Books in Shaped Books series

In this lovely book, originally published in 1916, illustrator Margaret Evans Price and author Isabel C. Byrum beautifully tell the Christmas story, from the baby in the manger, surrounded by animals, to the arrival of the three wise men. The story, from the point of view of a child, is sweet and sincere and the accompanying illustrations exquisite. The narrator, Ethel opens the story: “In Bethlehem, I’ve heard them say, Upon a Christmas morn, Within a stable rough and rude, a tiny babe was born.” We continue in this vein as Ethel reflects upon the feelings of Mary and Joseph, the shepherds awakened by angels, the Wise Men following their star and of course Baby Jesus. The style of the interiors and clothing is more 1910s than Biblical, but so lovely and stylish that we are indifferent to the anachronism. A Child’s Christmas Story is a tender introduction to the nativity story for any early reader, and a perfect holiday gift.

The new Shape Books series brings the ancient world to three-dimensional life and reveals the most interesting topics from some of the world's most important empires. Each title is a self-boxed 3-D board book that replicates an iconic structure from an ancient civilization. Page-filling color illustrations and concise text take young readers back in time, where they discover how people lived and what their world looked like. Engaging, interactive and informative, Shape Books are sure to be a hit with curious readers. This book describes the three most important pre-Columbian civilizations in Mesoamerica and how, despite advanced knowledge of mathematics, astronomy and architecture, they eventually disappeared. Topics include language, personal decoration, diet, architecture, city life, sacrificial rites, weaponry, the Maya and Aztec calendars, religion and decorative arts.

Each of these board books is shaped like a vehicle. When readers open the books, they step into the vehicle, learning about a new aspect of its operation on each spread. Full of simple diagrams and fun facts, kids will read and play with these books again and again. Fire Truck puts kids in the driver's seat of a fire truck, showing them how firefighters use these impressive machines to save lives.

Each of these board books is shaped like a vehicle. When readers open the books, they step into the vehicle, learning about a new aspect of its operation on each spread. Full of simple diagrams and fun facts, kids will read and play with these books again and again. Diggers lets kids step into a big, tough digger, and learn about how the driver makes it do its job on the construction site.

This clearly written and beautifully illustrated book, first published in the 1950s, introduces the young dancer to the basic concepts of ballet. It defines the art form, shows the five positions, the seven movements, the carriage of the arms, the pliés, the role of the composer and choreographer and more. A Child’s Book of Ballet includes a glossary of ballet terms and throughout the text the terms are highlighted, so the young reader can more easily remember them.A Child’s Book of Ballet also features a brief history of ballet, its costumes and the world of ballet shoes. Woven throughout the text are lovely illustrations of boys and girls at practice and in performance.