BOOKS TO BORROW

"Parts" by Tedd Arnold, Dial, 32 pages

Read aloud: age 7, 8 and older

Read yourself: age 8 and older

Among the endless questions children have about themselves and their world, author/artist Tedd Arnold has pinpointed some of the more delicate (and funny) concerns children have about their own bodies.

From losing hair to peeling skin to teeth falling out, these and other very real concerns that children have are adressed in the most hilarious manner.

For anyone who likes a good laugh and for all the children who sometimes wonder about their physical well being, this delightfully creative book with its comical illustrations is bound to be a winner in your home.

LIBRARIAN'S CHOICE

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

Library Director: Roslyn Rubinstein

Dept. Head of Children's Services: Christine Tkaczyk

Choices this week: "Dog Loves Books" by Louise Yates; "The Super Hungry Dinosaur" by Martin Waddell; "Chomp" by Carl Hiaasen

AT THE BOOKSTORE

"Timmy Failure No. 1: Mistakes Were Made" written and illustrated by Stephan Pastis, Candlewick, 2013, 294 pages, $14.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 8 and older

Read yourself: age 8, 9 and older

Timmy Failure is the founder, president and CEO of his detective agency. His partner is a 1,500-pound polar bear named Total. During a momentary loss of focus and concentration, Timmy agrees to include Total's name to the agency, making the company name TOTAL FAILURE, INC. He knows it wasn't his best idea, but he refuses to talk about it. Instead, Timmy is determined to make Total Failure, Inc. the most successful detective agency in the world.

Of course, Timmy faces some obstacles, from a competing detective agency owned by the "Center of Evil in the Universe" to his mother's missing Segway. Will Timmy be able to solve the case of the missing Segway and the other crimes that pop up along the way?

If this book doesn't make readers double-over with laughter then nothing will.

"Peepsqueak Wants a Friend!" written and illustrated by Leslie Ann Clark, Harper, 2013, 32 pages, $15.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 3, 4 and older

Read yourself: age 7 and 8

All the baby chicks run out to play in groups of two. Peepsqueak has no partner and decides to go into woods to find a friend. Many warn him along the way of possible problems or danger, but Peepsqueak is determined. Following some very large footprints, Peepsqueak finally returns home with the new friend, much to the surprise of his barnyard friends.

An adorable book on friendship, readers will love the spunky little chick Peepsqueak.

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