Books add timely twists
Independent reading doesn't have to be the sole province of books designed and marketed specifically for that purpose. In fact, there are many books that will encourage independent reading without being designated as such.
Today's reviewed books offer precisely that. Whether it's a wordless picture book, a book that incorporates the ever-popular "I Spy" technique, or a 533-page novel that contains more illustrations than text, each selection offers something different in promoting the joy of independent reading.
Don't hesitate. Visit your local library and bookstore this week, and let the reading begin!
The following book is available at many public libraries.<B>"WHY?"</B> written and illustrated by Nikolai Popov; North-South Books; 40 pages; read aloud: age 4 and older; read yourself: age 4 and older.A wordless picture book, "WHY?" presents an important message about aggression and the senseless escalation of violence.A frog sits peacefully on a rock holding a lovely flower. Suddenly a mouse with an umbrella digs his way out of the ground, attacks the frog without provocation, seizes the flower and settles down on the rock.The mouse's aggression doesn't go unchecked as several frogs quickly appear, chase the mouse away, and take his umbrella. Infuriated, the mouse returns with more mice and a more aggressive show of force. The frogs gain in number and retaliate with even greater might. The hostilities continue until a full-fledged war is under way with a net result that is anything but satisfying to either party.A powerful book on the consequences of violent behavior, this selection excels.
<B>Library:</B> Saxonburg Area Library, 240 W. Main St., Saxonburg<B>Library Director:</B> Steve Twentier<B>Children's Programmer:</B> Judy O'Brokta<B>Choices this week:</B> <B>"Snowmen at Night"</B> by Carolyn Buehner; <B>"Stickeybeak"</B> by Hazel Edwards; <B>"Hatchet"</B> by Gary Paulsen
The following books are available at favorite bookstores.<B>"Can You See What I See? Trucks and Cars"</B> written and photographed by Walter Wick; Scholastic, Cartwheel Books, 2007; 18 pages; $4.99 board book; read aloud: age 6 months to 3 years; read yourself: age 5 to 7."Can you see what I see?" Walter Wick encourages children to do just that as he features individual photos of a wide variety of toy trucks and cars and challenges readers to find the same vehicle in the accompanying photo of numerous cars and trucks.A fun way to heighten a child's power of observation, this clever book will be enjoyed by children not yet old enough to read as well as beginning readers.<B>"The Invention of Hugo Cabret" </B>written and illustrated by Brain Selznick; Scholastic, 2007; 533 pages; $22.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 7 and older; read yourself: 9 and older.Don't let the 533 pages of this book deter you from picking up this book. The first 42 pages are sequential illustrations that lead the reader into the beginning of this intriguing mystery adventure. With 284 pages of original black and white drawings, this book combines the elements of a picture book and a film, creating a stunning blend of narrative and cinematic technique.Set in 1930s Paris, a boy named Hugo is an orphan, clock keeper, and a thief. Hugo's daily tasks are secretively tending the clocks at the train station, finding enough to eat, and privately working to restore the mechanical man that was once the property of his deceased father. A mysterious drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key and a hidden message from his father are just the beginning. When Hugo's life becomes entangled with a bitter old man and an unusual girl, Hugo finds himself in a race against time to unravel the secrets his father left behind.A gripping mystery, "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" takes independent reading to a new height.Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached via e-mail at kendal@sunlink.net.
