Gift Guide2008
From toys that stand the test of time to board games that are anything but boring, we found the best products for each grade that will build your child's brain as well as being chock full of fun. Our list of loot is kid-tested, teacher approved, and full of options for any family, so get wrappin'!
The Mousehunter
Emiline dreams of becoming a famous mousehunter. One day fate intervenes, when she's given the chance to hunt down the infamous pirate Mousebeard. What follows is a high sea adventure full of mythical creatures, double-crossing pirates, and of course, incredibly interesting mice!
The Cabinet of Wonders
When Mikal Kronos is hired by the prince of Bohemia to build the world's most amazing astronomical clock, it seems that fame and fortune will follow...until he comes home blind. Can his daughter help? A breakneck fantasy novel with a strong female lead is hard to find. Don't let this one pass you ...
Tamar
Layered, exciting, and packed with secrets that unravel one by one, this award-winning book is the tale of two Allied spies who parachute into Nazi-occupied Holland during the winter of 1944, to help organize the Dutch Resistance movement.
Bobo and the New Neighbor
Bobo tries his best to be a good dog. He walks himself. He welcomes the mailman (even if he does knock him down sometimes with his enthusiasm). He shares his food. So when a new neighbor moves next door, he's determined to make her feel welcome.
How to Be an Explorer of the World: Portable Life Museum
Think of this less as a book and more as a guide to individuality, creativity, self-expression, and positive thinking. This tome teaches that everything around us--from coffee cup rings on notebooks to a crumpled up leaf--is the stuff of great art, and merits closer observation and analysis.
Theodosia and the Staff of Osiris
Is she like Nancy Drew? A pint-sized version of Indiana Jones? A female Harry Potter? When the first book in this series hit the shelves earlier this year, critics couldn't decide. But they did agree on one thing...they loved her! This winter, Theodosia is back, and she's just as clever as ever.
Spill and Spell
This letter game works like a movable crossword puzzle, with players all scouting for letters to join together into words. The tiles are in a "face-up" pool for all to see. When a player spots a word sitting in the pool, he scoops its letters out and lines them up.
Toy Dance Party
This early chapter book is a delightful look into the secret lives of playthings. Lumphy the buffalo, Stingray the stuffed stingray and Plastic the bouncy ball will capture your child's heart, and their silly antics will have your whole family laughing. Great as a read-aloud or a read-alone.
Hush Little Dragon
This story traces a mama dragon's quest to find a tasty bedtime snack for her sleepless little dragon. The progression of princesses, knights, magicians, and others that get dropped on his plate, only to run away, is sure to bring on a set of the giggles, and the ending a big satisfied yawn.
Pretty Darn Quick
Do you think you're QUiCk? How's your VocaBuLary? The Pretty Darn Quick Word Game will help you find out! This game is fun and educational, so challenge your child to a round and prepare for major laughs, and a chance to strengthen vocabulary skills along the way.
The Penderwicks on Gardam Street
The Penderwick sisters are back! The new installment, fresh on the heels of the National Book Award winner "The Penderwicks", resumes the story of Rosalind, Skye, and Jane, with the addition of new little sis, Batty. A sure bet for family read-alouds and individual page-turning alike.
Educated Kid
This indie band of three hails from the Bay area, and while they aren't a household name (yet!), we're betting it won't be long. Handpicked to grace the kids' stage at Lollapalooza, it's no surprise that they've got a hip-factor that will keep parents rocking out along with their kids.
The Other Side of the Island
Honor and her family live on Island 365, where the sky is covered by a rigid enclosure that regulates the weather, and the population is governed by a mysterious ruler and her Corporation. Like 1984 for the modern teenage set, this chilling look at a possible future reads like a rocket.
The 39 Clues: The Maze of Bones
Meet orphans Amy and Dan Cahill, two kids competing against other members of the powerful Cahill clan to discover the first of 39 clues. Why so interested? No biggie-- the clues just lead to a secret that will make them the most powerful people on the planet.
Triskellion
This is a riveting tale of two twin teenagers who, following their parents divorce, are sent to stay with their grandmother in a small English village. Sounds boring, until Rachel and Adam discover a legacy that foretold their coming... over three thousand years ago!
A Practical Guide to Dragon Riding
A follow up to the runaway hit, "A Practical Guide to Dragons", this delightful tome details everything your child needs to know in order to find, train, and raise a dragon, including in-depth directions for diet and exercise. Enter a fantastical world and set your child's imagination soaring!
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