Azalea Street Records, 2008; $15; www.daniellesansone.com; for all ages. Be sure to give this exquisite artist your attention as you seek music that will fill that special end-of-day time. Sansone has a wonderfully intimate voice, accompanied here by acoustic guitar with symphonic touches. Originally written for her two daughters, these songs will make a lovely goodnight kiss for your children as well.

Family Fun!

The Encyclopedia of Immaturity, Volume 2, by the Editors of Klutz; Klutz; 2009; $19.95; www.klutz.com. 

Kids just need to be silly sometimes, so here are 115 ways to get that goofy feeling, illustrated with photos and drawings. The book contains literally hours of prankish fun: How to Make Rude Noises Three Ways, How to Make a Sticky Note Paper Airplane, How to Hypnotize a Hot Dog, The World’s Greatest No-Practice Card Trick – not to mention How to Take Off Your Underpants (without taking off your pants)! This book is a sure bet for sleepovers, sharing with grandparents or even solo amusement.
 

Judge's Top Pick! 

Tag Reading System and the Little Engine That Could, LeapFrog Enterprises, 2008; $49.99 (Tag Reading System) and $13.99 (Tag-enabled book); www.leapfrog.com; for ages 4 to 7. The latest evolution of Leapfrog’s learn-to-read products is the Tag, a “fat pen” that brings audio interactivity to specially printed books via dot-enabled technology. Wherever the child touches the page, characters talk or the printed words or story are read aloud, complete with sound effects. Tag audio can be downloaded from the Web via the Leapfrog Connect Application and loaded onto the “reader.” Early Tag library offerings include classics such as The Little Engine That Could and Olivia, plus Activity Storybooks that feature popular characters. Parents can follow their children’s learning progress online by connecting the Tag reader to their computer to see which skills, stories and activities their child has engaged.

 

More winners from LeapFrog include:

The Bite of the Mango, by Mariatu Kamara with Susan McClelland; Annick Press, 2008, $12.95 (paper); www.annickpress.com. 

Mariatu Kamara grew up in a small rural village in Sierra Leone. Army rebels attacked a nearby village and brutally cut off 12-year-old Mariatu’s hands. She survived and began her journey from being a victim in her African home to becoming a peace advocate and UNICEF Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict. Both horrifying and inspiring, Mariatu’s memoir tells an unforgettable story of courage, resilience and hope. Learn more about Mariatu and her current work at www.mariatufoundation.com.

Susan McClelland, who helped Mariatu write her story, is an international recognized magazine journalist and the recipient of the 2005 Amnesty International Media Award. For more information about McClelland, visit her Web site at www.susanmcclelland.com.
 

There’s A Train, Bill Currier, We Kids Rock, 2009; $9.99; www.wekidsrock.com; up to age 5.

This album downright rocks! The songs are hip and Currier’s smoky voice sounds great on the tunes. The sound is straight ahead rock mixed with folk – a combination that begs for listener participation and gets the little ones up and dancing. Even Mom and Dad will appreciate the new arrangements of “Wheels on the Bus” and “Down By the Bay,” making these perennially favorite songs fun to listen to again and again!
 

Tag along with Bennett as he burps his way through the day, annoying family, friends, and strangers alike. Bennett is in for a big surprise, however, and so are readers of this funny picture book for kids ages 3-7 and their parents and grandparents.

AGES 5-7 GRADES K-2 32 PAGES 10 X 10 27 COLOR ILLUSTRATIONS HARDCOVER $15.95 US ISBN: 9780979373800
 

The Siblings’ Busy Book: 200 Fun Activities for Kids of Different Ages, by Lisa Hanson and Heather Kempskie; Meadowbrook Press, 2008; $9.95; www.meadowbrookpress.com.

Ever wonder how to simultaneously engage two, three, or more children of different ages without cloning yourself? This book offers a slew of imaginative activities that really work: each starts with a useful chart specifying what you’ll need for each child by age, from infant through school age, and then provides variations for doing the activities with different ability levels.

“The information, crafts and ideas are geared right to my kids’ ages. I love being able to have resource books when I need fun and creative things to do with my kids.”
– Mom Tester

“I like the small size of the book. It’s easy to pack in the car for trips.”
– Mom Tester
 

For more fun activities for kids, check out 2008 Honors winner Gadgetology! 

Tipingee, Brer Rabbit and the Mouse that Barked: Tales of Love and Laughter, LuAnn Adams, 2007; $15; www.luannadamsstoryteller.com. An infectiously cheery voice delivers rollicking fun with this mixture of family stories and folktales from places such as Cuba and Haiti. If your family is ready for something new, this mix of traditional tales, true stories and fractured tales – with some giggle-inducing twists – is a must hear.

The Moon Is Hiding: Lullabies for the Young and Young At Heart, Vesta Wells Johnson, Vesta Wells Johnson Music, 2009; $15; www.madeinsouthdakota.com; all ages.

There is an old-time, dreamy feel to this CD that stirs the memory banks of youth. Piano and vocals carry a selection of traditional lullabies, contemporary tunes and original songs. Something about the piano makes it feel as if it were in the other room and baby is listening and nodding off to dreamland … Zzzzzzz.
 

by Lou Berger, illustrated by Ana Juan; Schwartz & Wade/Random House, 2008; $16.99; www.randomhouse.com/kids. Dreamy, enchanting art dramatizes Eliza’s birthday wish for an elephant to take her away from her humdrum life. In the end, a wise, elderly woman “with perfect posture” encourages Eliza to return home to enjoy her childhood while it lasts.