One of the most important endeavors in convincing kids that reading is fun is to find books that the child finds interesting. That might sound like a simplistic statement, but that goal isn't always easy to accomplish.

Some kids are eager and willing to listen to just about any good story. Other kids may be more difficult to please. Be persistent. Read all kinds of books. If the book doesn't seem of interest, put it down and pick up another. Nowhere is it written you must finish a story you've begun. Remember, the goal is to have a positive experience. Force feeding a book will achieve the opposite.

Once you've found a style of book the child connects with, reread it many times (even if it drive you nuts) and find others that are similar.

Then, begin to introduce different books. In some ways, it's like introducing new foods; sooner or later you'll strike the right chord.

Have other ideas or suggestions? E-mail me and let me know and I'll share those ideas with readers everywhere: kendal@greatestbooksforkids.com.

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

“The Time Warp Trio: Oh Say, I Can't See” by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Adam McCauley, Viking, 72 pages; read aloud: age 7 and older; read yourself: age 8 and older.The 15th book in Scieszka's hugely successful series, “The Time Warp Trio,” this adventure warps Joe, Sam and Samantha back to Christmas Eve in Pennsylvania, 1776 — the day before Washington crossed the Delaware River.Will they be shot as spies for the Hessians, or will they be able to help Washington and his men cross the Delaware and mount their sneak attack on the Hessians?Hmm … American history may never be the same again.Loaded with humor that's right on target for the 7 to 8 year old crowd, this novel imparts history with fiction that's sure to please.

Librarian's Choice

Library: North Trails Public Library, 1553 West Sunbury Rd., West Sunbury

Library Director: Kathy D. Kline

Choices this week: “Who Said Moo?” by Harriet Ziefert and Simms Taback;

“Olivia” by Ian Falconer;

“Land of the Buffalo Bones” by Marion Dane Bauer

Books to BuyThe following books are available at favorite bookstores.

“Dodsworth in Rome” written and illustrated by Tim Egan, Houghton Mifflin, 2011, 48 pages, $14.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 4 and older; read yourself: age 7 to 8.Dodsworth and the duck are off on another great adventure, and this time they've traveled to Rome, Italy!Deciding to rent a scooter to see the sights, Dodsworth and the duck zoom around Rome. The duck is frightened and keeps his eyes closed, which is too bad because he misses many important sights such as the Coliseum and the Pantheon. The next day, the duo visits Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel, a flea market and finally happen upon a pizza-throwing contest where the two decide the duck should enter; he is, after all, good at throwing food…As always happens to Dodsworth and the duck, one crazy mishap after another takes place, and it's usually the duck who is at the root of it all.Full of laughs, adventure and a wee slice of Rome and its history, this early chapter book is loads of fun. And don't miss the other “Dodsworth” books where you'll find Dodsworth and the duck in New York, Paris and London; each is equally entertaining. And, for fun, check out Tim Egan's amusing short animated video about Dodsworth and the duck on YouTube: www.youtube.com/ watch?v=LWx_n22QOR8.

“Red Wagon” written and illustrated by Renata Liwska, Philomel, 2011, 32 pages, $16.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 2Z\x and older; read yourself: age 6 to 7.Lucy has a brand-new little red wagon, and she wants to play with it right away. Her mother has other plans, however, and sends Lucy and her wagon off to the market with a grocery list. This isn't what Lucy had in mind. Nevertheless, Lucy sets out to the market, pulling her red wagon behind her.With Lucy's friends joining along, Lucy's imagination takes over and the trip becomes something much more than an assignment to buy vegetables for dinner. When it begins to rain, Lucy and her friends find themselves in the midst of a high-seas adventure. When the skies clear, the group is making its way in an old-fashioned covered wagon.From a circus at the market, a train ride up the hill, a ride through outer space and construction vehicles to reload the tumbled vegetables back into the wagon, Lucy, her red wagon, and her imagination can make anything ordinary into the extraordinary.Spare text and warm, detailed illustrations make “Red Wagon” an exuberant tribute to the power of a child's imagination.Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached at www.greatestbooksforkids.com.