Giving Box

Fred Rogers, the host of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, helps parents to teach children lessons of generosity and community with The Giving Box, illus. by Jennifer Herbert, designed to ""create a tradition of giving with your children."" A hand-size hardcover comes packaged with a small painted tin bank in which children can save coins to donate to the needy. The book contains fables from around the world that convey a tradition of giving (e.g., the Hebrew tale of ""The Brothers,"" about two siblings who secretly help each other without the other's knowledge; Aesop's ""The Lion and the Mouse""), as well as a letter to parents, a letter to children and instructions on how to use the box--not just at Christmastime but year round. (Running Press, $12.95 96p ages 7-up ISBN 0-7624-0825-1; Dec.)