Check It Out

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

Valentine’s Day--Love stories for everyone.

Preschool through kindergarten: “Senor Cat’s Romance and Other Favorite Stories From Latin America,” retold by Lucia M. Gonzalez, illustrated by Lulu Delacre

Senor Cat celebrates a little too much at his wedding.

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First through third grades: “A Kiss for Little Bear,” by Else Holmelund Minarik, illustrated by Maurice Sendak

Beginning readers follow a kiss, meant for Little Bear, as it travels from animal to animal.

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Fourth grade: “In Aunt Lucy’s Kitchen,” by Cynthia Rylant

Three cousins start a cookie company, but still have time to play matchmaker.

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Fifth grade: “Romance of the Snob Squad,” by Julie Anne Peters

One of the gang falls in love with a science student and other group members devise a way to get the boy’s attention.

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Sixth and seventh grades: “Bingo Brown’s Guide to Romance,” by Betsy Byars

Adventures of our hero, reunited with a former classmate.

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Read Aloud: “The Highwayman,” by Alfred Noyes, illustrated by Charles Keeping

Middle school students will like this romantic poem of passion and death, accompanied by illustrations of ghostly images.

Storytime

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

* “Tops and Bottoms,” adapted by Janet Stevens

A poor hare works out a deal to work a bear’s field while the bear sleeps throughout the season. The bear learns not to sleep through another season. Themes: Resourcefulness and nature.

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* “Mirette on the Highwire,” by Emily McCully

Monsieur Bellini, a mysterious retired tight-wire walker, teaches little Mirette to walk the high wire. But Mirette must help Monsieur Bellini overcome his own fear before they can become a successful new act. Themes: determination, concern for others.

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* “The Gullywasher,” by Joyce Rossi

While waiting for a desert thundershower to pass, Letitia learns of her grandfather’s past when he was a vaquero--a cowboy. Themes: family legends, imagination, nature.

AUTHOR VISITS

Sponsored by the Los Angeles City Library

* Monday: Jeri Chase Ferris, author of “With Open Hands” and other biographies for children; 1 p.m. at the Chinatown Branch, 536 W. College St.

* Wednesday: Robin Krupp, who wrote “The Big Dipper and You” and other astronomy titles for children; 4 p.m. at the Encino/Tarzana Branch, 18231 Ventura Blvd.

* Friday: Caroline Arnold, who wrote “Children of the Settlement Houses” and many books on animals; 1:30 p.m., the Angeles Mesa Branch, 2700 W. 52nd St.

Anne Ingram, author of “A Visit to Olvera Street”; 3:30 p.m., the Malabar Branch, 2801 Wabash Ave.