Holiday Helpings of Gifts

Last year I wrote how my grandfather believed in aspirational, rather than age-appropriate, gifts in the post, "Aspirational Holiday Gifts." I told how he gave me a fountain pen and pencil set when I was five. This year I came across a children's book that falls into the same aspirational gift category perfectly. Big Words for little geniuses by Susan and James Patterson represents each letter of the alphabet with a sophisticated word, its definition, and a delightful illustration. There are words, such as:
     D is for dulcifluous
     E is for empyreal
     L is for logophiler
I wish the words were in foreign languages and the book were Big Words for little international geniuses, but that could be the Pattersons next book. In any case, the current book, like Eloise or Click, Clack, Moo, is one of those books that adults find as much fun to read as kids do.

     Another aspirational book, A History of the World in 500 Walks, also can appeal to and inspire kids and adults. With photos, trail maps, travel tips, and historical details, Sarah Baxter guides readers on adventures around the world. I can hear walks in this book read one at a time per day by a teacher or as a bedtime story.

     The Bas Bleu catalog (BASBLEU.COM or 800-433-1155) has a Scratch-Off World Map on a 32" x 23" poster that could be used separately or as a companion to A History of the World in 500 Walks. Parents and teachers could let children scratch off the foil covering the country where the walk they heard about took place. The poster also includes country facts and travel tips. There are many creative ways to use this map to help children find the countries where Olympic games take place, where they or their grandparents were born, where rivers/mountains are located.

     For children 8 and older, MindWare (1-800-274-6123 or custserv@mndware.com) offers a connect-the-dots Around the World activity book (Item FZ-54004) with pictures of places such as St Basil's in Russia, the Great Wall of China, the Sydney Opera House in Australia, and the Eiffel Tower. The book is considered Extreme Dot to Dot, because each picture has 1,400 or more dots, and pictures are printed on artist-quality paper children can color after they finish connecting the dots. If you add a set of fine tip markers to the gift, you might find, as I have, that it will give children something to do after all the presents are unwrapped.

     Finally, for those who mark off the days until Christmas on Advent calendars, there is nothing better than the $7.99 one offered by Serrv (serrv.org or 888-294-9660). Children find little chocolate hearts behind each day in the Nativity story, and this year purchases will help fund locally-made bamboo bicycles to help children in Ghana, Africa, ride to school.