A friend's father passed away suddenly and he is having difficulty formulating a way to tell his daughter. What books would you recommend? [more inside]
posted by spec80 on Dec 16, 2009 - 11 answers

I'm trying to remember the name of a book I read as a kid in the early '80s. I believe it was published in the mid-to-late '70s. It was about some children watching telephone wires and thinking they could actually see the conversations as they were transmitted from home to home. It culminated with the kids trying to race their own conversation between two homes. I think it's called something like "The Spaghetti Telephone Race" but google offers zero in the way of help with that. Does anyone know what book I'm talking about?
posted by mprove on Oct 21, 2009 - 1 answer

Help me find the title of this children's book about a boy building a cage/trap for a monster. [more inside]
posted by Kabanos on Sep 16, 2009 - 2 answers

I've taken responsibility for a very small children's library and I'd love your ideas for making it awesome. [more inside]
posted by serazin on Sep 3, 2009 - 14 answers

What are your favorite books to read aloud to young children? [more inside]
posted by palliser on Jul 15, 2009 - 27 answers

What made-up names does your very young child call favorite movies, books, games, or television shows? [more inside]
posted by Mo Nickels on Jun 6, 2009 - 33 answers

Can you identify this old children's book? [more inside]
posted by Joe Beese on May 8, 2009 - 3 answers

Please help me identify this comical children's adventure story book from the 80s... [more inside]
posted by kumonoi on May 8, 2009 - 6 answers

I’m trying to remember the name of a set of themed encyclopedias for children from my childhood. [more inside]
posted by studentbaker on Mar 9, 2009 - 11 answers

I'm looking for a couple of picture books I loved as a kid, in the late eighties. Unfortunately, the only thing I have to go on is really vivid memories of the pictures. [more inside]
posted by anderjen on Mar 9, 2009 - 3 answers

Does anyone remember the name of a children's book that was a cautionary tale against air pollution? I remember it being a soft cover book w/ that was short and wide. Pictures of factory(s) and people getting and wearing gas masks (as well as dogs)! I can't remember the ending but hopefully my description suffices.
posted by gnash on Jan 16, 2009 - 13 answers

We've been invited to party where everyone brings a dish based on food from a children's book. Does anyone have any good suggestions and, better yet, recipes? [more inside]
posted by bibliowench on Dec 26, 2008 - 57 answers

Which Encyclopedia Brown book had the story about tear ducts? [more inside]
posted by vilthuril on Dec 2, 2008 - 20 answers

I have been searching for this book for about 35 years, guess I need some help. [more inside]
posted by silsurf on Nov 24, 2008 - 14 answers

Can anyone suggest inspirational readings for 8th graders? [more inside]
posted by kaozity on Oct 6, 2008 - 15 answers

Can you recommend some children's picture books that don't just feature white faces? [more inside]
posted by featherboa on Aug 7, 2008 - 39 answers

Please recommend me some great books about the home front during WWI or WWII. [more inside]
posted by booksandlibretti on Jul 21, 2008 - 26 answers

On a recent trip to Kenya, we visited a school who is in need of simple French language instruction booklets for elementary-age children. [more inside]
posted by vanoakenfold on May 23, 2008 - 3 answers

Can you suggest some books that will make a bunch of second graders laugh? I am scheduled as "Surprise Reader" in my son's second grade class this week, and I need some new (to me) humorous and/or weird picture books to read to the class. Previously William Steig and David Greenberg ("Slugs", "Snakes", and "Bugs") have gone over well, but I need some new material! Thanks!
posted by chr1sb0y on Mar 11, 2008 - 24 answers

A friend of mine read a children's paperback book in the 1960's that featured two kids and a mop that comes to life ( or maybe is alive through the course of the whole book ). The kids and the mops interact (play?). I don't know any more about the book but I'm hoping to identify it and find a paperback copy to give as a birthday gift. If anyone out there knows what this book is or might be I would very much appreciate it. Thanks! - Dave
posted by metadave on Feb 19, 2008 - 5 answers

A familiar kind of question -- anyone know the titles/authors of two fantasy novels I read as a kid in the late 1970s or early 1980s? [more inside]
posted by BT on Feb 13, 2008 - 11 answers

I'm looking for recommendations for books, movies and even music that might be relevant for a group of middle school (7th & 8th grade, ages 12-14) kids who are going to Rome over spring break. [more inside]
posted by bjennings on Feb 3, 2008 - 8 answers

I'm trying to make a list of books that include the central plot element of kids learning how to use or cope with unusual powers, dramatic or mundane. (Jumper, recently made into a movie, is one example.) Extra points if the books are primarily aimed at children or young adults.
posted by sacre_bleu on Jan 29, 2008 - 48 answers

Where to find those VERY large storybooks that children's librarians use for storytelling hours? I've searched for "large", "big" and "oversized" storybooks to no avail.
posted by jeanmari on Jan 15, 2008 - 9 answers

Can you think of any children's books with texture which would be great for the visually impaired? [more inside]
posted by pootler on Dec 31, 2007 - 7 answers

Looking for children's book with a teddy bear and a full moon. [more inside]
posted by dnthomps on Dec 24, 2007 - 3 answers

Can anyone recommend a watercolor painting instruction book for children? [more inside]
posted by dlugoczaj on Dec 5, 2007 - 5 answers

Trying to remember a particular children's book. I remember two details (and keep in mind that I might be conflating two different books). I think it was set in New York, in an Orthodox Jewish family, in the past century. One of the characters (I think a girl) likes to buy a pretzel stick and lick the salt off first. And the house rule for dinner was: eat veg first, then rice, then meat, then dessert. If you didn't finish one course, you didn't get the next. Any thoughts on what this book(s) could be?
posted by Ollie on Sep 20, 2007 - 6 answers

How do you explain God, death, and infinity to a 5-year old? Please recommend a book or online resource for explaining philosophy, existentialism, and other abstract concepts to a young child not yet capable of abstract cognitions. [more inside]
posted by jujube on Sep 13, 2007 - 45 answers

Gimme your recommendations for children's books, in French (...the books, not your two cents, natch). [more inside]
posted by Mrs Hilksom on Aug 27, 2007 - 24 answers

Please help me remember the title of a particular fictional, young-adult book from the 80s or maybe 90s. [more inside]
posted by poopdbq on Jul 21, 2007 - 5 answers

Any recommendations for children's books featuring little girls? [more inside]
posted by frecklefaerie on Jan 13, 2007 - 37 answers

Books for parents. Which one is your bible? [more inside]
posted by mitocan on Dec 14, 2006 - 16 answers

Can you recommend any good books for toddlers/young readers in which the protagonists are twins? Bonus points for stories where the protagonists are non-identical twins
posted by anastasiav on Nov 29, 2006 - 10 answers

I'm looking for books that demonstrate the awful consequences of lying and are appropriate for a 9 year old boy. Subtlety is appreciated, but not required. Any suggestions?
posted by apocry_phil on Oct 29, 2006 - 14 answers

Book series for children and young adults? Recommendations welcome. There is [more inside]
posted by MonkeyToes on Oct 23, 2006 - 49 answers

The neighbor girl borrowed my fairy tale book fifteen years ago. Help me get it back. [more inside]
posted by changeling on Aug 29, 2006 - 7 answers

Having grown up with very little good childhood memories and the absence of both parents, I'm trying to read/learn as much as possible on parenting before my child is born. [more inside]
posted by Sallysings on May 30, 2006 - 26 answers

Help a geek find a long-lost favorite childhood storybook/gadget. [more inside]
posted by Wild_Eep on May 27, 2006 - 4 answers

My niece turns two in a month, and I'd like your recommendations for a beautifully illustrated children's book. [more inside]
posted by melissa may on Mar 1, 2006 - 46 answers

I'm looking for three or four real-life adventure stories that would entertain and enthrall a twelve year-old boy. [more inside]
posted by Dasein on Dec 15, 2005 - 35 answers

I'm looking for an ACTUAL book-of-the-month club, for children younger than ten, which serves the UK.... [more inside]
posted by BigLankyBastard on Dec 12, 2005 - 3 answers

ok heres a toughie, im 24, when i was really younger say around 10 i had this childrens book, i vaguely remember anything about it ... [more inside]
posted by airnxtz on Oct 23, 2005 - 5 answers

Please recommend children's books about great cities of America and/or the world. [more inside]
posted by matildaben on Sep 28, 2005 - 16 answers

Boys do like to read. At least mine do. What are some great, good, or fun and interesting books that a boy should read? Or have read to him? [more inside]
posted by LadyBonita on Sep 6, 2005 - 77 answers

When my sister and I were growing up, around 30 years ago, one of our all-time favorite picture books was about the trials and tribulations of a kingdom in black & white that wound up discovering colors, but we can't remember the title... [more inside]
posted by Misciel on Aug 29, 2005 - 9 answers

Back when I was in gradeschool in the late 60's early 70's, I found this book in our school library that I think was called "Puzzles" (maybe more, maybe not). It not only had puzzles but other things like rhymes (Biddy Bodder bought bum butter. Blah said she, bum butter bitter, but it's blended with my batter. Maybe if I get some better butter, blend it with my bitter batter, it'll make my bitter batter better....etc., etc.). There were also these little cartoons in the margins that were very interesting. There were optical illusions and magical tricks and it seemed like each page had something different and interesting. I remember signing that book out all time. Now I have kids of my own and would really love to get my hands on a copy of that book. I know this is a reach but, has anyone ever heard of this? Or, anyone know where there is a repository of old books that I could look? Doing a search for "puzzle books" is very ugly indeed.
posted by SparkyPine on Apr 13, 2005 - 8 answers

my favorite book when i was a kid was a book with a series of 2-minute or so short stories. inside the front cover there were pictures that symbolized the stories and i would point to the one i wanted my dad to read. i remember some of the stories. one story was of a little girl who wanted a yellow raincoat. a second story was about a boy named Pele or something. a third story had to do with Couscous the detective. i have a 1 yr old son and i wanted to get that book for him but i can't find it. anyone have any ideas what this book might be called or how to get it? thanks
posted by dstrouse91 on Feb 24, 2005 - 10 answers

Need to know the author of some pretty well known children's books...(+) [more inside]
posted by fabesfaves on Feb 16, 2005 - 5 answers

What are some good websites that review children's literature? Bonus if the focus is on preschool or early elementary.
posted by dagnyscott on Jan 20, 2005 - 6 answers