Keep Kids Busy with Entertaining Gift Items

Some cool children's gifts can be found at bookstores. And I'm not just talking about books; some products are certainly based on beloved tales. These fabulously innovative items rock the socks off the usual doll/action figure/gift card selection.

"Creatures Floor Puzzles" from Andrew Zuckerman; Chronicle Books; $24.95.

Andrew Zuckerman's breathtakingly clear wildlife photography stars in an upcoming 120-page alphabet book, and now in large floor puzzle form. In the book, also from Chronicle, alligators to zebras are presented dramatically, starring in stunning studio photographs with crisp white backgrounds. The puzzle set — housed in a white box with a handle — offers big, solid pieces even preschoolers can work with. Presenting the hair follicle, close-up and personal elephant, monkey, zebra and lion dad and cub faces, the handsome set contains four floor puzzles.

Gorgeous enough to be pasted on art boards and hung on the wall (though don't do this too early as kids will want to remake the puzzles time and time again), these "Creatures" astound.

"Stereobook: Dinosaurs" by Dennis Schatz; Chronicle Books; $24.99.

A neat new product from Chronicle Books, the "stereobooks" feature built-in stereo speakers, so kids can feel surrounded by sound as they listen to the books' sound effects. In "Dinosaurs," colorful prehistoric creatures bellow, chomp food, fight rivals and more, with paleontologist-approved sounds and facts within the 15 scenes.

Others in the series include "Vehicles" and "Wild Animals"; they make fun gifts for ages 4 and up.

"Julius! Pop-Up Sticker Activity Kit" from Paul Frank Industries and Chronicle Books; $14.95.

Paul Frank's hip culture icon, cheeky monkey Julius, usually smiles from T-shirts, backpacks and other apparel. Recently exploding onto the book and toy market, Paul Frank's fun characters are very popular with kids. In this pop-up sticker activity kit, youngsters (and oldsters) can decorate Julius's pop-up surf shop and fill the tropical island scene with his groovy friends.

Hundreds of stickers in the 48-page "Drawing and Stickering Book" aid young artists as they create their own "Costumes! Cupcakes! Spaceships! Surfboards! Amusement parks and more!" A super cool travel kit, with stickers and pages all fitting within a foldout binder, this set is birthday party-priced affordably at $14.95.

Slightly older Julius fans that are looking forward to the school year will certainly appreciate the "Julius! School Planner," also from Chronicle Books. ($14.99).

With a spill-proof, clear cover, weekly page spreads, assignment charts and a non-year-specific setup, busy middle- and high-school students will find this planner hip and handy.

"Eric Carle Decorative Prints" from Chronicle Books; $24.95.

What toddler isn't an Eric Carle fan? This fantastic gift set includes 12 stunning prints celebrating the timeless, animalistic artwork from the world of Eric Carle. Printed in full color on durable paper, this oversized (prints measure 12 inches by 16 inches) collection — starring panda bears, caterpillars, kangaroos and even the alphabet — makes a smart baby shower, birthday or new home gift.

"Klutz Build a Book" from Klutz Publishing; $12.95.

Klutz activity kits are always great gifts. This "build a book" kit, aimed at girls 6 and up, contains a pink heart-decorated, spiral-bound book and lots of decorative foam shapes, custom papers, clipboard letters, markers and glue — kids can concoct their own books about their friends. The book's cover is titled "My Really Good Friends, by Me."

Additional tear-out pages include helpful hints, tips and ideas, making the kit a unique gift as is, or even after being personalized and "published."

Disney "Numbers Discover Box" from Disney Press; $14.99.

Starring the Disney Channel's popular Mickey Mouse Clubhouse characters, this tote-worthy box with a sturdy string handle contains 26 little board books. In the colorful books, Mickey and friends present basic number concepts, counting from one to 25, with one extra that reviews all the numbers in a whimsical parade.

A smart way to keep so many little books corralled, the Disney boxed set also reinforces that learning counting and math can indeed be fun.

To find out more about Lee Littlewood and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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