Kids' Home Library from Creators Syndicate

Animal Tales are New Again in These Recent Releases for 06/22/2009

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Animals have always starred in the most beloved children's books. That tradition continues with a new group of personable, quirky creature tales.

"Princess Pig" by Eileen Spinelli; illustrated by Tim Bowers; Knopf Delacorte Dell; 32 pages; $16.99.

For preschoolers who dream of being princesses comes this heartwarming and humorous tale of a pig with big dreams. The lively ...

Updated: Mon Jun 22, 2009

Keep Kids Busy with Entertaining Gift Items for 06/29/2009

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Some cool children's gifts can be found at bookstores. And I'm not just talking about books; some products are certainly based on beloved tales. These fabulously innovative items rock the socks off the usual doll/action figure/gift card selection.

"Creatures Floor Puzzles" from Andrew Zuckerman; Chronicle Books; $24.95.

Andrew Zuckerman's breathtakingly clear wildlife ph ...

Updated: Mon Jun 29, 2009

Lively Picture Books Bring Enjoyment to a Kid's Library for 07/06/2009

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Vibrant new picture books add go-to appeal to any young child's bookshelf. Need a fabulous gift that keeps on giving? These zesty tales add oomph, humor and kid-friendly fun.

"The Retired Kid" by Jon Agee; Hyperion Books for Children; 32 pages; $16.99.

Disgruntled kid Brian has had it with violin lessons, walking his dog and school. So, he decides to retire and flies off ...

Updated: Mon Jul 06, 2009

A Whole Zoo To Explore for 07/13/2009

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

These animal stars, including the very real "Christian the Lion," exhibit all the personality, humor and smarts as adults, with even more kid appeal.

"Christian the Lion," based on the best-selling true story by Anthony (Ace) Bourke and John Rendall; Henry Holt Books for Young Readers; 32 pages; $16.99.

Introduced to millions through the famous YouTube clip, Ch ...

Updated: Mon Jul 13, 2009

Get a Little Goofy While Getting Educated for 07/20/2009

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Fun, retro advice and informational guides for kids are flying off bookshelves. These tongue-in-cheek "how-to" books make great gifts for the mischief maker on your list.

"The Encyclopedia of Immaturity — Volume 2" by the editors of Klutz Publishing; 201 pages; $19.95.

Also called "How to Never Grow Up," this super fun guide to "immaturity& ...

Updated: Mon Jul 20, 2009

Grab a Child's Attention with These Instructive Stories for 07/27/2009

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Need a great child's gift that teaches a skill but is still entertaining? These new books and kits teach cooking, introduce buried treasure and hieroglyphs, and present a pair of popular characters from children's literature.

"The Playful Chef Cookbook" from Playful Life Inc.; 147 pages; $18.95.

The "Playful Chef Cookbook" is a welcome addition to the array of ...

Updated: Mon Jul 27, 2009

Keep Kids Busy with These Fun Summer Reads for 08/03/2009

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Before the onslaught of "reading, writing and 'rithmetic" heats up once again, treat your kids to some fun, lighthearted read-aloud tales. These new picture books are full of laughs and thrills.

"Pingo" by Brandon Mull; illustrated by Brandon Dorman; Shadow Mountain Publishing; 32 pages; $17.95.

It's not often when a picture book is both tear-inducing and funny ...

Updated: Mon Aug 03, 2009

Prepare for School with These Entertaining Educational Stories for 08/10/2009

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Back-to-school time means introducing young students to books that offer entertainment along with a bit of education. These new books bring these topics to the table: historical figures, the ageless ideas of da Vinci, author Louisa May Alcott and even some dinosaur-ready math.

"Famous Figures of Ancient Times" by Cathy Diez-Luckie; Figures in Motion; 96 pages; $19.95.

Ki ...

Updated: Mon Aug 10, 2009

Hip and Cool Music for Children to Enjoy this Summer Season for 08/17/2009

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Children's music today isn't lullabies only about sleeping ducks and fire engine clap-alongs. These super-smart CDs offer up some raucous, thoughtful and cool music — and even a few spooky tales.

"My Trampoline" by Peter Himmelman; Minivan Productions; $14.99.

Not your average children's music performer, Peter Himmelman was lauded by Rolling Stone magazine as being ...

Updated: Mon Aug 17, 2009

Funky New Animal Tales for Tots for 08/24/2009

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Animals have always starred in the most beloved children's books. That tradition continues with a new group of personable, quirky creature tales.

"Princess Pig" by Eileen Spinelli; illustrated by Tim Bowers; Knopf Delacorte Dell; 32 pages; $16.99.

For preschoolers who dream of being princesses comes this heartwarming and humorous tale of a pig with big dreams. The lively ...

Updated: Mon Aug 24, 2009

Books to Foster a Sense of Humor in Your Child for 08/31/2009

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Parenting magazines and websites have recently been praising the benefits of humor in children's lives. Helping kids foster their sense of humor gives them lifelong, healthy coping mechanisms to deal with stress, disappointment and peer pressure. Laughter, as they say, is the best medicine. These new books will bring on the guffaws.

"Chief Rhino to the Rescue" by Sam Lloyd; Hen ...

Updated: Mon Aug 31, 2009

Tales of Crows, Harvest Festivals, Apples Help Youngsters Segue into Autumn for 09/07/2009

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

There comes a time in early autumn when children's focuses and interests start to shift from swimming pools and backyard barbecues to school and fall leaves. These crisp new tales help make that transition a pleasant one.

"Crow Call" by Lois Lowry; illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline; Scholastic; 32 pages; $16.99.

Two-time Newbery Medalist Lois Lowry enters the picture-boo ...

Updated: Mon Sep 07, 2009

Nonfiction Books Can Make Learning Exciting for 09/14/2009

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

School has begun, and kids everywhere are busy learning ABCs and 123s. But books from libraries and bookstores can be just as educational as textbooks. These nonfiction books, and a fun new puzzle, help put some energy in learning.

"If America Were a Village" by David Smith; illustrated by Shelagh Armstrong; Kids Can Press; 32 pages; $18.95.

Smith — creator of the ...

Updated: Mon Sep 14, 2009

Halloween Books to Make Little Ones Howl for 09/21/2009

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

There's nothing like reading an autumn-themed picture book to get youngsters in the mood for Halloween. Starting with an ethereal scarecrow romp from the prolific Jane Yolen, this harvest full of tales puts everyone in the fall mood.

"The Scarecrow's Dance" by Jane Yolen; illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline; Simon & Schuster; 32 pages; $16.99.

One magical evening, a sc ...

Updated: Mon Sep 21, 2009

Inspirational True Tales of Environmental and Freedom Heroes for 09/28/2009

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Heroes come in all forms. In this showcase of inspiring people, there's not one ode to a sports or movie star. These real folks helped save the environment and America's freedom.

"Heroes of the Environment: True Stories of People Who are Helping to Protect our Planet" by Harriet Rohmer; illustrated by Julie McLaughlin; Chronicle Books; 107 pages; $16.99.

Presented with a ...

Updated: Mon Sep 28, 2009

New Books from Popular Series Should Capture Young Readers for 10/05/2009

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Kids love book series. From the days of "Nancy Drew," "The Hardy Boys" and the "Little House on the Prairie" books, young readers have clamored time and time again for new entries in favorite series. These are some of the newest.

"Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins; Scholastic Press; 400 pages; $17.99.

I knew this book was highly sought after ...

Updated: Mon Oct 05, 2009

Spooky and Fun Reads for the Young Trick-or-Treaters to Enjoy for 10/12/2009

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Halloween and children's books go hand in hand. Halloween is all about mystery, imagination, fun and humor. These are some of the traits found in the best of children's literature.

"Only a Witch Can Fly" by Alison McGhee; illustrated by Taeeun Yoo; Feiwel and Friends/Macmillan Publishing; 32 pages; $16.99.

Imagine being a young witch and being unable to fly. McGhee's sop ...

Updated: Mon Oct 12, 2009

Adventurous Books Captivate Tweens for 10/19/2009

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Kids, too, are tired of hearing of economic woes and downer-themed news. Help them sink their teeth into absorbing young-adult novels. These are five fantastic new books for older children and teens.

"The Lost Island of Tamarind" by Nadia Aguiar; Feiwel and Friends/Holtzbrinck Publishers; 448 pages; $17.95.

Part "Peter Pan," part "A Wrinkle in Time," ...

Updated: Mon Oct 19, 2009

Snow White Kicks off Fall's Crop of Worthy Children's Viewing for 10/26/2009

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0700

It's the time of the year when the weather turns cooler and kids want to dive into a good DVD. These new releases are perfect for cozy, curl-up-on-the-couch time. Prices vary from store to store.

"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" from Walt Disney Home Video

Disney opens the vault once again with "the one that started it all," "Snow White and the Seven Dwar ...

Updated: Mon Oct 26, 2009

Perhaps Bog Babies and Superhero Cats Really Do Exist for 11/02/2009

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Picture books can transport readers to lovely locales with fairy tale-like stories. These new storybooks will capture the short attention spans of youngsters and leave them with imaginative stories to retell.

"The Bog Baby" by Jeanne Willis and Gwen Millward; Schwartz and Wade/Random House; 32 pages; $16.99.

Two young sisters venture out to go fishing in a pond and find ...

Updated: Mon Nov 02, 2009