Photos by Tim Peckham, Sun Media

Being constantly on the go with two young kids, I don't have much space (or shoulder strength) to carry around tons of books in my diaper bag. It's a problem, since I depend on books to entertain my kids in restaurants, in airports, on the plane and even in the car (I read from the front seat and hold the book so the kids can see from their car seats.)

Here's a list of some books I've found will fit in a purse, pocket or diaper bag compartment, but are still substantial enough to provide good entertainment. These titles could also be used in loot bags or as stocking stuffers:

- For babies and toddlers, "Buggy Buddy" board books come with plastic loops so you can attach them to a stroller or knapsack/diaper bag or other carry on luggage. Macmillan UK offers Monster Buggy Buddies that are 9 by 9 cm. Titles include Bathtime Monsters, Bedtime Monsters, Playtime Monsters and Teatime Monsters.

- Popular publisher Baby Einstein offers four adorable very portable books, created by Julie Aigner-Clark, which are smaller than 9 cm by 9 cm square. Babies has very cute photos of infants from different cultures, including one in Chinese costume, and a very funny photo of a baby's face covered with mush at mealtime. Birds also has lovely visuals, including a painting by artist Marc Chagall. Look also for Dogs and Cats.

- Candlewick has two mini books attached to Maisy Mouse plush toys with clips -- they each have their own knapsacks that open into tiny books. My older son particularly enjoys Maisy Goes Shopping. Look also for Good Morning, Maisy. Ages 2-5.

- Firefly has a cute set of Snappy Sounds board books, by Rich Cowley, introducing toddlers to sounds (about 8.5 cm by 8.5 cm). My kids love these colourful, sturdy titles: Bang, Bang! Toot Toot (musical instruments), Rrring! Tick Tock (gadgets ), Snap! Snap! Buzz, Buzz (animals) and Brrrm! Whoosh (vehicles). (Note: the books don't make sounds, allowing parents discretion in how loud they want to read the story.)

- The lightest books I've seen are from Annick Press, which publishes a set of nine of its classics, including The Boy In The Drawer and The Dark, by Robert Munsch, and Red Is Best, by Kathy Stinson, on lightweight paper stock, measuring about 8.5 cm by 8.5 cm. The feather-light, bite-sized set, which is a best selling item, retails for only $4.99. Annick also sells "Annikins," which are reprints of classics like The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch, but with a sturdier cover. Ages 3-7.

- Firefly's "Mini-Book Fun Pack," has career themes. Titles include I Want To Be A Pilot, which would be perfect for airplane storytime. The photos are sharp and the text easy to read, despite the miniature size. The other books are about the work of a doctor, nurse, police officer, teacher, vet, firefighter, cowboy and truck driver. Also a bargain at $4.99. Ages 3-7.

- There's a series of colorful paperbacks called Stories To Go from Simon and Schuster, and although they're not bite sized, they come with a funky carrier that attaches to the back of a car seat for long road trips.

- Klutz recently launched a gimmicky but definitely eye-catching series of travel activity books designed for kids in cars: the Books In A Cup series features a large "smoothie" sized cup, with four 40-page activity books (pages are black and white), two sheets of stickers, a matching pencil and a co-ordinating funky eraser in the shape of a creature.

The cups come in three colours (flavours?): Lime, orange and grape.

The publisher points out how ubiquitous cup holders have become (the Honda Odyssey minivan is equipped with 15). There are the dot to dot pages, word scrambles and mazes you'd expect in a travel activity book.

An added dimension is the "gross" factor necessary for pre-teen amusement.

For example, one page challenges kids to list 10 ways to say vomit (i.e. woof your cookies). Klutz is an expert in this type of humour. I'm sure they'd consider that a compliment.

Many pages are geared directly to kids actually en route: there are licence plate games, and the "your car, the artist" page, which encourages kids to hold a pencil on the page and allow the movements of the car to "draw" the art).

There are also stump the driver quizzes and magic tricks. My only criticism would be that at $12.99, they are a tad steep, since the books are only black and white. However, the novelty value of the brightly colored cups may be worth it.

- Klutz also has a hilarious set of mini-books -- really decks of cards -- measuring 7.5 cm by 5 cm.

The cards are attached to "carabiners" bearing matching tiny twistable ballpoint pens (carabiners are those metal loops used in rock climbing).

The funniest book by far is Scratch Off Truth Or Dare which poses ridiculous dares such as "Tell the next five people you see that their flies are open, even if they aren't" and "speak exclusively in another language (one you don't know) until an adult asks you to stop." Even better: "Sniff the inside of someone else's sneaker" and "Run up to your school's principal and ask for an autograph."

If the object of the gag doesn't want to do the dare, he or she can choose instead to "scratch off" a question requiring a response (the scratchable part is gray and shiny like on lottery tickets.)

The series also includes Really Dumb Jokes and Random Riddles as well as Weird Facts and Scratch Off Your Future.

These hijinks are guaranteed to amuse anyone aged 8 and up.