fairy tales

Have you seen Penelope yet?

Probably not -- it was in theatres for about 10 seconds, and despite its awesomeness there was not a lot of buzz.

But now it's on DVD and, my friends, you must watch it. James McAvoy is in it. You would think he steals the show, but Christina Ricci has a pig nose and still manages to be adorable. The story is a sweet fairy tale -- not a romantic comedy -- and the film is shot in the same style as Pushing Daisies or Big Fish. The message is pretty simple (maybe too simple), but you really do have to love it.

(Favourite line: "Edward, don't lick Max.")

And did I mention James McAvoy is in it? Sigh. Okay, he does kind of steal the show.

Anyway, this does seep into a book topic.

My close friends' daughter turns one this month, and I've been looking for the right birthday present for her. I'm thinking fairy tale, a book that she clearly will not be able to read now but which she will treasure in the years to come.

That's the goal, at least.

I was thinking a couple second-hand Nancy Drew novels in the lovely yellow hardcover style. Or perhaps I could pull a couple of the sketches from the books and frame them for the baby?

Other fairy tales.... Alice in Wonderland? Ramona Quimby? (I know, not a fairy tale, but certainly a tale to treasure.) Little Women?

Suggestions?