Books for children - Aug. 19

AT THE LIBRARY

"Library Lil" by Suzanne Williams, illustrated by Steven Kellogg, Dial, 32 pages

Read aloud: age 4 and older.

Read yourself: age 7 and older.

Library Lil is an expert librarian. She chooses all the best and exciting books. She also is a first-rate storyteller for children. Despite all of these things, no one comes to the library - the people of Chesterville are not avid readers. Their favorite form of entertainment is television, and Lil knows she has to change their attitudes. One stormy night this gutsy librarian gets the chance she's been waiting for.

Filled with all the right components of a good story, including a confrontation with Bust-'em-up Bill, Lil proves to be the coolest librarian around who gets the people of Chesterville back on the right track.

LIBRARIAN'S CHOICE

Library: Mystic & Noank Library, 40 Library St., Mystic

Library Director: Lois Hiller

Choices this week: "Carl Sandburg: Adventures of a Poet" by Penelope Niven; "George Washington's Teeth" by Deborah Chandra; "The Man Who Made Time Travel" by Kathryn Lasky

AT THE BOOKSTORE

"I, Galileo" by Bonnie Christensen, Knopf, 2012, 36 pages, $17.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 8 and older.

Read yourself: age 9 and older.

Author-illustrator Bonnie Christensen adopts the voice of Galileo to tell Galileo's life story in this picture book biography.

A highly intelligent child, Galileo developed an early passion for mathematics and science. His frequent observations, inventions and discoveries were world-changing. He challenged commonly held views, proved his theories and subscribed to his father's viewpoint that "A person must be allowed to ask questions?and seek answers in search of truth."

A fascinating look at an extraordinary man, "I, Galileo" is a "must-read" book that will spur important conversations on many different levels.

"Matter Matters!" by Tom Adams, illustrated by Thomas Flintham, templar books, 2012, 18 pages, $18.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 7 and older.

Read yourself: age 8, 9 and older.

Prepare to be amazed and informed by this accessible, engaging pop-up science book.

Chemistry is presented just the right way-readers will be intrigued and view chemistry as a fascinating science. Loaded with pop-ups, booklets, flaps and pull tabs that enhance the learning experience, readers/listeners will emerge from this book with a clear understanding that, as the title indicates, matter matters!

www.greatestbooksforkids.com