'Tried and true' book gifts for children

Picture and easy books

• "Make Way for Ducklings" by Robert McCloskey (Viking). The classic picture book of Mrs. Duck and her babies in Boston Commons. (Ages 3 and up)

• "Winnie the Pooh" by A.A. Milne (Dutton). Many versions exist, but the best illustrations are by Ernest H. Shepard. All ages can enjoy the humor as Owl tries to spell and Bear gets caught in the rabbit hole. (All ages)

• "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" by Judith Viorst (Simon). Bad days start out in lots of ways, but for Alexander he found no toy in his breakfast food — only cereal! Also in Spanish. (Ages 4-8)

• "Ira Sleeps Over" by Bernard Waber (Houghton). What happens at the first sleep-over when Ira wants his teddy bear to go along? A "read-it-again" book. (Ages 4-7)

• "William's Doll" by Charlotte Zolotow (Harper). The perfect reason why boys should be allowed to have dolls and stuffed animals if they choose. (Ages 4 and up)

• "Are You My Mother?" by P.D. Eastman (Random). A baby bird falls from the nest and tries to find its mother. (Ages 3-8)

• "Frog and Toad" by Arnold Lobel (HarperCollins). Three of the Frog and Toad books are just right for reading aloud and beginning reading. (Ages 3-7)

• "Amelia Bedelia" by Peggy Parris (HarperCollins). A series in many levels of reading. These, about a literal-minded maid, bring giggles to all readers. (Ages 6-9)

• "Henry and Mudge" by Cynthia Rylant (Simon). Humorous vignettes about two friends will delight the earliest reader. (Ages 6-8)

• "Nate the Great" by Marjorie Sharmat (Delacorte). Early readers will have fun with the antics of this young detective in this series. (Ages 6-8)

• "Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of a Mystery" (Aladdin, paper). Many formats exist for the Bunnicula books: board books, easy readers and beginning readers. Whatever style, they are favorites as Harold the dog and Chester the Cat try to rid their family of the vampire bunny. New in a boxed set. (Ages 8-10)

• "Dr. DeSoto" by William Steig (Farrar). Dr. DeSoto, the dentist, does his work on various animals while the reader tries to empathize. Also in Spanish. (Ages 4-8)