Uptown Literati Gift Guide, Part II: For the Kiddies

It's back! Part two of the Uptown Literati Gift Guide is dedicated to the wee ones in your life: your kids, nieces and nephews, cousins, and every other little person with an appreciation for books.

Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas [Ages: 3-6, Jane O’Conner ($10.00, Amazon): All the rage right now, the Fancy Nancy series has a special Christmas story for the young and imaginative minds in your life. For Nancy there is nothing better than fanciness and nothing fancier than Christmas. The New York Times loves the Fancy Nancyseries, stating “Nancy's joy is infectious, and her over-the-top elegant vocabulary pays off in a warm twist.”


The Polar Express [Ages: 5-8], Chris Van Allsburg ($11.07, Amazon): Republished just in time for your holiday shopping (well, really for the release of the film starring Tom Hanks), this book tells the classic tale of the young boy who experiences a Christmas Eve every kid dreams of. Up waiting for the sound of Santa on his rooftop, he discovers the Polar Express outside his home. Already filled with children, the train takes them on an adventure to the North Pole that he never forgets.


The Princess and the Frog [Ages: 8-12], Irene Trimble ($4.99, Amazon): Every little girl wants to be a princess. Now young black girls everywhere have one to call their own. This “junior novelization” is a great way to get your little princess reading chapter books. Not only will she be enthralled with the enchanting love story of Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen, but she will be delighted to have eight full-color pages of scenes from the movie.



A Really Short History of Nearly Everything [Ages: 9-12], Bill Bryson ($11.69, Amazon): Perfect for the child in your life who can’t stop asking “Why?” about nearly everything. This book will help them understand the fundamentals of the coolest science concepts out there, from atoms to astrology to energy. It’s all there. The best thing about putting this book in their hands? Shhhh… They won’t even know they’re learning.

What do you think of the list? Tweet your reactions to @UptownLiterati!

--Nikita Mitchell

Uptown Literati Gift Guide, Part I: For the Ladies

It's here! Part one of the official Uptown Literati Gift Guide is dedicated to all the fly gals in your life: mom, sister, aunt or maybe your best friend. A good book is always the perfect holiday gift, especially if you choose one of these:


Changing My Mind, Zadie Smith ($17.79, Amazon): Smith's latest is a collection of essays by the award-winning novelist. It's great for the woman that appreciates witty discourse in short chunks (i.e. a train or bus commuter). We haven't read the book yet, but Amazon.com says the subjects range from "literature, movies, going to the Oscars, British comedy, family, feminism, Obama, Katharine Hepburn, and Anna Magnani."

Martha Stewart's Cupcakes: 175 Inspired Ideas for Everyone's Favorite Treat ($14.61, Amazon): Cupcakes are huge these days, with designer creations going for upwards of $4 a pop. With everyone tightening their belt and everyone and their mama thinking their something of a domestic goddess, why not gift your favorite girl with a guide to whipping up these simple pleasures?

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, Junot Diaz ($10.08, Amazon): According to many, Diaz is the best young writer this side of the pond. If you love his writing, pass it on! Oscar Wao, the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, is a great introduction to his amazing talent. And, in the words of book tweeter @TatianaRichards: "@uptownliterati The Alchemist, Oscar Wao & Daddy Was a Number Runner are my faves to give!"

Girl Trouble, Holly Goddard Jones ($10.19, Amazon): After reading a great review from Oprah.com, this short story collection immediately made its way to our Wish List. The site describes the books with "the eight stories collected here poignantly dissect a group of trapped people—mothers, lovers, students, dads—all doing the best they can."

Other books to consider:

Girls in Trucks, Katie Crouch

Drinking Coffee Elsewhere, ZZ Packer

To Be Real: Telling the Truth and Changing the Face of Feminism, Foreword by Rebecca Walker

Nanny Returns, Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus (will be released on December 15)

What do you think of the list? Tweet your reactions to @UptownLiterati!

--Whitney Teal