READ ON

In honor of our very wintry, wet weather here in Texas, we thought we would share some great reads for snuggling by the fireplace (possibly with lots of pillows inside a Lucy & Michael playtent?).  These are a few all-time favorites of ours - true gems that everyone in the family will love.

Age ranges are very loose, basically based on our own families.  All are as appealing to grown-ups as they are to kids (thank goodness!).

Ages 3 - 8:  Arnie the Doughnut, by Laurie Keller.  One funky take on a picture book!  Kids will love getting to know Arnie and his attempt at challenging his life's purpose - being eaten.  Adults will love Keller's witty jokes (a thank you to her editor is set to the old song "Super Freak") and illustrations that are clever and plentiful enough to stay fresh through hundreds of readings.  Because you will read this one hundreds of times!

Ages 5 and up: The Tale of Despereaux, by Kate DiCamillo.  Maybe you've seen the movie.  But if you haven't read this book, run to the bookstore now.  No kidding.  This is a truly delightful story of a brave mouse and "forgiveness, light, love and soup" (Booklist) - how can you resist?  Best read aloud to everyone in the family, from the youngest to the oldest.  It's a classic, and you'll smile while you read.

Ages 8 - 12:  Catherine, Called Birdy, by Karen Cushman.  A fantastic, funny, totally relatable story of 14-year-old Catherine living in 13th-century England.  Told through her diary, this book gives tremendous insight into life for girls in midevil England.  Historical fiction thinly veiled by a laugh-out-loud story that will transport young girls and hold them (and their parents) captive.

Ages 8 - 12:  Nicholas, by Rene Goscinny.  The first in a series originally published in France in 1959, this is a timeless story of adventurous school boys getting in trouble.  Their old-school antics are reminiscent of Leave It To Beaver and totally refreshing and new at the same time.  Sprinkled with tiny cartoon illustrations from Jean-Jacques Sempe, a much-acclaimed New Yorker cartoonist.  Girls and boys both will fall in love with Nicholas.

For the grown-ups:  The Elegance of the Hedgehog, by Muriel Barbery.  Another book translated from the French bestseller.  Months after finishing this book, we're still thinking about the intertwined lives of Renee, a concierge at an exclusive Paris apartment building, and Paloma, an overly precocious 12-year-old.  This book made us think about life and class and what's real and what's important more than any other book this year.  Read on if at first you don't think you'll love this book, because at the end you surely will.  Actually, we're on our way to begin re-reading it right now...