Check It Out

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

Read Across America--On Tuesday, as part of Read Across America, children will celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday.

Preschool: “Horton Hatches the Egg.”

Horton the elephant steadfastly sits on a lazy bird’s egg until it hatches.

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Kindergarten and first grade: “Hop on Pop.”

Children can sound out easy words and have fun with humorous illustrations.

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Second grade: “The Cat in the Hat.”

With only 220 words, Dr. Seuss redefined children’s literature with this American classic.

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Third grade: “The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins.”

A little boy removes his hat before the king only to have another placed on his head.

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Fourth grade: “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street.”

A boy’s imagination frees him from a dull walk home from school.

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Fifth and sixth grade: “Yertle the Turtle” and “The Sneetches.”

Yertle is a greedy despot. Prejudice looms in the hearts of some Sneetches.

Storytime

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

* “Prize in the Snow,” by Bill Easterling

A young boy traps a rabbit, discovers that it’s skinny and cold, feeds it and promises to bring more food. (Themes: caring, concern for others and nature.)

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* “Time Train,” by Paul Fleischman

A group of young students takes an exciting train ride through history. (Themes: imagination, nature, adventure.)

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* “The Whale’s 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. (Themes: family, imagination, nature.)