Check It Out

Books recommended for young readers by Ilene Abramson, senior librarian for the children’s literature department, Los Angeles Public Library:

Relax during this hectic season with these engaging books.

Toddlers: “Where’s Spot?,” by Eric Hill

Children love to lift the flaps of this picture book to see where the doggie is hiding.

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Preschool to first grade: “Mushroom in the Rain,” by Mirra Ginsburg, illustrated by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey

Five little animals learn why there is room to hide under a mushroom during a rainstorm.

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Second and third grades: “Bennett Cerf’s Book of Riddles,” by Bennett Cerf, illustrated by Roy McKie

Funny jokes delight beginning readers in this perennial favorite.

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Fourth grade: “American Tall Tales,” by Mary Pope Osborne, illustrated by Michael McCurdy

Pecos Bill, John Henry and Davy Crockett are among the characters introduced in this collection of exaggerated legends.

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Fifth grade: “The Indian in the Cupboard,” by Lynne Reid Banks

The adventures of a young boy when his toy Indian comes to life by way of a magic cupboard.

Storytime

Some of the books to be read on KCET’s “Storytime,” weekdays at 12:30 p.m.

* “Prize in the Snow,” by Bill Easterling

A young boy, eager to be a great hunter, sets out to trap a rabbit with a box and a carrot. Once he traps the rabbit, he discovers that the rabbit looks skinny and cold. The boy feeds the rabbit the carrot and promises to bring more food. Themes: caring, concerns for others, nature.

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* “Time Train,” by Paul Fleischman

Young students take a wild and exciting ride through history. The train takes the children to the time of the Civil War, and then all the way to the age of dinosaurs. Themes: family, imagination and nature.

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* “The Whales’ Song,” by Dyan Sheldon

Lily is told by her grandmother that if she takes a present to the whales in the ocean, they will sing her a song. That night, she is awakened by the song of the whales. Themes: family, imagination, nature.

AUTHOR VISITS

* Monday: Dolores Johnson, author of “My Mom Is My Show and Tell,” will appear at 4:30 p.m. at the Memorial Branch Library, 4625 W. Olympic Blvd.

* Wednesday: Dolores Johnson, who also wrote “The Children’s Book of Kwanzaa,” will speak at 4 p.m. at the Woodland Hills Branch, 22200 Ventura Blvd.

* Saturday: Caroline Arnold, author of “Children of the Settlement House,” will read at 10:30 a.m. at the Chatsworth Branch, 21052 Devonshire St.