My new year’s resolution this year was to read 52 books. One for every week of the year. When my daughter was born almost three years ago, I lost my avid reader status. I just didn’t read books anymore. I was too tired at bedtime. I’d get through a page or two and fall fast asleep – that makes it really hard to get interested in characters and story lines. I also stopped commuting on the subway which is where I could digest 40 pages before I even made it to the office in the morning. This year, I decided, it was time to get back in the game.

Am I going to finish 52 this year? I don’t know. I haven’t been keeping track. What I do know is that I have read some excellent, excellent books this year, and making that commitment to get back to reading was the best new year’s resolution I have ever made.

I am going to share some of the books I enjoy here. I thought I’d start this week with a special holiday edition. Here are my top three Halloween books for kids:

Hallowilloween by Calef Brown – After my daughter received one of his other books for her first birthday, I knew I had found a children’s author whose books the whole family could enjoy. My daughter thinks the poems are silly. I think they are beyond clever. And it is filled with great illustrations.

Hist Whist by E.E. Cummings with Illustrations by Deborah Kogan Ray – A great way to introduce little ones to poetry. This book was what inspired my daughter’s devil costume for Halloween last year. The poem builds with suspense, but the illustrations keep it kid friendly – revealing on the last page that the ghouls are just children in costume.

Frank Was A Monster Who Wanted To Dance by Keith Graves – Kids will be appropriately grossed out when Frank starts to dance and his body starts to literally fall apart.

Of course, you can find all of these books on Amazon and at Barnes and Noble, but I’d recommend asking your local book seller if they carry these titles. If you live near me, you can ask the folks at Maria’s Bookshop to order them for you. Or check your local public library!