When looking to add a few new tales to the collection of holiday classics, consider these delightful books for kiddos of varying ages:

Small children will love the holiday fun in guessing what lies beneath the flap of each holiday-themed riddle in What Am I? Christmas by Anne Margaret Lewis and colorfully illustrated by Tom Mills (Albert Whitman & Company, $9.99). In the book, a few hints are given, a small sliver of the answer illustration shown, and the question of "What am I? What could I be?" then children lift the flap to see.

The fun begins with the Christmas tree and goes through all that even the youngest of kids associate with the holiday: a snowman, angel, wreath, reindeer and more. The very last—and favorite of all, of course—is Santa.

Although I read the book on my own for this review, without one of my grandsons at my side, I can just imagine Bubby's excitement correctly guessing what lies beneath each flap. I, myself, am excited to share it with him when he visits for Christmas.

What I loved about this book: The colorful, oversized graphics perfectly illustrate the delights of the season, especially for little ones. The repetition of "What am I? What could I be?" followed by lifting the flap is a fun interaction for the intended audience (ages 2-5) and those reading the story.

Older kids will likely adore The Christmas Pups by Teresa Bateman and illustrated by John Kanzler (Albert Whitman & Company, $16.99). The book is intended for ages 4-8, but having to wipe a tear myself upon reading it the first time, I'm pretty sure it will be appreciated by animal lovers of all ages.

The story is of Ruff, Tuff, and Penny—three dogs left in a cardboard box by the side of the road on a cold, rainy December night—and their wishes to be adopted as Christmas gifts for children. Thanks to kind strangers who found and delivered them to the local animal shelter, as well as input from Brownie, an older dog and long-term resident of the shelter, they just might see their Christmas wishes come true.

What I loved about this book: The author doesn't shy away from the fact that puppies are indeed abandoned by folks and that it's not always easy for those poor souls to find a home, even if they're fortunate enough to end up at an animal shelter. The book drives home the joy of animal ownership and animal rescue in a compassionate manner without being heavy-handed. Plus, it's just a sweet Christmas story that warmed my heart.

Clicking on the book covers will provide more information on each book. They are NOT affiliate links; I earn nothing by you clicking on them.

Book review: My Best Friend, Abe Lincoln

When my daughters were little, we had a series of books called "Value Tales." The stories were of famous people as told through the eyes of their fictional sidekicks—sometimes animals, other times humans.

My Best Friend, Abe Lincoln: A Tale of Two Boys from Indiana by Robert L. Bloch and illustrated by John W. Ewing reminded me much of the Value Tales series I once read with the girls.

The delightful tale, meant for kids ages 5-8, gives an idea of what Lincoln was like during his early years, ages 11-14, according to his fictional best friend, Sam Harding. Most of the story focuses on Lincoln's character, such as his love of learning and his scorn of slavery, but there are the requisite references to his tall and skinny stature, as well.

What I loved about the book: The simple language and references to activities kids relate to, such as playing hide and seek, fishing, and attending school, help the book resonate with young boys. Reaching youngsters on their level may introduce them to a historical figure they may possibly have not yet heard much about, and could lead them to research more about Lincoln on their own. The delightful illustrations from Ewing, a former illustrator for Walt Disney Studios (he worked on Sleeping Beauty and other classics), further draw young readers to Lincoln's story. On a personal level, it was great to read the term "blab school" and have no idea what it was, until looking it up online after reading the book. Learning new things from a book is always a plus!

What I didn't love so much: A disclaimer at the start of the book states that while some of the passages are based on true historical events, "others are from the imagination of the author." I spent more time than I should have wondering if young readers would incorrectly believe some of the stories are facts, possibly even use them in a future report or paper on Lincoln. Maybe?

Bottom line: My Best Friend, Abe Lincoln introduces kids to one of the more upstanding figures in American history and the positive character traits that made him a great man. Definitely nothing wrong with that.

Clicking on the book cover will provide more information on the book. It is NOT an affiliate link; I earn nothing by you clicking on it.

Review: Flanimals by Ricky Gervais

I love Ricky Gervais. I know, I shouldn't. He's politically incorrect and sometimes even quite vulgar. But he makes me laugh long and hard. And besides, he can't be all that bad if he's friends with Elmo.

I also love pop-up books, possibly even more than I love Ricky Gervais. So when the two of them are combined, as is the case with the Flanimals Pop-Up book by Ricky Gervais and illustrated by Rob Steen (Candlewick Press, $19.99), you know this grandma is surely in heaven.

Ricky's people (the publisher) recently contacted my people (me) ending with me being the lucky recipient of a copy of Flanimals to review. It's a magical, often hysterical, introduction to the Flanimal kingdom, a collection of outlandish creatures existing in the twisted mind of Mr. Gervais. In Flanimals, the creatures -- everything from Sprengled Humpdumblers and Splunges to Bloggulous Boinglubbers and Bletchlings -- spring to 3-D life with the turning of pages.

One of the niftiest Flanimal features is that there's not only a major pop-up popping from the center as each page is turned, there also are minor pop-ups and wiggly wonky-does in the corner of each page, set into motion with the pull of a tab or opening of a small flap.

I found Flanimals ingeniously delightful, at times rather insightful. Take, for instance, the Flanimal called "Print" (aka the Addle-Sprungnurdler), which pops from the corner of one page. Its description: "The Print can fly, but only vertically downward. ... It uses gravity and stupidity." Sounds much like the print publication I used to work for, actually.

Yes, I loved opening and closing the pages, pulling the tabs, wiggling the wonky-does of Flanimals. But the real test of such a delightful book was Bubby. I thought he'd be enthralled by the creatures coming to life before his eyes. And he was ... for a bit. His favorites were the Grundit and the Molf, but mostly because they had large mouths in which he was determined to insert the golf balls he carried around the house with him. Grandma cut those ball-swallowing tricks short, for fear my precious Flanimals would be damaged. Same goes for his pushing and pulling of the tabs on each page, tabs he insisted on manipulating himself.

I must admit, it was likely my reluctance in fully sharing Flanimals that kept Bubby from enjoying it to the full extent. Although even if I had let him have at it, I still think the craft and creativity of Flanimals would be lost on one so young. The book is recommended for ages five and up, but I'd say Flanimals is best enjoyed by adults ... or older kids who just might be savvy enough to pick up on Gervais' sarcasm and subtle wit -- while gently pulling the tabs and popping open the creatures.

Which is just fine with me, for I can now put this extra-special book safely away on the shelf -- for me and only me to pull down and pop up and open safely by myself.

Book briefs: Summer reading for kids

Memorial Day is the official kickoff of summer and that means fun in the sun, barbecues ... and books. Here are a few selections to share with your children or grandchildren this summer:

PICTURE BOOKS

The youngest soccer fans in the family will get a kick out of Big Kicks by Bob Kolar (Candlewick Press, paperback, $6.99). When Brown Dog comes down with fleas, the Mighty Giants soccer team need someone big and brave to take his place on the team as it's pitted against the Screaming Pirates. Although he's never played soccer, Biggie, a bear, fits the bill -- but his penchant for postage-stamp collecting leads to some hilarious fun on the field. Colorful full-spread illustrations keep even the youngest listeners engaged in the delightful story.

Older soccer fans will appreciate the uplifting and inspirational Goal! by Mina Javaherbin (Candlewick Press, hardcover, $16.99). In the South African township of Ajani, where everyone loves soccer ... and bullies rule the unsafe alleys ... a young boy earns a brand-new, federation-size soccer ball for being the best reader in his class. He and his buddies head to the alley for a game, keeping an eye out for the bullies who want the prized ball. The final sentences of the author's note sum it up beautifully: "Here in this alley, we join a group of friends as they embrace the spirit of soccer. They play to stay connected. They play to stay children. They play to stay human. But mostly, they play to play."

On a lighter note is The Silly Book by Stoo Hample (Candlewick Press, hardcover, $15.99). Some grandparents may remember reading The Silly Book themselves as a child, as it was first published in 1961, then reprinted in 2004. And the book is exactly that: silly. It's filled with silly songs, silly poems, silly illustrations. If you like to get silly with the little ones -- maybe even the big ones, too -- this is the book for you. It may even lead to an ear worm or two, or a silly phrase you'll share back and forth with the kids for years to come, such as this please/thank you/you're welcome exchange: "Cheese, please, Louise." "Thank you berry merry mushroom." "You're willy, woolly, welly welcome." That just might replace my "You're welcome, Malcolm Softpaws" response I've given the girls for years, based on a book, of course.

Silliness reigns as well in Coppernickel/The Invention by Wouter van Reek (Enchanted Lion Books, hardcover, $14.95). Originally published in Dutch as Keepvogal de uitvinding, this magical story uses simple text and simple illustration to tell an imaginative tale of a highly complex creative process. Coppernickel, inspired by a book on famous inventions, enlists his canine sidekick, Tungsten, to help him draw up the plans for a machine to pick high-hanging elder berries from the tallest tree branches. Line diagrams of the Rube Goldberg machine Coppernickel creates fill the pages of the book and pandemonium ensues when the illustrations kick into gear. Coppernickel is one of the more creative and visually delightful books this picture book-loving grandma has seen in some time.

CHAPTER BOOKS

If you're fortunate enough to spend some extended time with a granddaughter this summer, consider reading aloud together Tortilla Sun by Jennifer Cervantes (Chronicle Books, hardcover, $16.99). The story of sometimes cynical, always straightforward, twelve-year-old Izzy blends together the most magical of elements -- writing, baseball, time with grandma, homemade tortillas and colorful Hispanic culture -- as Izzy searches for the truth of her father who died the day she was born. In one summer stay with her grandmother in New Mexico, Izzy discovers the truth about her heritage, her father, the power of writing and more. Tortilla Sun is one of those books you just want to hug once you've read the last page ... just before heading to the kitchen to try the homemade tortilla recipe included at the back of the book.

Never Blame the Umpire by Gene Fehler (Zonderkidz, hardcover, $12.99) also tells the story of a young girl coming to terms with the death of a parent.  Kate loves sports, poetry, her family and God. But when her mother is diagnosed with cancer the summer of her eleventh year, Kate loses her faith that God has made the right call. Her summer poetry class and baseball -- along with straightforward scripture -- help Kate come to terms with tragedy and to learn that faith and doubt are not mutually exclusive.

TEEN SERIES

Teens love books in a series, and two new offerings from Zondervan allow grandmas to indulge the passion of their grandkids while feeling secure they've made a safe selection. Meaning, although these books are dark and suspenseful (what all teens love!), they won't delve too far into graphic violence or sex.

The Prophecy by Dawn Miller (Zondervan, softcover, $9.99), the first book of The Watchers Chronicles series, is a suspenseful thriller about five streetwise teenagers who band together in a battle between good and evil. The five become unlikely heroes in a war they never believed existed. The series -- written by award-winning filmmaker Miller -- has been optioned as feature films, so teens may want to start reading now to stay ahead of production.

In the Young Adult fantasy novel Starlighter by Bryan Davis (Zondervan, softcover, $9.99), first in the Dragons of Starlight series, humans are second-class citizens and dragons play top dog on the dragon planet called Starlight. A slave girl named Koren is captive on Starlight. Koren possesses a special gift that allows her to see things the dragons hoped to keep secret, including the mysterious black egg that could destroy all humankind. Together with Jason Masters, whose frantic search for his brother led to his discovery of Starlight, a rescue of the human slaves of the dragon world is staged.

Teens can find out more about both series and enter contests -- including an opportunity to win an 8GB iPod Touch -- at www.zondervan.com.