I've long been a fan of zombie movies and when my oldest nephew was young I used to chase him around, pretending to be a zombie trying to eat his brains. It was relatively innocent, but he did get a little too scared every now and then. That led to some heart-to-hearts about how zombies aren't real.

Now he's 12 years old, zombies are super popular (thanks to "The Walking Dead") and we have a fun shared interest. I don't think he's quite ready for the Evil Dead marathon I've been promising him "when he's old enough" (I'm thinking at least 15), but there is some great age-appropriate zombie fare for kids.

For instance, the stop-motion kids' film "ParaNorman" comes out in theaters tomorrow. It's about about a boy who can see and hear the dead, including ghosts and zombies.

And I've just come across "Diary of a Zombie Kid," a book series spoof on the popular "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" books and movies. A lawsuit followed due to the similarities and the spoof series has been retooled into "Zombie Kid Diaries."

From the series' website: "The most rotten thing about school ... is HIM!

Middle school is hard enough as it is, but for Bill Dookes, it's a horrific, festering, rotting, undead nightmare. Bill's deadbeat dad got arrested trying to burn the house down for the insurance. Since then, Mom has had to make ends meet by volunteering at various medical research companies. This would be fine, if she hadn't brought home a mysterious zombie virus! Now on the first day of school, 5th grader Bill has to deal with skin problems and body chemistry changes that make puberty look like a walk in the park! And then there's his unfortunate, ever-growing appetite for BRAINS!"

Sounds kind of cute, doesn't it? And there's a second book set to come out in December, "Zombie Kid Diaries: Walking Dad."

Here's a teaser trailer for the series:

I think I've found the perfect Christmas gift for a certain nephew...