When Tara Lazar asked me to participate in a Top 3 post over on her (fabulous and well-read) blog, I obviously jumped at the chance. Recommend books? ME?! Why, I'd be happy to...

but then the reality of what I'd offered to do set in. Only three??? What is she, nuts? There were so many good picture books published this year it was so hard to choose!

I could have spent HOURS coming up with my list, hemming and hawing, making lists of pros and cons. I'm sort-of obsessive about picture books, y'know...

However, I am completely snowed under this year right about now (both literally and figuratively) so I thought for a few minutes and went with my gut. It actually wasn't as hard as I thought- especially after I ignored Tara's directions and kinda picked six instead :)

My basic Top 3:


And my 3 "Honor" Books:


Excellent books, all. And I should say that they are my favorites rightnow, but hey, there are still nine days left in 2009 and I've got a bag full of library books to read yet...

In any case, you should scurry on over to Tara's blog and see the whole post, as there are several other (wonderful) author's picks as well. I haven't read a few of them so I'm going to get right on that... as soon as this Christmas thing is over...

Happy Holidays everyone!!

:)

Sorry, I can't blog right now- I have to go to the bookstore and pre-order this book. Um, RIGHT NOW. As in, please stop reading, I don't mean to be rude, but I really *must* get this book and the sooner I pre-order it, the sooner I will have it in my hot little hands, right...?



This is, of course, the author/illustrator team who brought us this gorgeous book last year:



Is it New Year's Day yet? Who needs Christmas with something like this book to look forward to in January?

:)

FULL of interesting stuff about everything to do with words, this book explores the origins of language, the use of punctuation, the fun of anagrams and palindromes and pig latin, and every other word-related wonder you can think of.

For instance, I learned where the words "stereotype" and "cliche" came from and how they're related. In 18th Century France, when metal printing plates were used, a stereotype was a fixed printing plate- a quick, cheap way to print something oft-repeated. Cliche (which means "clicked") was the sound the plate made in the press and often stood for the plate itself as well. Unfortunately, the print quality of these metal plates was weaker than that produced by the regular printing blocks, so the words stereotype and cliche came to stand for writing and ideas that were weaker copies of fresh, original ideas. Cool, huh?? I think I learned something new on every page in this book!


A fun, dictionary-style compilation of "quirky words for clever tongues", this book will indubitably make you want to use fabulous words like hooliganism and persnickety and derring-do in your next magnum opus. It's also filled with quotes and lists and funky illustrations. A must-have on the bookshelf.


Word nerds love to rhyme- we do it all the time (ha- we can't help it!) and nothing is more useful or just plain old fun-to-peruse than a rhyming dictionary. I get tons of writing ideas every time I open one of mine (I have, um, many) and this is a unique one with writing-in-rhyme tips and hints mixed in.



You won't hear me saying this about many celebrity children's books, but Jamie Lee Curtis' books are good and are all about the fun of childhood with perfectly-matched illustrations- this one included.


This is one of a series of books and they are all good. The author uses cookies, sort-of, to explain concepts that might be difficult for kids to understand. The concepts are usually single words (thus my inclusion on this list) and the way she conveys the meanings is simply charming. An elegant, very meaningful gift.


I believe it is quite possible to over-do Fancy Nancy, but for the little girl who adores her (or simply anything over-the-top girly), this book is a nice compromise and will indeed introduce many fancy, fun new words to her vocabulary.


There is a reason Richard Scarry endures and I consider this to be one of the finest contributions to the world of words. Any book that can make a toddler boy sit, entranced, for literally hours is worth its weight in gold (cliche and all!). Seriously.

Now, hie thee to a bookseller, local of course, and spread some Word Love this Christmas.

:)

p.s. These are just some quick favorites of mine, but I know there are more books out there for word-lovers. If you have a favorite I didn't mention, share in the comments. I truly *need* to own all the books like these in the world!

and so is the gift-giving season. What to give.... what to give....

Surprisingly, I advocate giving books :)

MotherReader's 105 Ways To Give A Book blog post is a GREAT place to start. Last year (you might recall) I spent a *ridiculous* amount of time coming up with fabulous ways-to-give-a-book like Pam does. It was so much fun to do! But I'm going to restrain myself this year (because I am wayyyyyyy short on time) and simply direct you to her blog.

I'll note happily that she included MY book on her list this year and I'm tickled to be there- thanks, Pam! Hush, Little Dragon is in some EXCELLENT company on the list- please check it out.

Give a book this holiday season. Give many books this holiday season.

I will :)