Best Reading Gifts for Spring

Easter baskets and spring birthdays tempt parents and grandparents to splurge on short-lived toys, candy and electronic gadgets. How do you make your gift stand out and increase quality of life for children around you? Little children grow up with fond memories of their favorite books and those who gave those treasures. Take a look at some of this year's best fair-weather volumes from around the world for.

When Mum Was Little, USA (written and illustrated by Mini Goss) 2008.) The illustrations are marvelous - colorful and crisp - with life-like expressions on characters' faces. Here's a story of life in the "goodle" days when bells, beads and psychedelic paisley were in grandma's repertoire and mom was a little girl. If the 60s or 70s were part of your life, you'll be blown away by sharing this funny little story, filled with huge hairdos, flower power and how people lived before there were Happy Meals. $15.95.

Minji's Salon, South Korea (written and illustrated by Eun-hee Choung), 2008. this is a perfect classroom title, in two languages. As artistic as it is charming, Minji is available in Spanish and in English. Minji, thinking of the salon her mom goes to for beautiful hair, puts her pets through an amazing, amusing series of beauty treatments, sure to try the patience of the most loyal pooch. Author Eun-hee Choung was recognized as winner of the Korean Published Art Contest for her work in unique art books for children. $15.95 (hardcover, English), $7.95 (softcover, Spanish).

Duck in the Truck, England (written and illustrated by Jez Alborough) 2008. The writing, in simple, but not corny rhyme with wonderful rhythm, will bring Dr. Seuss to mind, and the illustrations are original, bright and comical. A chubby duck, seen before in other Alborough titles, is faced this time with the travail of a truck mired in muck. Isn't muck one of children's favorite things? The writing is clear and peppy - the book has a great look and feel to it. Simple enough for intermediate early readers to work through. $7.95

In Front of the Ant, Japan (by Ryuichi Kuwahara, photography by Satoshi Kuribayashi) 2008. Drawn illustrations can be lovely, but there is something magnificent about good photography in children's books. Here's a view of the insect world, close up and personal, with fascinating facts to accompany. Brilliantly colored with deep saturation and nice detail. One or two of the images could have been crsiper or sharper, but the overall effect is appealing. A good addition to the classroom setting for primary science students. $8.95

Yellow Umbrella, South Korea (By Jae Soo Liu - music by Dong Il Sheen) 2002. This is a CD/book combo. The gorgeous watercolor images of umbrellas in rainy weather could stand alone, but the duo is wonderful, especially for group story or activity time. Each page looks like framable art - something children don't get enough of. A tone on the CD tells you when to turn pages, adding another layer of interest. Kids can do it themselves. Parents' Magazine Book of the Year, also a winner of The NY Times Best Illustrated Book. Settle in for quiet, soothing time to enjoy audio and video art with your favorite child. Sheen's music has been featured both in Korea, and, in New York, at Carnegie Hall. $19.95

Yellow Umbrella for children

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