Happy Holidays from Kidsreads.com!!! We are already getting into the spirit here at Kidsreads.com, and our latest update --- with cool new features, interviews, reviews and series updates --- is our early gift to you.

Speaking of gifts, stumped as to what to get the friends on your list? Need some ideas as to what to ask for yourself? Check out our Kidsreads.com What to Give/What to Get Gift Guide --- it has all the info, including reviews and excerpts, for books you'll be excited to give and thrilled to get. More great books (and holiday gift ideas) can be found in our two NEW features ---- Great Books for Boys and our Holiday Roundup.

I'm giving full credit to my 11-year-old son (and avid reader) Cory for inspiring the Great Books for Boys feature --- together we came up with a list that has everything, from science fiction and fantasy to mysteries and thrillers. It's a perfect guide for moms and teachers and librarians too, so if you see titles that interest you, be sure to print out the page and leave it around for them to see.

Cold gray winter days are ideal excuses to go to the movies, and have we got a perfect one for you! The film version of CHARLOTTE'S WEB stars Dakota Fanning and Julia Roberts and looks to be a worthy adaptation of E. B. White's beloved classic. So grab your friends and family, buy a large popcorn and huge bag of candy --- a movie about a pig is the perfect occasion for a little pigging out!

And there's more... Along with our reviews, Cool New Books and New in Paperback roundups, we have an interview with PROBUDITI! author Chris Van Allsburg and series updates for Rotten School by R.L. Stine and Geronimo Stilton. We're also featuring THE DRAGON'S EYE by Dugald A. Steer, which is the first in a new series called The Dragonology Chronicles --- full-length novels by the creators of DRAGONOLOGY and THE DRAGONOLOGY HANDBOOK.

We may not have seen snow yet in New York --- and in fact it feels like spring around here --- but we have visions of snowmen and sipping hot chocolate curled up by the fire with a good book dancing in our heads, and we hope you're feeling as warm and cheery as we are. After all, winter break is just around the corner. Snow or not, 'tis the season to celebrate. May we suggest you ring in the holidays Kidsreads-style --- with books, books and perhaps some more books?

Carol Fitzgerald for Kidsreads.com

We've created a special What to Give/What to Get Guide with you in mind --- it's just for kids! We have books that we know you'll love to unwrap this season, so check it out. We're sure you'll end up spotting a title or two that you can add to YOUR holiday list.

HARRIET BEAN by Alexander McCall Smith
Humor, suspense and a charming cast of characters abound in this delightful mystery series starring nine-year-old Harriet Bean. Fans of Nate the Great or Junie B. Jones will appreciate the antics of Harriet and her aunts as they discover each other and uncover baffling bedlam --- and have loads of fun doing both. These stories manage to feel both up-to-the-minute and enchantingly old-fashioned. Readers of series chapter books won't be able to resist them. Then again, why should they?

Kidsreads.com's Terry Miller Shannon interviewed Alexander McCall Smith, who explains why the idea of a girl with quirky relatives appealed to him and describes two hilarious real-life aunts who provided him with inspiration for them. He also reveals why many of his books tend to revolve around detectives and shares details about his future projects for young readers.

-Click here to read our interview with Alexander McCall Smith.

Just in time for the holidays comes the movie everyone here at Kidsreads.com has been waiting for. Charlotte's Web snorts, squeals and oinks its way into theaters on December 15th, and we're ALL planning on being first in line. With an all-star cast that includes Julia Roberts, Dakota Fanning and Oprah (!), the film adaptation of E.B. White's classic story of friendship against all odds is a gift for all ages.

HarperCollins has made available a number of tie-in books --- many of which can be found here --- to coincide with the movie's release. For more Charlotte's Web-related fun, including a complete list of all available tie-in books, games and quizzes, and a chance to enter the Charlotte's Web sweepstakes, visit the HarperCollins children's site here.

 

Kidsreads.com Founder Carol Fitzgerald and her 11-year-old son Cory, an avid reader, have compiled a list of books that Cory thinks are great reads for boys. Included are series titles and stand-alone fiction that cover a variety of genres: fantasies, mysteries, thrillers, action/adventure novels and historical fiction. While many of these selections also will appeal to girls, they especially will capture the attention of boys.

THE DRAGON'S EYE: The Dragonology Chronicles, Volume One by Dugald A. Steer
In Volume One of The Dragonology Chronicles --- full-length novels by the creators of DRAGONOLOGY and THE DRAGONOLOGY HANDBOOK --- Daniel Cook and his sister Beatrice are caught up in the race to find the stolen Dragon's Eye jewel, which has the power to reflect the true Dragon Master, before it is stolen by evil dragonologist Ignatius Crook. Reviewed by Sally M. Tibbetts.

-Click here to read an excerpt from THE DRAGON'S EYE.

Chris Van Allsburg, the author and illustrator of THE POLAR EXPRESS, JUMANJI and ZATHURA, has recently published his next soon-to-be-classic children's book, PROBUDITI! In this interview, Van Allsburg explains why he chose to step away from his usual fantasy fare for this latest work, and how he came up with his unique and colorful titles. He also shares his thoughts on the film adaptations of his books and discusses some of his upcoming projects, including future book ideas and some very creative sculptures.

ROTTEN SCHOOL #9: PARTY POOPERS by R.L. Stine
Bernie Bridges wants April-May June to ask him to the annual girl-invite-boy school dance. But April-May June doesn't want to go with Bernie. Instead, Jennifer Ecch --- the Nightmare Girl --- asks Bernie to the dance. How in the world can he convince Jennifer that he isn't worthy enough to be her date? Reviewed by Paula Jolin.

GERONIMO STILTON #26: THE MUMMY WITH NO NAME by Geronimo Stilton
Poor Geronimo must leave his nice warm apartment and his good book to play detective. The director of the Egyptian Mouseum needs his help because The Mummy With No Name is frightening away visitors. It isn't long before Geronimo encounters the mummy --- and then things start getting REALLY scary. Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon.

GERONIMO STILTON #27: THE CHRISTMAS TOY FACTORY by Geronimo Stilton
As much as Geronimo loves Christmas, he is simply too busy to celebrate it this year. His persistent friends and family cannot change the course of his workaholic holiday. Will a sleigh ride to the North Pole be more effective? Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon.

November's roundup of Cool New Books includes THE DRAGON'S EYE by Dugald A. Steer, the first installment in The Dragonology Chronicles --- full-length novels that fans of DRAGONOLOGY and THE DRAGONOLOGY HANDBOOK will simply devour; PROBUDITI! a mesmerizing new tale from two-time Caldecott Medalist (and creator of THE POLAR EXPRESS) Chris Van Allsburg; Susan Patron's THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY, about a 10-year-old girl who doesn't expect running away to turn into such a complicated adventure; and JEREMY FINK AND THE MEANING OF LIFE by Wendy Mass, a thought-provoking novel in which a soon-to-be adolescent receives a box that claims to hold the meaning of life.

November's roundup of New in Paperback titles includes DAWN, the third installment in Erin Hunter's beloved feline fantasy series, Warriors: The New Prophecy; PERMANENT ROSE by Hilary McKay, a companion to SAFFY'S ANGEL and INDIGO'S STAR in which eight-year-old Rose takes center stage in the chaotic Casson household; and DRIFT HOUSE: THE FIRST VOYAGE, about three young children who go to Newfoundland to stay with an eccentric uncle and, much to their surprise, enter an extraordinary fantasy world.

WHEN SANTA FELL TO EARTH by Cornelia Funke
Gerold Geronimus Goblynch is determined to put an end to children's wishes and turn the holiday season into his own personal moneymaking scheme. As the last real Santa, Niklas Goodfellow must save Christmas and needs the help of young Ben and Charlotte in order to make it happen. Reviewed by Sally M. Tibbetts.

THE WHITE ELEPHANT by Sid Fleischman
The bond between a boy and his dog, or a girl and her horse, pale in comparison to the bond between young Run-Run and his elephant, Walking Mountain. When Prince Noi the Idle punishes Run-Run with an unusual gift, a white elephant, Run-Run soon learns that a curse can become a blessing. Reviewed by Patsy Side.

DESPERATE JOURNEY by Jim Murphy
Twelve-year-old Maggie Haggerty's family is desperate for money and faces catastrophe. While her father and uncle sit in jail fighting phony charges, Maggie and her mother and brother must get their heavy cargo delivered to the other end of the Erie Canal in order to earn a much-needed bonus. Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman.

WIND TAMER by P. R. Morrison
Archie Stringweed's 10th birthday becomes far from ordinary when he discovers that an ancient curse has made him its next target --- and it's up to Archie himself to end the curse once and for all. With plenty of mystery and adventure and some rather humorous moments, WIND TAMER is an exciting debut from P. R. Morrison. Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle.

THE FIRST CHRISTMAS STOCKING by Elizabeth Winthrop
A long time ago a girl named Claire learned to knit by her mother's side. Soon Claire became known as the stocking girl and had many orders to fill for the town's wealthy people. One such order paid very well --- but then she came across someone truly in need. Reviewed by Renee Kirchner.

SMILE! by Geraldine McCaughrean
A stranded photographer introduces remote villagers to --- and reminds himself of --- the magic of photography while discovering a rich, mysterious culture. Geraldine McCaughrean develops a humorous but powerful message about memories, friendship and understanding in this small gem of a book. Reviewed by Norah Piehl.

DANGER IN THE DARK: A Houdini & Nate Mystery by Tom Lalicki
A surprising friendship develops between Harry Houdini and Nathaniel G. Makeworthy Fuller, as the word-famous daredevil tries to help the boy clerk and his family escape the grasp of a sinister stranger who is more cunning and dangerous than Nate could have imagined. Reviewed by Robert Oksner.

THE CALLAHAN COUSINS #4: TOGETHER AGAIN by Elizabeth Doyle Carey
The Callahan cousins reunite to spend Christmas with Grandmother Gee on beloved Gull Island. Phoebe is determined to make this the perfect New England Christmas, complete with an enormous tree (decorated the way Phoebe wants it to be decorated), snow, caroling and traditional recipes. Will her holiday dreams come true? Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon.

What do you like most about the holidays? (Check as many as apply.)

Family gatherings
The delicious food
Days off from school
Holiday-themed books
Holiday-themed music
Holiday-themed television shows/movies

Name up to five of your favorite holiday-themed books.