Yucky Worms

The world is such a fascinating place, and children are eager to explore it, understand it and learn as much as they can. Reading books together helps expand a child's world with interesting ideas, facts and philosophies.

Today's reviewed books offer just that. Whether it's a book on tolerance and broadening one's perspective, the impact of a plastic grocery bag or the importance of the earthworm, something valuable is gained from each recommended book.

Read books together that offer something of value, and watch how those books plant seeds that help children grow in the right direction.

The following book is available at many public libraries.<B>"Yoko"</B> written and illustrated by Rosemary Wells, Hyperion, 32 pages; read aloud: age 3 to 7; read yourself: age 7 to 8.Yoko goes to school with a lot of boys and girls. One day at lunch time, all the children made fun of Yoko's lunch. They were eating their favorite foods — egg salad, peanut butter and honey, franks and beans. But when they saw what Yoko was eating, her favorite — sushi — they teased her, making Yoko quite upset."Ick! It's green! It's seaweed!" "Don't tell me that's raw fish!" "Watch out! It's moving!" "Yuck-o-rama!"Yoko's teacher knew she had to do something to help Yoko and change the other children's attitude, and her solution proved to be both clever and delicious!Another well-executed book by master author/illustrator Rosemary Wells, this charming little gem carries an important message about tolerance and broadening one's horizons.

<B>Library:</B> Zelienople Public Library, 227 S. High St., Zelienople<B>Library Director:</B> Jan Lawrence<B>Children's Librarian:</B> Kay HowardChoices this week: <B>"Russian Girl: Life in an Old Russian Town"</B> by Russ Kendall; <B>"Ellis Island: New Hope in a New Land"</B> by William Jay Jacobs; <B>"America's White Table"</B> by Margot Theis Raven

The following books are available at favorite bookstores.<B>"Bag in the Wind"</B> by Ted Kooser, illustrated by Barry Root, Candlewick, 2010, 46 pages, $17.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 7 and older; read yourself: age 8 and older.On an early spring morning, a bulldozer was pushing garbage around a landfill. An empty plastic grocery bag was uncovered, grabbed by a gust of wind, and sailed off through the air. It traveled along, skirting the ground, was momentarily snagged on a twig of a tree, and then caught by a barbed-wire fence. A girl collecting aluminum cans found the bag and used it for her cans. Not long thereafter, the bag was in the hands of another person, then another and another.Sensitive illustrations perfectly compliment this beautifully written tale of connection, conservation, indifference and compassion. Paired with a startling and important endnote about plastic bags and recycling, "Bag in the Wind" makes a profound statement about caring for the earth.<B>"Yucky Worms"</B> by Vivian French, illustrated by Jessica Ahlberg, Candlewick, 2010, 28 pages, $16.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 4 and older; read yourself: age 7 and older.A boy and his grandma were in her garden one day when she dug up a slimy, wiggly earthworm. At first, the boy thought the worm was gross, but through fascinating descriptions and hands-on experience, the grandma helps the boy understand the importance of earthworms and all that they do for us. Grandma considers the earthworms her friends, and the boy soon thinks of them the same.Wonderful, friendly illustrations are the perfect backdrop for this terrific story about earthworms that both informs and amuses. Guaranteed, once "Yucky Worms" is read, young and old alike will never look at an earthworm the same way again!Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached via e-mail: kendal@sunlink.net.