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Books in Boxes
to Delight the Reader
By Holly E. Newton
The year 2008 brings new celebrations, new birthdays,
new holidays and many more books to read! Boxed sets enable the
reader to continue reading and enjoying more books from the same
author. Here is a list of some outstanding books packaged together
for those kids on your list that will be celebrating upcoming special
days!
One of my favorite books that I read when I was much younger is
Over Sea Under Stone, by Susan Cooper. This book simply
captivated my imagination. However, I didn’t realize at the
time that this was the first of five books in her award-winning
series, The Dark Is Rising.
This first book is written as a mystery
but surprisingly concludes with magic. The second book, The
Dark is Rising, was awarded the Newbery Medal. The
third book, Greenwitch, has the same three
siblings returning to Cornwall as they learn that the grail has
been stolen. The fourth book, The Grey King,
won the Newbery Medal and the last book, Silver on the
Tree, closes this imaginative and wonderfully written
Welsh series winning the powers against the Dark. This series is
for ages 11 through adult.
Click to Buy
The next four sets of books are perfect for ages 8 and up. The
Complete Alice, written by Lewis Carroll, and gloriously
illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, is the two-book set about a young
girl who sets out on an adventure meeting the most extraordinary
and life-like characters. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
and Alice Through the Looking-Glass were first written
back in the 1800’s and were out of print for many years. This
beautiful version is to be relished because not only does Mr. Carroll
have an eloquent gift for storytelling, but Oxenbury brings the
stories to life with her elegant paintings. Do not rely on Disney’s
animated cartoon to tell the tale. This
story is no exception to the fact that the book is always much,
much better! Here is a perfect read-aloud. Adults will enjoy these
books as well!
I began my life-long love of mysteries
while reading “Nancy Drew” books. Nancy
Drew Pocketbook Mysteries, by Carolyn Keene, has her
first two books, The Secret of the Old Clock and The Hidden
Staircase, included, which are my top favorites from my childhood.
They read as well today as back when I read them. The mysteries
are hard to figure out because Keene expertly placed red herrings
all along the way. Both books are also cleverly packaged in a case
that functions as a purse.
Click to Buy
 Judy
Blume’s Fudge Box Set has all five of her fun
and funny books that made this author famous with kids all over.
The set includes Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, SuperFudge
and Fudge-a-Mania. The antics of 12-year-old Peter and his
4-year-old brother, Fudge, and their entanglement and engaging frolics
with other family members and friends are hilarious and great fun
to read!
Click to Buy
 Here’s
a tiny boxed set that you could place in your pocket to read wherever
and whenever! Dragonology: Pocket Adventures,
by Ernest Drake, and with pencil etchings throughout by Helen Ward,
Douglas Carrel and Nicholas Lenn. The four small books are filled
with detailed maps, drawings and exciting quests that involve the
reader to make choices dealing with the onslaught of dangerous dragons.
The next two boxed sets are geared for ages 6 to 10.
The Judy Moody Totally Awesome Collection, written
by Megan McDonald, and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds, is another
hilarious series of popular books about third grade Judy and her
relationships and funny reactions to her younger siblings, classmates
and pets. This set includes Judy Moody Saves the World!, Judy
Moody Gets Famous and Judy Moody Declares Independence.
Encyclopedia Brown, Boy
Detective (Encyclopedia Brown Series #1), written
by Donald J. Sobol, and illustrated by Leonard Shortall, is the
perfect quick read for the reluctant reader as the stories are short,
but full of intrigue as smart Leroy Brown solves mysteries around
his neighborhood. Included in the four books is Encyclopedia
Brown Finds the Clues.
Click to Buy
The next two sets are geared for new chapter book readers.
Mercy Watson: Three-Treat Collection, by Kate DiCamillo,
and colorfully illustrated by Chris Van Dusen, has to be one of
the most delightful series of books for new readers! This funny,
and fun-loving, pig has extraordinary adventures that are not to
be missed! The three books in this set includes Mercy Watson
to the Rescue.
Rainbow Magic Boxed Set
Books 1-7, written and illustrated by Daisy Meadows,
is another quick read about Fairyland and the seven colorful sisters.
Each thin book is about one of these delightful fairies.
And the last boxed set is for the toddler. All around
Us, written and illustrated by Eric Carle, has the
author’s signature award-winning art throughout these three
board books. The beautifully bright books deal with what the toddler
is most aware of — the sky, the earth and the sea.
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© 2007
Meridian Magazine. All Rights Reserved.
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