Meet My Staff
This is one of those books that you buy as a gift for a child, then keep for yourself.  Written by Patricia Marx, who has sharpened her wit on TV shows such asSaturday Night LiveandRugrats, and illustrated by the inimitable Roz Chast,Meet My Staffis perfect for anyone with a healthy funny bone, no matter what their age.  Walter is a boy who has it easy, thanks to his huge staff of helpers. There's the Homework Helper, who knows just about everything, the Lima Bean Man, who handles all unpleasant vegetables, and even a crowd of laughers who think Walter is justhilarious.  There's a lot of stuff that needs to be done when you're a kid, and Walter has everything covered.  The staff members are introduced in full-page, full-color cartoons that are packed with enough sight gags to reward repeated readings, and the story is sure to inspire the imagination of any 8-year-old who hates to tidy his or her own room. Grownups will realize that they need a staff too! How about Chris the Carpool Driver, or Samantha the Recycling Sorter?--Simon Leake