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Books recommended for young readers by Susan Patron, senior librarian, Los Angeles Public Library:
Poetry II--As children try to figure out the world and make sense of life, these books of poems--whether capturing a moment in time, a facet of nature, a feeling or a wish--could help them.
Babies and toddlers: “Moo, Baa, La La La!” by Sandra Boynton
A funny board book with rhyming text shows what a lot of different animals say.
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Preschoolers: “Read-Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young,” selected by Jack Prelutsky
More than 200 well-chosen little poems, perfect for 3- and 4-year-olds, with inviting illustrations that add visual dimension by Marc Brown.
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Kindergarten: “Knoxville, Tennessee,” by Nikki Giovanni, illustrated by Larry Johnson
Beautiful paintings of an African American girl and her family illustrate this satisfying poem in free verse about the joys of a summer in Knoxville.
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First and second grades: “How Now, Brown Cow?” by Alice Schertle, illustrated by Amanda Schaffer
A master poet’s funny, wise and thoughtful poems about cows.
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Third grade: “Meet Danitra Brown,” by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Floyd Cooper
Cooper’s radiant illustrations capture the rich inner world of two unforgettable African American girls.
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Fourth and fifth grades: “Neighborhood Odes,” by Gary Soto, illustrated by David Diaz
Twenty-one poems celebrate life in a Latino neighborhood with humor, sensitivity and insight.
Storytime
Some of the books to be read on KCET’s “Storytime,” Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
* “Baby Rattlesnake,” by Te Ata and Lynn Moroney
A young rattlesnake begs for his own rattle, then uses it unwisely. (Themes: responsibility, feelings.)
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* “Ruby, the Copy Cat,” by Peggy Rathmann
Ruby, the new girl in school, tries to fit in by copying everything that Angela does and says. (Themes: friendship, uniqueness.)
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* “The Wolf’s Chicken Stew,” by Keiko Kasza
A wolf sets out to find chickens for his stew but discovers friendship instead. (Themes: sharing, cause and effect.)
