Since reading is such an important activity for families to share together, this page is devoted to featuring quality books that can either be read to kids, or read by kids. We hope this list will help you when you visit your local library or bookstore, where the huge selections can be overwhelming. Our picks are alphabetized by the author's last name.

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* Aardema, Verna: ''Borreguita and the Coyote'', illustrated by Petra Mathers. This story, based on a Mexican tale, tells how the small lamb outsmarts the cunning, hungry coyote.

* Bunting, Eve: "The Mother's Day Mice'', Illustrated by Jan Brett. Three little mouse brothers get up early on Mother's Day to find the perfect gifts for their mother. The sweet story is enhanced by the wonderful illustrations of Jan Brett.

* Brett, Jan: Jan Brett's books are a feast for the eye. We always love reading her Christmas stories during the holidays, including: "Christmas Trolls'' and "The Wild Reindeer.''

* Brown, Margaret Wise: "Good Night Moon', illustrated by Clement Hurd, is a classic from the 1940s that parents have relied on before naps and bedtime. This is a wonderful book for very young children.

* Carle, Eric: He has written and illustrated many wonderful books. Here are a few of our favorites: ''The Mixed-Up Chameleon''; "The Grouchy Ladybug"; "The Very Hungry Caterpillar"; and "Rooster's Off to See the World.''

* Cole, Joanna: "The Magic School Bus'' series, illustrated by Bruce Degen, is based on the PBS Magic School Bus cartoon show. These books do a great job explaining various scientific subjects to kids. Kids love the whacky teacher, Ms. Frizzle, who takes her class on amazing journeys to learn about the world of spiders, volcanos, water, the solar system, the human body, butterflies and hurricanes.

* Gonzalez, Lucia M.: "The Bossy Gallito'' is a version of a Cuban folktale that the author's grandmother used to tell her when she was a child. The book is beautifully illustrated by Lulu Delacre, and introduces children to Spanish words.

* Johnson, Tony: "The Quilt Story'' is beautifully illustrated by Tomie dePaola. This lovely story tells how a much-loved quilt once owned by a pioneer girl gets a second life.

* Leaf, Munro: "The Story of Ferdinand'', with drawings by Robert Lawson was first published in 1936. It tells the tale of a bull who is too sweet to fight the matadors.

* Macaulay, David: His book, "The New Way Things Work'', is a great addition to your library if you have a child who is curious about how things work. His drawings clearly explain all sorts of contraptions. He also has done many other great books, including the Caldecott Medal winner, "Black and White'', which tells four stories at the same time. Two other books, "Cathedral'' and "Castle'', both Caldecott honor winners, explain in beautiful detail how these great structures were built.

* Markle, Sandra and William: "Gone Forever! An Alphabet of Extinct Animals'' by Sandra and William Markle, illustrated by Felipe Davalos, teaches children how many animals no longer exist. Each letter of the alphabet highlights an extinct animal, which is nicely illustrated. Parents may learn a few things about some unusual extinct animals at the same time.

* McCully, Emily Arnold: "Mirette on the High Wire'' tells the tale of a little girl pursuing a dream. The story is accompanied by beautiful paintings that draw you into Mirette's world. McCully's illustrations won her the Caldecott Medal.

* Murkoff, Heidi: Her four new "What To Expect Kids'' books help answer questions kids ages 2-5 have about important life events. The excellent series includes "What To Expect When You Go To The Doctor'', "What To Expect When Mommy's Having a Baby'', "What To Expect When You Use The Potty'', and "What To Expect When The Babysitter Comes''. The topics are thoughtfully addressed by Murkoff, co-author of the popular parenting book, "What To Expect When You're Expecting'' and beautifully illustrated by Laura Rader. Each book features Angus, the Answer Dog, who is available for purchase as a stuffed animal. Part of the proceeds from the sale of the books goes to the What To Expect Foundation, whose mission is to help disadvantaged families expect happy, healthy babies.

* Peet, Bill: "The Ant and the Elephant'' by Bill Peet. A kind-hearted elephant is always willing to lend a trunk to help the other animals, even if they don't seem to appreciate his efforts. But when the largest creature in the jungle gets into trouble, one of the smallest comes to his rescue. Bill Peet has written many other wonderful books, including "The Wump World'', "The Caboose Who Got Loose'' and "Capyboppy''.

* Polacco, Patricia: "Mrs. Katz and Tush'' tells the beautiful story about the friendship shared by a young African-American boy and an elderly neighbor. Mrs. Katz learns about black history, while Larnel learns about Mrs. Katz's Jewish heritage.

* Slobodkina, Esphyr: "Caps for Sale'' is a classic that was first published in 1940. The story features a tired peddler, his caps and some mischevious monkeys. You may remember the book from your childhood, and will have fun sharing it with your youngster.

* Van Allsburg, Chris: This wonderful author and illustrator perhaps is best known for "The Polar Express,'' a wonderful Christmas story about the magic of believing in Santa Claus. But he also has written many other wonderful books worth checking out, including: "The Stranger'', "Jumanji'', "The Garden of Abdul Gasazi'', "The Wreck of the Zephyr'' and"Just a Dream''.

* Viorst, Judith: "Alexander and the Horrible, Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day'', and "Alexander, Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday'' by Judith Viorst. Both these humorous books are written from the perspective of a cynical little brother.

* Wood, Audrey: "The Napping House'', illustrated by Don Wood, is a rollicking fun rhyming book, perfect to read to young ones before a nap or bedtime.

* Zion, Gene: "Harry The Dirty Dog'', illustrated by Margaret Bloy Graham, stars an adorable white pooch with black spots who loves everything, except baths. On one bath day, Harry decides to run away.

* Adler, David: The "Cam Jansen'' series stars a girl who uses her photographic memory to solve mysteries and crimes. These books are especially popular with secondg-grade girls. The titles include: "Cam Jansen and the Mystery at the Monkey House'', "Cam Jansen and the Carnival Prize'', "Cam Jansen and the Circus Clown'', "Cam Jansen and the Dinosaur Bones'', "Cam Jansen and the Monster Movie'', "Cam Jansen and the Stolen Corn Popper'', "Cam Jansen and the Stolen Diamonds'', "Cam Jansen and the U.F.O.'', "Cam Jansen and the Gold Coins'', "Cam Jansen and the Television Dog'', and "Cam Jansen and the Babe Ruth Baseball''.

* Parish, Peggy: The "Amelia Bedelia" series features a funny maid who always manages to mix up her directions. The titles include: "Amelia Bedelia and the Baby,'' "Amelia Bedelia and the Surprise Shower,'' "Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping,'' "Amelia Bedelia Helps Out'' and "Amelia Bedelia's Family Album''.

* Sharmat, Marjorie Weiman: The "Nate the Great Detective Stories'' series of easy readers appeal especially to first- and second-graders. Nate the kid detective is surrounded by interesting characters, including his trusty dog Sludge and Rosamond with all her cats. These are fun books to read aloud to your child, or for your beginning readers. The titles include: "Nate the Great and the Mushy Valentine'', "Nate the Great and the Phony Clue'', Nate the Great Goes Down in the Dumps'', and "Nate the Great Goes Undercover''.

* Montgomery, L.M.: "Anne of Green Gables'' is the first in a series of novels about the heroine Anne Shirley, who is adopted by an older sister and brother in Prince Edward Island. This book is especially appropriate for girls who are good readers, especially fifth-graders. It also is a nice book to read out loud together.

* Rowling, J.K.: "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is the first in what now is a growing series about a young boy who learns he has magical powers. Rowling creates the wonderful world of Hogwarts, the wizardry school Harry attends. Although the students learn some unusual things at Hogwarts, Harry, like other kids his age, face the usual problems of growing up, including bullies, teasing and homework. These are great books to read out loud as a family, especially for younger students who haven't mastered reading novels yet. "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'' is the second in the series, and is a little scarier than the first. "Harry Potter and the Prizoner of Azkaban'' is the third in a series, and has even more frightening moments. The fourth book, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'', is quite lengthy but perhaps the best of the series so far. It also has some scary moments, and parents should be cautioned that one of the minor characters is killed. (I was more saddened by this plot twist than my kids!)

* Sachar, Louis: "Sideways Stories from Wayside School'', "Wayside School is Falling Down'' and "Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger'' . These not-too-long chapter books with their quirky humor are a lot of fun to read; they are good books for readers who aren't ready for long novels or chapter books. A novel by Sachar, "Holes'', won the 1999 Newbery Medal, is a popular choice for older readers.