Our book favorites for this week...

When you have the chance, make a quick trip to the library and check out a few books, then take a few more minutes to sit down and relax with your kids. Get your hot chocolate or tea, cuddle up on the couch, and enjoy your books and each other. You'll be glad you did.

The Very Clumsy Click Cricket by Eric Carle. Another one of those great books with the sound in the back. You and your children will love the sound effects that go with the story. This beetle is young and has a tough time getting off his back. He's offered many words of encouragement from animals passing by, but he must turn over by himself.

Christmas Cats by Jean Marzollo. Cute, colorful and easy-to-read book, the kids can read to you while you close your eyes and listen. This sing-songy story takes you to visit a group of young cats who are getting ready for Christmas and keep asking, 'When will Santa come?'

The Stupids Die by Harry Allard. The Stupids is a book series that I must admit I stayed away from for a long time. The title bothered me, I guess. My daughter had heard the stories at school and brought them home from the library. I decided to see what I was missing - funny and stupid books that we now really enjoy. In this story, the stupids do their usual eating of breakfast in the shower, eating lunch with their feet and Mrs. Stupid makes a lovely dress out of chickens (then asks if it's too loud). While watching tv, the electricity goes out and, of course not being the brightest of families, they assume they are all dead. They don't seem to mind though - Heaven is a lot like home. A good story to read if you're in the mood for silliness.

Kipper by Mike Inkpen. Kipper reminds us a lot of the Spot Series. We loved the Spot books and love these as well. Kipper is cleaning out his basket. He is uncomfortable and can't get to sleep. He walks around noticing how others sleep and tries everything from standing on one foot like the ducks, to sitting in the pond like the frog.