BOOKS TO BORROW

"Horton Hatches the Egg" by Dr. Seuss, Random House, 55 pages

Read aloud: ages 3 and older

Read yourself: ages 6 and older

Mayzie is a lazy bird who doesn't want the responsibility of sitting on her egg to keeping it warm. She longs to play and forget her obligations. When trustworthy Horton the elephant happens by, Mayzie tricks him into egg-sitting for her, promising she'll hurry right back. Horton agrees, assuring Mayzie that he'll be faithful to her and the egg until she returns.

When Mayzie doesn't return, Horton keeps true to his word. Through storms, hunters, a trans-Atlantic voyage and circus engagement, he keeps that egg warm and safe.

This book carries an important message about being true to your word and the price of irresponsibility.

LIBRARIAN'S CHOICE

Library: East Lyme Public Library, 39 Society Road, Niantic

Library Director: Lisa Timothy

Assistant Director: Tara Borden

Children's Librarian: Randall F. Haines

Choices this week: "Dodsworth in Paris" by Tim Egan; "Loopy Coop Hens: Letting Go" by Janet Morgan Stoeke; "How I Survived Bullies, Broccoli, and Snake Hill" by James Patterson

BOOKS TO BUY

"Ranger in Time: Rescue on the Oregon Trail" by Kate Messner, illustrated by Kelley McMorris, Scholastic, 2015, 140 pages, $17.99 hardcover; $5.99 paperback; $5.99 ebook

Read aloud: Age 7 to 10

Read yourself: Age 8 to 10

In a concept similar to Mary Pope Osborne's Magic Tree House series where time travel occurs and historical true events serve as the backdrop for the plot, "Ranger in Time" involves the golden retriever Ranger and his skills as a trained rescue dog as he traverses time to help others.

The first in the new series finds Ranger transported back to 1850 where he meets a family migrating west on the Oregon Trail. Their journey holds many dangers.

On sale Jan. 6, this exciting fictional story is inspired by the diaries and journals of many real-life pioneers.

"Dirty Rotten Rulers: History's Villains & Their Dastardly Deeds" by Jim Pipe, illustrated by Mauro Mazzara, Ticktock, 2014, 64 pages, $8.99 paperback

Read aloud: age 8, 9 and older

Read yourself: age 9, 10 and older

What was it about so many rulers throughout history that made them so rotten? Why were so many of these kings, emperors, warlords, queens and more so feared? Some, as this fascinating book explores, were really bonkers. Others were power-thirsty. And then there were those that were just pure evil.

This wild slice of history is both intriguing and equally revolting to learn what some humans are capable of.

kendal@sunlink.net