Books for children - July 1

BOOKS TO BORROW

"Arrowhawk" by Lola M. Schaefer, illustrated by Gabi Swiatkowska, Henry Holt, 32 pages

Read aloud: age 6 and older.

Read yourself: age 8 and older.

A young and strong red-tailed hawk swoops down on a mouse, snatches his prey and settles on a fence post to have his meal. Out of nowhere, an arrow streaks through the air and pierces the hawk's upper thigh and tail. He screeches in pain, rises above his attacker, and flies away. He tries to peck the arrow out, but it's impossible.

Despite the pain, the hawk does his best to ignore it and try and find a way to continue to hunt, fly and live with this painful obstacle. He does so for eight weeks in the wild until he is captured temporarily by some concerned people. His arrow is surgically removed, he is nursed back to health, and released back where he belongs - in the wild.

LIBRARIAN'S CHOICE

Library: Slater Library, 26 Main St., Jewett City

Library Director: Meg Vantine

Children's Librarian: Ann Grzelak

Choices this week: "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" by Dr. Seuss; "Rattletrap Car" by Phyllis Root; "Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters from Obedience School" by Mark Teague

AT THE BOOKSTORE

Read aloud: age 3, 4 and older.

Read yourself: age 7 and 8.

A young boy imagines all of the things he could do if he were a falcon. He could fly to faraway places - to cliffs high above the sea, over the ocean, to the far north, and even to a great bustling city.

Through spare text and extraordinary landscape paintings, author/artist Tim Jessell has created a stunning portrayal of the mighty falcon.

"Saving Yasha: The Incredible True Story of an Adopted Moon Bear" by Lia Kvatum, photographs by National Geographic Young Explorer Liya Pokrovskaya, National Geographic, 2012, 32 pages, $16.95 hardcover

Read aloud: age 5, 6 and older.

Read yourself: age 7, 8 and older.

Yasha is a moon bear, orphaned by his mother in their habitat in the Russian wilderness. Fortunately, two young scientists find him, care for and protect him, and teach him how to live on his own in the wild. Yasha isn't alone with the scientists; they have discovered two other orphaned moon bear cubs, and the small group of cubs become a family.

For almost two years the scientists study the cubs. This is a story that is at once fascinating, heartwarming and, ultimately, one of hope that speaks of the need to preserve wildlife. Brimming with gorgeous photographs throughout, this selection is awesome.

www.greatestbooksforkids.com