Birthday Blues? What to give the child who has everything!

Books, I say! Books!
You can't go wrong with books. They're fun. They're educational. And, if used correctly, can even subtly nudge that certain someone into using good manners the next time they're at your house for a play date.

We've tested and kid-approved [and mom, too!] the following list of fun, engaging, thoughtful, educational, best-all-around books:

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	Time to Say Please Mo Willems Let's face it: Toddlers don't want to go to bed. Neither does the very stubborn insomniac pigeon who stars in this adorable picture book. Any reader who has ever bargained for "just one more video" before bedtime can identify with the sly hero of this funny interactive story.
	Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! Mo Willems As a companion book to the popular Time to Pee!, Mo Willems has created a book on manners in his own signature style. Groups of ebullient mice narrate this humorous text as young children try in vain to get what they want, learning along the way that it is helpful to say "Please," "Thank you," "Excuse me," and "I’m sorry." Oh, and you have to mean it, too.
	Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type Doreen Cronin, Betsy Lewin (Illustrator) This innovative and smart story introduces children to the concept of bargaining and compromise. Using the tools at their disposal, the cows worked hard for their basic needs. Skills and smarts add up to a successful outcome. Another concept explored here is the basic rights of individuals. In understated but clear terms, young readers are led to question Farmer Brown's authority and inherent right to the milk and eggs. Sound a little serious for a kids book? Take another look. The fabulous watercolors and crisp text of the typewritten notes will woo young readers. And the hilarious ingenuity of the courageous cows and hens will inspire and amuse.
	Diary of a Worm Doreen Cronin, Harry Bliss (Illustrator) From March to August, the baseball cap–wearing worm records his thoughts and feelings about friends, family, digging, and eating. Armed with his mom's sage advice ("Never bother Daddy when he's eating the newspaper" is one of the most important) and a fairly positive attitude about life, the "underground dweller" gets a kick out of scaring girls on the playground, hanging out with friends (literally, hanging out with Spider), cutting the rug at school dances (getting farther than "put your head in" during the hokey-pokey is impossible), and other school-worm activities. Of course, a worm's life isn't all fun and games, especially since worms can't chew gum or have a dog, but they never have to go to the dentist or take baths! And while the little worm says life is tough because sometimes people forget worms exist, dear old Mom reminds him that "the earth never forgets we're here."

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To make your gift even more personal, include a set of personalized book plates available at Anna Bella Baby Online Stationers. Bookplates are smart little stickers that fit on the inside cover or the first page of a book and proudly display the child's name and ownership of the book: This book belongs to [insert child's name]. What child doesn't love that! And moms, they have bookplates for you, too!

Books above can be found at your favorite local bookstore and online at:
www.amazon.com
www.barnesandnoble.com
www.borders.com

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Post and images provided by the folks at Anna Bella Stationery