Halloween is the major social event of the fall for the 12 and under set. My daughter begins planing her elaborate Halloween outfit on the first day of school. Yesterday I found her riffling through our mailbox in search of costume catalogs, then diligently earmarking ghoulish attire and jotting down a “trick or treat” itinerary in her Disney day planner.

For those parents and grandparents who prefer to shower their kids with substantial “treats” instead of the sugary, fleeting kind, we suggest pairing one of our rocking Legends tees or onesies with the new book “Tales of the Cryptids,” for a perfectly haunting, calorie-free and sugar-free Halloween treat.

“Tales of the Cryptids,” is written especially for kids by Halls, Spears & Young and explores mysterious animal legends in realistic detail. I adore the fact that the writers applaud their young audience for having the “courage to wonder.” (more…)

You could probably guess that the Crib Rock Blog’s first children’s book recommendation would be a collection of nursery rhymes. What you might not expect is that we’ve chosen Arnold Lobel’s Book of Mother Goose. 

Why? Because Mr. Lobel, a highly accomplished illustrator, accompanied each poem, limerick and tongue twister with one of his classic drawings - no small feat when you’ve created a vast collection of more than 300 classic nursery rhymes.   

With the book costing a tad less than $15.00 and sure to provide many years of enjoyment and education, it rates tops with Crib Rock as a birthday and baby shower gift.  Available for purchase at Amazon.com.