While anytime is a good time to read fun books together, the last few weeks of the summer provide a perfect opportunity to dive into terrific, imaginative books.

As children return to a regimented school week, there will be loads of new information to learn, assigned books to read, and essential mastery of a wide variety of subjects.

Reading nonrequired, exciting books sends a strong message that reading is fun, and that's an important attitude to have as a student.

Don't delay; the clock is ticking. Gather up your young ones, pick up a great book, and read aloud, just for the fun of it!

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

“The Scrambled States of America” written and illustrated by Laurie Keller, Henry Holt and Co., 36 pages; read aloud: age 6 to 7 and older; read yourself: age 8 and older.It all started when the state of Kansas became bored with the same old program, day in and day out.Kansas wanted to see what else was out there in this great country of ours, meet new states and travel to other parts of the country. His boredom led to an idea that he shared with his friend and neighbor, Nebraska.“Let's have a party and invite all the other states! You know, one of those get-to-know-you deals. Everyone can bring a favorite dish. We could have music and dancing.”And that is precisely what they did. All the states had a rip-snorting good time. Their enthusiasm was followed by a unanimous decision for all states to change locations with one another and really experience living in another part of the country. Little did they know that their plan would soon have a disastrous ending.Author and artist Laurie Keller has woven an absolutely hilarious tale that will have readers smiling from page to page while they unconsciously build up their U.S. geography.

Librarian's Choice

Library: Evans City Public Library, 204 S. Jackson St., Evans City

Children's Librarian: Pat Pflug

Choices this week: “If You Give a Pig a Party” by Laura Numeroff;

“McDuff” series by Rosemary Wells;

“How to Train Your Dragon” series by Cressida Cowell

Books to BuyThe following books are available at favorite bookstores.

“The Rescuers” by Margery Sharp, illustrated by Garth Williams, The New York Review Children's Collection, 2011, 149 pages, $14.95 hardcover; read aloud: age 8 and older; read yourself: 10 and older.Everyone knows that mice are prisoners' friends, and when a prisoner is in need, the mice of the Prisoner's Aid Society take action.Their current case involves the rescue of one particular prisoner — a Norwegian poet who is incarcerated in the dungeons at the legendary and most horrible Black Castle.What is needed first is to secure the help of a Norwegian mouse who will be able to communicate with the prisoner in his native tongue.This will involve recruiting Miss Bianca — the sophisticated, privileged mouse who resides with her young human friend, the ambassador's son.Prisoner's Aid Society member, Bernard, is chosen to contact and convince Miss Bianca to assist them in their rescue plans, and Miss Bianca complies.Once in Norway, Miss Bianca is able to enlist another courageous mouse, Nils, to assist in their rescue mission.Miss Bianca, Bernard and Nils quickly realize there is nothing easy about their mission. An evil, dangerous fortress, a most threatening prison cat, and seemingly impossible odds of success stand in their way. In their quest, these three unforgettable mice learn a lot about bravery, friendship, and selfless acts of true heroism.Out-of-print for more than 10 years, author Margery Sharp's delightful novel, first published in 1959, is at long last back in print to delight yet again another generations of readers. Brimming with wit, wisdom, and non-stop adventure, “The Rescuers” delivers in every regard.

“Martha Speaks: Story Time Collection” written and illustrated by Susan Meddaugh, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2011, 192 pages, $10.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 4 and older; read yourself: age 7 to 8 and older.For the first time, all six stories about Martha the dog, are assembled into one fantastically fun volume.Martha was always a very talented dog, but the day she ate alphabet soup, “the letters in the soup went up to Martha's brain instead of her stomach … and Martha spoke.” This, of course, was highly unusual, and, at first, Martha's family found her ability to speak to be lots of fun.But sometimes Martha said things she shouldn't, and sometimes this got Martha (and her family) in trouble.Hilarious from start to finish, children and adults will love reading this collection time and time again.Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached at www.greatestbooksforkids.com.