Letters from Felix: A Little Rabbit on a World Tour (by Annette Langen)

There are few children, or parents, who can resist this captivating idea. This book, which contains actual letters from Felix that look handwritten and can be taken out of their envelopes, adds an extra layer of magic. Parents will be equally charmed by Sophie's large, ragamuffin family, and by the doses of learning that the book gives so painlessly. It inspires children in so many ways -- to find out more about the places Felix visits, to imagine adventures for their own favorite toys, and to create letters written by them.

Little details in the pictures tell stories of their own. For example, after Felix is lost, Sophie's little sister, Lena, draws her a picture of Felix to cheer her up. Nine pages later that same is picture hanging beside Sophie's bunk bed. Felix's suitcase keeps acquiring more stickers, which can be found in the suitcase at the end. It's the cleverness and attention to detail that keep kids poring over this book until it becomes dog-eared.