Gift Ideas for the 3-8 Crowd

My friends and family are of an age that I have a substantial portion of my gift list that is in the 3-10 range, and I am loathe to get them faddish toys (unless, of course, they make lots of noise and will drive the parents nuts--I do have an evil streak that leans that way, lol). Generally, I try for books that will make an impression, because the love of books will be a forever thing.


Bad Dog Marley (http://www.tatteredcover.com/book/9780061171147) was a HUGE hit last year, so this year the Marley fans are getting Marley Goes To School
(http://www.tatteredcover.com/book/9780061561511)
Of course it's funny--John Grogan has a talent for that, even for the kiddies, and the illustrations by Richard Cowdrey, are lots of fun.

Staying in the doggie vein, I really like The Dog Who Loved Tortillas (http://www.tatteredcover.com/book/9781933693545) because it talks about getting along with siblings, taking responsibility, and is written bilingually. Plus the claymation illustrations are sooooooo cute!

I've got a HUGE car fan on my list, so I was extremely pleased to
stumble upon Jon Scieszka's Trucktown Truckery Rhymes
(http://www.tatteredcover.com/book/9781416941354). These are all
redone nursery rhymes and familiar kids songs with a hilarious truck
theme (Pop Goes The Diesel, Wrecker Rosie Sat On A Wall, etc), and the
illustrations are adorable.
Because my car fan is also a budding artist, I got her the
Trucktown Fun At the Junkyard coloring/activity/sticker book too
(http://www.tatteredcover.com/book/9781416941989).


Anyone who has spent any time whatsoever around me this past year
knows that I fell HARD for Judy Schachner's Skippyjon Jones
(http://www.tatteredcover.com/book/9780525471349), the Siamese
kittenboy who likes to pretend that he is the superhero Chihuahua
Skippito who has amazing and daring adventures. Often with a song or
few involved. These books are hilarious, so I've got several under
the tree this year:
Skippyjon Jones and the Big Bones
(http://www.tatteredcover.com/book/9780525478843)


Skippyjon Jones In The Doghouse
(http://www.tatteredcover.com/book/9780525472971),
Skippyjon Jones in Mummy Trouble
(http://www.tatteredcover.com/book/9780525477549), all of which come with bonus CDs.
I also snagged Skippyjon Jones A Surprise for Mama
(http://www.tatteredcover.com/book/9780448448169), his first stickerstorybook (and what kid doesn't love stickers, eh?). There are SEVERAL more Skippyjon themed books on our shelves for wee little tots on up-- "Aunty Claus" just couldn't afford to get them ALL this year! lol!

Stay tuned--I've got more book ideas for the kid in all of us!

Ho ho ho!

Jackie