Regardless of our age, we all make choices every day - some choices are easier than others. A great deal of what we teach our kids will help them in their future decision-making endeavors. Today's books are helpful in this regard as they illustrate the thought processes behind some of the decisions we must make.

AT THE LIBRARY

"eleven" by Patricia Reilly Giff, Wendy Lamb Books, 165 pages

Read aloud: age 8 and older

Read yourself: age 9 and older

On the eve of his 11th birthday, Sam McKenzie scours the house looking for his hidden gifts. When his search leads him to the attic, what he finds shocks and disturbs him. A locked box with a newspaper hanging halfway out of the lid reveals a picture of Sam as a little boy. Sam wants to know what the article says, but he can't read. The only words he can make out are "missing" and his first name, Sam, but a different last name - Bell.

What does this mean? And why does Sam keep dreaming about the number eleven?

LIBRARIAN'S CHOICE

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

Library Director: Meg Vantine

Children's Librarian: Ann Grzelak

Choices this week: "Mr. Lincoln's Way" by Patricia Polacco; "The Three Questions (Based on a Story by Leo Tolstoy)" by Jon J. Muth; "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" by Dr. Seuss

AT THE BOOKSTORE

"The Hueys in IT WASN'T ME" by Oliver Jeffers, Philomel, 2014, 30 pages, $17.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 3 to 6

Read yourself: age 7 and 8

The Hueys are a large group of oval-shaped creatures who ordinarily get along with one another. Every now and then they have a disagreement, which is normal, but this particular disagreement spins out of control, and ultimately no one can remember why or what they are arguing about. Then Gillespie figures out just what to do to diffuse the situation.

"Lost for Words" by Natalie Russell, Peachtree, 2014, 28 pages, $16.95 hardcover

Read aloud: age 4 and older

Read yourself: age 7 and 8

Tapir has a nice new notebook and some colored pencils, but he doesn't know what to write in it. He sees his friends are busy writing: Giraffe is writing a lovely poem, Hippo is writing an exciting story, and Flamingo is composing a song. Tapir decides he is doing something wrong and must try harder.

With his notebook still blank, Tapir goes to the top of the hill to think. He notices the beautiful view, and then he opens his notebook and unpacks his colored pencils. Soon enough, Tapir has created an amazing story about his friends and the place they call home - all in beautiful pictures.

kendal@sunlink.net