BOOKS TO BORROW

“Thunder from the Sea” by Joan Hiatt Harlow, McElderry Books, 256 pages

Read aloud: age 8 and older

Read yourself: age 8, 9 and older

In 1929, 13-year-old Tom Campbell had lived the last 10 years of his life at an orphanage in Newfoundland. When fisherman Enoch Murray and his wife, Fiona, ask the orphanage for a boy to come live with them on Back o’ the Moon Island and work with Enoch, the orphanage sends Tom.

Tom has always wanted a family and a dog, and Enoch and Fiona are very kind and good to Tom. Tom thinks maybe he has found the family he has longed for; adding to his good fortune, Tom rescues a Newfoundland dog from the sea, names him Thunder, and the two become the best of friends. But when Fiona becomes pregnant and word comes that Thunder’s owner has been found, Tom is crestfallen. Will the Murrays still want Tom once their baby is born, and will Thunder be taken away from him?

Beautifully written, “Thunder from the Sea” strongly echoes what it means to be a family and what it is to love and be loved in return. 

LIBRARIAN’S CHOICE

Library: Public Library of New London, 63 Huntington St., New London

Executive Director: Suzanne Maryeski

Children’s Room Librarian: Michele Belanger

Children’s Room Supervisor: Julie Bartley

Choices this week: “Fisherman and His Wife” by Freya Littledale; “Ocean World” by Peter Sis; “Over in the Meadow” by Ezra Jack Keats 

BOOKS TO BUY

“What a Beautiful Morning” by Arthur A. Levine, illustrated by Katie Kath, Running Press Kids, 2016, 40 pages, $16.95 hardcover

Read aloud: age 4 to 8

Read yourself: age 7 and 8

Noah loves visiting his grandparents in the summer. Every morning begins with a song, followed by more songs while Noah and Grandpa walk the dog, rain or shine. When they arrive home, Grandma is always making a delicious breakfast for all of them, and Noah and Grandpa always talk about their plans for the rest of the day.

But this summer, Noah notices Grandpa is different; he forgets many things, and once wakes from his nap and doesn’t know who Noah is. This frightens Noah. Grandma understands Noah’s worries, and gently tells him that Grandpa gets confused sometimes, but that “ ... we have to appreciate what he still has, not focus on what he’s lost.”

A tender, beautiful story about the love of family and the things that keep us connected, this choice is outstanding.

“Our Love Grows” by Anna Pignataro, Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2016, 24 pages, $16.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 3 to 6

Read yourself: age 6 and 7

One day in the deep green forest, Pip, an adorable little panda, asks his mama when he will be big. His wise and loving mama uses clever analogies to help Pip understand, such as the trees were once smaller too, that his blankie once covered all of him (but not anymore), and more; Pip is growing bigger, just like her love for him grows bigger too.

Warm, inviting illustrations couple with the spare rhyming text that assures young children that they are growing up and are loved.

kendal@sunlink.net