Check It Out

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

AWARD WINNER: Eve Bunting, versatile author of more than 100 books, is the recipient of the city library’s “Friends of Children and Literature Award” (FOCAL), which will be presented Feb. 12.

Preschool: “No Nap,” by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Susan Meddaugh

Exhaustion gets to poor ol’ Dad, but little Susie never runs out of steam.

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Kindergarten: “Ducky,” by Eve Bunting, illustrated by David Wisniewski

A crate of toys is lost in a storm, but a bathtub duck floats to safety.

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First to third grades: “So Far From the Sea,” (FOCAL award winner) by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Chris K. Soentpiet

While traveling to Manzanar to visit the grave of his father, a man recalls the injustices Japanese Americans faced during World War II.

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Fourth grade: “Some Frog,” by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Scott Medlock

Though disappointed about his father’s absence at a school event, a youngster realizes that he has the power to make the day enjoyable.

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Fifth grade: “Coffin on a Case,” by Eve Bunting

Patterned after detective novels of the 1940s, a beautiful blond teenager solicits a sixth-grade Sam Spade to find her mother.

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Sixth to eighth grades: “Spying on Miss Muller,” by Eve Bunting

During World War II, a group of girls are convinced their German teacher is a spy.

Storytime

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

* “Don’t Fidget a Feather,” by Erica Silverman

Duck and Gander are friends but are always competing until the day Duck must save Gander from ending up in Fox’s stew. Theme: friendship.

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* “The Hunter,” by Paul Geraghty

A young girl wanders into the forest and encounters a baby elephant whose mother has been killed by poachers. The girl decides to lead the baby back to his herd. Themes: family, nature, concern for others and adventure.

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* “Mole’s Hill,” by Lois Ehlert

A mole’s hill is keeping the fox and the raccoon from going to the watering hole. Mole digs a tunnel for the other animals so that they can get to the water. Themes: resourcefulness and nature.

AUTHOR VISITS

* Tomorrow: Bernadette Shih, who wrote “Ling Ling, the Most Beautiful Panda in the World,” will read at 1 p.m. in the Los Angeles Public Library’s Chinatown Branch, 536 W. College St.

* Thursday: Dolores Johnson, author of “My Mom Is My Show and Tell,” will appear at 3:30 p.m. at the John Muir Branch, 1005 West 64th St.