Struwwelpeter

It helped shape Dwight Schrute into the hardworking, if slightly misguided, individual he is today, and just like his grandma, you too can scare your kids straight with Struwwelpeter ($7), a book of cautionary tales of misbehaving children. Originally written in German more than 150 years ago, the lessons are a bit extreme by today’s standards, but they sure get the point across in spectacular style. Great for slightly older kids who can appreciate that no one will really cut off their thumbs for sucking on them, nor will they starve to death for pushing away a bowl of soup, these stories provide a unique taste of a different culture in times gone by.