“Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library”

Everyone occasionally has one of “those” days.

You know what I'm talking about — high-anxiety, stressed-out, major overload. I don't know about you, but there have been days when I just wanted to run out the door and keep going.

“Those” days aren't the exclusive province of the adult world. Children of all ages have days that are filled with frustration, anger, anxiety and hurdles. Because children have much less experience with these things, they need help to learn how to handle those situations.

Life isn't one breezy moment after another for anyone, adult or child. When things go berserk, talk about it; don't yell about it.

We know running out the door won't solve our problems, but we can all escape for awhile.

A wonderful way to diffuse the tensions of the day is to take a break and get lost in an imaginative, funny book together, such as those highlighted below. It's good medicine.

Books to BorrowThe following book is available at many public libraries.“Diary of a Worm” by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Harry Bliss, HarperCollins, 36 pages; read aloud: age 6 and older; read yourself: age 7 and older.According to this highly entertaining tale, children and earthworms have more in common than most people might think.Earthworms go to school and the teacher gets mad if something happens to their homework (such as eating it). According to earthworm moms, nightmares can be caused by eating too much garbage before bed. And yes, worms even make macaroni necklaces in art class (although they eat theirs for dinner).If you've ever wondered what it would be like to be an earthworm, wonder no more. “Dairy of a Worm” spells it out, folks, and this hilarious tale will have children cracking up on every page.

Librarian's ChoiceLibrary: Mars Public Library, 107 Grand Ave., MarsLibrary Director: Mary Jo SimonsChoices this week: “Dem Bones” by Bob Barner; “Ma! There's Nothing to Do Here!” by Barbara Park; “Do Not Open This Book!” by Michaela Muntean; “Ready or Not, Dawdle Duckling” by Toni Buzzeo

The following books are available at favorite bookstores.“Fortunately, the Milk” by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Skottie Young, Harper, 2013, 113 pages, $15 hardcover; read aloud: age 8 to 12; read yourself: age 8 and older.Dad had gone out to fetch milk for his children's breakfast cereal. When he finally returned, his son and daughter asked where he had been. His story went something like this:He purchased the milk, emerged from the store, put the milk in his pocket and was promptly abducted by aliens, transported back and forth through time, faced pirates and unworldly beings, and was befriended by a Stegosaurus professor in a hot-air balloon.As events progressed it became evident the fate of the universe depended on him and, bizarrely, the milk. Fortunately, he still had it (the milk, that is).Outrageously wonderful, inventive, imaginative, with nonstop hilarity throughout (including the perfectly wrought illustrations), “Fortunately, the Milk” excels in every possible way.“Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library” by Chris Grabenstein, Random House, 2013, 289 pages, $17 hardcover; read aloud: age 9 and older; read yourself: age 9 and older.Best news ever for gaming-pro Kyle: his hero, famous game maker Luigi Lemoncello, is the genius behind the town's new public library, and there is a contest for 12 children to be the first to spend a night in the library that is loaded with games and prizes.Kyle and his friends are among the lucky ones to secure a place in the festivities, but once the games begin, things take on a different twist: to get out of the library and find the secret escape route, there are puzzles and riddles to solves, clues to follow, and all of it will require expert gaming skills, an understanding of how a library works and literature, especially children's book titles, and much, much more.A brilliant, hilarious book that challenges children to try and play along to figure out the mysterious exit from the library, this book is nothing short of masterful.Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached at her website www.greatestbooksforkids.com.

“Fortunately the Milk”