On the bookshelf: Everything ever written by Dr. Seuss, Sandra Boynton, Maurice Sendak and Jane Yolen

On a first-name basis with: The server at Ted Drewes

On the iPod: Anything by Laurie Bernstein

On the nightstand: A Nintendo DS and a cup of water

On the weekends: Birthday parties, soccer games and sleepovers ... oh, and homework

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Leap Frog digital camera, by Sakar International, comes with interactive software. This talking camera says "Smile for the camera," "Great Shot," "Say Cheese" and more ($49.99) at most Target and Toys R Us stores

Star Wars 125-piece puzzle by Shutterfly ($34.99) lets you put a photo of your child along with his favorite characters at shutterfly.com.

Make your own Alvin, star of the new movie "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" ($22 price as shown) at Build-A-Bear Workshops. (Alvin and the other Chipmunks arrive Dec. 11 at Build-A-Bear).

Keep your baby from pulling off his sunglasses with Baby Banz in camo ($14) at Regional Eyecare, 3013 Winghaven Boulevard, O'Fallon, Mo.

My Name drink bottles ($9.99) at Play and Learn, 1820 Market Street in Union Station.

Brown girls ankle boots with fringe ($24.99) at JC Penney

Two pairs boys slipper socks ($9.99) at JC Penney

The Good Nite Lite will change from a sun to a moon at bedtime and from a moon to a sun when it's wake-up time ($34.99) at GoodNiteLite.com

Poshpigs "Nothing like a pig in a kilt" piggybank ($12.99) at Play and Learn, 1820 Market Street in Union Station

Soothing Sounds Giraffe is designed to soothe and entertain baby ($24) at Babymoon Boutique, 1120 Wolfrum, Suite 102, Weldon Spring