Read on for more great last minute gifts for youngsters, from books with special effects to family-friendly movie options to an extra sturdy DVD player to play them on.

"Take Me Back" from DK Publishing; 304 pages; $24.99.

This "trip through history from the Stone Age to the digital age" is an all-encompassing, modern reference book from the creators of the popular "Pick Me Up" and "Do Not Open" books. Making certain to concoct a history book sure to be exciting, irreverent and even blog-worthy, DK's editors succeed with a look that's cool as well as information that's timely and kid-friendly.

A fun and educational trip from "How It All Started" to "Captain Cook's Blog," "Race to the Poles," "A New Africa" and even "Loony Leaders," this hefty and architecturally stimulating tour would make a rainy Sunday afternoon fly by for any child ages 8 and up.

"Hannah Montana: What'cha Think?" "High School Musical: What'cha Think?" "High School Musical: Secret Journals" and "Camp Rock: Musical Memories" all from Disney and Reader's Digest, $17.99 to $24.99.

Reader's Digest's new line of interactive books based on Disney's popular tween stars from "Hannah Montana," "High School Musical" and "Camp Rock" are stylishly gift-friendly. The two "What'cha Think?" books feature handheld "texting" devices so kids can push buttons and get messages from Hannah and her friends and the teens from "High School Musical."

The book on "Camp Rock" is actually two books in one: "a rockin' journal and summer secrets blog," and a flashlight pen for writing at night. The "High School Musical: Secret Journals" also includes two books and a special working pen with a light that reveals secret messages.

"In the Town All Year 'Round" by Rotraut Susanne Berner; Chronicle Books; 64 pages; $16.99.

A sort of "Where's Waldo?" for the younger set, this grand, colorful, detailed "searching" book follows a bevy of townspeople as they go about their business in a town, throughout the year. The whimsical characters range from a brother and sister who have to go to the dentist but first catch their pet parrot, to a mysterious motorcyclist to a cat who travels throughout the town to a woman who oversleeps and misses her bus.

Kids begin in wintertime, observing the wordless relationships between the characters as they search to spot particular actions and behaviors. Certain to entice hours of closely detailed entertainment, Berner's big book is certainly gift fodder.

KIDBITS

Disney Studios' "High School Musical DVD Game" and "The Hannah Montana DVD Game," both $29.99, only need a DVD player and remote control to play — each offer 11 interactive games, music and fun.

Also from Disney and Pixar, the fabulously original film "Wall-E," about a lovable robot with lots of heart and humor. It includes unique new extras and a new animated short film about another robot named "Burn-E."

DreamWorks' "Kung-Fu Panda" appeals to kids of all ages, and stars Jack Black as the heroic and beloved panda Po. This DVD also features an extra companion DVD story called "Secrets of the Furious Five," for under $25.

Need a portable, indestructible DVD player so your youngster can view "Wall-E" and "Kung Fu Panda"? Fisher-Price's Kid Tough DVD player is built to survive drop, after drop, after drop, with anti-skip protection, a color LCD screen and stereo sound. It also includes a rechargeable battery and charger, and retails for about $130. Girl and boy players are available; each comes with bonus DVDs and can plug into a TV for big screen viewing.

Fisher-Price's companion Kid Tough digital camera is now waterproof and simple enough for 3-year-olds to use — has a two-eye viewing feature, big buttons and sturdy dual handgrips. Preschoolers can even drop the camera down the stairs or in the bathtub, and it will still take pictures.

Clean action play exists in the video game world. From Jeep, the new "Jeep Thrills" game for PlayStation 2 and other game systems is appropriate for all ages. It is a racing game with 18 different Jeep vehicles and 35 tracks from jungles in Costa Rica to frozen tundra in Alaska.

To find out more about Lee Littlewood and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.