BOOKS TO BORROW

"When I Was Young in the Mountains" by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Diane Goode, Dutton, 26 pages

Read aloud: age 3, 4 and older

Read yourself: age 7, 8 and older

"When I Was Young in the Mountains" is a warm story based on the true experiences of author Cynthia Rylant growing up in Appalachia. Making do with each other and what they could find in the mountains, this author had she needed: a sense of belonging, great security and an abundance of love.

Written for younger children, this story teaches us that home is a good place, not because of what you have, but because of those who live there.

LIBRARIAN'S CHOICE

Library: Waterford Public Library, 49 Rope Ferry Rd., Waterford

Library Director: Roslyn Rubinstein

Head of Children's Services: Christine Tkaczyk

Choices this week: "First Light" by Rebecca Stead; "Because of Winn-Dixie" by Kate DiCamillo; "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio

AT THE BOOKSTORE

"The Great Unexpected" by Sharon Creech, Joanna Cotler Books/HarperCollins, 2012, 226 pages, $16.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 8 and older

Read yourself: age 9, 10 and older

Through beautiful, intertwining stories, this book is about two spirited orphan girls, Naomi and Lizzie, who live in the USA, and Sybil and Nula, estranged sisters who, long ago, had a misunderstanding that has kept them separated by the Atlantic ocean for far too many years. Enter, too, the strange boy, Finn, who suddenly appears when he falls out of a tree and lands at Naomi and Lizzie's feet; the Dingle Dangle man who is a mystery to all in their little town; and a cast of other colorful, believable characters.

As each of their stories unfolds, it becomes evident that there is a delicate connection we all share.

"Otter and Odder: A Love Story" by James Howe, illustrated by Chris Raschka, Candlewick, 2012, 36 pages, $14 hardcover

Read aloud: age 5 and older

Read yourself: age 7

Otter was not looking for love the day he found it; he was looking for dinner. But when he gazed into those beautiful fish eyes he knew he had found what he hadn't been looking for. Otter momentarily thought it was impossible; he couldn't be in love with his food source. But he was wrong; he was, indeed, in love with Myrtle the fish.

As ironic for Myrtle as it was for Otter, she, too, fell in love with Otter. As they passed wonderful days and evenings together, others began to talk, saying it wasn't natural for an otter to be in love with a fish. Otter and Myrtle discussed this, and agreed with the "talkers." But through the wise words of Beaver and the courage to follow their own hearts, Otter and Myrtle weren't apart for long?

www.greatestbooksforkids.com