Books for children - July 15

"Guess How Much I Love You" by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram, Candlewick Press, 32 pages

Read aloud: birth to age 4.

Read yourself: age 7 and older.

Can the love between a child and parent be measured? Little Nutbrown Hare tries to do just that when he compares his love for his father to as many other things he can think of. He loves his father as much as his arms can stretch wide, as high as he can reach, as far away as the river. Each comparison Little Nutbrown Hare makes is countered with a comparison of even greater measure by his father, who also wants his son to know just how much he loves him.

Library: Public Library of New London, 63 Huntington St., New London

Library Director: Suzanne Maryeski

Head of Youth Services: Cris Staubach

Choices this week: "But Where's the Green Parrot?" by Thomas Zacharias; "Over in the Meadow" by Ezra Jack Keats; "Sand Cake" by Frank Asch

"Noodle Loves the Beach" written and illustrated by Marion Billet, nosy crow, 2012, 10 pages, $8.99 board book

Read aloud: birth to age 3

Read yourself: age 5 and 6

The adorable panda bear named Noodle loves everything about the beach. From a fun sailboat, playing in the sand, splashing in the water, and having a delicious snack of a sticky peach, Noodle and young readers will agree that going to the beach is lots of fun.

Colorful illustrations combine with the simple rhyming text and a different touch-and-feel opportunity on each double-page spread, making this delightful book both fun to read and educational. (And don't miss the equally awesome companion book, "Noodle Loves to Eat.")

"Little Bee" written and illustrated by Edward Gibbs, LB Kids, 2012, 26 pages, $8.99 board book

Read aloud: age 18 months to age 3

Read yourself: age 5 and 6

"Little bee, little bee…why do you flee? Because there's a hungry frog chasing me!" But why is the frog running away? Because a scary snake seems to be chasing the frog! And so, the situation repeats itself, with everyone misunderstanding the intent of the one behind them. And in the final moment, the funny surprise ending will have kids giggling and requesting to read this selection again and again.

www.greatestbooksforkids.com