by Eileen Spinelli and illustrated by Megan Lloyd is a great book to read at Thanksgiving that is not your typical Thanksgiving story. This is not a history lesson but it shares a lesson just the same. I love this book because it shows that there is more to Thanksgiving than eating turkey and stuffing. It is about getting together with family and enjoying each others company. It is a fun story that has been re illustrated from it's original format so instead of a human family they are now wolves. This doesn't take away from the message or the fact that it is a funny story, it just makes it more universal. This is a great book to read before everyone sits down to eat.....hopefully what happens to their turkey doesn't happen to yours.
by Bob Crelin from Sky Publishing. What I liked about this book was the environmental aspect of the book. Plus it is really pretty.
by H.A. Rey which is the classic night sky book by the author of Curious George. It has been updated so the information is more current . 
by Ann Love and illustrated by Heather Collins from Kids Can Press is meant for an older child but is great to read to younger children too. I like that it is not just a book of the constellations but has legends and myths about the sky and lots of great activities. This is a perfect book for a family with different age ranges as there is something for everyone.
Book by Kathi Wagner from Adams Media is also a great reference book to have in the house. I have always liked this series of books. 
by Jacqueline Mitton and illustrated by Christina Balit from National Geographic is beautifully illustrated book that points out the animal constellations in the sky. 
by Paul B. Janeczko is one such book. I have always loved mystery stories and history so this book fits right into what I love to read. This is a great book because it teaches history in an interesting way. It has well known spies throughout history like Benedict Arnold and Mata Hari but it also tells of some unknowns which are equally fascinating. It really is a companion piece to Mr Janeczo's previous book 
, which I also would have loved as a child. I have always been a fan of Paul B. Janeczko, as I was a children's poetry book buyer for many years. His poems are very accessible to children. The Dark Game is a perfect gift for an older child....it says it is for grades 6-8 but I know there are younger kids who will appreciate it. Heck I know lots of adults who might like it too!
is a great gift for any child who might not like to read story books or fiction. I know we always want our kids to be readers but sometimes that means reading anything. I try not to discourage a child if they want to read something. These kinds of fact books are great for reluctant readers or just any curious child you may know. 
by Elise Primavera is really a sweet and funny book about a little girl who develops a 12 step program for herself to stop thumb sucking. It really is quite clever because this is the kind of book that adults can enjoy along with their kids. I love the fact that our protagonist makes the decision on her own to stop sucking her thumb. She listens to all those around her but ultimately decides by herself what is best for her. A really great strong character that kids can relate to. ( To all the parents out there worried that your child won't stop sucking their thumb....don't worry I am 99% sure they will stop before college!)
by Rose A. Lewis and beautifully illustrated by Jane Dyer is a wonderful book about the joy of adoption. The cover is so perfect.....friends of mine also adopted from China and this book reminds me of their little girls. It is a hard journey to make but one that has a wonderful ending. There are so many different kinds of adoption stories, what I liked about this one is that it is based on the author's own experience. I am also a huge Jane Dyer fan and find her illustrations very warm and inviting. This is a great book to just read to any child, not just children who were adopted. It is really just a very sweet story of a mother's love for her child.
by Susan Magsamen which is published by National Geographic is the perfect book to help families celebrate National Family Literacy Day. This is a day where family's are supposed to shut off the TV and read together. National Geographic always surprises me with what they publish. This is a beautiful book, I love the the cover illustration, that families can read and use for years. Not only are there stories and poems but a host of activities for parents and children to do together. It is great as a new parent gift but also great for families with different aged children. I would even give it to a new grandparent as well. So everyone turn off the TV and read together....it can be fun!
