Reading : Check It Out

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

Some of these stories are fun to tell as we celebrate Labor Day, but also on this list are serious books outlining the grave working conditions of child laborers.

Preschool to kindergarten: “Young Larry,” by Daniel Pinkwater, illustrated by Jill Pinkwater

Humorous tale of a polar bear that gets a job as a lifeguard in order to earn money to buy blueberry muffins.

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First and second grade: “Working Cotton,” by Sherley Anne Williams, illustrated by Carole Byard

For children in the fields, the days are as long and boring as the rows of cotton that stretch as far as the eye can see.

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Third grade: “Fox on the Job,” by James Marshall

Fox can’t seem to hold on to a traditional job so he hits upon an idea that exploits his natural talents.

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Fourth and fifth grade: “Working Children,” by Carol Saller

A history of the deplorable conditions many children were forced to endure in the early 1900s, and an explanation of how to help youngsters in other countries who are still used as slave laborers.

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Fifth and sixth grade: “Kids at Work: Lewis Hine and the Crusade Against Child Labor,” by Russell Freedman

This book contains the photographs of youngsters working in mines, sweatshops and fields that prompted reforms to protect the 2 million children who worked 12-hour days, six days a week, during the early part of this century.

Storytime

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

* “The Fortune-Tellers,” by Loyd Alexander

A carpenter told by a fortune-teller that he will be rich and happy passes his good fortune on to others. Theme: sharing.

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* “Effie,” by Beverley Allison

Effie the ant has a very loud voice and makes so much noise that the other bugs run away from her. One day, the shadow of a big foot falls across the ants, and she uses her loud voice to save all the ants from being crushed. Themes: nature, problem-solving, differences.