By KAREN MACPHERSON, Scripps Howard News Service

Laurie Halse Anderson obviously doesn't shy away from writing about painful subjects in her books for teens. Over the past decade, she's written novels about the effects of rape, bullying, epidemics and abuse.

Many parents dream of one day publishing the bedtime stories they create for their children, but Rick Riordan has actually done that -- in a big way.

Celebrate Mother's Day with some of these great new children's books:

Show your children how to play with words -- read some poetry together!
To get you started, here's a look at some great new poetry books for kids:

Celebrate Earth Day all year round with some of these great new children's books focused on the environment:

As a high-school senior, John A. Stokes was a leader in the fight to desegregate the nation's schools.
Together with his twin sister, Carrie, and another student named Barbara Johns, Stokes led a 1951 student strike at their school, Robert Russa Moton High School in Prince Edward County, Va.

Kids often want to read a book that will make them laugh. They're not just looking for joke books; instead, they usually want a humorous novel.
Anything by Daniel Pinkwater is a good choice, as are many books by Dick King-Smith and Beverly Cleary.
Now, here's a trio of new novels that should spark laughter in young readers:

Kids often want to read a book that will make them laugh. They're not just looking for joke books; instead, they usually want a humorous novel.
Anything by Daniel Pinkwater is a good choice, as are many books by Dick King-Smith and Beverly Cleary.
Now, here's a trio of new novels that should spark laughter in young readers:

They were true pioneers, 13 fearless women pilots who aspired to become astronauts.

They were true pioneers, 13 fearless women pilots who aspired to become astronauts.