NAPPA '99 National Parenting Publications Awards

illustrated by Meilo So

In this exuberant Japanese folktale, in which monsters find belly buttons a yummy treat, a fearless heroine saves the day--and the babies. With pale, tasty illustrations. Knopf; ages 5 to 8; $17. (212) 782-8667.

Twilight Verses,
Moonlight Rhymes

compiled by Mary Joslin

illustrated by Liz Pichon

Saccharine and distinctly short on humor, this collection nonetheless displays ample first-rate poems, mellow and calming, for bedtime, against a pleasingly colorful background. Fortress Publishers; ages 2 to 5; $16.99. (612) 330-3327.

Storybook

Beetle Boy

by Lawrence David

illustrated by Delphine Durand

"Gregory Sampson woke up one morning to discover that he had become a giant beetle," and beginning with that transformation of the first sentence of Kafka's The Metamorphosis, David's book continues the parody meticulously and hilariously, supported by the marvelously apt illustrations. Doubleday; ages 6 to 10; $15.95. (212) 782-8667.

I, Crocodile

by Fred Marcellino

Beginning with endpapers evocative of ancient Egypt, every illustration is a subtle historical document, beautiful in itself and, all together, supportive of a very funny tale with a surprise ending. HarperCollins; ages 6 to 10; $15.95. (212) 207-7491.

Swine Lake

by James Marshall

illustrated by Maurice Sendak

Two ultimate masters of wit--and of the picture-book art form--team up for an original story that combines elements of fairy tales, ballet, puns, and the sweet, subtle triumph of good over evil. HarperCollins; ages 7 and up; $15.95. (212) 207-7491.

David Goes to School

by David Shannon

A worthy successor to last year's two-word literary sensation--No, David! Now it's time for David to encounter (and of course flout) every possible rule at school. Gross, silly, and we can't wait to see David enter the business world. Scholastic/The Blue Sky Press; ages 4 to 8; $14.95. (212) 343-7708.

Activity

Drawing for the Artistically Undiscovered

by Quentin Blake and John Cassidy

A foremost illustrator teams up with an imaginative and encouraging writer exhorting you to draw the darndest things, exploit your accidents, and lose yourself in hours of adventurous creativity with a pencil. Funny and exuberant. Klutz; ages 6 and up; $19.95. (650) 857-0888.

Kids Magnetic Poetry Book and Creativity Kit

by Dave Kapell and Sally Steenland

foreword by Judith Viorst

The introductory book is immensely encouraging for those who have no idea about poetry. Includes more than 200 magnetic word tiles and a magnetic board on which to rearrange them into an infinite variety of poems. Workman; ages 6 and up; $16.95. (212) 614-7596.

Look-Alikes Jr.

by Joan Steiner

In this junior companion to last year's amazing Look-Alikes, eye-catching photographs of complicated three-dimensional worlds are constructed out of common household objects. The activity of decoding them will supply literally hours of entertainment you'll want to share. Little, Brown; ages 4 and up; $12.95. (617) 263-2813.

Create Anything With Clay

by Sherri Haab and Laura Torres

Once you flip through the attractive collection of "recipes" for ice cream sandwiches, dollhouse furniture, sushi, masks, jewelry and much more, you'll immediately smush your fingers into the eight colors of clay that come with the book. Klutz; ages 5 and up; $19.95. (650) 857-0888.

Kathleen Krull is the children's book reviewer for L.A. Parent magazine. She writes books for children, including Lives of the Presidents (Harcourt) and They Saw the Future (Simon & Schuster), as well as articles for The New York Times Book Review, the Los Angeles Times Book Review, Horn Book, Publishers Weekly and other publications.

Peter Neumeyer has written and translated nine books for children, and is currently the children's book reviewer for The Boston Globe. He has taught at Harvard, SUNY, the University of Wales, the University of Rhode Island, West Virginia University and San Diego State University.

Best Kids' Music

by Jim Chase and John Wood

Go gently into the night or jazz up your day with the sounds of this year's 1999 NAPPA music winners. Your CD player will be working overtime playing this eclectic mix of soothing melodies, multicultural music, a cappella songs and playful tunes. Be sure to get your ears on these albums!

Lullaby

Softly We Sing

A drug-free way to become one with your pillow. Go to gentle and hang a left. Twelve traditional lullabies sung by child vocalists include instrumental singalong tracks ...if you can stay awake. Twin Sisters Productions; $8.99 cassette, $12.99 CD. (800) 248-TWIN (8946). www.twinsisters.com.

Moonfinder: A Sleepytime Journey For All Ages

Molly Conole and Nancy Waldman, two classically trained musicians, call themselves "Dreamsisters" for good reason. This beautifully performed mixture of original, traditional and international lullabies should encourage multiple listenings and an open door to the Land of Nod. Dreamsisters Inc.; $9.95 cassette, $14.95 CD. (407) 647-4466. www.dreamsisters.com.

Lullabies of Latin America

International bilingual recording artist Maria Del Rey offers a gift of music to all who hear "Lullabies." Using traditional instruments and Latin American arrangements, she crafts 14 precious lullabies--first in Spanish and again in English. Bueno. Music for Little People; $9.98 cassette, $15.98 CD. (800) 409-2457.

Infant

A Noel Nighty Night

This delightful package of new Christmas songs will put any youngster gently to sleep, dreaming of sugarplums and ho-ho-hos. Diana Rae's songwriting and vocals are exemplary. She was the "best part of waking up" vocal for Folgers, so she can start your day as well--the best of both worlds. Raeworks Music; $10 cassette, $15 CD. (615) 794-0076.

A Child's Garden of Songs

As if the brilliance of Robert Louis Stevenson's poems weren't enough, 16 of his finest works are set to outstanding music and voice here. Introduce your infant to classic poetry combined with near-perfect instrumentation. On second thought, treat the entire family to this gentle gem. Music for Little People; $9.98 cassette, $15.98 CD. (800) 409-2457.