Author Stephen Savage provides young readers plenty of insight into the shark world with his exquisitely photographed "Inside Access — Sharks."

Children are interested in all kinds of things, and the more we expose them to, the more they know. Reading books together shouldn't be limited to works of fiction. Well-written, engaging nonfiction books can capture a child's attention, sometimes more strongly than fictional stories.

Today's reviewed books provide precisely that — exciting works of nonfiction that are fascinating in every regard. Reading such books may do more than just spark a temporary interest; it may last a lifetime. You'll never know until you try.

The following book is available at many public libraries.<B>"Crocodile Listens"</B> by April Pulley Sayre; illustrated by JoEllen McAllister Stammen; Greenwillow; 24 pages; read aloud: age 4 and older; read yourself: age 7 to 8 and older.Crocodile lies in the sand beside the river. Baboons, giraffes and warthogs pass by, but Crocodile just looks and listens. She hasn't eaten in weeks, but she must stay close to this spot for she has a secret hidden in the sand.Suddenly, under the ground, baby crocodiles are hatching. They cry to their mother for help. This is what Crocodile has been waiting to hear. She begins to dig, scoop, push and scrape at the sand. By morning, Crocodile's babies are free, but danger lurks. A mongoose is close, eager for a tasty morsel of meat that a baby crocodile can provide. Crocodile is watching closely, though, and quickly scoops up her babies in her mouth and carefully carries them to the Nile River and safety.Beautifully written and illustrated, "Crocodile Listens" provides fascinating insight about this fearsome creature and the tenderness and devotion she provides to her babies.

<B>Library:</B> Evans City Public Library, 204 S. Jackson St., Evans City<B>Library Director:</B> Judith Pfeifer<B>Children's Librarian:</B> Patricia Pflug<B>Choices this week:</B> <B>"What Lives in a Shell?"</B> by Kathleen Zoehfeld; <B>"Cam Jansen" </B>series by David Adler; <B>"Edward and the Pirates"</B> by David McPhail

The following books are available at favorite bookstores.<B>"Pirates Most Wanted: Thirteen of the Most Bloodthirsty Pirates Ever to Sail the High Seas"</B> by John Matthews; illustrations and photographs from various sources; Atheneum, 2007; 32 pages; $16.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 8 to 9 and older; read yourself: age 9 to 10 and older.Black-hearted and bloodthirsty pirates prowled the seas from the mid-1600s to the mid-1700s, and this quick-reading tome packs tons of fascinating facts about the most wicked pirates into 32 quick pages.Read the dossier of 13 barbaric marauders, learn what a pirate's life was like, the pirate rules, and their favorite ports-of-call. Take a look inside the Captain's Cabin and learn what tools he used to plot the next attack. And don't forget to read the additional eight-page mini-book at the end – a quick record of additional pirate facts.A visual delight and a captivating read, "Pirates Most Wanted" is guaranteed to capture readers time and time again.<B>"Inside Access — Sharks"</B> by Stephen Savage; photographs and illustrations from various sources; Kingfisher, 2007; 32 pages; $9.95 hardcover; read aloud: age 5 – 6 and older; read yourself: age 7 to 8 and older.Fictional marine biologist guide Angel Finn takes readers on a whirlwind tour into the world of sharks. Loaded with easy-to-understand facts and extraordinary color photographs, this outstanding book provides readers with an in-depth look at sharks around the world.