Tiny Tears. Chinese Checkers. Easy Bake Oven. Mr. Potato Head. View-Master. Creepy Crawly Thingmaker. Once these brand names figured on children's Christmas lists all over America. Susan Waggoner captures this history in a charming book, "Under the Tree: The Toys and Treats that Made Christmas Special, 1930-1970," (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, hardback, $16.95). Designed to resemble the period ads that are its chief illustrations, the book chronicles the period during which holiday toy spending went from $100 million (1924) to $2 billion (1968). We spend more than $22.9 billion now.

— Wanda A. Adams

MOMS, DON'T MISS OUT ON SOME FUN

Moms, whether you're looking for holiday gift ideas and survival tips, the latest parenting news, discussions, or just some fun and camaraderie, it's prime time to visit www.HawaiiMoms.com, since the free Web site is overflowing with new features, including the www.HawaiiMoms.com Holiday Guide, with family-friendly events, mom-to-mom discussions and stories filled with tips and ideas. There's also a holiday photo gallery; send in your favorite 'ohana snapshots for a special yuletide display.

— Esme Infante Nii, HawaiiMoms.com editor

FINAL WORD

"It's really fun to be Dewey. I don't think I have the kind of looks that make me a rock star — or a movie star, for that matter. But these songs, they're so catchy and powerful, it just gets people going. It's intoxicating!"

John C. Reilly | who plays Dewey Cox in "Walk Hard," in Entertainment Weekly

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