Kid Picks with Philip Potempa for Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012

Here's our monthly showcase of the latest and greatest new selections in media for youth.

From books and games to educational toys and DVDs, there's never a dull moment for active and eager young minds.

BOOKS

Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, $16.99, Ages 3 to 6

"Miss Lina's Ballerinas and The Prince" by Grace Maccarone

Beautiful illustrations by Christine Davenier complement this 40-page hardcover about how Miss Lina managed to teach her young dancing students to perform as a group. But when a boy decides to join the class and wants to perform in the "year-end" show, charm becomes a lesson in trust, making new friends and of course, the pleasures of ballet. It's available in stores or at mackids.com.

Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, $15.99, Ages 9 to 12

"Breaking Stalin's Nose" by Eugene Yelchin

Sasha Zaichik has known the laws of the Soviet Young Pioneers since the age of six. Devotion and an allegiance to the country's leaders and politics are crucial. But now, everything seems different. And following a simple accident at his school that has him blamed for breaking a bust of Stalin, suddenly his world seems upside down after he learns his father has also been arrested by the government. It's a 150-page hardcover and available in stores or at mackids.com.

GAME GIVEAWAY

Pressman Toy Corp., $17.99, Ages 10 and older

"Modern Family Game" inspired by the ABC TV series

Two to six players can join in the fun with the three varied families featured on the hit TV series "Modern Family." Here's the chance to test trivia knowledge based on questions about the show and cast. Each space on the game board has a corresponding deck of question cards on a range of subjects like parenting, family, interview and events. Once a player has collected 30 tokens and visited each of the households and then makes it back "home" to a comfortable couch, he or she is the winner. It's in stores now or at pressmantoy.com.

• YOUR CHANCE TO PLAY AND WIN:

Here's the trivia question you need to answer correctly to have your name entered in today's drawing to win the Modern Family board game:

• The ABC series "Modern Family," which is produced by Twentieth Century Fox Studios, stars actor Ed O'Neill, who was cast as head of the household shoe salesman Ed Bundy 25 years earlier on what hit sitcom launched in 1987 on the new Fox network?

You have until midnight tonight to call with the correct answer to this question.

All the readers who call in with the correct answer will be entered in a random drawing. PLEASE INCLUDE your name, town you reside in and a best contact telephone number. Call this direct desk line at (219) 933-4173 with the answer. When you're calling in your answer, please remember to speak slowly and clearly.

The winner will be contacted Friday and the winning name published in Philip Potempa's Sunday Off Beat entertainment column. The contest is not open to Times employees and their immediate families.

Good luck!

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at philip.potempa@nwi.com or (219) 852-4327.