My nieces loved Chicka Chicka Boom Boomand it is wicked fun to read aloud.

Skipping ahead to wish ita a happy birthday, and whatever violent things she desires in the coming year.

I found this and it looks PERFECT!

I think we got Chicka Chicka Boom Boom for Joss' sprog.

For many low-income families these were the first two books that the kid ever owned

This is why I love First Book. Tis what they do.

What is more fun than buying kids books? Nothing, is what I say. I was freaking out before Christmas trying to decide between an Enclyclopedia Brown anthology or The Day My Butt Went Psycho for my little cousin. I picked the butt one.

What is more fun than buying kids books? Nothing, is what I say.

WROD! I have to try to stay out of book stores else I'll go nuts. I just ordered some more for O from Amazon and we like the used bookstores for books but I think the board books get more biting than your usual kids' books so they don't wear so well the second time around.

I will say that these rattle books are AWESOME to take along in the stroller and store. It can keep O wrapped up long enough for me to get my shopping done.

I found this and it looks PERFECT!

How cute for an auntie!

I once bought a book for a book drive pointed toward middle school students. They'd particularly asked for books with a non-European setting, so I found one that looked interesting that was set in, er, well, Aztec society...

...you can see where this is going, can't you?

In my defense, I did not know when I bought it that the last scene was the narrator having his heart cut out. But, hey, I donated it anyway. I would've loved watching a narrator get his heart cut out when I was that age.

ETA: And it was YA! I swear!

Oh yeah, I meant to say AWWWW re: visiting auntie book.

Timlies! We're having an ice storm in KC!

Happy Birthday ita!

Allyson, these are kinda old, but I swear by Babar and Madeline.

Robin, I'm glad you liked Middlesex. I enjoyed it too and it felt good to hand it off to another person who would appreciate it.

Allyson, I have too many books to suggest!

Okay, for starters, I'm gonna recommend some lesser known ones I love:

I adore Grump by Janet Wong. "Look at Baby, Smart good Baby, Happy Baby, Making Gravy, Applesauce and ketchup gravy..." It has great rhythm.

Mice and Beans is so much fun. I love the color. Also, I have an extra one of these if you want one.

Diary of a Worm makes me laugh every time I read it because it's so clever and so funny.

I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato. Bahahah... it's like an Alibelle sort of book.

Molly Bang is one of my favorite author/illustrators. Ten, Nine, Eight is one of the best pre bedtime books. Calmly written and illustrated. It's a complete antidote to When Sophie Gets Angry which is such a good read, especially for kids who look for ways to think about anger.

Anyhow, if you would like come look through my picture books. I have doubles of some and I'd be happy to go to the Scholastic Warehouse with you if you ever want to go.

oooh, Scholastic Warehouse sounds like a blast.

My mom better build that bookcase fast.