A visionary among illustrators and graphic designers, Calgary ex-pat Matt Luckhurst reimagines the tale of Paul Bunyan and Babe… with pancakes.

In this fun and hilarious re-telling of the classic American tale, Paul and his best BFF go off in search of work and pancakes only to learn that you need to eat a variety of foods to feel good inside. Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox: The Great Pancake Adventure is certainly an escapade worthy of a spot on the coffee table.

And now we're craving a short stack. —Kait Kucy

$14.40 at Chapters.ca

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.
—Pride & Prejudice

The biting social commentary of Jane Austen may be lost on most toddlers, but it’s never too early to start them on the classics.

A new Pride & Prejudice board book tells the darkly romantic tale of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy in just 12 words, each accompanied by sweet images of needle-felted figures. If your tot seems more of a Herman Melville fan, the Cozy Classics series also includes Moby Dick. Come spring look out for Les Misérables by Victor Hugo and Tolstoy’s War and Peace.

At this rate, we see a Man Booker prize in our babe’s future.
—Marianne Wisenthal

$9.81 at Amazon.ca

A clothing collection inspired by a classic book and not a video game? Ears up, bunnies.

babyGap is launching an adorable, limited-edition collection based on Beatrix Potter's The Tale of Peter Rabbit. It's not too early to stock up on Easter outfits (after all, it is in March this year), and the breezy dresses adorned with rabbits, chunky knit hat with bunny ears and nostalgic onsie with an illustration of Peter (pictured) will make the  backyard egg hunt look like a Town & Country photo shoot.

That's sweeter than a cream-filled egg. —Maria Tallarico

Pieces (0-24 months) from $19.95, in store Monday, January 14 at babyGap and online January 17 at gapcanada.ca

We love the idea of having our kids make Christmas presents, but not everyone wants gifts covered in glue, glitter, and scribbles.

How about letting them design motifs and patterns on professionally-made notebooks, T-shirts and greeting cards? Vancouver company Kibooco has launched a holiday pop-up shop that allows just that (look for the full book creation site in the new year).

Choose your item, and then use the icons and mouse to decorate. The software is ridiculously easy to use - so easy that this parent couldn’t figure it out because she over thought everything. Of course the 3-year-old easily managed to design a pretty cool notebook covered in ice cream cones and excavators. Lots of excavators.

The best part? There’s no opportunity to spill glitter or eat glue. Just don’t let them wreck your computer. —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

Order your artwork before December 10 and get delivery before Christmas. Notebooks start at $16, t-shirts start at $32, www.kibooco.com

Get to know our cross-country team of editors, who have opened their purses, cupboards and closets to reveal their most essential everyday items. Today, our chic beauty editor Anya Georgijevic shares her favourite things.

Grace Coddington, the redhead wonder behind Vogue, has just released her memoir and it’s a juicy one. From her humble childhood in misty Wales, to glossy magazine pages, to the bedrooms of enviable men (you’ll be surprised!), to her undying love of cats, and her relationship with the Devil herself, Anna Wintour, you won’t be able to put it down. $45 at Indigo.ca

Ugh, winter dryness. Skin scrubs can be messy, but not this fine rice powder by Eminence. The Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant comes in a handy (and very handsome) shaker bottle and, when mixed with water, creates a silky smooth substance, gently exfoliating the skin. I use it everywhere. $48 at Spa Boutique.

I never thought I would love a sweatshirt so much, but then J.Crew came along. I found it in the men’s section and ended up buying two, one for me and one for my husband—twinsies! $72.50 at J.Crew.com

This has got to be the most stylish water bottle ever. Obakki’s splendid glass bottle with a red silicone sleeve not only looks slick, but 100% of its sale proceeds go towards drilling water wells in South Sudan. Win and win. $29 at Obakki.com

They were recently on GOOP, but I’m adamant I discovered them first (take that, Gwyneth). These charming handmade cards by Brown Paper hail from London, and are bound to make a delightful snail mail treat this holiday season. The gold reindeer are pretty cute, but I’ll be sending festive puppies this year. $6.99 each at Orling & Wu, 28 Water St., Vancouver, 604-568-6718, www.orlingandwu.com (also check out their pop-up shop at Holt Renfrew, Vancouver)

—Anya Georgijevic

With so many great authors and events to choose from, Wordfest can be overwhelming for bookworms like us. Here's three not-to-be-missed readings we've penciled into our Moleskine calendars. 

Cures for Hunger with Deni Y. Bechard

Hosted by Globe & Mail Western Editor, Shelley Youngblut this noon-hour talk with prizewinning author Deni Y. Bechard discusses how family history can influence personal identity.

Northwords with Noah Richler

Take in the Calgary premier of the film Northwords, which chronicles the journey of five contemporary Canadian writers taking an artistic expedition to North Labrador. Journalist Shelagh Rogers joins Noah Richler for this discussion after the film.

Nora Young with Jay Ingram

We look forward to the lively conversation between CBC Radio’s Nora Young and former Daily Planet host Jay Ingram. The hot topic: how technology has changed the way we observe the world.

—Kait Kucy

Calgary Wordfest, Eau Claire Market, Unit b03, 200 Barclay Parade SW, Calgary, www.wordfest.com

With the last long weekend of summer fast approaching, we're hitting the beach with a bottle of SPF and a good book.

Anya Georgijevic, Beauty Editor
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain

I’ve been on a 1920s kick since... forever. This fictionalized story of a tumultuous relationship between the womanizing literary legend Ernest Hemingway and his first wife Hadley Richardson is just the right combination of romance and jazz age nostalgia. $19.76 at www.chapters.indigo.ca

Kelsey Dundon, Lifestyle Editor
Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

Leave it to HBO to get me so hooked on a series: I’ve turned into a full-on fantasy-lover. I couldn’t wait to watch the third season of Game of Thrones so I decided to do things the old-fashioned way: read my way through it. The series is light reading yet each book is thick perfect for stashing in your weekend bag. $21.97 at www.chapters.indigo.ca

Kait Kucy, Calgary Editor
Adventures in Solitude by Grant Lawrence

The CBC's Grant Lawrence recalls his long summers growing up in the misty and wet depth of British Columbia's Desolation Sound in this perfect Canadiana piece of literature. Excellent for long weekends at the lake or beach, this book will bring about new gratitude and love for your Canadian surroundings. $17.78 at www.chapters.indigo.ca

Athena Tsavliris, Toronto Editor
The Book of Marvels by Lorna Crozier

A friend dropped in for tea today with this book (and homemade jam tarts) in her bag. It looks utterly charming. The perfect escape from that 700-pager on the nightstand. $15.165 at www.chapters.indigo.ca

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce (Sponsored)

An ordinary walk to the corner mailbox sparks an extraordinary journey of self-discovery in this tender, touching and captivating new novel—the newest addition to Indigo Spotlight, a curated selection of outstanding reads. $19.76 at www.chapters.indigo.ca

Christine Laroche, Montreal Editor
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

The novel is dark, sneaky, and incredibly addictive, and Reese Witherspoon seems to agree: The actress has bought the book’s film rights. $16.47 at www.chapters.indigo.ca

Maria Tallarico, Managing Editor
Who Killed Mom? by Steve Burgess

Popular Vancouver writer Steve Burgess brings his trademark wit to this tale of familial bond. His love for his mother Joan shines through every quippy story, and his quest to both understand and honour the woman who shaped him is quite touching. And did I mention how funny he is? Very. $17.44 at www.chapters.indigo.ca

The women on aspirational mommy blog, The Glow make it look sickeningly easy, but in reality, balancing babies and business can make you sweat.

In their new book Mom Inc., Meg Mateo Ilasco and Cat Seto offer sound advice to enterprising moms on everything from writing a business plan, to launching a website to staying sane and focused at home.

The writers are serial entrepreneurs–Seto juggles motherhood and a successful custom stationary line while fellow mom, Mateo Ilasco is an artist, crafter and DIY-er par excellence – so the advice comes first hand.

Mom Inc. isn’t the most original title, (it’s one of many) but this is a smart little book, regardless. —Athena Tsavliris

From $15.16 at Chapters Indigo.

The first commandment of responsible food consumption is "know thy source".

Local foodie Dee Hobsbawn-Smith makes that easy with her new book Foodshed: An Edible Alberta Alphabet ($14.40). She profiles local producers and growers and digs into modern farming and all that entails from government policies and animal welfare to slow food movements and sustainability. And, in keeping with the alphabet theme, there are 26 recipes,  for each type of produce explored in the book.

The second commandment of responsible food consumption is never turn down a party with snacks. —Jaelyn Molyneux

Her book launch is tonight at Cookbook Co. Cooks from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Cookbook Co. Cooks, 722 11 Ave. S.W., Calgary, 403-265-6066, www.cookbookcooks.com

What we’ve learned from parenting books so far this year: French kids don’t throw food, and French kids eat everything (presumably because it’s still on their plate).

While American Pamela Druckerman has tackled the contretemps (or lack thereof) of French child rearing in her book Bringing up Bébé, Canadian mom Karen Le Billon concentrates on food-related norms in her helpful treatment of the subject, French Kids Eat Everything, out this week.

“If Pamela explains the why, I explain the how” says Le Billon from her Vancouver home, stressing that she is not a fan of French parenting per se, but has been converted to their rules around food.

Part “momoir” of their family’s year in France, part recipe book, and part self-help book for parents, she distills from her experiences a set of 10 rules, including: try everything, no snacking, have dinner together, eating is joyful….

Sounds simple until you remember your last meal was a salad eaten over the sink.

But working mother Le Billon (a UBC prof) finds a golden mean back home that includes treats (like sushi night) and adapts her kids to the Canadian regime of 15-minute school lunch breaks (versus the two hours allotted in France).

But will the kids get Easter Baskets filled with chocolate or fois gras this year? We suspect the former.
—Sarah Bancroft

French Kids Eat Everything (And Yours Can Too), from $16.60 at www.amazon.ca