Here is a fun and practical gift for any imaginative little boy. This set from Books to Bed features a hardback copy of the beloved story Peter Pan as well as a pair of Peter Pan pajamas. What a great way to encourage reading and enjoy some snuggly winter evenings. It is available in sizes from 2T up to 7.  Several other book-themed sets are also available. You can purchase one for $44 at RonRobinson.com.

This classic book is one of my favorite Christmas read-alouds. Truth be told, I read this to my kids throughout the year. The gorgeous illustrations by Jan Brett add a new dimension to the familiar tale, and I always am a sucker for rhyming read-alouds. You can purchase this in hardcover for $12.23 at amazon.com, and start your own Christmas tradition. You will not be disappointed in your purchase. It makes a great gift, too.

I think most parents, eager to get their children off to the right start, begin purchasing books for their babies even before they arrive. Pretty soon, you find yourself swimming in a sea of board and picture books. That’s why I love the idea of these upscale bookends. The dinosaurs caught my eye, but many other animals, even some ultra-modern robots, are also available. Made out of leather by artist Sandy Vohr, these are truly a unique way to showcase your child’s growing library. Such quality work doesn’t come cheap, however. Plan to pay $170 when you purchase these at theredballoon.com.

Here’s a cute way to keep books handy and encourage your child’s love of reading. This fun orange friend can hold a number of books, while its wheels allow for easy transport from room to room. It doubles as a fun pull toy, doll carriage, etc. You can purchase this multi-purpose toy for $38 at designpublic.com.

If you’d like to help your child develop his or her computer and literacy skills in a safe, no-cost environment, check out the offerings at pbskids.org. Whether or not your child has watched the many educational programs that PBS offers, there are tons of activities here that are sure to capture the imagination. When my oldest daughter was in preschool, this was a favorite resource for printable coloring pages and online games. I am thinking that my little daughter will enjoy it now, and the site has really come a long way since my older daughter used it. Children can now watch short videos, listen to music,  read blog posts from favorite characters, and more. I highly recommend this site for all children. You might catch yourself enjoying it too.

Board books always make a great new baby gift, especially if you want to give the child something that will be usable for many years to come. This Baby’s First Books gift basket from the Red Balloon, brings together four great oa books, along with a rattle, in a fun, red tin. You can provide information about the recipients to help determine which books are included. This great gift retails for $37.50 at theredballoon.com. If you consider the price of board books, you couldn’t put this together for much less yourself.

Many mamas have pondered whether or not teaching baby sign language is for them. With my first son, I didn’t bother because he was an early talker, communicating his needs verbally to me with no problems. With my second son, I’m not sure which route we’ll take, as he’s not the talker his brother was. While shopping at OneStepAhead.com, I decided to look at the under $10 section and found the Sign About Books, “Going Out”, “Play Time”, “Meal Time”, and “Getting Ready.” All are board books that show you how to sign the words baby uses every day. Best of all, each book is only $4.95. For babies 8 months to 3 years, each book has 40 signs to teach your child, more than enough to get you communicating!

This book caddy from Ecotots is such an inviting way to display books. Right now we have books spilling out of every possible storage space in our girls’ rooms. I love it that this is right at eye level for a little one–books are readily accessible and appealing. You can purchase one for $85 at landofnod.com. A darker wood version is also available, so you can coordinate to your decor.

I love to read to my girls, but there are definitely evenings when it becomes a chore. Those are the nights when I rely on Jane Yolen’s dinosaur series. We love these books. I have fun reading them because they are short, funny, and the rhyme makes them a pleasure to read. It is hard to feel tired or exasperated while reading one of these books. They also teach great lessons about manners, friendship, responsibility, etc. We have quite a few of them (and I can recite many by heart), and I would highly recommend them to any parent. You can purchase “How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?”, the book that started it all, for $16.99 at Borders.com. While you are there, check out the other great books in this series. You will not be disappointed. This is the picture book version. I actually prefer the board book versions for younger children.

I’m always looking for ways to help keep the earth healthy. When it involves making my child healthier too, I’m all ears. Recently I read “Healthy Child, Healthy World: Creating a Cleaner, Greener, Safer Home,” by Christopher Gavigan and learned a lot about keeping my family and my home healthy that I didn’t know before. From nontoxic ways to get rid of household pests (like ants, which I’m getting to test out now in my own home), to ways to minimize allergens in the home (I learned carpeting is not the best choice), to recipes for healthy snacks, homemade cleaners, and non-toxic crafts to make with your child, this book is jam-packed with great ideas. It’s definitely a book I’ll be referring to often during the day. The book also features a foreword by Meryl Streep and contributions by public health experts and other celebrity parents. I’d call this a must-read for all parents and those interested in helping to keep the earth as green as possible, and our kids as healthy as possible in the process. You can purchase this vital read at Amazon.com, where it sells for $10.88.

LC Creations have some amazing, artistic bookends available; we received this particular set as a baby shower gift from a family friend. I absolutely love the vibrant colors and the fact that the layers of butterflies and flowers result in a three dimension look not often found in ordinary bookends. Let’s face it, there’s nothing wrong with functional items also being beautiful and pleasing to the eye.

These would no doubt be a nice addition to any nursery or young child’s room. But don’t worry, if your child isn’t quite into butterflies and flowers, there are plenty of other designs to choose from. This particular set sells for $30, but other styles run as low as $20. You can find a variety of bookends by LC Creations on minitots.com.

I always love to give books as gifts for children, as they are something to treasure that will last a long time. Some of my best childhood memories are of the bedtime books I read when I was little. So I was very happy to find these personalized book plates at Felix Doolittle with some of the most wonderful illustrations I have seen in a long time. They are both charming and whimsical, seeming to tell little stories all their own.

The designs are miniature watercolors by artist Felix Fu, originally from Hong Kong, but now working out of Newton, Mass.  These would make a great gift in themselves and are ideal for the budding young reader who likes to take ownership over his growing library. The book plates use premium self adhesive labels and are easy to add to any style books. Measuring 2 ¾ X 4,” they cost $40 for 25, and are available from FelixDoolittle.com.

[ This is the fifth in a series of posts by Susan Maphis covering the impact of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). For more information about the CPSIA, read Susan's previous article: The End Of Handmade and sign up for her CPSIA Alerts Mailing List ]

Stacey Kannenberg is a small publisher of children’s books in Fredonia, Wisconsin who is scrambling to try to get her books in compliance with the Consumer Protection Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) before its enactment on February 10.  “My printing company has been working hard to get their ink and manufacturing process tested to certify that I am in compliance,” Kannenberg says.  “But now the government wants me to have them tested too – that’s double dipping!!”

Cedar Valley Publishing has published some award-winning books for children, including “Let’s Get Ready for Kindergarten” and “Let’s Get Ready for First Grade.” The CPSIA is already affecting Kannenberg’s livelihood. “I have been trying to go to press on my next book and due to this new law, we have had to hold everything to make sure we are not printing a product that I will not be able to sell,” she says. “It seems as if we were blindsided by this entire law!  I understand that products need to be safe but let’s start with the products that are made overseas first.”

To view and/or purchase Kannenberg’s company’s books, visit CedarValleyPublishing.com.
[ For more information about the CPSIA, read Susan's previous article: The End Of Handmade]

This Puzzle Bookshelf by KidKraft is perfect for displaying and storing your child’s favorite books  and toys. I like it for its playful design and bright primary colors. You could add a similar pattern in an area rug. I’m sure you could find one in the shape of a giant puzzle piece.

Make a designated reading corner in your child’s room and set up the shelves, the rug, and a few bean bags. This would create a perfect spot for rainy days.

The bookshelf measures 25″ x 11.5″ x 37.5″H.Visit Walmart.com to view this item, priced on sale for $69.88.

If you are like me, you enjoy buying all kinds of books for your children.  As your library grows, it is nice to have a cheerful way to display it.  These cute little bunny bookends by Manuella Design are one great option.  Available in a number of colors to suit any nursery or bedroom decor, these bookends are made to be soft, so you don’t need to worry about injuries from sharp edges.  Your child will be delighted by their cute, friendly appearance, and you will love having your child’s books all within reach. You can buy a pair on sale for $34.99 at giggle.com.