“See What I See”

It’s not easy making sense out of all of the books available for children.

Fortunately, this column features the best in children’s literature of recently published books and books available to borrow from your local library, helping to eliminate a lot of the confusion.

A companion to this column is Greatest Books for Kids (www.greatestbooksforkids.com) where you’ll find additional first-rate selections that are available for purchase and may also be available to borrow at local libraries.

Untangling the maze of thousands of children’s books is made easy for you through this column and its online companion.

You have enough to do; let this column and its website help point you in the direction of the cream-of-the-crop in children’s books.

Books to BorrowThe following book is available at many public libraries.

“Pigs Ahoy” written and illustrated by David McPhail, Dutton, 32 pages; read aloud: age 3 and older; read yourself: age 7 and older.“Today I’m going on a trip. I’ll cruise the ocean on a ship. I pack my luggage, turn the lock, and take a taxi to the dock.”But what this man doesn’t know is just what’s in store for him when he steps on board that luxury liner.To begin with, his cabin is filled with several honest-to-goodness pigs. As if it’s not bad enough that this man must share his cabin with pigs, he also finds himself sharing his meals, the pool, and assorted other activities that usually wind up in some sort of disastrous mess.Having caused so much mayhem, the Captain puts the pigs off the ship in a little boat. To the man’s surprise, however, he finds the balance of his trip quite a bore, that is, until he arrives home.Madcap pigs making delightful, hilarious merriment, David McPhail has once again woven mischief and fun into a sensational book for young readers.

<B>Library:</B> North Trails Public Library, 1553 West Sunbury Road., West Sunbury<B>Library Director:</B> Kathy Kline<B>Choices this week: “Good-Night, Owl!”</B> by Pat Hutchins; <B>“Danny and the Dinosaur Go to Camp”</B> by Syd Hoff; <B>“Soldier’s Heart” </B>by Gary Paulsen<B>Books to Buy</B>The following books are available at favorite bookstores.<B>“Alberic the Wise and Other Journeys” </B>by Norton Juster, illustrated by Domenico Gnoli, Yearling/Random House, 2010, 88 pages, $5.99 paperback; read aloud: age 7 to 8 and older; read yourself: age 9 to 10 and older.First published in 1965, this sensational collection of thought-provoking tales is back in print. Featuring three witty, imaginative short stories, each is certain to evoke discussions and personal reflection, long after the last page is read.“Alberic the Wise” is a tale of a man who spends endless years in search of true wisdom.“She Cries No More” is a tale of a boy who isn’t certain of anything and really doesn’t care until he meets a princess in a painting whose kingdom has fallen.And “Two Kings” tells the story of an immensely rich monarch and a ruler of “what was surely the most destitute and miserable kingdom in the world” who each discover a fate that is certain to amuse, confound, and ultimately surprise.From the author of the classic “The Phantom Tollbooth,” Norton Juster’s “Alberic the Wise and Other Journeys” is guaranteed to delight readers of many ages.<B>“See What I See” </B>by Gloria Whelan, Harper Teen, 2011, 199 pages, $16.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 12 and older; read yourself: age 12 to 13 and older.Eighteen-year-old Kate Tappert’s parents divorced when she was just a child. She and her mother live a modest existence in a trailer in northern Michigan.Her estranged father is a famous artist — Dalton Quinn. Kate’s life isn’t as far removed from her absentee father as her mother would prefer; Kate loves to paint and recreate how she sees the world through her artwork.Awarded a scholarship to art school in Detroit, Kate is determined to follow her dream.Her other expenses covered, all she needs is a place to live. Kate decides she will live with her father — a man she hasn’t seen in ten years.Pushing her way back into his life proves to be more than she bargained for, and Kate and her father discover more about life’s journey than either thought possible.Strong, believable characters blend with a strong, sometimes sad, and heartfelt plot that addresses issues of abandonment, loss, love, and courage.This novel is certain to please older readers in every regard.<B><I>Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children’s literature. She can be reached at the following website: www.greatestbooksforkids.com.</I></B>

“Alberic the Wise”