"Bear Hug" by Katharine McEwan (Templar Books, 32 pages, $15.99), ages 3 to 7 years
The beautifully illustrated bedtime story follows the cycle of life in a family of bears as the seasons change. The language is poetic. Young readers will enjoy this story of a bear cub who learns lessons from his parents and then goes off to start a family of his own.
"What To Do When You Are Sent To Your Room" by Ann Stott (Candlewick, 32 pages, 15.99), ages 4 to 8 years
When young Ben gets sent to his room again for slipping tidbits to the dog beneath the dinner table he is prepared. He has been sent to his room many times for that same reason. When he gets to his room he knows exactly what to do. This whimsical tale has charming illustrations.
"The Mouse Who Ate the Moon," a peek-through story book by Petr Horacek (Candlewick, 32 pages, $15.99), ages 3 to 7 years
This is an imaginative story about a mouse that lives in the forest. The mouse thinks that a piece of the moon has just fallen to earth. And it is so delicious! The delightful illustrations and the clever story will surely pique the imaginations of the preschool set.
"The Fairy-Tale Handbook" by Libby Hamilton (Templar Books, 20 pages, $22.99), ages 5 to 9 years
This gorgeously designed interactive book has all kinds of things that pop up or open out. Elements from various fairy tales are incorporated; “Hansel and Gretel,” “Little Red Riding Hood,” “The Wizard of Oz” and “Cinderella,” to name just a few.
"The Glass Mountain: Tales From Poland" by Jan Pienkowski (Candelwick, 104 pages, $17.99), ages 7 to 9 years
These eight Polish folk tales are classics that you probably have never heard. Stories like “The Fern Flower,” “The Frog Bride,” “The Miller’s Daughters” and “The Glass Mountain” will entertain young readers while also broadening their horizons.
"Hansel and Gretel" retold by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Lorenzo Mattotti (Toon Graphics, 54 pages, $16.95), ages 7 to 10 years
This retelling of one of the creepiest creations of the Brothers Grimm is handled nimbly by our modern master Neil Gaiman: “Who nibbles my house? Is it a mouse?” The black-and-white illustrations by Lorenzo Mattotti are truly fabulous. The book will be released just in time for Halloween. Some parents will be sneaking off with copies for their own fascinated examinations.
"The Twelve Days of Christmas in Ohio" by Carole Gerber (Sterling, 40 pages, $12.95)
This special Ohio-centric Christmas book is jammed with Ohio history about places from Cedar Point to Cincinnati and many spots in between.
Youthful readers will learn about notable individuals (and Buckeye State natives) from Annie Oakley to the Wright Brothers and John Glenn.
"Eight Candles and a Tree" by Simone Bloom Nathan (Beaver's Pond Press, 32 pages, $19.95)
We live in a country where religious traditions continue to blend. Simone Bloom Nathan tried to find a picture book about both Christmas and Hanukkah for one of her granddaughters. She could not find any so she wrote one. This book should be helpful to families who choose to celebrate both of these traditions.
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