Staff Picks - 2015 Kids Holiday

24 Stories for Advent by Brigitte Weninger & Eve Tharlet. Start a new tradition with a story a night during the season of advent. A good way to slow down and read with your kids during the busy holiday season. The stories are short and sweet and accompanied by adorable illustrations. ~ Whitney Kaaz

Song of the Stars by Sally Lloyd-Jones & Alison Jay. A beautiful retelling of the Christmas Story! All the animals around the world are gathering to welcome the new baby. Alison Jay's artwork makes this board book a gorgeous addition to your Christmas collection. ~ Whitney Kaaz

Oskar and the Eight Blessings by Tanya & Richard Simon. A sensory, atmospheric collection, a visual, educational and poetic treat. Each page contains information about a different seasonal hallmark, from animals to the weather, accompanied by colorful pastel illustrations. Perfect for science, poetry and art lovers alike! ~ Paige Mushaw

Felted Jewelry Kit and Felted Crown Kit. Fun felting projects for children of all ages. Materials & instructions are in the kits to rub, squish & form wool fleece into jewelry or crowns. Learn about wool while creating! Ages 7 & up. Made in USA.

Easy-to-build kits to set up a Pet Shop, Grocery or Toy Store complete with people & animals to inspire imaginative play. Ages 3 & up.

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff. Told via files and texts, this is the story of Kady (a hacker) and Ezra (a pilot), two teenagers kept apart after a major disaster. Equal parts love story, war story, and thought-provoking opus on corporations and humanity, this book is an expansive, unforgettable thrill ride! 14 & up. ~ Paige Mushaw

Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt. A powerhouse of a novel embracing experiences and themes stripped bare of contemporary trappings to wholly focus on the story of Jack and his foster brother. While sadness and tragedy garner the story, the redemptive ending is worth the tears. 12 & up. ~ Jessica Wood

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. In this edgy Grisha Trilogy companion, we follow criminal prodigy Kaz as he assembles an eclectic team to perform an impossible heist for a huge sum of money. Bardugo doesn't stop at dangerous magic and a whirlwind plot to keep readers engaged: you'll fall in love with every character, too. ~ Paige Mushaw

Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin. This historical dystopia asks, "What if Hitler had won?" Yael can change her face at will-useful for a non-Aryan in the Third Reich. So she goes undercover with a simple plan: get close to Hitler and kill him. Interesting concept with great execution-don't miss it! ~ Paige Mushaw

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon. A girl who is allergic to the outside world meets the boy next door and—well, everything changes. A beautiful story about forbidden love. Lots of great quirky illustrations as well! Ages 12 & up. ~ Fran Tobia

Da Vinci's Tiger by Laura Malone Elliott. A fascinating look at the art world and political climate in Renaissance Florence. Inspired by Da Vinci's first portrait, this work of fiction is nevertheless filled with historical accuracies and fully captures the aristocratic circles of the time period from the point of view of his young muse. ~ Jessica Wood

Cabinet of Curiosities: Collecting and Understanding the Wonders of the Natural World by Gordon Grice. If your kids can't go on a walk without picking up feathers and acorns and seashells, this will be an indispensable resource for the family. Full of wonderful pictures, information, and advice on collecting and displaying. ~ Jennifer Armstrong

Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War by Steve Sheinkin. This is nonfiction that reads like a spy thriller. Already nominated for the National Book Award, this account for middle and high school readers of the Viet Nam war, Daniel Ellsberg, and the Pentagon Papers is meticulously researched, beautifully written, and impossible to put down. ~ Jennifer Armstrong

Symphony for the City of the Dead: Dmitri Shostakovich and the Siege of Leningrad by M. T. Anderson. Symphony for the City of the Dead explores how Hitler surrounded and isolated Leningrad. The results created a horrific time in Russian political and personal histories, including that of young composer Dmitri Shostakovich. An edgy, deadly, and secretive world comes to life with death and music. Ages 12 & up. ~ Jeanette Sessions

Who Done It?. by Olivier Tallec. The answers to the twelve questions in this ingenious book lie in the characters. A wonderful way to teach kids vocabulary, the difference between "who, whose, who's," and the art of observation. The hilarious illustrations and guessing game will keep little ones engaged. Ages 3-5. ~ Adriana Gómez Piccolo

A B See by Elizabeth Doyle. The best A B C book I've seen in years!! Amazingly creative this book doubles as a search and find. You will also love the alliteration. This book is truly fresh and new yet the images are reminiscent of a time gone by. ~ Whitney Kaaz

Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes. This Caldecott winner is a board book for the first time. It is Kitten's first full moon, and she thinks it must be a bowl of milk in the sky. Will she reach it? The serene black and white art make it perfect for babies. ~ Jennifer Armstrong

Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev & Taeeun Yoo. A very sweet story about friendship and special pets! When one child isn't allowed to bring his adorable tiny elephant to Pet Club, he and a new friend with a different sort of pet create a treehouse for kids and pets of all kinds. So cute! Ages 2-4. ~ Aubrey Restifo

Big Bear Little Chair by Lizi Boyd. A charming book, slim and tall with retro simplicity. Boyd helps toddlers explore opposites with a fresh new look and feel. Ages 3-5. ~ Jessica Wood

The Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Party by Shannon Hale. The princess rides again to save her kingdom (and goats) from monsters! But can she be both the Princess in Black and Princess Magnolia? The latest installment in Hale's NYT bestselling series. Ages 5-8. ~ Leah Moore

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: The Illustrated Edition by J. K. Rowling. The magic never ends! Harry's first adventure, republished with full page illustrations by Jim Kay, bring the boy wizard's world to life. Perfect as a family read-aloud for ages 6 to adult, this beautiful book will inspire the imagination of generations. ~ Leah Moore

The Marvels by Brian Selznick. An unforgettable masterpiece! In the tradition of "Hugo," Selznick uses illustrations and test to reveal how two stories-one about a runaway boy, another about a legendary family of actors -work together to solve a 200-year-old puzzle: who were the Marvels, and what happened to them? Ages 9 & up. ~ Aubrey Restifo

Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead. Set in NYC, this story follows a group of seventh and ninth graders as they struggle to define all kinds of love, choose the right friends, and find their voices. Contemporary and full of humor, real drama, and courage, this is a must-have middle school read! Ages 11 & up. ~ Aubrey Restifo

The Thing about Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin. Suzy becomes obsessed with the study of rare jellyfish after an accident one summer. As she investigates, her scientific mind overpowers her good sense. Deeply perceptive and touching, this will be a new favorite of fans of Counting by 7s and Out of my Mind. Ages 9-13. ~ Aubrey Restifo

The Toymaker's Apprentice by Sherri L. Smith. The mysterious, eyepatched toymaker from The Nutcracker has a nephew! This action-packed retelling is perfect for the holiday season. The Mouse Queen and her monstrous Mouse Prince are plotting to overrun the human race. Stefan and the nutcracker must stop time itself on Christmas Eve to win the battle. ~ Jennifer Armstrong

Just Right for Two by Tracey Corderoy, illus. by Rosalind Beardshaw. Dog has all that he needs - or does he? Charming art features cheerful round forms, bright colors and gold foil highlights on the cover, making it a special treat for the under-five crowd. A sweet story about friendship and sharing ~ Jennifer Armstrong

The Peddler's Road by Matthew Cody. Max and her brother move to Hamelin, Germany with their folklorist father. But right away, things go wrong. After hearing the Pied Piper's song, they are led away to a world of danger and war-and must join an age-old fight to find a way home. ~ Leah Moore

Robo-Sauce by Adam Rubin & Daniel Salmieri. Can you make a sauce that can turn you into a robot? The hero in this book can. Loony fun for every kid: not only does the book turn into a robot/"robo-book", but it also contains a lot of nonsense words that will delight readers and listeners alike. Ages 4-7. ~ Aubrey Restifo

Waiting by Kevin Henkes. The perfect book: this quiet gem shows us five toys waiting on a windowsill. Children's lives include a lot of waiting, often for things they don't expect, usually without explanation. Nobody explains anything to the toys, but they are content to wait-sooner or later, something will happen. Something always does. ~ Jennifer Armstrong

Grandma's House by Alice Melvin. Grandma's house is a magical place for a little girl. Meander through the old-fashioned home and look behind flaps to find more surprises! Lavish illustrations give warmth and character to every page. Ages 3-6. ~ Whitney Kaaz

Sad, the Dog by Sandy Fussell. Despite the title & lonely beginning, Sad, the Dog is a heartwarming story of a pup who finds his place in the world with a boy named Jack who becomes his master & best friend. Ages 4-7. ~ Jessica Wood

The Sea Tiger by Victoria Turnbull. Under the sea you can have many adventures, but making friends is the greatest adventure of all! Follow Oscar and Sea Tiger in this gorgeously illustrated picture book with a strong and loving message. Ages 3 & up. ~ Leah Moore

Ladybug Girl and the Best Ever Playdate by Jacky Davis & David Soman. Ladybug Girl can't wait to play with her best friend's new Rolly-Roo toy, but is that what really matters most about a playdate? Tensions mount between the girls until the broken toy inspires them to work together and discover the true value of friendship. Ages 4-7. ~ Jennifer Armstrong

A Prayer for World Peace by Jane Goodall. Essential reading for all citizens of Earth! Words and pictures combine perfectly to express a beautiful and powerful message to each of us to care for and take responsibility for the living entities of our precious planet. All ages. ~ Patti Vunk

Book by David Miles & Natalie Hoopes. This beautifully illustrated book takes the reader on a magical journey celebrating the exquisite joy and unique delight we all experience when our imaginations take flight during the simple act of turning the pages of a book. Perfect for all ages. ~ Patti Vunk

Strega Nona Doll by Tomie dePaola. The long-awaited return of a classic! This 12” doll is perfect for Tomie dePaola fans young & old.

The Magical World of Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola. The stories of a beloved grandmother-witch are together in this beautiful treasury for all ages. With an introduction by the author, recipes and other treats, this gift anthology allows all to enjoy the delightful whimsy of dePaola’s words and illustrations. ~ Jeanette Sessions

Strega Nona Play Set by Tomie dePaola. Reenact Strega Nona with this theatrically-minded kit! Kids can use three different diorama stages to play the eight character parts of the beloved classic. Script books are included! Ages 8 & up. ~ Jeanette Sessions

Space Dumplins by Craig Thompson. Busy and wild, this graphic novel is an epic space adventure wherein young Violet attempts to save her father from a natural disaster induced by a monsoon of space waste. Lots of puns, crazed robots, and sci-fi peril cloak a thoughtful tale about keeping our homes safe. Ages 8 & up. ~ Aubrey Restifo

Baba Yaga's Assistant by Marika McCoola & Emily Carroll. Baba Yaga’s just an old witch with a Russian background who likes to eat children for dinner. But when Masha hears that she’s looking for an assistant, she thinks she’s up for the test. With fantastic illustrations by Emily Carroll, this book mixes folklore and the real world beautifully. ~ Adriana Gómez Piccolo

The Red Apple by Feridun Oral. Welcome in winter with this charming tale of friendship and cooperation. Rabbit, mouse, fox, and bear all work together to have one more meal before their long winter’s nap. Lovely! ~ Whitney Kaaz

The Snowball by Giuliano Ferri. Mouse loves snow, so he starts a snowball with his friends. It’s getting bigger and bigger—watch out when it rolls! This simple story has few words and is perfect for little hands. Each page has a hole to look through as the snowball grows! Age 0-18 mo. ~ Leah Moore

Robo-Sauce by Adam Rubin & Daniel Salmieri. Can you make a sauce that can turn you into a robot? The hero in this book can. Loony fun for every kid: not only does the book turn into a robot/"robo-book", but it also contains a lot of nonsense words that will delight readers and listeners alike. Ages 4-7. ~ Aubrey Restifo

Waiting by Kevin Henkes. The perfect book: this quiet gem shows us five toys waiting on a windowsill. Children's lives include a lot of waiting, often for things they don't expect, usually without explanation. Nobody explains anything to the toys, but they are content to wait-sooner or later, something will happen. Something always does. ~ Jennifer Armstrong

Grandma's House by Alice Melvin. Grandma's house is a magical place for a little girl. Meander through the old-fashioned home and look behind flaps to find more surprises! Lavish illustrations give warmth and character to every page. Ages 3-6. ~ Whitney Kaaz

Sad, the Dog by Sandy Fussell. Despite the title & lonely beginning, Sad, the Dog is a heartwarming story of a pup who finds his place in the world with a boy named Jack who becomes his master & best friend. Ages 4-7. ~ Jessica Wood

The Sea Tiger by Victoria Turnbull. Under the sea you can have many adventures, but making friends is the greatest adventure of all! Follow Oscar and Sea Tiger in this gorgeously illustrated picture book with a strong and loving message. Ages 3 & up. ~ Leah Moore

Ladybug Girl and the Best Ever Playdate by Jacky Davis & David Soman. Ladybug Girl can't wait to play with her best friend's new Rolly-Roo toy, but is that what really matters most about a playdate? Tensions mount between the girls until the broken toy inspires them to work together and discover the true value of friendship. Ages 4-7. ~ Jennifer Armstrong

A Prayer for World Peace by Jane Goodall. Essential reading for all citizens of Earth! Words and pictures combine perfectly to express a beautiful and powerful message to each of us to care for and take responsibility for the living entities of our precious planet. All ages. ~ Patti Vunk

Book by David Miles & Natalie Hoopes. This beautifully illustrated book takes the reader on a magical journey celebrating the exquisite joy and unique delight we all experience when our imaginations take flight during the simple act of turning the pages of a book. Perfect for all ages. ~ Patti Vunk

Gift Cards Hard-to-shopfor people on your list, young or old, will be delighted to shop a whole store-full of choices & select their own gift. There’s no expiration date & the card can be used online, too.