On weekends local librarians and booksellers review books for children on TriangleMom2Mom.

This weekend, the Children's Department staff of Quail Ridge Books & Music in Raleigh makes these recommendations.

Cookies: Bite Size Life Lessons (hardcover, $12.99) by Amy Rosenthal and Jane Dyer

By turns inspiring, sweet and thoughtful, everyone learns while making these cookies. All those hard-to-explain character traits are easy to understand when revealed through the art of baking cookies. Who would get the first cookie in YOUR house? For ages 3 and up.

Alphabet (board, $19.99) by Matthew Van Fleet

The creator of "Tails" takes little ones on a wonderful animal safari from A to Z. Textures, pull tabs, scratch and sniff, and flaps keep hands busy as they hunt for over 100 animals and plants. There's even a bold poster to put on the wall. His board books have the sturdiest pull tabs we've ever seen, good for plenty of action. For ages 2 and up.

When Dinosaurs Came With Everything (hardcover, $16.99) by Elise Broach

Winner of the 2008 E.B. White Read Aloud Award for Picture Books! A boy is thrilled at the giveaways he and his mother encounter as they run errands. Now, if he can just convince mom to let him keep these very large freebies! You may decide you could use a dino or two when you see what they're capable of! For ages 4 and up.

The Mysterious Benedict Society (paperback, $6.99) by Trenton Stewart

Winner of the 2008 E.B. White Read Aloud Award for Older Readers! Are you feeling creative? Then join the children who answer a mysterious ad for gifted children and face the same puzzles. The winning team is sent on a secret mission to infiltrate the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened where things are not as they might seem. For ages 10 and up.

Quail Ridge Books & Music, 3522 Wade Ave., is an independent bookstore in Raleigh. The staff offers great programs every month, including a wonderful Monday morning story time for preschoolers. Please note that the story time on May 26, Memorial Day, is canceled.

Also coming up this month is a visit from Kevin Henkes, 7 p.m., May 22. He returns with his new novel for ages 9 and up, "Bird Lake Moon." Henkes won the Caldecott Medal for the adorable picture book "Kitten's First Full Moon." The program is open to all. Tickets for the signing line are available with the purchase of any of his books.

Quail Ridge also will have deals on children's books the week of May 12 to May 18 in honor of National Children's Book Week. And its Summer B.I.R.D.S. Club is gearing up for ages 5 to 8. Check the Web site for details. 

Check out our daily themes at TriangleMom2Mom:

MONDAY: Meet!
TUESDAY: Ask!
WEDNESDAY: Eat!
THURSDAY: Play!
FRIDAY: Out!

WEEKEND: Relax!