Check it out: Books and fun

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Compiled by ERIN ANDERSEN / Lincoln Journal Star

Color it fun

Lincoln’s wacky — and popular — children’s band The String Beans has expanded its repertoire with “The String Beans’ Great Big Book of Fun!”

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The activity book offers 52 pages of mazes, crossword puzzles, jumbles, word searches, dot-to-dot and pictures to color. Illustrated by String Beans brothers, Curt and Randy Bright, every page is based on the band’s songs.  Cornerstone Printing in downtown Lincoln published the book.  “The String Beans’ Great Big Book of Fun!” sells for $5 and is available at Lee Booksellers, both Lincoln Barnes & Noble stores, the Lincoln Children’s Museum, Indigo Bridge Bookstore, From Nebraska Gift Shop, MilkWorks, and on the band’s Web site, www.thestringbeans.com.

Personalized gifts

For some children, nothing is as magical as seeing their name in print — be it in a story book, a poster or coloring book.

Frecklebox allows parents to personalize a variety of storybooks, posters and even placemats. “The Nature Book” focuses on teaching the child how to spell her name. On each page are beautiful photographs of nature scenes, each with the child’s name spelled out in clouds, sand, autumn leaves and more. Prices range from $6.95 to $34.95. To learn more visit www.frecklebox.com.

Good reads

The days are getting shorter and the nights are getting colder. So why not curl up with a good book.

Here are some to consider:

* “Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes” by Mem Fox and Helen Oxenbury (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $16 hardcover). This sweet picture book designed for ages 3 to 5, will touch the hearts of parents everywhere as it celebrates babies all over the world and the things they have in common.

* “Mammoth Academy” by Neal Layton (Henry Holt Books, $16.95 hardcover). Prehistoric siblings Oscar and Arabella are starting their first year at a new school when they stumble into an Ice Age mystery. The graphic-novel style and goofy adventures are sure to make the 7- to 10-year-old readers laugh.

* “Warriors: Cats of the Clans” by Erin Hunter (Harper Collins, $15.99 hardcover). This book will be a must-have for fans of the “Warriors” series, which features a mythical world of cats. “Cats of the Clans” is a 96-page, full-color guide to the cats, their clans, warrior lore and other fun facts for fans. Ages 10 and up.

* “Children of the U.S.A.” (Charlesbridge, $23.95 hardcover) is the latest title by Global Fund for Children, a nonprofit organization that provides grants for children’s programs around the world. The book profiles the lives of children across 51 cities (one city in each state, along with Washington, D.C.) Lincoln is the featured city for Nebraska.  A portion of the book’s proceeds go toward the Global Fund for Children’s grant-making program. To learn more, visit www.globalfundforchildren.org.