Young Reading: Ideal titles for eager Easter eggers

Preparing for the high holy days ahead, or just wanting to stock Easter baskets with good books reflective of the season? Then read ahead -- we've found some ideal titles for Easter and Passover.

TODAY IS THE BIRTHDAY OF THE WORLD. By Linda Heller. Penguin. Ages 3-5. $16.99.

Although inspired by September's Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah, this book will be available in April.

All of God's creatures celebrate the birthday of the world and the beauty they find. God asks each creature if he has enjoyed the Earth as he has made it for them. He asks if each creature has been the best it possibly could be, praising all for making the Earth the best it can be. Lovely, lyrical and with illustrations beautifully wrought with a crackle overlay.

WONDERS AND MIRACLES: A Passover Companion. By Eric A. Kimmel. Scholastic. Ages 10 and up. 136 pages. $18.95.

This beautiful anthology reflects customs, stories and traditions of the Jewish faith in regard to Passover, the holiday that "marks when Israel became a nation, when the descendants of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob emerged from slavery in Egypt to change the course of history."

The holiday celebrates an ancient, symbolic ritual. This book explains the Seder, the religious symbolism, the stories and the years of history. It is beautiful, evocative and deserving of its recognition with a National Jewish Book Award.

THE ANYTIME BIBLE. By Mary Manz Simon. Scholastic. Ages 7-10. 318 pages. $14.99.

Part biblical storybook, part workbook, this spiral-bound starter Bible is a good beginning to daily Bible reading. Stories are related in age-appropriate language. A scripture reference at the top of each story directs readers to the passage from which the story was derived. Notes to parents give discussion points to home in on, and fill-in-the-blank prayers make them personal conversations with God. This is an excellent topical way to begin a Bible study with your young reader.

ANYTIME, ANYWHERE: A Little Boy's Prayer. By Marcus Hummon. Simon & Schuster. Ages 4-7. $16.99.

Bedtime ends with a story, followed by a prayer for Isaac. Isaac takes careful time naming every creature for which he is thankful. Isaac doesn't just stop with the animals and bugs; he goes on to pray for friends, family and even those he doesn't know. Commentary about his prayer list is interspersed. The author, who happens to be the Grammy-winning songwriter who co-wrote "Bless the Broken Road" performed by Rascal Flatts, has portrayed realistically a fervent young boy in tune with his conversations with God. Touching.

ALL GOD'S CRITTERS. Song by Bill Staines. Simon & Schuster. Ages 5-8. $16.99.

We don't know what is cuter about this book -- the song that inspired it or the personality-infused illustrations. Stock up on this one for your gift shelf. It's a fun book that is enticing for even older people who like picture books. "All God's critters got a place in the choir -- Some sing low, some sing higher, some sing out loud on the telephone wire ..." And so it goes as Bill Staines takes a donkey, cow, horse, hippo, opossum and other creatures through a song full of joyful noise.

LITTLE CHICK. By Amy Hest. Candlewick. Ages 4-8. $17.99.

If you follow children's books closely, you begin to recognize ones from Candlewick Press. This publisher's picture books carry a quiet élan, a mark of quality, of gentility. Little Chick fits right into its standard. Soft illustrations and three sweet stories about a determined little chick make this an Easter classic. From the story about Little Chick hoping to grow her carrot to the one in which her kite will not fly, readers will fall in love with Little Chick's resolve.

THE ODD EGG. By Emily Gravett. Simon & Schuster. Ages 4-8. $15.99.

How can you not have one great egg book at this time of year? The Odd Egg is our pick for Easter 2009. What is in the odd green-spotted egg that turns up for Duck? All of the other birds have laid their eggs. Duck finds his. The ginormous spotted egg seems a bit awkward for Duck to try to hatch, but he does his best. We love the part where the eggs all crack ... except for Duck's. A very big surprise is worth Duck's wait!

■ Monica Young and Hannah Young can be reached at cyoung9@triad.rr.com. View book reviews at the Journal in Education site at www.jie.journalnow.com.