Check your library for all featured books

It's no surprise that public libraries are as strapped for cash as everyone else. That doesn't mean, however, that your local library isn't purchasing new children's books.

Many of the books you'll find in this column listed as "Books to Buy" may also be available at your public library. If a specific book isn't on the shelf now, inquire with your librarian if it has been ordered or if it can be. Similarly, many of the books under "Books to Borrow" may also still be in-print and available to purchase.

The old adage holds true — you never get anywhere without asking, whether in person or, these days, electronically. The more adults do to connect children with the right books, the better off we'll all be, both now and in the future.

Books to Borrow

The following book is available at many public libraries.

• "100 Cupboards" by N.D. Wilson, Random House, 2007, 289 pages, $16.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 8 and older

Read yourself: age 9 — 10 and older

Twelve-year-old Henry had "led a life that taught him not to look forward to anything." But when Henry comes to stay with his aunt, uncle and three cousins in a small town in Kansas, his life takes a different turn as Henry is free to roam and explore.

One night, Henry hears thumping in the wall of his attic bedroom, then a bit of the plaster falls away, revealing a tiny cupboard door. With the help of his cousin, Henrietta, they peel away more and more of the plaster, ultimately discovering 100 little cupboard doors of all shapes and sizes.

What's more, they soon discover these cupboards are portals to other worlds where there is an ancient evil trying to find its way back through those portals and into our world.

Fantasy that feels like reality, the imagined that becomes believable — these are hallmarks of a great writer and precisely what you'll find in the extraordinary offering of "100 Cupboards."

Librarian's Choice

Library: Butte County Library — Biggs Branch, 464A B St., Biggs

Library Director: Derek Wolfgram

Branch Librarian: Cynthia Pustejovsky

Choices this week: "The Little Mermaid" by Hans Christian Anderson; "Johnny Lion's Book" by Edith Thacher Hurd; "Julie of the Wolves" by Jean Craighead George

Books to Buy

The following books are available at your favorite bookstores.

• "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" by Lauren Child, photographs by Polly Borland, set creation by Emily L. Jenkins, Disney/Hyperion, 2009, 44 pages, $16.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 4 and older

Read yourself: age 7 — 8

Many children have heard the story "Goldilocks and the Three Bears." In this offering, Lauren Child has created an embellished retelling that boasts exciting, intricate miniature photographs of Goldilocks in her great adventure.

Goldilocks travels too far into the forest, precisely where her mother told her not to go. Her mother had instructed her to simply collect firewood and to take special care with her new red shoes. Curiosity got the best of Goldilocks and, upon discovering a little house in the woods, she unintentionally got into some trouble with you-know-who: the three bears!

Almost as if looking through a viewfinder, readers will love poring over the photographs that are the perfect complement to this fun, fresh version of the traditional tale.

• "Miss Little's Gift" by Douglas Wood, illustrated by Jim Burke, Candlewick, 2009, 32 pages, $16.99 hardcover

Read aloud: age 7 and older

Read yourself: age 8 and older

Second-grade student Douglas had trouble sitting still, sometimes talked when he wasn't supposed to and frequently stayed after school for getting in trouble on the playground. Now his teacher, Miss Little, was making him stay after school to practice reading — something else he had a lot of trouble with.

Miss Little told Douglas he would become a good reader and they would work together to accomplish that. At first, Douglas hated the idea. But because Miss Little chose a book that interested Douglas, he slowly became more interested in what would happen next in the story. Over time, the lines and squiggles began to make sense, and Douglas was able to read and actually enjoyed it.

This is author Douglas Wood's memoir to his teacher who took the extra time and care to give the gift of reading to him as he struggled with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Beautifully written and illustrated, this book is an important addition to every child's reading list.

Kendal A. Rautzhan writes and lectures on children's literature. She can be reached at kendal@sunlink.net.