Issue link: http://winter.relevantize.com/i/523563
/ . - B O O K S PHOEBE, age 10 ➸ Easily the most prolific reader in the house. Seemed to figure out way before most that the secret to happiness is a good book, a comfortable chair and a curled-up dog. (Though she'd also spend all afternoon cozying up with a pharmaceutical pamphlet if allowed.) Favorite authors: George O'Connor, Jules FeiZer, Sharon Creech, JeZ Smith, Lemony Snicket, Pseudonymous Bosch, George Saunders. For reasons we have yet to diagnose, she refuses to read Harry Potter beyond The Sorcerer's Stone. ABBY, age 8 ➸ Had first mad love aZair with a book at age three (see #19) and despite a generally sunny disposition, gravitates toward the dark genius of Roald Dahl, Lemony Snicket, and Phillip Pullman. Frequently wakes up parents at 6:00 am with questions like "What's the name of the second worst town in New Jersey?" Does a killer cockney accent. ANDY ➸ Spends most of his waking hours editing books about things like the Mossad, brain science, and the processed food industry, but is frequently brought to tears by E.B. White and William Steig. Decided to have children because it would give him a good excuse to re-read The Chronicles of Prydain (#70). Is tempted to call b*ll$#t on Curious George. JENNY ➸ Author of two books about dinner. Would crawl inside any Little House book if she could (except maybe The Long Winter). As a kid, spent 90% of her library time in the Jill Krementz corner (#13). Writes bestselling children's books under the pseudonym J.G. Finch. Or at least plans to someday. PLUS! Guest appearances by David Sedaris, John Jeremiah Sullivan, George Saunders, Daniel Handler and Pseudonymous Bosch! Key We tried to list the books in roughly the same order that we have read them over the years. (Emphasis on the word "roughly;" Phoebe started with her TinTin books at age 5 and is still re-reading them at age 10.) You'll notice an age guide at the top of each page, plus a few icons next to each entry. This is to help you select books for your own kids. Here's what those icons mean. ➸ This book has lots of dialogue and opportunities for funny voices, so is ideal to be read out loud in class- rooms, at birthday parties, and on sleepovers. ➸ This book is a comic book or a graphic novel. ➸ This book is a nice bridge between picture books and chapter books when your kid is just learning to read. ➸ We love all the books on this list but this one is especially lifechanging. ➸ This book is part of a series. In other words, you might not see your child for days— weeks even—if you hand them Book 1. ➸ Art is craaazy good and would make an excellent gift. / . / B O O K S Meet The Reviewers 3