“Mr. Duck Means Business”

Friendships come in many shapes and sizes. Sometimes a friend is like a favorite pair of old sneakers; the fit is right and so is the comfort.

Others may be friends in the making — the relationship is new and exciting, and we hope it will develop into sometime good and lasting. Then there are the unmet friends; we never know when a new friend may come into our life and the thought is enticing.

Today's reviewed books reflect on friendship in a variety of ways. Check them out below. Each is an interesting, worthwhile read.

The following book is available at many public libraries.<B>“Fame and Glory in Freedom, Georgia”</B> by Barbara O'Connor, Farrar Straus Giroux, 122 pages; read aloud: age 9 and older; read yourself: age 9 to 10 and older.The moment Bird saw the new kid, Harlem Tate, she knew they were a lot alike — misunderstood, treated like dirt, and avoided by just about everyone.Bird could tell Harlem needed a friend just as much as she did, so she made it her mission to be his friend, no matter what it might take. It wouldn't be easy, though; Harlem had a thick, protective wall around himself.When the state spelling bee was announced with some big prizes for the winners, Bird asked Harlem to be her partner.Reluctant at first, he finally agreed and they began to study together every day. Their command of spelling grew, and so did their friendship. When the day of the spelling bee arrived, neither one had any idea that they'd come away with the best prize of all — true friendship.Fast, funny, and full of moments that tug at the heart, this selection excels.

<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: “Daisy Comes Home”</B> by Jan Brett; <B>“A Week in the Woods” </B>by Andrew Clements; <B>“Hatchet”</B> by Gary Paulsen

The following books are available at favorite bookstores.<B>“Mr. Duck Means Business”</B> by Tammi Sauer, illustrated by Jeff Mack, Simon & Schuster, 2011, 32 pages, $15.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 3 to 5; read yourself: age 7 to 8.Mr. Duck lived alone at the pond he considered his own. His schedule was very strict and he adhered to it every day for years-on-end. Mr. Duck posted signs everywhere, such as “NO TRESPASSING,” “SHH!,” and “NO VISITORS WELCOME.” This was Mr. Duck's quiet life by himself, and he liked it that way.One day a pig came bounding off Mr. Duck's dock and splashed in the water. Soon, a cow followed, then several other animals.Everyone was having a lot of fun except for Mr. Duck. Finally, Mr. Duck was able to get the animals' attention and promptly told them all to leave and not to come back.Alone again, Mr. Duck resumed his usual routine. But as the days rolled by, Mr. Duck was beginning to think maybe his routine was a bit boring without friends …A charming, funny, and clever book about the joys of friendship, “Mr. Duck Means Business” pleases in every regard.<B>“Immi's Gift”</B> written and illustrated by Karin Littlewood, Peachtree, 2010, 28 pages, $15.95 hardcover; read aloud: age 4 and older; read yourself: age 8.In Immi's snow-covered world in the far north, she breaks a hole in the ice to fish for her dinner. When she pulls her line up, instead of a fish she sees a colorfully painted small wooden bird. Delighted, she ties it onto her necklace, next to her small wooden bear.For many days thereafter, Immi's fishing pole brings up one beautiful, colorful treasure after another. While Immi wishes to have company, she contents herself with her new colorful surprises and her animal friends who come and tell her stories of faraway lands.Then, as the ice begins to subside and Immi must move on, she returns to her fishing hole one last time and drops the little bear from her necklace into the sea.Far away, a young boy walks across a beach, tossing the most colorful thing he can find into the ocean. As always, he wonders where his treasures will go when the waves catch them and they disappear. Suddenly, something different catches his eye — a beautiful small white bear. “… he hangs it around his neck where once he wore a little wooden bird.”Rich in beautiful illustrations, carefully chosen text, and wonderful imaginings, “Immi's Gift” speaks of the ties and possible friendships people around the world can have.Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached at www.greatestbooksforkids.com.