Books always make great gifts. Though they usually don't have the glitz and gloss of electronic gadgets, they can stimulate imaginations and intellects without batteries or chargers. These are a few of the new gift-worthy children stories.

"Wabi Sabi" by Mark Reibstein; art by Ed Young; Little, Brown; 32 pages; $16.99.

Looking for a meaningful picture book with glorious artwork? "Wabi Sabi" is the lovely tale of a cat that tries to learn the meaning of her name. Since her friends can't help much, Wabi Sabi sets out for Mount Hiei in Japan to consult a wise monkey. Her journey unfolds in a mix of prose and haiku, and Wabi Sabi soon learns her name refers to the traditional Japanese concept of finding beauty in simple, everyday things.

Caldecott Medalist Ed Young's striking collage illustrations are set against fabric, paper and even woven reeds. The unique book is set up vertically — bound like a calendar, and the pages are turned from the bottom up. Called a "glorious piece of bookmaking" by Booklist in a starred review, "Wabi Sabi" is stunning and sophisticated for all ages.

"Are You Grumpy, Santa?" by Gregg & Evan Spiridellis; Hyperion Books for Children; 24 pages; $6.99.

In this colorful board book edition of a picture book holiday favorite, Santa faces lots of challenges: the elves shrink his suit, he's chased by a poodle, gets stuck in a chimney and even slips on a noodle. Plugging along through being nearly "trampled by a bull in beautiful Pamplona" and "bumping into a Christmas tree in Phoenix, Arizona," Santa finally explodes with a "I'm a grumpy Santa Claus!"

How does he recover? Cookies, of course. A funny lesson in the power of kindness to cure bad moods, the Spiridellis' tale is pure holiday joy.

"Hanukkah Haiku" by Harriet Ziefert; paintings by Karla Gudeon; Blue Apple/Chronicle Books; 22 pages; $16.95.

With whimsical folksy illustrations by Gudeon, Ziefert's haiku countdown through Hanukkah offers a brief poem for each night. Each time a page is turned, a candle is added to the menorah — the pages are cut to get smaller and smaller with each turn. With a vintage, cheery feel, the family celebrates Hanukkah with dreidels, latkes, gelt and dancing.

The end papers offer more information about the lighting of the candles as well as a blessing. A lovely picture book for families with young children, "Hanukkah Haiku" is a spectacular find.

"Sleepytime Songs" from the "Peter Yarrow Songbook" series; illustrated by Terry Widener; Sterling Publishing; 48 pages; $16.95.

Folk legend Peter Yarrow, from Peter, Paul & Mary, presents his popular songs and other beloved lullabies to youngsters, and oldsters, as a lyrical book. The accompanying 12-song CD features songs sung by Yarrow with his daughter Bethany, including "Puff, the Magic Dragon," "Kumbaya," "All the Pretty Little Horses," "Who's Gonna Shoe Your Pretty Little Foot?" and other equally as relaxing and beautiful tunes.

A fantastic gift for homes with young children, "Sleepytime Songs" joins Yarrow's other book/CD compilation entitled "Favorite Folk Songs," also from his Peter Yarrow Songbook series.

"The White House: An Illustrated History" by Catherine O'Neill Grace; Scholastic Non-fiction; 144 pages; $21.99.

An informative photograph-filled expedition through the White House, through history and through modern times, Grace's coffee-table tome is a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to run a 132-room house that is also an office, a museum and a ceremonial stage. A tour of its famous rooms and visits with its loyal employees give firsthand accounts of the joy and pride within the most famous house in America.

With foldout pictorial spreads and a look at an amazingly true-to-life miniature White House model, this reference book for older kids is lively, engaging, intriguing and a blast to peruse.

"Hurry! Hurry! Have You Heard?" by Laura Krauss Melmed; illustrated by Jane Dyer; Chronicle Books; 32 pages; $16.99.

Everyone knows about the stable animals at Christmas, but what about the creatures of the fields and forest? This lighthearted, lovely new Nativity tale introduces a bevy of charming creatures, from birds to hat-wearing bunnies to a fox to playful puppies and scurrying mice, all who rush to visit a baby born in a stable. The rhyming text is cheerful and sweet, and the nondenominational picture book read is certainly a heartwarming and snow-filled holiday tale for young children.

To find out more about Lee Littlewood and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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