McNally Robinson NYC

by Richard Scarry
(Random House, $5.99)
With a raised fist, Nicholas makes an ontological claim that sets him apart from other species. Like Nietszche’s Zarathustra, the protagonist of this tale takes on the roughest conditions Mother Nature has to offer and keeps his inner strength and sanctity throughout. Apparently orphaned, Nicholas blasts through this setback while making the best of out anything. All other bunny tales pale in comparison (all apologies to Pat)..

by Mervyn Peake
(Overlook, $15.95)
Young Titus Groan is the seventy-seventh Earl of Gormenghast, a state entirely swallowed up in a weird rambling castle with its eerie and stifling ritual traditions. Naturally, his job is to break free, leave home and come of age, and it takes an entire trilogy (of which this is the first), full of dark humor and surreal imagery that haunted my childhood. This classic fantasy was an influence on C.S. Lewis and other masters, though it depends more on psychological effects than magic. It’s finally been reissued in three volumes by Overlook, giving you a chance to enter the Gormenghastly realm yourself..

by Sandol Stoddard Warburg
(Houghton Mifflin, $6.95)
I got this book for a wedding present. You could get it for Valentine’s Day, or your mom’s birthday, or your best friend’s promotion, or Tuesday. Don’t decide yet. Just read it first, and then turn back to your favorite parts. You will want to give it to everyone you like, for all the ways that you like them..

by Simon James
(Random House, $6.99)
Before you play The Marriage of Figaro to your baby in utero, read this charming, delightful and wise confection. The illustrations are sweet yet comical, and your little ones will love the idea of a baby doctor astronaut..

by Ann Jonas
(HarperCollins, $6.99)
This graphically masterful little book had a magical quality for me as a child. Its slim spine would continuously get lost amongst the meatier items on my shelves until I’d rediscover it there and drift away once more into its serenely clever pages marveling at the powerful union of restraint and creativity..

by William Steig
(Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $6.95)
Amos is a mouse and Boris is a whale. How could they help each other? This lovely classic by the creator of Shrek and Sylvester and the Magic Pebble reminds us that we all have our strengths, and that big words don’t have to be excised when writing tales for children..

by J.K. Rowling
(Scholastic, $34.99)
She did it. The last one is the best yet. It’s exciting, adventurous, and utterly satisfying. Breathes there a man with soul so dead he would be unmoved by the machinations at the Battle of Hogwarts? If there is anyone out there who still thinks they’re too sophisticated for this children’s series, I beg you - start reading. It gets better and better, and at the end of the seventh book you’ll want to go back and start again..

by Rene Goscinny
with illustrations by Jean-Jacques Sempe
(Phaidon Press, $19.95)
In this series of short stories, Nicholas describes the chaos involved in everything he and his classmates undertake, from sitting for a class picture to getting a new bike. His delight at his misadventures and utter confusion as to why the grownups always seem exhausted is so endearing that Nicholas will easily become your child’s favorite narrator. For ages 4-8..

by Oliver Jeffers
(Penguin, $16.99)
Jeffers has figured out a way to address difficult topics in kids’
books, and he brings an emotional depth that is rare. In this book, he
tackles the troubles of genius and lets us all know that
we need to slow down and just enjoy those damn books. The layout
and artwork are precious, and it’s a treat for all you bibliophiles.
Enjoy, kids..

by Dr. Seuss
(Random House, $14.95)
An entrepreneur commits grave atrocities against indigenous people and
the environment. He fabricates false needs, which leads to
over-consumption. The Lorax warns about unsustainable ways, and an
existential battle ensues and, through it all, hope remains.
Let there be hope…;