Check It Out

Books recommended for young readers by Ilene Abramson, senior librarian for the Children’s Literature Department, Los Angeles Public Library:

“Give Earth a Chance” is the slogan for Earth Day this Thursday, and many books encourage children to protect and revere their environment.

* Preschool to first grade: “Where Once There Was a Wood,” by Denise Fleming.

This book offers a simple story with striking illustrations. As an added bonus, it instructs youngsters on how to create wildlife habitats.

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* Second and third grades: “Kids’ Nature Book,” by Susan Milord.

Teach your children about rainbows by cutting strips of colored paper and weaving them into a rainbow mat or by dyeing clay in rainbow colors and using it to make coiled pots or three-dimensional pictures.

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* Third and fourth grades: “A Kid’s Guide to How to Save the Planet,” by Billy Goodman, illustrated by Paul Meisel.

Children are encouraged to look for products that have a minimum of packaging, avoid products that are used only once, and learn to recycle.

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* Fifth and sixth grades: “I Can Save the Earth,” by Anita Holmes, illustrated by David Neuhaus.

Children learn how to join environmental clubs, write letters to their representatives in Congress, read books about the subject and teach their friends how to save the Earth.

Storytime

Some of the books to be read on KCET’s “Storytime,” Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

* “Rose Meets Mr. Wintergarten,” by Bob Graham.

Rose has been warned to stay away from the scary Mr. Wintergarten. But when her ball flies into his yard, she finds a way to make him a friend. (Themes: friendship and feelings.)

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* “Chicken Sunday,” by Patricia Polacco.

Natasha and her friends purchase a special hat for her neighbor’s grandmother, Miss Eula. (Themes: family, caring / concern for others, differences, friendship and resourcefulness.)

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* “Alistair’s Elephant,” by Marilyn Sadler.

Alistair visits the zoo and discovers an elephant is following him home. He learns to live with the elephant until he decides he must return it. (Themes: uniqueness, differences and self-esteem.)