As we head into the Christmas shopping season, parents, grandparents and others can give the gift of reading and learning. The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has created a list of new books recommended for holiday gift-giving, as well as reading about the holidays themselves.

The gift-giving guide features titles suitable for readers from preschool age through 8th grade and includes picture books, novels, fiction and nonfiction. "Research shows that kids who read for fun -- not just for school -- score significantly higher on reading tests," said ALSC President K.T. Horning. "I hope parents and caregivers will join us in celebrating the holidays with reading. Whether you buy or borrow these books from your local library, reading with your child encourages lifelong learning."

Books for holiday gift-giving

Preschool-Grade 2

-- Cumberbatch, Judy. "Can You Hear the Sea?" Illus. by Ken Wilson-Max. Bloomsbury . In this sweet, intergenerational story set in West Africa , Grandpa teaches Sarah to hear the sounds of the sea in a conch shell.

-- Linenthal, Peter. "Look at the Animals!" Dutton. Bold graphics in black and white with touches of yellow draw the eye to these board book pages as they introduce animals and their activities.

-- Neubecker, Robert. "Wow! America !" Hyperion.From New England lobsters to the glaciers of Alaska , this picture book crosses the country with dazzling illustrations.

-- Seeger, Laura Vaccaro. "Black? White? Day? Night! A Book of Opposites." Roaring Brook. Things are not always as they seem, as witnessed in these eighteen pairs of opposites on die-cut pages.

-- "This Little Piggy: And Other Rhymes to Sing and Play." Edited by Jane Yolen. Illus. by Will Hillenbrand. Candlewick. This beautiful book will be a treat for young and old alike when adults lead their babies and toddlers through the fingerplays and lap games. A CD is included.

Grades 3-5

-- Aston, Dianna. "An Egg Is Quiet." Illus. by Sylvia Long. Chronicle. Beautiful, scientifically accurate watercolor illustrations of eggs and animals will please budding naturalists.

-- DiCamillo, Kate. "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane." Illus. by Bagram Ibatoulline. Candlewick. Reminiscent of classic tales and exquisitely illustrated, this short fantasy about a china rabbit's search for meaning is particularly appropriate for thoughtful, book-loving children.

-- "The Entrance Place of Wonders: Poems of the Harlem Renaissance." Selected by Daphne Muse. Illustrated by Charlotte Riley-Webb. Abrams. Vibrant paintings and engaging poems introduce young readers to a world of creativity and cultural awareness.

-- McKissack, Patricia C. "Porch Lies: Tales of Slicksters, Tricksters, and Other Wily Characters." Illus. by André Carillho. Schwartz & Wade. These short stories capture the authentic flavor of tall tales told on front porches in simpler times, but their humor will easily capture contemporary children's interest.

-- Matthews, John. "Pirates." Atheneum. With a striking skull and crossbones cover and a treasure trove of fascinating facts inside, this is an excellent choice for young pirate lovers.

Grades 6-8

-- Armstrong, Jennifer. "The American Story: 100 True Tales from American History." Illus. by Roger Roth. Knopf. Four centuries of American history comes to life through the 100 true stories in this illustrated collection.

-- Corbett, Sue. "Free Baseball." Dutton. When he gets a chance to be bat boy for a minor league team, Felix is welcomed by the players, and learns about himself and his family in this funny and involving story.

-- Riordan, Rick. "Sea of Monsters." Miramax. Boys, especially, will be hooked on this adventure series featuring Percy Jackson, a modern-day son of Poseidon and a human mother.

-- Snow, Alan. "Here Be Monsters!" Atheneum. With the help of some unusual friends, including box trolls, cabbage heads, and rats who do laundry, a boy tries to save the town of Ratbridge in this 500-page tale of silliness, fun and adventure.

-- Thimmesh, Catherine. "Team Moon: How 400,000 People Landed Apollo 11 on the Moon." Houghton. NASA photographs and quotes from the people who worked on the project illuminate little-known facts and highlight the creativity, trust, and dedication critical to this awesome 1969 feat.

For more recommended reading suggestions and award-winning literature for children, young adults and adult readers, please visit the American Library Association (ALA) online at www.ala.org/recommendedreading.

New books

Fiction

-- "Nature Girl" - Carl Hiaasen

-- "Act of Treason" - Vince Flynn

-- "Trial By Fire" - Terri Blackstock

-- "After This" - Alice McDermott

Non-fiction

-- "My Father, My President - Doro Bush Koch

-- "Firstlight" - Sue Monk Kidd

-- "Faith and Politics" - John Danforth

Library events

-- Preschool Story Time -- Each Tuesday, 10 a.m. Games, stories, crafts. Appropriate for children approximately 3 to 7 years.

-- Pajama Story Time -- Each Monday, 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome, wear your jammies or come as you are. Games, crafts, stories.

-- Wee Ones Lap Time Story Times - For babies up to 24 months, each Wednesday 10 a.m. Interactive finger play and song time for mothers and babies.

How can I support the Marshall Public Library?

-- Bring your receipts from Patricia's into the library when you're returning or checking out books. Each month, Patricia's Foods will donate a portion of the collected receipts to the library.

-- When purchasing items from Amazon.com, use the link to Amazon that appears on the Marshall Public Library's Web site: www.marshallpubliclibrary.com.

A portion of your purchase will go to support the library.

-- Consider joining Friends of the Marshall Libraries. Membership forms are available at the library.

-- Honor a mentor. Celebrate a friend. Commemorate an event. A gift to the Marshall Public Library is a unique and enduring way to pay tribute to friends and family. Your generosity will be a lasting source of joy and enrichment for the community. For additional information, please call (660) 886-3391 with any questions.