BOOKS TO BORROW

"Dodsworth in London" by Tim Egan, Houghton Mifflin, 48 pages

Read aloud: age 4, 5 and older.

Read yourself: age 7 and 8

Dodsworth and his friend the duck have just arrived in London and are eager to see the sights. They decide to get something to eat before touring the city, and before they even order a morsel of food, the duck tries to play darts, creates a huge mess and the two are asked to leave.

When he sees a double-decker bus, Dodsworth decides this would be their best bet to see the city and keep the duck out of trouble. But the duck boards the bus without Dodsworth knowing it, leaving Dodsworth behind on the sidewalk. When Dodsworth realizes he has lost his friend, Dodsworth panics. How will he ever find the duck in all of London?

A clever and amusing story, "Dodsworth in London" is certain to appeal to children as a read-aloud book and for the newly independent reader.

LIBRARIAN'S CHOICE

Library: Otis Library, 261 Main St., Norwich

Library Director: Bob Farwell

Choices this week: "Fall is for Friends" by Suzy Spafford; "Time for Kids Series Biographies: Harriet Tubman, a Woman of Courage" by the editors of Time for Kids with Renee Skelton; "Frindle" by Andrew Clements

AT THE BOOKSTORE

"Gus Makes a Gift" written and illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz, Scholastic, 2011, 24 pages

Read aloud: age 2 and older

Read yourself: age 5 and 6

It's Mother's Day, and young Gus is off to school where he and his classmates will make special gifts for their mothers. Even though things don't go exactly as Gus plans, he is still certain his mom will love the gifts he has made, and as it turns out, he is right!

With only 79 words, this Scholastic Level Pre 1 First Reader is perfect for the beginning reader in your life.

"Iris and Walter and Cousin Howie" by Elissa Haden Guest, illustrated by Christine Davenier, sandpiper/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $4.99 paperback

Read aloud: age 4 and older

Read yourself: age 7, 8 and older

A Green Light Readers book, "Iris and Walter and Cousin Howie" is a Level 3 for independent readers.

Walter and Iris are best friends. When Walter announces that his older cousin, Howie, is coming to visit, they are both excited. The two discuss all the things they will do with Howie when he arrives, and Walter is certain Howie will teach her magic tricks. But when Howie finally comes for his visit, he isn't nice to Iris. Iris is crushed, and worries she will lose her best friend. With some help from her parents and grandfather, Iris comes to realize nothing could be further from the truth.

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