Our planet is rich with different cultures, sights, languages and animals of every kind. Since no one is able to travel to every corner of the earth to experience all that our world has to offer, reading great books about such topics presents an excellent alternative.

Today's reviewed books provide the “armchair traveler” with fascinating opportunities to explore parts of our planet that are far from our own backyard. Take a look for yourself, and ask your local librarian and bookseller to suggest other titles.

The more children know about our world, the more curious they'll be to learn more, and you have the power to make the child in your life a globe-trotter through books and perhaps someday, in person.

Books to Borrow

The following book is available at many public libraries.

“How People Live” by Dr. Deena Freeman, photographs — various credits, DK Publishing, 304 pages; read aloud: age 7 to 8 and older; read yourself: age 9 to 10 and older.Examining daily lives, customs, food, recreation, languages and religions of people around the world, this extraordinary offering provides an intimate look at the fundamental similarities of humans, regardless of where they live. Engaging personal stories and gorgeous color photographs provide readers and listeners with the diversity of cultures around the globe.Rich on every level, “How People Live” is educational, fascinating and a must-read for young and old alike.Librarian's Choice

Library: Butler Public Library, 218 N. McKean St.

Library Director: Lori Campbell

Youth Services Librarian: Peter Bess

Choices this week: “Maisy Goes to the Library” by Lucy Cousins;

“Even Firefighters Hug Their Moms” by Christine MacLean;

“The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson BurnettBooks to BuyThe following books are available at favorite bookstores.

“Iina-Marja's Day: From Dawn to Dusk in Lapland” written and photographed by Jaakko Alatalo, Francis Lincoln Children's Books, 2011, 28 pages, $8.95 paperback; read aloud: age 4 to 5 and older; read yourself: age 7 to 8 and older.Seven-year-old Iina-Marja and her family are Sami people, once known as Lapp people. Iina-Marja lives with her mother and father above the Arctic Circle in the village of Karesuvanto in Finnish Lapland. On the weekends, the family travels by sea plane to their second home where they have their family business caring for a large herd of reindeer.Follow Iina-Marja through a typical day at school, shopping, time spent with her grandmother and sewing lessons with her mother. Then she is off to her weekend home to help care for their reindeer, fish for their dinner and spend time with her father beside the fire while he smokes some reindeer meat.Young readers will be fascinated as they discover the similarities and differences between a Sami girl and themselves. Along with the many other countries featured in the “Child's Day” series, “Iina-Marja's Day” is a fascinating, informative book with beautiful color photographs, making this and the other books in the series excellent tools to help educate children about our global neighbors.

“Deadliest Animals” by Melissa Stewart, photos — various credits, National Geographic, 2011, 48 pages, $3.99 paperback; read aloud: age 4 to 5 and older; read yourself: age 8 and older.Whether you're reading this book aloud or an older child is reading independently, “Deadliest Animals” is certain to captivate any child's attention who is interested in deadly animals around the world.From African lions and Cape buffaloes, land and sea snakes, stonefish and puffer fish, scorpions, mosquitoes and more, this fascinating book chronicles some of the deadliest creatures on our planet.Extraordinary photographs with informative, easy text makes “Deadliest Animals” a book kids will want to read time and time again.Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached at her website: www.greatestbooksforkids.com.