These are my recommendations for kids books and - for learning while having fun. Under the title is my age recommendation.

ABC Word Book by Richard Scarry
Preschool - kindergarten.
In 61 pages chock full of examples, a must-have for a child getting ready to recognize alphabet letters. There are two features in particular that set this book above similar titles. Number 1 is it has pages of words with the blended sounds of 'ch', 'sh', and 'th'. And, reason Number 2 is the short sentences on each page have the special letter for that page highlighted in red in every word. So, the child sees the letter or double letter combination being used in writing!

Alphabet Puppets by Jill M. Coudron
Parent and child together - preschool, kindergarten.
A 122 page paperback geared for use by parents or teachers with children ages 4 to 8. Teaching the alphabet letters is presented by easy to make puppets who give practical examples through prose and song, and by making or cooking things beginning with an alphabet letter.

Best Counting Book Ever by Richard Scarry
Preschool - kindergarten.
This book really caught my eye with its colorful and enticing cover - it made me want to look inside! And I was not disappointed. Now, many counting books have numbers of items in bright colors, but here we have a more interesting story line.

Best Mother Goose Ever! - Giant Golden Book - by Richard Scarry
Preschool - kindergarten.
The cheerful illustrations bring 50 Mother Goose nursery rhymes to life in this 96 page collection put together by Golden Books. I learned to read by memorizing these nursery rhymes - eventually associating the verbal with written words. And when my children were preschoolers they learned about written words the same way!

Best Rainy Day Book Ever by Richard Scarry
Preschool, kindergarten, primary.
This large paperback has fun activities that children can do by themselves while learning early building blocks for academics. My daughter had fun doing these activities, and I must admit, I still enjoy browsing through it.

Best Word Book Ever! by Richard Scarry
Preschool - kindergarten.
My children loved this large Golden Book, and I must admit I enjoyed looking at the pages, also. It is a fun way to learn the names of many objects. The main characters are Kenny and Kathy Bear, and along with their friends they let the reader see many items that belong to specific locations.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7) (Hardcover) by J. K. Rowling
Upper elementary school and older.
My kids, grandkids and I love the whole series and it looks like this last offering - Book 7 - will conclude the Harry Potter adventures. You can preorder "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" from Amazon.com by clicking on the highlighted link or the book cover.

DVDs Recommended for Kids and Families

Reviews by Susan Kramer