Books for children - May 20

"Sheep" by Valerie Hobbs, Farrar Straus Giroux, 115 pages

Read aloud: age 8 and older.

Read yourself: age 9, 10 and older.

After the dog was born, he waits excitedly for the day he can join the older dogs and help herd the sheep, and when that day comes, it is glorious. The young dog knows this is what he was meant to be, but not long thereafter, his life changes dramatically.

Torn from his family and in a strange place where there are no sheep, the young dog begins his journey, deciding that somehow, even if it takes the rest of his life, he will find his family and the sheep again.

An extraordinary and rich novel, "Sheep" will tug at your heart long after the last page is read.

Library: Ledyard Public Libraries, 718 Colonel Ledyard Hwy., Ledyard

Library Director: Gale Bradbury

Children's Librarian: Nancy Brewer

Choices this week: "Johnny Appleseed" by Steven Kellogg; "Outside and Inside Birds" by Sandra Markle; "Gregor the Overlander" by Suzanne Collins

"Oh No, George!" written and illustrated by Chris Haughton, Candlewick, 2012, 32 pages, $15.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 3, 4 and older.

Read yourself: age 7 and older.

George is Harry's dog. George tries very hard to be a good dog, but sometimes George's dog instincts get the better of him. One day, Harry is about to leave the house and asks George if he will be good. George assures him he will, but when Harry leaves, George begins to question himself. Then a sequence of tempting bad-dog possibilities present themselves, starting with the chocolate cake…

"Duck for a Day" by Meg McKinlay, illustrated by Leila Rudge, Candlewick, 2012, 90 pages, $12.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 5 and older.

Read yourself: age 7, 8 and older.

Abby's class pet is a duck named Max, and more than anything, Abby wants to be able to bring Max home overnight. Her teacher, has very specific qualifications for Max and his overnight accommodations and safety. While Abby works feverishly to create the best environment for Max, her neighbor and classmate, Noah, does the same. Abby had always thought Noah was strange, and feels certain she will be the one to take care of Max. But some things don't always turn out the way we plan, including unlikely friendships.

Loaded with charm, humor and subtle messages, "Duck for a Day" is pure delight.

www.greatestbooksforkids.com