I've got a Turkish-style meatloaf in the oven: ground turkey, mint, walnuts, panko, parsley, basil...Yum. I also wanted to put forth a list of some of my new or new'ish favorite children's books in case you are bored with the ones you're reading, need a gift, or just like kids books that also resonate with adults. These are smart and/or funny, beautifully illustrated, impart a wonderful lesson or, simply, ways in which to live and act positively, and my kids love them as much as I do.

Otis by Loren Long Otis and the Tornado, also by Loren Long The Curious Garden by Peter Brown Grandpa Green by Lane Smith Say Hello to Zorro by Carter Goodrich The Little Band by James Sage and Keiko Narahashi Back of the Bus by Aaron Reynolds and Floyd Cooper The Alphabet Construction Book by Jerry Pallotta and Rob Bolster Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld All In a Day by Cynthia Rylant and Nikki McClure

And if you aren't familiar with the old classics, become so!!

All of the Frances books, by Russell and Lilian Hoban The Amazing Bone (Dr. DeSoto, Amos and Boris, and pretty much anything written by) William Steig What Was I Scared Of? by Dr. Seuss Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson