M E R I D I A N     M A G A Z I N E

Last-Minute Gift Books for Kids
By Holly E. Newton

Are you looking for a last-minute gift?  Publishers have some wonderfully packaged books that will make great presents. The first three below are perfect gifts for all ages.

The Mickey Mouse Treasures, by Robert Tieman, is a beautiful, enlarged book full of the history of Mickey.  The illustrations are rich and on every page, including removable art and mementoes throughout.  For the fan of this little mouse, young or old, this superb gift will be cherished forever! 

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The Spatulatta Cookbook, by Isabella and Olivia Gerasole, is the perfect book for the cook or cooks in the family.  Here is a kid-friendly, hands-on, recipe book by these young sisters who demonstrate with easy directions and yummy food.  The photos found throughout are also very helpful and enticing.  

Ecocrafts Gorgeous Gift: Recycle Materials to Make Cool Stuff, by Rebecca Craig, is a perfect book for the homemade gift.  There are directions for making brightly colored bracelets, sock puppets and stained-glass windows.  Kingfisher has also recently published Dream Bedroom to help you use recycled materials for your special room.

The next five books are geared for youngsters ages 3 through 7. Corduroy’s ABC, based on the character created by Don Freeman, and illustrated by Lisa McCue, is a board book with a felt board and felt pieces that go along with the story. Corduroy, the cute little furry bear, is learning about the alphabet in the story and the felt figures go right along.  What a great gift for the young family member learning letters!  

And while we’re talking about adventures, Journey to the Moon: Lunar Explorer, by Lucio and Meera Santoro, is now pushing the limit of pop-ups.  I thought I’d seen the very best of paper engineering until I saw this book.  The Santoros have reinvented new extraordinary ways to demonstrate traveling, which include airplanes, ships and ultimately flying to the moon.  This book will amaze you!  

I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato Pop-Up!, by Lauren Child, with paper engineering by Corina Fletcher, is the perfect book for that picky eater.  Lola’s brother, Charlie, creatively helps encourage and entice Lola to eat all of the food that she doesn’t think she wants.  The story is endearing, but the pop-ups are amazing!  

Can You See What I See?  Dream Machine:  Picture Puzzles to Search and Solve, written and illustrated by Walter Wick, is loaded with surprises perfect for ages 4 through 10.  Wick takes you on a trip through unbelievable pictures as you try to locate parts of a treasure.  This book is sure to become a favorite pastime!

Angelina’s Invitation to the Ballet, by Katharine, and illustrated by Helen Craig, is a unique tale about who Angelina will take to the ballet.  You learn all about who she’s taking as you pull out letters, tickets and posters.  Perfect for that young ballerina!

The rest of the books are perfect for kids ages 7 through adult.  Explorer:  A Daring Guide for Young Adventurers, by Sir Henry Hardcastle, and illustrated by Alistair Gram and Milivoj Ceran,  is full of explorations from all ends of the world.  If your young explorer likes discovery, this book, that’s full of fold outs, envelopes and pop-ups, might be just the beginning of many explorations.  Mythology, by Lady Hestia Evans, and illustrated by Nick Harris and Nicki Palin, is a very artistic and imaginative look at the Greek Gods.  The book is packaged with maps, pull-outs, small envelopes and pamphlets.  This book begs to be read by ages 9 through adult. 

The Time Traveler’s Journal, by Ed Massessa, and illustrated by Daniel Jankowski, will take you on a journey back in time.  The time traveler was born in 1902, but there is no evidence of her.  Here is a creatively packaged book full of small booklets and letters and even a pocket watch.  You’ll travel back with the traveler and learn history in the making. 

How to Find Flower Fairies, by Cicely Mary Barker, is a delightful pop-up book that is over-sized and full of foliage with those little pixies peeking out at the turn of every page.  If your child likes fairies, this book is sure to please! 

For all of the Spiderwick fans, The Chronicles of Spiderwick:  A Grand Tour of the Enchanted World Navigated by Thimbletack, by Tony DiTerlizi and Holly Black, will be guided by the caretaker of the mansion.  Thumbletack will help you learn the history of this fascinating and exciting fantasy series as you read through his journal entries.  The enlarged pages are filled with interesting foldouts and letters waiting to be read. 

If you’ve not read a “Spiderwick” book, this oversized edition will motivate you to pick one up as soon as you are able! 

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And, while we're on the subject of fantasy, Wizardology: The Book of Secrets of Merlin, by Anne Yvonne Gilbert and Dugald Steer, and illustrated by John Howe, is another oversized book that's full of spell-bound and magical text that will enchant the reader.  There are pull-outs, maps and more as you can try to decode the secret messages found in this imaginative book!  The Wizardology Handbook:  A Course for Apprentices, also by Gilbert and Steer, with illustrations by John Howe, is small-sized and brings out many fascinating features of "Wizardology."

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Are you looking for a book that can become the subject of the storyline?  Pirateology:  Guidebook and Model Set, by Captain William Lubber and Dugald A. Steer, with illustrations by Helen Ward, Ian Andrew and Anne Yvonne Gilbert, will take you by the rudder and sail to the ocean blue.  Here is a journal of a pirate that’s full of adventure and excitement.  There’s also the model of the ship that can easily be assembled.  Here’s one great combination that’s just waiting to be discovered for the sailor and even the land locked lover! 

Pirates Most Wanted, by John Matthews, is a fact-based book about 13 of the most treacherous pirates to sail the high seas. 

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Dragonology Field Guide to Dragons, by Ernest Drake and  Dugald A. Steer, is an anthology about 19 different dragons.  And also included are small replicas for you to build of each of the dragons.  This book is great fun! 

Princess Alyss of Wonderland, by Frank Beddor, and illustrated by Catia Chein, is a different take on Alice in Wonderlandin this version large book.  But this Alyss was a real princess according to her journal as you read all about her adventures in her world of imagination.  Captivating!

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