The cover doesn't really give you an idea of the amazing pop-up sculptures in How Many: Spectacular Paper Sculptures, so I have included a shot of one of the paper sculptures for you in my review of How Many. The book would make an excellent gift for a family with children six and older as would the books on my Christmas Pop-up Books list. Do your kids like pop-up books? Why or why not? Click on "Comments" below and let me know by posting a response.

(Cover art courtesy of Random House)

Like many families, we start our Christmas decorating after Thanksgiving. This year, I again plan to use a very special children's Christmas book as one of my table decorations. It's The First Noel, a pop-up book by Jan Pietnkowski, a master of artistry and paper engineering. When you untie the red bow holding the book closed and open the book so wide you can tie the front and back covers to one another, the result is a beautiful carousel book, with five separate scenes about the birth of the Christ child.

(Cover art courtesy of Candlewick Press)

All around the world Jewish children and their families are getting ready to celebrate Hanukkah, which begins at sundown on Friday, December 11, and continues for 8 days. Celebrate Hanukkah, part of the National Geographic Society's Holidays Around the World series of nonfiction children's books, is an excellent resource for information about Hanukkah. Celebrate Hanukkah provides information about Hanukkah observances in many different countries, including the United States, Canada, Israel, Ghana, Italy, Poland, and Uganda. The book is illustrated with striking color photographs. For more recommended books, see my Top 10 Children's Books About Hanukkah. Do your children have a favorite Hanukkah book? If so, please click on "comments" below and share your recommendations.

(Cover art courtesy of National Geographic Society)

Now that we've had our first snowstorm forecast, I consider winter to be on its way. That means it's time to get out our family's copies of Winter Lights: A Season in Poems & Quilts and Pieces: A Year in Poems & Quilts, by Anna Grossnickle Hines, and enjoy the seasonal poetry and beautiful miniature quilts that illustrate each poem.

If the beautiful quilts in these books inspire you to learn more about quilting, check these resources:
Free Miniature Quilt Patterns (About.com: Quilting)
Miniature Christmas Tree Quilt Pattern (About.com: Quilting)
Make a Miniature Quilt for a Dollhouse (About.com: Quilting)

(Cover art courtesy of HarperCollins)