Books for children - July 8

AT THE LIBRARY

"Bunnicula: A Rabbit Tale of Mystery" by Deborah & James Howe, illustrated by Alan Daniel, Atheneum, 98 pages

Read aloud: age 6, 7 and older.

Read yourself: age 8 to 10.

Harold is a dog, and this is his story. Harold lives with Mr. and Mrs. Monroe, their two sons, and Harold's good friend, Chester the cat. A recent addition to the family is Bunnicula, a rabbit from the Carpathian Mountains of Transylvania.

Owing to vegetables that have been sucked dry of their juices (and hence color), the well-read Chester firmly and fearfully concludes that Bunnicula is a vampire. Chester feels compelled to save the Monroe clan from the evil Bunnicula, yet no one seems to grasp the gravity of the situation.

LIBRARIAN'S CHOICE

Library: The Stonington Free Library, 20 High St., Stonington

Library Director: Margaret Victoria

Children's/Teen Librarian: Maris Frey

Choices this week: "Eleven" by Patricia Reilly Giff; "Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf" by Jennifer L. Holm; "Lost & Found" by Andrew Clements

AT THE BOOKSTORE

"The Adventures of Jo Schmo: Dinos are Forever" by Greg Trine, illustrated by Frank W. Dormer, Harcourt, 2012, 106 pages, $12.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 5 and older.

Read yourself: age 8 to 10.

Many members of Jo Schmo's family were once crime fighters, and Jo knows she, too, will one day join their ranks. Only in fourth grade, Jo is surprised when she receives Uncle George's superhero cape and is instructed to "use it well."

Gathering crime-fighting tips from her grandfather, Jo sets about perfecting her superhero skills. Aided by Grandpa, her loyal dog Raymond and her turbocharged skateboard, Jo is soon ready to fight crime.

Hilarious with just the right amount of suspense, this choice will have kids ripping through every page.

"Geronimo Stilton: The Way of the Samurai" by Geronimo Stilton, illustrated by Blasco Pisapia and Danilo Barozzi, Scholastic, 2012, 122 pages, $6.99 paperback

Read aloud: age 5 and older.

Read yourself: age 8 to 10.

Newspaper magnet Geronimo Stilton prefers a quiet life and is a self-described "scaredy-mouse." The truth is, Geronimo has been through one crazy adventure after another. Now, Geronimo is off with Wild Willie to Japan to find an ancient samurai scroll that contains the secret to a long-lost fighting technique. But there are evil forces who also seek the same scroll, and if it falls into their hands, the result would be very bad, indeed.

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