What a fun, and hilarious, book is Cowboy and Octopus (Viking Juvenile, 2007) by Jon Scieszka. For the uninitiated, Scieszka’s writing is uproarious. His Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales (Viking Press, 1992), a collection of fairy tales told as parodies — "Little Red Running Shorts,” “Chicken Licken,” “Jack’s Bean Problem” — is legendary.

It's possible, though, that this latest book tops the established classic. It was a nudge from online children's bookseller McLean & Eakin that got the book on my radar screen. Each of the seven pithy stories is a trove of laugh-out-loud pages that, I promise you, will appeal to grandchildren and grandparents alike.

I’m a sucker for knock-knock jokes so the "Who’s There?" section appealed to me. All the jokes appealed to my 6-year-old grandson. When Octopus, trying to nail a sailboat together, hands Cowboy a hammer saying, “When I nod my head, you hit it. Okay?”, he howled, getting the joke long before I did.

Cowboy and Octopus contains a wonderful combination of imaginative illustrations, subtle messaging on the value of friendship, and all-ages humor that can be read to grandkids over and over… and over again. Each time, they'll eat up every last word.

Ballerina Dreams

“Once upon a time, there were five little girls who had a dream. They dreamed of being ballerinas.” That simple introduction to Lauren Thompson's astonishing book, Ballerina Dreams (Feiwel & Friends, 2007),resonates with every little girl in the world. Is there a granddaughter among us who, at one time or other, hasn’t dreamed of twirling across a stage in a tutu and tiara? These fledgling ballerinas, though, had more to overcome than the plié.

The five girls in this true story, ages 3 to 7, have cerebral palsy or similar muscle disorders. Some use leg braces; others wheelchairs or walkers. Despite how hard it is for the girls to hold themselves upright and remain balanced, their amazing physical therapist, Joann, is determined to help them fulfill their ballerina dreams.

Following weeks of practice, the girls' dance recital before family and friends is the highlight of the book. Dressed as Sugar Plum Fairies, the ballerinas tackle The Nutcracker first, then change costumes for Swan Lake. How fitting it is that the latter is the story of a princess who never gives up. For the finale, the dancers hold shiny silver stars high above their heads and, with help, prance about the stage to the accompaniment of "When you wish upon a star…."

Not only is the narrative remarkable, the photographs, taken by Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times photographer James Estrin are stunningly beautiful. The combination not only brings the girls, their teacher, and helpers to life, it explains how cerebral palsy affects the muscles in kid-friendly terms. Never textbook-y, this is a touching story of five girls who, faced with the impossible, somehow accomplished it. Ballerina Dreams is sure to inspire any young girl.

The Power of Perseverance

Only one classic children’s book can follow such a tender new release. You guessed it: The Little Engine That Could (Grosset & Dunlap, 1978). It's the age-old tale of a spirited train that — through sheer willpower — overcomes great adversity. For those who've forgotten, the Little Engine is a “she,” tying in nicely with Ballerina Dreams for a granddaughter’s storytime.

But no child, boy or girl, ever tires of reading this book. And with its lasting message, The Little Engine might well be the original self-help book. When obstacles overwhelm your grandchildren, the ultimate mantra of encouragement — "I think I can, I think I can” — can pull them through.

Plus, seeing that the Little Engine's motive for transporting toys to the other side of the mountain is purely altruistic — getting them to the children — there's no better primer to a conversation on the value of helping others.

PS: A warning. Only after I ordered a miniature copy of The Little Engine That Could to tuck into my purse for emergencies, did I realize that the words and illustrations aren’t always in sync.